Wednesday 23,April 2025 {HMC} Two Kenyans and a Somali national facing terror-related charges will remain in custody for a month after a Nairobi court denied them bond on Tuesday.

Kenyans Noor Yakub Ali and Yusuf Maalim, and Isaq Cabdi Xasan of Somalia are accused of orchestrating an attack against Kenyan security officers and being members of the al-Shabaab terror group.

The trio is charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act in Mandera town on or before February 18, 2025.

Principal magistrate Gideon Kiage of the Kahawa Law Courts ruled in favour of the prosecution, finding that there are compelling reasons to restrict the trio’s rights due to the seriousness of the case.

“This is a serious matter which the defence does not deny. Given the nature of the attack and the gravity of the charges, the court finds the prosecution’s concerns valid and grounded in precedent related to this case,” ruled Justice Kiage.

During that attack, one police officer lost his life, another sustained serious injury, and two firearms were taken.

The court deferred the decision on bail and bond for 30 days to allow the prosecution to finalise disclosures and secure any evidence they intend to rely upon.

Wednesday 23,April 2025 {HMC} Heavy rainfall in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Tuesday has left three people dead and displaced hundreds of others, police said.

A woman and her two children were killed in Mathare Phase 4 after a wall collapsed on their home during torrential rains. Police said two died at the scene while the third died en route to the hospital.

More than 500 families were forced from their homes in informal settlements, authorities said.

Emergency teams urged residents to remain cautious as the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of ongoing heavy rain through April 28.

The director of the department David Gikung said intense rainfall is expected in various regions nationwide.

Residents have posted videos and photos on social media showing vehicles and homes swept away by floodwaters. Many users criticized the government for failing to upgrade drainage systems, calling out repeated unkept promises.

Wednesday 23,April 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met on Tuesday with Souleiman Hassan Waberi, President of the Djibouti Football Federation, Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and member of the FIFA Council, to discuss regional sports cooperation and the growth of Somali football.

During the meeting at Villa Somalia, President Mohamud praised Djibouti’s active role in global football governance and commended Waberi’s contributions to the sport through his leadership roles within CAF and FIFA.

The Somali leader emphasized the importance of strengthening sports diplomacy between the two nations and expressed his government’s commitment to enhancing youth development and professionalizing sports in Somalia through regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The talks were also attended by Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, the Somali Football Federation (SFF) President, and other senior government officials.

Somalia has made notable strides in revitalizing its football programs in recent years. The national team—popularly known as the Ocean Stars—has increased its participation in regional and continental tournaments across Africa and Asia, contributing to developing youth talent and raising the country’s profile in international football.

Wednesday 23,April 2025 {HMC} Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has defended the recent strategic withdrawal of government forces from Aden Yabaal and other key military positions in Middle Shabelle, urging the Somali public to support the national army rather than fall victim to Al-Shabaab propaganda.

In a press release issued Tuesday, Farmaajo cautioned against misinformation campaigns being pushed by the militant group to undermine the morale of Somali security forces and the public’s confidence in the military.

“The fact that our national forces have made a tactical withdrawal from cities does not mean they have been defeated,” Farmaajo said. “I call on the Somali people to stand by their forces during both successes and setbacks. This unity is essential for ultimate victory against the enemy.”

The former president highlighted past gains under his administration between 2018 and 2020, during which the Somali National Army (SNA) recaptured several key areas from Al-Shabaab, including Marka, Jannaale, Ow-Dheegle, Bariirre, Sabiid, and Canoole.

He called on current federal and regional leaders to prioritize national unity and political stability. “We must focus on completing Somalia’s state-building process through consensus-based constitutional reforms and credible elections,” Farmaajo stated.

Farmaajo’s comments follow the April 16 offensive by Al-Shabaab in Aden Yabaal, a strategic town roughly 220 kilometers north of Mogadishu. Militants overran the area after a prolonged pre-dawn assault, forcing government troops to pull back amid intense clashes, according to Somali officials.

Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization, has intensified attacks in central Somalia in recent months, reversing some of the territorial gains made by the government during its 2022 counteroffensive.