Saturday October 25, 2025 {HMC}  Exclusive: In the year they announced record profits, Britain’s arms maker has revoked licence to fly for planes taking supplies of food to starving people in South Sudan, Somalia and DRC.

Britain’s biggest weapons manufacturer, BAE Systems, has quietly scrapped support for a fleet of aircraft providing “life-saving” humanitarian aid to some of the world’s poorest countries.

The decision further reduces the distribution of vital aid to countries facing serious humanitarian crises, including South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

BAE Systems announced record profits this year of more than £3bn, buoyed by increased defence spending linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The decision to scrap support for the aid aircraft is thought to have been made in order for the defence firm to pursue projects related to Nato members’ 5% increase in spending on arms.
Several major humanitarian contracts have been cancelled since the decision, including one with the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) to fly aid to 12 destinations across Somalia where almost 5 million people face “crisis” levels of hunger.

The developments follow a decision by BAE Systems to voluntarily surrender the type certificate issued by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority for the Advanced Turbo-Prop (ATP), thereby revoking the airworthiness of its last commercial aircraft model.

BAE informed the European Union Aviation Safety Agency that these models were “no longer produced and that, to their knowledge, only few aircrafts are being operated”.

Though several countries have the ATP still registered, the last known operator was EnComm Aviation, a Kenyan air-cargo operator that specialised in delivering humanitarian aid across east Africa.

Jackton Obuola, EnComm Aviation’s director, said: “The aid our aircraft delivered provided a lifeline to the people of South Sudan, Somalia and the DRC at a time of great global instability.

“BAE’s decision to suddenly withdraw support for all our planes has grounded the fleet and cut off vital supplies to those most in need. Now, the people of east Africa face an increasingly perilous situation while BAE prioritise their own commercial interests.”

Between March 2023 and last month, EnComm Aviation’s aircraft delivered 18,677 tonnes of aid to Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Chad.

The WFP estimates that one tonne of food – usually cereals, pulses and oil – can meet the daily needs of about 1,660 people.

BAE’s ATP was considered ideal for humanitarian missions because it could operate on the shorter airstrips that are common in remote locations. Each aircraft could carry a payload of 8.2 tonnes (18,077lb).

A pre-action letter sent by lawyers acting for EnComm to BAE Systems, dated 13 October 2025, says that, since the decision, its 12 aid aircraft “cannot be operated” and are now “worthless for their intended purpose”.

The letter references emails and meetings between BAE’s senior leadership and EnComm Aviation that the Nairobi-based firm claims shows that it was led to believe BAE would provide continued support for its ATP for at least five years.

Sent by the London lawyers White & Case, the correspondence adds that the decision was taken “without any consultation with or formal notice to EnComm”.

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We do not comment on potential litigation.”

Correspondence from BAE Systems, meanwhile, shows that its decision to withdraw the airworthiness certificate for the ATP is “permanent and irreversible”.

A letter from the defence firm’s head of regional aircraft programmes, dated 27 May 2025, said the firm intended to inform the UK Civil Aviation Authority it wanted to “start the process to voluntarily surrender the aircraft type certificate for the BAE ATP. The objective being to complete this activity by December 2026.”

Among several humanitarian contracts that EnComm has had to cancel is a 10-year agreement to operate in the DRC.

Another involves WFP Somalia, with EnComm’s aircraft due to be based at two airports and four airstrips, where they would transport food to regions where the country’s food shortage is officially classed as a crisis. The contract, seen by the Guardian and agreed to run from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026, has been cancelled.

According to the UN, 4.6 million people are facing crisis levels of hunger in Somalia, while 1.8 million children aged under five are suffering from acute malnutrition.

In South Sudan – where EnComm flew to 12 different destinations – the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation has warned that some regions are sliding into famine.

In total, 7.7 million people across South Sudan face acute food insecurity – more than half the entire population – with 2.3 million children malnourished.

Farther south – in the DRC – a record 27.7 million people are experiencing acute hunger amid conflict linked to huge displacement, climate crisis and rising food prices.

The situation is worst in its eastern provinces – North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika – where families have lost access to their livelihoods after prolonged conflict in the region.

EnComm’s contract for the country involved flights to 11 destinations including the city of Goma, which was seized by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels at the start of the year.

Since BAE signalled its intention over the aircraft, EnComm Aviation has closed operations in Kenya. It is now seeking £187m in losses and damages claiming “negligent misrepresentation and misstatement” by BAE.

Analysts expect BAE system’s profits to increase further this year as it benefits from increased military spending globally amid growing instability.

Source

Saturday October 25, 2025 {HMC} When repeated droughts decimated his herd and left him despairing, Somali pastoralist Elmi Abdi Hirow decided he would not watch his animals die in the open rangelands again.

Drawing on his experience and determination to find a lasting solution, he built a modern livestock enclosure that now safeguards his camels from hunger and disease, and keeps his children well fed.

On the outskirts of Beletweyne, Hiran region, Elmi’s fenced enclosure, set up in late 2023, has become a lifeline for his animals. Once thin and weak, his camels have recovered their health and productivity.

“I started this enclosure because of the frequent droughts. Pasture is scarce, the livestock were suffering and losing weight. I realised animals could be cared for if given a proper enclosure and fed on fodder, hay, maize, and other supplements. That stops them from dying of hunger or having to walk long distances without finding pasture. The lactating and weak camels are now sheltered and it has worked perfectly,” he told Radio Ergo.

Elmi is keeping 49 camels, mostly lactating females, that feed on hay and crop residues supplied by nearby farms. The enclosure, measuring 120 metres around, is equipped with water pipes connected to a borehole.

Each pastoralist who keeps animals there pays $10 a month for water. The costs of feed and water are covered by the sale of milk that Elmi takes to markets in Beletweyne.

“We sell milk every morning and evening, and it’s always in demand because it’s clean and fresh,” he said. “The milk pays for the feed and other needs. It’s a good system for anyone who understands camel keeping. The animals are healthy and productive, and we no longer have to wander in the sun looking for pasture. The camels thrive, and so do their owners.”

Elmi lost 30 of his camels to drought. Now, his animals receive veterinary care every two months from the Central Regions Livestock Care Association (CERELPA). The veterinarians conduct check-ups and provide treatment within the enclosure.

He earns about $150 a week from milk sales, spending part of that income on animal care and the rest to support his family of 11.

“I no longer worry about drought as I used to,” he said. “The camels are in good shape, and our lives are more stable.”

Half of the animals in Elmi’s enclosure belong to other pastoralists, who also lost most of their herds to drought.

Over the past two years, more than 30 similar livestock enclosures have been established around Beletweyne. Many pastoralists see this as the only practical way to save their herds from recurring droughts.

Before starting, they received training and guidance from livestock experts on how to protect and care for their animals in changing weather conditions. The initiative has since evolved into both a recovery strategy and an income source for drought-affected families.

Dr Ali Harare Mohamed, a veterinarian with CERELPA who has worked in animal care for over 40 years, said climate change has severely weakened the resilience of Somali livestock. He encourages pastoralists to adopt enclosures to protect their animals.

“This method ensures livestock survival, and when animals survive, the entire economy benefits. Around 75 to 85 per cent of our national income comes from livestock. If they perish, the economy collapses. These enclosures have helped animals recover, and everyone involved is benefiting,” he told Radio Ergo.

He added that camels raised in this manner produce more milk as they get better nutrition, which benefits pastoralists and also farmers supplying hay and fodder.

Hundreds of herders are now using this approach, although most pay monthly fees to house their weakened animals in communal facilities.

Among them is Mohamed Saney Aadan, who keeps 30 camels. He cannot afford his own enclosure, so he uses one of the communal sites near Beletweyne to rehabilitate his animals.

Radio Ergo’s local reporter met Mohamed as he was preparing to return 16 camels to the rangelands of Takaraalle, about 70 km from Beletweyne, after three months of care in an enclosure.

“I came to town to take back my camels, which have regained strength and health. With the ongoing rains, I want them to graze again in the rangelands. Here they’ve had access to fodder, water, and medicine. Now they’re ready to go back,” he said.

Mohamed did not spend any money on their care, as the milk from his lactating camels covered the cost of fodder, water, and enclosure fees.

The money he used to spend on the animals’ keep will now support his family of 16 children, who were relying on food bought on credit. He milks more than 15 containers of milk daily, earning over $10.

Mohamed said he no longer worries about losing his camels to drought as he plans to bring them back to the enclosure after the Deyr rains. He would like to build his own enclosure, but without the funds the current arrangement works.

However, he does worry about his 50 goats, as there is nowhere to keep them safe. Over the past four years, he has lost 70 animals, including goats and camels, and is now recovering, with some camels giving birth and others pregnant.

Dr Ali Harare says the modern livestock enclosures have created new links between pastoralists and farmers – the farmers sell crop residues and hay from their fields as animal feed, while herders get better milk production and earn more from milk sales.

“It’s a win-win for both sides,” he told Radio Ergo.

Saturday October 25, 2025 {HMC}  President William Ruto has defended his signing eight Bills into law when the country was mourning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

President Ruto, who spoke at Thome Village in Laikipia County on Thursday, said the news of Mr Odinga’s death broke after he had arrived at the office, readying to sign the bills presented by the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Parliamentary leadership.

“There are those condemning me for assenting to the bill arguing that the country was in mourning. But that is the work I had planned for that particular day and I received the news of Mr Odinga’s death after I had arrived in my office for the day’s work,” said Dr Ruto.

The Head of State, who spoke during the burial ceremony of Mzee Weston Kirocho, the father of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, said the bills had passed all the provisions of law.

Among the bills signed on the morning of October 15 was the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment Bill, 2024), which has generated controversy, while its implementation has been stopped by the High Court, pending hearing and determination of a suit opposing it.

Among those who have criticised the bill on grounds that it would limit the digital space freedom is former Chief Justice David Maraga. On Wednesday, he said that the law, if enforced, grants the government excessive power to access or shut down online platforms and that it poses a threat to free expression.

On Wednesday, the High Court suspended implementation of two sections of the law, in a case filed by gospel singer Reuben Kigame and the Kenya Human Rights Commission.

In the suit, Mr Kigame cited the amendment to Section 27, which criminalises the publication of “false, misleading or fictional data”, arguing that it is constitutionally vague. The case will be mentioned on November 5, 2025, for directions.

Before the President’s remarks, the leader of the Majority in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah, had defended the law, saying it is good for the country. He attributed the strong opposition against its implementation to “an emerging culture of misinformation”.

He explained that a bloggers’ lobby went to court in 2018 after the law was passed, but it was later restored, pointing out that in the recent court matter over the controversial bill, the Judiciary is being misled by the same bloggers.

The MP called for the church to support the government in disseminating truth, claiming that government critics have been spreading falsehoods.

“There has also been a lot of falsehoods on the recently assented National Land Commission Bill which is supposed to address issues of historical injustices. There are false claims that the government now plans to tax land with freehold titles. I humbly ask religious leaders to help us counter the lies,” said the Kikuyu MP.

Source NTV Kenya