Tanzania heads to the polls what does the landscape look like?
When Jakaya Kikwete took office in December 2005, he returned CCM to a strong mandate (having won some 80% of the vote in 2005). His presidency began with optimism: a growing economy, elevated donor engagement and relative openness for civil society compared with previous decades. Kikwete presided over relative stability and growth, but he left […]
Baba” Departs — What the Passing of Raila Odinga Means for Kenya and the Region
Nairobi, 18 October 2025 — The death of Kenya’s veteran opposition icon, Raila Odinga, leaves a void that resonates far beyond western Kenya. Known affectionately as “Baba,” Odinga died in India on 15 October 2025 at age 80 after suffering a cardiac arrest. His passing closes a chapter in Kenyan politics characterised by his five […]
Polygamy in East Africa: Tradition, Modernity, and the Debate Over Rights
Polygamy remains a highly debated issue across East Africa, where traditional practices, religious beliefs, and modern legal frameworks intersect. In countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, the practice of taking multiple spouses—predominantly men marrying multiple women—continues to provoke social, legal, and economic discussions. Polygamy has deep roots in many East African communities. Among […]
Prophet Kakande’s Rising Star: How a Ugandan Preacher Is Shaping Faith Across East Africa
KAMPALA — From a small congregation in central Uganda to a regional ministry drawing pilgrims from Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, Prophet Samuel Kakande has become one of the most talked-about figures in East Africa’s fast-growing Pentecostal movement. Known for his dramatic healing services, televised miracles, and entrepreneurial ventures, Kakande’s influence is spreading beyond Uganda’s borders […]
Mufti Ismail Ibn Musa Menk East Africa’s Leading Islamic Voice
NAIROBI — Across East Africa’s bustling mosques, digital platforms and religious forums, one name increasingly resonates with the region’s Muslim communities: Mufti Ismail Ibn Musa Menk. Hailing originally from Zimbabwe, his message of faith, social guidance and global Muslim unity has crossed national borders and cultural divides — making him perhaps the most widely recognised […]
Under Pressure, Still Moving Forward: Évariste Ndayishimiye’s Balancing Act in Burundi
Since taking the helm of the Central African nation of Burundi in June 2020, President Évariste Ndayishimiye has faced a formidable array of internal and external hurdles — yet amid the strain, he has scored several noteworthy victories. The question now is whether they are strong enough to steer Burundi into more stable waters, or […]
Moustoifa Hassane Mohamed The Minister with Presidential Potential
In the small but strategically placed Indian Ocean archipelago of the Union of the Comoros, one cabinet minister is generating growing attention for his competence, technocratic promise and increasing influence: Moustoifa Hassane Mohamed, currently Minister of Economy, Industry, Investments and Economic Integration (appointed July 2024). Below is a detailed profile of Mohamed, what makes him […]
Why Smart Money Is Quietly Moving to Mauritius
For investors tired of headline risk, sudden tax changes and unstable jurisdictions, Mauritius is offering something simple: predictability. Over the past 18 months a steady, discreet flow of institutional capital — DFIs, family offices and fund managers — has been structuring or redomiciling vehicles through Port Louis. Below I explain who’s coming, why, and what […]
The East African Community (EAC) — Still Relevant?
The East African Community (EAC) is at a pivotal moment. With eight member states — Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda — the organisation has ambitious integration goals, but the question remains: is the EAC still relevant and forward-looking in 2025? And what exactly is the […]
