William Ruto

Palace Intrigues
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Michael Randrianirina, Abiy Ahmed, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

GabonBrice Clotaire Oligui Nguema prepares for his first anniversary as president

Madagascar-Equatorial GuineaBehind Colonel Randrianirina's trip to Malabo

Ethiopia, SomaliaAbiy Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud at cross-purposes

Uganda
Ruto and Museveni to follow diplomatic route on island border dispute

The two presidents have agreed on a plan to resolve their differences over the management of the small island of Migingo and the waters surrounding it, where many fishermen work. They intend to draw on the expertise of their diplomats and keep politicians out of what is a sensitive issue.

Kenya
Chinese firm Shengli lands contract for key central Kenya road

After years of complications, Shengli Engineering Construction, the construction arm of the Shengli Oilfield group, is set to build the road linking Githunguri and Ruiru, north of Nairobi.

Uganda
Business resumes for top tycoons after Museveni's re-election

Close to the head of state, leaders of Uganda's main business empires are putting their services at the government's disposal at a time when the public finances remain fragile. The situation is also a boon for the financial sector, which is stepping in to shore up the executive.

Kenya
Tea trading firms reroute stock to Egypt

Warehouses in Mombasa, one of the world's leading centres for tea auctions, are feeling the full impact of the war against Iran. The fallout from the crisis could yet reach Kenyan producers before the next harvest season gets under way.

Kenya
Former tax chief Anthony Mwaura's questionable business contracts

Although head of a state agency, this senior figure in the president's party has not given up his business activities in either the construction or financial sectors. Yet the awarding of major public contracts to a company owned by this influential government official raises a number of questions.

Kenya
Ruto persuaded by his neighbours to roll back privatisation of port authority

The presidents of Uganda and Rwanda were concerned that their imports from Mombasa would become more expensive if the Kenya Ports Authority was sold off. The Kenyan head of state has ultimately opted for a compromise solution.

Kenya
Ruto's right-hand man calls ministers to order

Energy ministry officials are coordinating their activities more closely with the president's chief of staff, Felix Koskei, who was annoyed to see them touring their constituencies rather than attending important meetings.

Uganda
How Kampala and New Delhi are knitting closer ties

Several events in India and Uganda are aimed at increasing investment and trade between the two countries. The military partnership, while still symbolic, should also reduce Kampala's dependence on Russia.

Kenya
Parliament ends diplomatic immunity for GCA climate research body

Despite Kenyan government backing, the climate change research facility Global Centre on Adaptation is set to lose its diplomatic status in the country. Parliament is mulling the various controversies surrounding the organisation, whose leader is close to the head of state.

Kenya
Army launches inquiry into soldiers' alleged abuses

Soldiers have been accused by Rift Valley residents of beating civilians and community leaders during the anti-banditry campaign launched in February 2023. Several people have called for the police to also be investigated.

Ethiopia
African Union's precarious position on Tigray's rising tensions

The African leaders meeting in mid-February in the Ethiopian capital, which hosts the HQ of the pan-African organisation, were careful to avoid the subject of the crisis in the north of the country.