The United States has halted its financial support for a United Nations fund aimed at a multinational security mission in Haiti, according to a UN spokesperson on Tuesday. This decision will prevent the release of $13.3 million in aid that was pending.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated that they received an official request from the US to immediately cease contributions to the trust fund for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which is already facing funding challenges under the leadership of Kenya.

In October 2023, the UN Security Council approved the MSS mission to assist Haitian authorities in combating the criminal gangs that have taken control of large areas of the country.

The funding freeze from Washington aligns with newly elected President Donald Trump’s initiative to reduce US foreign aid, which includes efforts to dismantle the operations of the main aid agency, USAID.

In late January, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned that without increased international support for the security mission, Haiti’s capital could be overwhelmed by gangs.

Guterres emphasized the urgent need for more funding, equipment, and personnel for the international force, warning that any further delays could lead to a “catastrophic” failure of Haiti’s security institutions and potentially allow gangs to seize control of the entire metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.

Haiti’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, addressed the UN Security Council, highlighting the “major difficulties” facing the country that threaten not only the population but also the “very survival of the state.”

While the MSS is not a UN force, the organization has established a voluntary fund to support it, which has so far raised $110 million—an amount considered largely inadequate.

Currently, just under 800 of the anticipated 2,500 security personnel have been deployed.

The United States has allocated $15 million to the fund, making it the second-largest contributor after Canada, which donated $63 million. Of this amount, $1.7 million has already been distributed.

In addition to the UN-managed fund, the Biden administration has provided over $300 million in direct support to the MSS, which includes a fleet of armored vehicles.

Haiti is currently without a president or parliament, governed instead by a transitional authority that is grappling with rampant violence from criminal gangs, widespread poverty, and various other issues.

According to the UN, gang-related violence claimed the lives of more than 5,626 individuals in Haiti last year, marking an increase of about a thousand compared to 2023.

The crisis has also led to over a million Haitians being displaced from their homes, a figure that has tripled in just one year.

A tragic incident has occurred in Minyere village, Ndhiwa, Homabay County, where a 7-year-old girl lost her life after being poisoned by her father. Reports indicate that the father mixed petrol with an unidentified chemical following a dispute with his ex-wife.

The victim, Grashines Lovely Odongo, a second-grade student at Minyere Comprehensive School, was discovered by a relative on Tuesday morning, her body covered with clothing in their home. She had been living with her father and sibling since her parents separated three months prior.

According to local assistant chief Javana Abuto, the girl was last seen on Monday evening with her father at their residence, only to be found deceased the next day.

The girl’s younger sibling informed authorities that their father had mixed petrol with a chemical and deceived Grashines into consuming it, claiming it was soda, which ultimately led to her tragic death.

Abuto further revealed that the girl had been assaulted, lost consciousness, and was subsequently poisoned by her father. A bottle of petrol was discovered near her body, confirming the poisoning.

Ndhiwa Sub-County Police Commander John Losia confirmed the incident, noting that foam was found around the girl’s mouth after the poisoning.

Authorities are currently searching for the father, who fled the scene following the incident. The girl’s remains have been taken to Manyatta Kobodo Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

A man suspected of stealing chickens has been lynched at Diambo Estate in Ngurubani town, located in Mwea-East, Kirinyaga County.

Residents reported that 41-year-old Patrick Muiva Musau was brutally attacked by locals who left him for dead outside a nearby bar before fleeing the scene. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries just an hour before the police arrived.

“The crowd dispersed, thinking he had died, as they beat him from the corner of Diambo to the riverside,” explained Anthony Mwangi, the village leader.

After the suspect’s death, locals discovered several stolen chickens that had been brought to the scene shortly after the police’s arrival.

“This man was part of a gang that has been terrorizing the community at night, which is why the angry residents confronted him,” stated Peter Maina.

Residents of Diambo also mentioned that this was the second time the suspect had narrowly escaped death, having had a similar close call just last week at Red Soil along the Mwea-Embu highway.

“I intervened to save him from a mob that wanted to kill him around 2 a.m. last week after he broke into a local school, but today he wasn’t so fortunate,” said Peter Wanjohi from Red Soil village.

Mwea-East sub-county police commander Mohammed Jarso confirmed the incident, noting that the deceased was a known criminal with a history of multiple arrests.

“He was on probation after being apprehended for several theft offenses in the area, but we urge the community to report incidents to the authorities rather than taking matters into their own hands,” the police chief emphasized.

The Aga Khan, a prominent spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims and a successful businessman, has passed away at the age of 88.

A statement from the Aga Khan Development Network confirmed that the billionaire investor died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.

Regarded as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, known as Aga Khan IV, served as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He assumed leadership from his grandfather in July 1957 when he was just 20 years old, establishing a vast network across 30 countries, including various African nations, with annual investments exceeding Ksh. 128 billion.

Prince Karim Aga Khan was the visionary founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. This organization includes key agencies such as the Aga Khan Health Services and the Aga Khan Education Services, which have significantly contributed to advancing health and education in the region.

In Kenya, the network encompasses notable institutions like the Nation Media Group, Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Hospitals, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), Jubilee Insurance, and a range of primary and secondary schools.

The development agencies under his leadership also focus on diverse areas such as environmental sustainability, cultural promotion, rural development, disaster management, and fostering private-sector growth.

His Highness the Aga Khan made a notable visit to Kenya in April 2018, invited by the State to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of his spiritual leadership.

With his wealth estimated between $800 million and $13 billion, he was well-known for his enthusiasm for horse breeding and his investments in tourism and real estate. Holding citizenship in Britain, France, Switzerland, and Portugal, he embodied the spirit of an international mogul, with a taste for luxury yachts and private jets.

In Butula, Busia County, police faced significant challenges in stopping residents from siphoning fuel after a tanker overturned.

According to the officers, the driver lost control of the vehicle on the Kisumu-Busia road.

The incident occurred in the Rakite area, just a short distance from the police station. Witnesses reported that the driver was speeding toward the Kenya-Uganda border when he lost control, causing the tanker to flip over by the roadside.

As the vehicle lay overturned, locals quickly gathered with containers in hand, ready to collect the spilled fuel.

This incident echoes a tragic event from 2021, when a petrol tanker explosion in the Malanga area on the Kisumu-Busia highway resulted in the deaths of 13 people, all of whom were attempting to siphon fuel from an overturned tanker.

A member of the National Police Reserve tragically lost his life during a bandit attack in the village of Kepenguria, located in West Pokot County.

Authorities reported that Clement Lokwailap was shot in the abdomen by unidentified assailants in the Apolo area and unfortunately passed away shortly after arriving at Ortum Missionary Hospital.

His remains have been transferred to the Cheranganyi Nursing Home Mortuary, where a postmortem examination is pending.

According to witnesses, Lokwailap was conducting his regular patrol in the Apolo area when he was ambushed on Saturday, February 1. The attackers made off with his G3 rifle and two magazines containing an undisclosed number of rounds.

Concerns are rising regarding potential retaliation following this incident. In response, police have intensified patrols in the region to combat such attacks, which have resurfaced after a period of relative calm.

Additional resources have been deployed to bolster operations aimed at curbing banditry. This effort has contributed to a noticeable decrease in bandit-related incidents across the broader North Rift and neighboring regions over the past year.

Last year, ongoing efforts under Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift resulted in the recovery of at least 172 illegal firearms. The Ministry of Interior has also reported a significant reduction in cattle rustling cases as a result of these initiatives.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto offered him Ksh. 2 billion in exchange for his resignation.

In an interview with Royal Media Services’ vernacular radio stations—Mulembe, Vuuka, and Sulwe FM—Gachagua characterized the offer as a direct appeal from the President.

“The President proposed that I step down, assuring me of Ksh. 2 billion for a comfortable retirement, complete with security and benefits. He even suggested that I might consider running for office again in the future,” Gachagua revealed.

He also noted that some of his allied MPs encouraged him to resign, believing it would pave the way for him to run in the 2027 elections, but he ultimately dismissed their advice.

Additionally, Gachagua claimed that several Members of the National Assembly received Ksh. 500,000, while some Senators were given Ksh. 10 million each to facilitate his removal from office.

Responding to recent issues, Gachagua criticized the government for its lack of sincerity regarding the rising incidents of abductions in the country.

“How can we promote peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo while our youth are being kidnapped right here?” he asked.

He specifically condemned the recent kidnappings of chiefs in Mandera, emphasizing that such occurrences have become disturbingly frequent.

Moreover, Gachagua took aim at certain government initiatives, arguing that they do not address the actual needs of the Kenyan people.

He labeled the current administration, which has included some opposition parties in the Cabinet, as a failure, claiming that little has changed since these adjustments were made.

Gachagua disclosed that his disagreements with President Ruto over various initiatives were the cause of their rift.

He voiced his opposition to the Affordable Housing project, the heavy tax burdens on Kenyans, and certain policies introduced by Ruto’s economic advisors.

A doctor from Mombasa has been released on a Ksh.500,000 bond after pleading not guilty to allegations of sexually assaulting a patient at Pandya Hospital.

Dias Jumba Wabwire appeared before Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku at the Mombasa High Court on Monday, facing a single charge of rape.

The accusation states that Wabwire assaulted a patient seeking dialysis services at the hospital at 5 am on January 31, 2025. He has denied the allegations and was granted bail with a surety of the same amount.

FIDA, a women’s rights organization, has condemned the incident, revealing that the woman had previously been assaulted by the same individual. They are calling for the arrest of others they believe obstructed justice in this case.

“Both the DCI and ODPP need to investigate and hold accountable those staff members who were aware of the incident but failed to act. FIDA will closely monitor this case to ensure the survivor is protected and receives the justice she deserves,” stated Jane Onyango, a lawyer with FIDA.

The next mention of the case is scheduled for February 17, 2025.

The Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced an investigation into allegations of staff mistreatment at Taita Hills Resort and Spa, located in Taita Taveta County.

This inquiry comes in response to claims of workplace abuse, discrimination, and overall mistreatment directed at employees under the leadership of General Manager Sanjeev Kumar.

Current and former employees describe a toxic work environment, citing instances of verbal abuse, discrimination, and intimidation.

One intern reported being targeted due to her body size, claiming that Kumar made derogatory comments and attempted to end her internship based on her appearance.

When the Human Resource Manager refused to comply with Kumar’s wishes, the intern was reassigned to the front desk, where she continued to endure body shaming and was ultimately dismissed prematurely.

“In numerous instances, he made belittling remarks about my body, particularly focusing on my large breasts, stating they had ‘no place in the hospitality industry.’ These comments not only embarrassed me but also fostered a hostile and discouraging work atmosphere,” her complaint to the TRA states.

“I have also heard similar stories from others who have worked under him, some of which are even more troubling.”

The authority has noted that another former employee reported Kumar “yelling” at staff in front of guests and “almost throwing a notebook at them.”

Moreover, staff members claim that their days off and leave requests, including those for maternity and paternity, are often ignored, and those who voice concerns face “verbal abuse and retaliation.”

“Employees were reportedly instructed on what to say during board visits and threatened with repercussions if they strayed from the prepared statements,” the tourism regulator revealed.

Kumar is also accused of obstructing a former employee’s efforts to secure a position at a nearby lodge.

“After making calls and issuing threats, the employee was compelled to resign from the new job and return to Taita Hills Resort,” the authority stated.

The hotel, which promotes itself on its website as “Africa’s best-kept secret,” is facing serious allegations of racial discrimination in its hiring practices and treatment of staff.

According to a former employee, Kumar allegedly expressed a preference against working with Black employees, opting instead to replace front office personnel with those of lighter skin tones, as reported by TRA.

The regulatory body has received testimonies indicating that Kumar reacted violently, including an incident where he reportedly smashed a fruit bowl and verbally attacked a pastry chef.

Furthermore, it is claimed that the manager pressured the CCTV operator to erase footage of these incidents, subsequently orchestrating the dismissal of those involved.

Footage provided to a local media outlet, appears to depict an Indian man confronting an African male employee in what looks like a kitchen, where he aggressively knocks utensils and food onto the floor.

TRA has brought these allegations to the attention of the resort’s management, demanding a response within five days. The authority has warned that failure to address these claims could result in the suspension of the resort’s tourism license.