Somalia politician executed for working with Ethiopians

NAIROBI/MOGADISHU - Islamist insurgents have executed a Somali politician in the port town of Kismayo for working with Ethiopian forces occupying Somalia, reports said Friday.

Obamania at its height in Kenya (Letter from Nairobi)

NAIROBI - Barack Obama’s election as US president has made him an idol in his father’s homeland Kenya, with his pictures gracing calendars, vehicles and the walls of many homes. The country is even holding a five-day cultural extravaganza to celebrate the inauguration of America’s first black head of state.

Somalia clashes leave 30 dead

NAIROBI/MOGADISHU - Clashes between Somali Islamists competing to seize areas abandoned by departing Ethiopian troops left around 30 people dead and 30 injured over the weekend, reports said Monday.

At least five Somali pirates drown with ransom

NAIROBI - At least five Somali pirates drowned with their share of ransom after their boat capsized off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation, reports Saturday said.

Somali pirates release Saudi tanker after ransom payment

NAIROBI - Somali pirates said Friday that they had freed a Saudi-owned supertanker after receiving $3 million in ransom, agencies reported.

Kenya to declare national emergency over food crisis

NAIROBI - The Kenyan government plans to declare a national emergency over the prevailing drought and famine situation in the country that has rendered nearly ten million people food insecure.