Sunday October 26, 2025 {HMC}  A Kenyan family has told the BBC how a cheetah cub they adopted after finding it lying next to its dead mother became almost like one of their children.

However, their neighbours in the northern Wajir county were not pleased to see a wild animal being raised so close to them.

“Many people immediately told us to get rid of the cub so it wouldn’t harm the livestock. We didn’t do that because it seemed unreasonable,” Bisharo Abdirahman Omar said.

The reaction was unsurprising as the Somali-speaking nomadic community earn their living by raising livestock, which are often threatened by predators such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, and hyenas.

“We knew it wouldn’t benefit us in any way, like livestock would,” said Rashid Abdi Hussein, a 45-year-old father of 10.

“But I decided that since people are killing these animals, maybe we should raise them instead and be different.”

The family cared for the cub for two years and three months, during which it became an inseparable part of the family.

“The animal was troublesome at first, but in the end, it became tame and became one of the children,” he said.

The family fed the cub milk through a syringe at first, then meat when it was old enough.

“We have made a big sacrifice – since the day I rescued it, I have slaughtered 15 sheep to feed the cheetah,” Mr Hussein told the BBC.

The family have been praised by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for their generosity in looking after an animal which is often killed or trafficked.

Sharmaarke Mohamed, head of the Northeastern Conservancy Association (NECA), says cheetahs and wildlife across north-eastern Kenya are facing a growing crisis that has gone largely unnoticed.

“Cheetahs are currently facing a very grave threat, along with many other wild animals,” he said.

“This young cheetah that was recently found was most likely orphaned, its mother was either killed or poisoned,” he said.

According to the Cheetah Conservation Fund, the smuggling of baby cheetahs is widespread in the region, with active trafficking routes running through northern Kenya, eastern Ethiopia, and Somalia.

The organization estimates that between 200 and 300 cheetah cubs are smuggled out of the Horn of Africa each year, many of which are transported to Yemen and then distributed across the Gulf States to be illegally sold as pets.

Ms Omar said the family were approached by people who wanted to buy the young cheetah but they refused to sell it.

“While we were taking care of it, there were people who offered us money. Some even said they would pay 20,000 Kenyan shillings ($155; £115),” she told the BBC.

“Others suggested we trade it for goats, but we refused because it had become part of the family.”

While KWS praised the family for looking after the cheetah, it pointed out that keeping wild animals as pets is against the law.

“We deeply appreciate the Good Samaritan’s compassion and remind all Kenyans that true coexistence means protecting wildlife,” the agency said.

The young cheetah is now being taken care of at the Nairobi Safari Walk.

Source BBC NEWS 

Sunday October 26, 2025 {HMC}  Somalia’s Land Forces Commander, Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, commonly known as General Khalid, met with the Commander of the Nigerian Infantry, Major General Usman Abdulmumin Yusuf, in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday.

The meeting focused on strengthening military cooperation between Somalia and Nigeria, particularly in the joint fight against terrorism.

Both commanders agreed to enhance collaboration through the exchange of combat experience, joint military training, and the expansion of cooperation between the two national armies. The two sides underscored their shared commitment to combating extremist groups that threaten regional peace and security.
“This meeting is part of the Somali National Army’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation in the fields of security and counter-terrorism,” a statement from the Somali government said.

The engagement aligns with the Federal Government’s broader initiative to build and equip the Somali National Army, reinforcing its capability to safeguard the nation and sustain regional stability through international partnerships.

Source Hiiraan online

Sunday October 26, 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday inspected the headquarters of the Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) to assess the progress of its key operations and modernization efforts.

During the visit, the President received a comprehensive briefing from the Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, and the Director-General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Mustafe Sheikh Ali Dhuxulow.

The officials outlined the agency’s strategic advancements in modernizing its services, initiatives to decentralize access for citizens across the country, and overall operational improvements.
Addressing the agency’s leadership and staff, President Hassan Sheikh emphasized the need for strict implementation of all relevant laws, full transparency in service delivery to citizens, and intensified efforts to combat human trafficking, terrorism, and illegal migration.

“The Immigration and Citizenship Agency is central to securing the nation’s borders and ensuring national security,” President Mohamud said. “This depends on how diligently you serve Somali citizens and verify the data of every individual entering the country.”

The President commended the agency for its notable achievements, particularly the successful rollout of the modern e-Visa system, which has streamlined the process for entry permits.

He also praised the adoption of the new PISCES (Personal Identification, Secure Comparison, and Evaluation System) — an advanced border management tool that enhances national security by utilizing biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition to verify identities and manage border entries.

Source Hiiraan online

Sunday October 26, 2025 {HMC} A consignment of synthetic methamphetamine worth Sh8.2 billion was on Friday seized by a multi-agency security team in the high seas off the Kenyan Coast.

Kenya Navy deputy commander Brigadier Sankale Kisua said the narcotics were aboard a stateless vessel christened Mashallah.

Brigadier Kisua, who led the intelligence-driven operation, said six Iranians were on board when the vessel was intercepted and escorted to the Mombasa port.

“For the last four days, we’ve been conducting an operation code-named Operation Bahari Safi, where the Kenya Navy was able to intercept this suspicious vessel about 630km east of Mombasa,” Brig Kisua said.

He spoke at the Mombasa port on Saturday evening.

Upon a thorough search by the multi-agency security team, which included Nacada officers, a large consignment of synthetic narcotics weighing 1,024kg (1.24 tonnes) was discovered in sacks.

“This is a big success for the Kenyan security teams,” he said.

Brigadier Kisua added: “This has come about with the cooperation of other regional partners who provided very valuable information on the movement of this suspicious vessel.”

The vessel had been on the radar of the international community for suspected involvement in illicit activities, particularly narcotics trafficking, within the Western Indian Ocean.

Brigadier Kisua said the six Iranians will be arraigned in court on Monday after being processed throughout Saturday.

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohammed Amin said the operation, led by the Kenya Navy, also involved the Kenya Coast Guard Service and Nacada. Amin said the vessel was nicknamed Igol.

He added that it was not clear where the consignment of synthetic methamphetamine originated or where it was headed, as the vessel was stateless and carried no flag.

Source