US anti-abortion “gag rule” hits women hard: What we found in Kenya and Madagascar

The Global Gag Rule requires non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based outside the US that receive US government global health assistance to certify that they will not use any funding to provide legal abortion services, referrals, or information to clients, or to advocate for the liberalisation of a country’s abortion law.

Continue ReadingUS anti-abortion “gag rule” hits women hard: What we found in Kenya and Madagascar

Nairobi’s airports – windows on Kenya’s colonial past and top-down planning

After a technical engineering study of the Embakasi site, and piles of dense estimating, accounting, and reporting, a financial resolution was found. In May 1953 the Kenya Legislative Assembly agreed to the construction of the city’s third airport there.

Continue ReadingNairobi’s airports – windows on Kenya’s colonial past and top-down planning

Ethiopia’s next poll could be more competitive. But big challenges remain

Ethiopia’s party system is extremely volatile. Political parties are weak and fragmented. And the elections will take place amid the upheaval in Tigray, one of the country’s 10 federal regions.

Continue ReadingEthiopia’s next poll could be more competitive. But big challenges remain

Why the African Union’s decision on a top post is being seen as a litmus test

The current AU’s reform journey began in July 2016 when the assembly appointed Rwandan president Paul Kagame to do a study on its institutional reform. The assessment by the panel led by Kagame was unequivocal; the union was not fit for purpose.

Continue ReadingWhy the African Union’s decision on a top post is being seen as a litmus test

The ins and outs of Kenya’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout plan

Vaccine rollout will be done in three phases. The first involves 1.25 million people and runs between now and June 2021. Phase two will run between July 2021 and June 2022, targeting the most vulnerable, including the elderly and those above 18 years with comorbidities. It targets 9.76 million people.

Continue ReadingThe ins and outs of Kenya’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout plan

Can employers require workers to take the Covid-19 vaccine? 6 questions answered

Given the broad set of rights that the law gives employers in order to promote health and safety, in some cases it is possible for an organization to go even further and terminate employment if a worker refuses vaccination and there is no reasonable way to provide an accommodation.

Continue ReadingCan employers require workers to take the Covid-19 vaccine? 6 questions answered

Backlash against Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine is real and risky – here’s how to make its rollout a success

If states don’t plan carefully for how the vaccines are distributed, the result could be a nightmare of frustrated patients and wasted vaccine.

Continue ReadingBacklash against Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine is real and risky – here’s how to make its rollout a success