A professional player and a professional referee were denied entry simply because they’re from certain countries.
That’s blatant discrimination and xenophobia. Will we see national teams protest over human rights or does that only happen when the issue involves Arabs?
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, has been denied entry to the United States.
FIFA confirm Omar Abdulkadir Artan can’t officiate at the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.
The Somali referee is one of Africa’s most respected officials. Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports say Artan travelled with a valid US visa.
Yet Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Trump’s administration.
🗣️ “FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
@MarioNawfal You just write nonsense...as usual. How is the Somali opposition Isreal/Western backed? Please write on what you know about. You write on too many topics/subjects you have zero expertise in.
Israel Kills Palestinian Infant
A seven-month-old Palestinian baby was killed after Israeli forces opened fire on his family’s car in Tel Rumeida, near Hebron in the occupied West Bank.
According to Palestinian health officials, the infant, Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, was fatally wounded when a bullet struck his mother and entered the baby’s jaw.
We have concluded our three-day tour of Wajir and Garissa counties, reaffirming our commitment to ending the historical marginalisation of Northern Kenya through sustained investment in development programmes and infrastructure.
We thank the people of Wajir and Garissa for their warm hospitality, support, and engagement throughout the tour. Together, we will continue working to unlock the immense potential of Northern Kenya and ensure that no region is left behind in our country's transformation journey.
Inspected progress on the 257km Lamu-Ijara-Garissa Road, part of the 453km LAPSSET Corridor Development Project.
The KSh17.9 billion project is scheduled for completion early next year and will provide an alternative transport corridor, support regional integration, improve security, and provide an evacuation route at Lamu Port.
The strategic corridor traverses Isiolo, Meru, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties, significantly improving connectivity within Northern Kenya and linking Kenya to neighbouring Ethiopia and Somalia.
Enhanced security in Northern Kenya has created a secure environment for residents to engage in worthwhile economic activities, laying the foundation for accelerated economic growth and investment.
To unlock the region's vast economic potential, the Government is building the 750km Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project from Isiolo to Mandera through Wajir at a cost of KSh100 billion.
The health and safety of Kenyans remain our top priority. As part of our preparedness measures against the Ebola threat, the Government is taking all necessary steps to prevent, detect, and manage any potential cases, while strengthening our public health response capabilities with the support of our international partners, including the Government of the United States.
Kenya’s partnership with the United States spans decades and has played an important role in supporting our response to major public health challenges, including HIV/Aids, COVID-19, and Ebola.
The quarantine facility being established at Laikipia Air Base with the support of the United States is neither unique nor exceptional, but part of a broader national preparedness system. It is one of 23 such centres under Kenya’s disease preparedness framework, alongside facilities at Kenyatta National Hospital (Nairobi), the National Police Service Hospital (Nairobi), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (Eldoret), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (Nairobi/Kiambu), and Alupe Hospital (Busia), among others.
These measures are intended solely to safeguard public health and strengthen our capacity to respond effectively to health emergencies. Similar partnerships proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the establishment of a specialised facility at Nairobi Hospital, and continue to enhance our preparedness today.
At a media roundtable at Wajir State Lodge, urged leaders and stakeholders not to politicise public health interventions and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all Kenyans.
I also discussed progress on key projects and the broader development agenda for Northern Kenya, including ongoing efforts to unlock the region’s immense potential, expand economic opportunities, and accelerate inclusive growth.
BREAKING: Axios reports that Trump told Netanyahu in their latest phonecall, 'You’re f***ing crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.'
President Ruto’s hosting of Madaraka Day in Wajir, together with the projects, programmes, investments and policy commitments announced today and undertaken in Northern Kenya during his administration, is the most significant repudiation yet of Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965.
Our administration is making significant investments to unlock Northern Kenya's vast potential and address decades of historical marginalisation.
Through the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, we are investing over KSh100 billion on the Isiolo-Mandera road, a flagship project that will enhance connectivity, and spur economic opportunities across the region.
Further, the construction of the 500km Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo road is now halfway complete and we assure residents that the project remains on schedule for completion next year. Once finalized, the road will open up new opportunities for commerce and development.
Hosted leaders from Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties at Wajir State Lodge and shared with them our development agenda and transformative plans aimed at accelerating socio-economic growth in Northern Kenya.
Briefed them on the investment of over KSh45 billion in affordable housing projects in the three counties, a commitment that represents one of the most significant housing investments in the region since Independence.
As we conclude the expansion of Garissa Airport, we will similarly upgrade Wajir Airport at a cost of KSh700 million.
Our commitment remains steadfast in ensuring that every part of Kenya, including Northern Kenya, receives its fair share of development and opportunities for prosperity.
In the Affordable Housing Programme, we are investing KSh38.5 billion across the three counties, creating job opportunities for thousands of young people while stimulating local economic growth.
In healthcare, more than 800,000 residents across the region have registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has already paid KSh8.1 billion in claims to hospitals in Wajir, Garissa and Mandera, expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
Opened Wajir County Teaching and Referral Hospital Accident and Emergency Wing, a major investment in strengthening emergency and critical care services in the region.
The facility features a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), modern orthopaedic, laparoscopic and general surgery theatres, as well as an ultra-modern medical ward equipped with centralised oxygen, compressed air and vacuum systems.
This state-of-the-art facility will significantly improve patient outcomes and expand access to specialised treatment for the people of Wajir and the wider Northern Kenya.
The historic Madaraka Day celebration in Wajir County is, without question, the most consequential of my lifetime and political career. Today, we are confronting and correcting a historical injustice that has endured for more than six decades.
For far too long, the people of Northern Kenya bore the burden of State-sanctioned neglect following the policy direction set out in Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965.
The result was decades of marginalisation, under-investment, and missed opportunities for generations of Kenyans in this region.
On behalf of the Government and the Republic of Kenya, I extend my sincere apology to the people of Northern Kenya for the hardships and exclusion you have endured over the years.
Your resilience in the face of these challenges is a testament to the strength and patriotism of this region.
Today, however, we are charting a different course. Our administration is making significant progress in restoring equity, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that Northern Kenya takes its rightful place in our nation's transformation journey.