Kenya’s political leaders have always had a vested political interest in the control of the country’s media. But no president has had a more terrifying presence in Kenyan newsrooms than Daniel arap Moi, Kenya’s president from 1978 to 2002.
The Conversation
African identities Desmond Tutu’s long history of fighting for lesbian and gay rights
Desmond Tutu is by far the most high-profile African, if not global, religious leader to support lesbian and gay rights, and he has done so since the 1970s.
Arts and Culture Giving back to English: how Nigerian words made it into the Oxford English Dictionary
Nigerians can take pride in the recent addition of 29 words of Nigerian origin to the Oxford English Dictionary.
Arts and Culture Of strong winds, heavy hearts and Joseph Shabalala telling the South African story
The passing of music giant Joseph Shabalala rests heavy on South African hearts – he told the story of black migrants within the apartheid system in a way no-one else did – and achieved global fame.
Politics and Society Why Kenya’s Mau Mau gave up their fight
The resilient Mau Mau freedom fighters failed to maintain revolutionary action after independence.
Politics and Society Will bold landmark election ruling improve Malawian democracy?
Will the same electoral commission, so heavily criticised in the court’s ruling, improve its capacity and arrange more credible elections?
Politics and Society A great judgment, but court victories won’t deliver democracy in Malawi
A new round of elections offers an opportunity to strengthen civil and political freedoms.
Arts and Culture Nigeria’s tradition of matching outfits at events has a downside
As the Nigerian tradition of dressing in matching outfits for special events continues to grow in popularity, it brings with it a threat of social exclusion.
Arts and Culture Why it’s so difficult to end female genital mutilation
An estimated 130 million women have undergone female genital mutilation and millions more are at risk. The practice is carried out mainly for cultural and economic reasons.