Sunday April 6, 2025 {HMC} Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has defended the move to join President William Ruto’s government.

The former Prime Minister said that ODM did not join the government to betray Kenyans.

In March, Ruto and the former Prime Minister officially signed a political pact to work together.

The Kenya Kwanza-ODM Framework Agreement was signed in an event that was attended by Members of Parliament allied to the two leaders.

Speaking on Saturday in Mombasa, Raila said the party did a patriotic thing to unite Kenyans from all walks of life.

“Sisi tunasema hatujaingia kwa harusi hii na serikali ili kusaliti Wakenya, sisi tumefanya kitu ya muhimu kushinda wabinafsi. Wakenya waungane pamoja, wafanye kazi,” Raila said during the celebration of Mombasa Eid Baraza.

Loosely translates to: We say our political marriage with the government is not a move to betray Kenyans. We have done an important thing which is not selfish. Kenyans should unite and work.

The former Prime Minister said that in the coming general elections, ODM will also participate in the elections.

He, however, was not clear if the party will front a presidential candidate to represent in the 2027 general election.

He called on members of the ODM party to exercise peace and civilisation during the upcoming ODM grassroots election.

Raila said that the members should support each other to ensure the success of the grassroots elections.

The working arrangements saw both UDA and ODM party share political infrastructure on matters of national interest.

They also deployed their best experts for consultations on matters concerning the governance of the country.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed aimed to address Kenya’s social, economic, and political challenges in 2025.

Ruto and Raila emphasised that the right to protest is a constitutional right that all Kenyans must be able to enjoy without hindrance.

As part of the agreement, the leaders also pledged to compensate victims of past protests. “The derogation of rights to peaceful assembly and protests remains one of the most shameful realities on the excesses of Kenya’s law and order responses since independence,” the document read in part.

Sunday April 6, 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has condemned the killing of Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nur Mohamed Gaabow, widely known as Nur Farey, the commander of the 14th of October Brigade of the Somali National Army (SNA), who was fatally shot on Saturday in Lower Shabelle.

In a statement issued Saturday night, President Mohamud described the slain officer as a “patriotic and devoted soldier” who sacrificed his life for the defense of Somalia and the freedom of its people.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, the Somali National Army, and the entire Somali nation following the death of Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nur Mohamed Gaabow (Nur Farey),” the President said.

President Mohamud emphasized that the federal government has launched a thorough investigation into the killing.

Military officials said the commander was shot dead while addressing troops during a routine inspection in Ado-Diidible, between Afgooye and Laanta Buure, in preparation for a major offensive against Al-Shabaab.

“A man dressed in military uniform suddenly opened fire on the commander,” one senior SNA officer said, adding that the gunman’s identity remains unknown.

Security forces are investigating whether the attacker was an infiltrator posing as a soldier or a member of the military.

President Mohamud reaffirmed the government’s commitment to intensifying the fight against Al-Shabaab, which is designated a terrorist organization by Somalia, the United Nations, and the United States. The killing comes amid a renewed push by federal and regional forces to retake Al-Shabaab strongholds in southern Somalia.

Sunday April 6, 2025 {HMC} President Museveni and his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have recommitted to strengthening bilateral relations and deepening regional stability following a one-day official visit to Uganda by the Somali leader on April 5, 2025.

During the visit, the two heads of state discussed the security and political situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa and called for continued collaboration to defeat terrorism.

They praised the efforts and sacrifices made by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the Somali Security Forces in stabilising the country and combating Al-Shabaab.

“We commend the commencement of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and urge for adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding for its success,” read a joint communique issued after the meeting.

The leaders also highlighted the upcoming Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries to AUSSOM, scheduled for April 25.

President Mohamud thanked President Museveni for convening the meeting, which is expected to galvanise collective leadership against terrorism in the region.

Both presidents underscored the importance of building a robust Somali Security Force, and urged the international community to support the implementation of Somalia’s Security Development Plan to ensure a smooth exit of AUSSOM.

The visit also marked the signing of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), forming part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation.

Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, who signed on behalf of Uganda, said the agreement would “enhance structured military collaboration between the two countries.”

His Somali counterpart, Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheik Ismael Fara-Tag, signed on behalf of Somalia.

The ministers also announced that their governments were ready to conclude further agreements on education, sports, and immigration management.

They committed to convene the second Joint Permanent Commission and an Investment and Business Summit “as soon as possible.”

On labour migration, the leaders acknowledged the submission of a draft Bilateral Labour Agreement by Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to Somalia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Beyond bilateral matters, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to broader African integration through frameworks like the East African Community (EAC), IGAD and the African Union.

They also called on the international community to support Somalia’s institution-building, climate action and humanitarian response efforts.

President Museveni praised the resilience and commitment of the Somali people in their stabilisation efforts, while President Mohamud saluted Uganda’s role since 2007 in helping secure Somalia and the region.

President Mohamud extended a formal invitation to President Museveni to visit Somalia. Museveni accepted, with dates to be determined through diplomatic channels.