- The editor of 'The Independent', a Kenyan tabloid was yesterday sent to jail by a Nairobi court after he was found guilty of libelling the Justice Minister, Martha Karua. Editor Mburu Muchoki would have avoided a year's jail term if he had accepted the damage fine of about US$ 7,000.
A 2004 story captioned "Karua's father in abortion scandal" landed the editor of the sensationalist newspaper in troubles.
Mr Muchoki's lawyer, Nelson Oundu, said he was not surprised by the verdict, which he claimed was influenced by the close friendship between the presiding judge, Teresia Ngugi, and the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister.
While Editor Muchoki remains incarcerated in a Nairobi industrial zone prison, his attorney is busy filling an appeal.
The Parish-based Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) today issued a statement, condemning the verdict. It also urged the Kenyan government to amend the laws so that judges in future can pass fairer sentences for press offences.
"Jailing a journalist for allegedly defaming a government minister is unfair and disproportionate, and does not redress the offence," the press freedom organisation said. "The severity of the sentence in this case adds to the sense of injustice."
"To deal with this problem, the government must set about amending its defamation law and in the meantime should release Muchoki," RSF urged Nairobi authorities.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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