Former US diplomat sentenced to life for abusing two girls in Burkina Faso

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February 27, 2026

A United States citizen has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two teenage girls while working at the US embassy in Burkina Faso.

The US Department of Justice said 41-year-old Fode Sitafa Mara, from Maryland, was sentenced on Wednesday following a two-week trial in October 2025 in the state’s federal District Court.

A jury found him guilty of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, as well as attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted obstruction of justice.

The prosecution was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Justice Department in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation.

Prosecutors said the offences took place in 2022 and 2023 in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, where Mara was employed by the United States embassy.

According to evidence presented in court, the abuse occurred at a residence leased for US diplomatic personnel. Because the property was reserved for official use, it fell under US jurisdiction, allowing American authorities to prosecute the case.

Reports say the two victims, who were aged 13 and 15 when the abuse began, came from a vulnerable background. Prosecutors said Mara exploited their circumstances over the course of about a year.

“His crimes were reprehensible. While no sentence could undo the harm he caused, today’s outcome demonstrates that those who abuse children – domestically or abroad – will face significant consequences in the American justice system,” said Assistant Attorney General A Tysen Duva.

He used the girls’ mother’s life-threatening illness as an opportunity to demand sex, telling them he could not help them without receiving something in return, said the Office of Public Affairs.

Mara had provided the girls with phones so he could summon them while his wife was away at work, it added.

He was also convicted of sending sexually explicit messages to one of the girls and attempting to persuade a housekeeper to mislead investigators.

The case was investigated by the US authorities with assistance from Burkina Faso.

“Our message is clear, those who prey on our children will pay a hefty price,” said US attorney Kelly Hayes for the District of Maryland.

In statements issued after sentencing, US officials said the life term reflected the seriousness of the crimes and underscored the government’s commitment to prosecuting child sexual abuse, including offences committed abroad by American citizens.

At least 55 Ghanaians killed in Russia-Ukraine war, minister says

By

John Mutiso

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February 27, 2026

At least 55 Ghanaians have been killed fighting in the war in Ukraine, with two others currently held as prisoners of war, Ghana’s foreign affairs minister says.

On a trip to Kyiv, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said that about 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been lured into the conflict since 2022, citing Ukrainian authorities.

Ablakwa described the figures as “depressing and frightening,” saying Ghana “cannot turn a blind eye to these heartbreaking statistics”.

He did not say whose side the Ghanaians had been fighting on but Ukraine’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that more than 1,700 people from 36 countries in Africa had been recruited to fight for Russia.

The 55 Ghanaians is the highest number of casualties from a single African country to have been officially confirmed in the Ukraine-Russia war.

Local media in Cameroon have reported that 94 of its nationals have died in the conflict, but the authorities have not commented on these figures.

Two South Africans and at least one Kenyan have died in the conflict.

Ablakawa said the casualty figures were “not just numbers, they represent human lives, the hope of many Ghanaian families and our nation”.

He said the Ghanaian government was committed to “tracking and dismantling all dark web illegal recruitment schemes” as well as launching intensive public awareness campaigns to prevent the country’s youth from being drawn into the conflict.

“This is not our war and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others,” he added.

On Thursday, a Kenyan national was charged over accusations he had lured young men to Russia with job opportunities, only for them to end up fighting in Ukraine. Festus Arasa Omwamba denied the charges.

A total of 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia in its four-year war against Ukraine, said a report from Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), released last week.

Russia’s embassy in Kenya has denied accusations that it was involved in recruiting people to fight in the war.

However, it said that Russian law allowed foreign nationals who are legally in the country to voluntarily enlist in the armed forces.

On Wednesday, Ghana’s foreign minister urged President Volodymyr Zelensky to release two Ghanaian prisoners of war captured fighting for Russia.

“They are victims of manipulation, of disinformation, misinformation, of criminal trafficking networks,” he said.

He thanked Ukraine for ensuring international law was respected in the handling of the detainees.

“We have received reports that they are in good health,” he said. “They have not been tortured. They have not suffered any inhumane treatment since they were captured.”

The family of one of the men said they were hopeful he would be freed soon. According to the AFP news agency, 35-year-old Joshua Nkrumah left his pregnant wife in Dubai in July 2024 and travelled to Russia, believing he had secured a private security job.

He was captured by Ukrainian forces in September 2024 after surviving a drone strike. Nkrumah remains in detention, and his family has had no contact with him since.

Joshua’s father, Albert, told AFP that he sometimes wondered if his son was dead or alive.

“As a father, I live every day with a silent weight on my chest. I wake up and the first thing I think about is my son – whether he has eaten, whether he is safe, whether he still has hope,” he added.

“I just want my son alive and back home. That is all a father asks.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said both sides discussed “frankly” about the possibility of returning the prisoners to Ghana.

South Africa on Thursday said that two of its citizens had been killed in Ukraine, while another 15 had been repatriated over the past week. Two more remain in Russia getting treatment for “very severe” injuries, said Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that anyone fighting for Russia would be treated as an enemy combatant, and that the only safe route out was to surrender and be treated as a prisoner of war.

Ukraine has also previously come in for criticism for trying to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side.

Probe as president Ruto’s guard collapses, dies at State House

By

John Mutiso

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February 27, 2026

Authorities are investigating the sudden death of a police officer assigned to the presidential security team at the Mombasa State House.

The constable was found unconscious at his post and was rushed to Jocham Referral Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival on the morning of February 25. The cause of death remains unclear.

Colleagues reported that the officer had complained of abdominal pain before collapsing. He also sustained a chin injury from the fall, according to officials at the scene.

His body has been moved to the mortuary pending a postmortem, and his family, who were notified, are expected in Mombasa on Thursday for the procedure.

The President and his family were not present during the incident, which caused panic among fellow officers on duty. Investigators are seeking details about the deceased’s recent meals and activities as part of the probe.

Senior Mombasa officials have visited the State House as the investigation continues.

Members of the General Service Unit (GSU) G Company are responsible for guarding all State Houses and Lodges, as well as the President and Deputy President’s residences.

The President’s security team, which includes about 200 GSU personnel, works alongside officers from other police units and the National Intelligence Service, all trained on a unified security protocol.

Separately, on February 23, a police officer accidentally injured his left foot while checking the safety of his AK-47 rifle at Mikindani Police Station in Mombasa County.

A bullet discharged during the safety check, causing a wound that required hospital treatment.

Tram derails in Milan, leaving one dead and dozens injured

By

Editor

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February 27, 2026

At least one person has been killed and 39 others are reported to have been injured some seriously, after a tram derailed in the northern Italian city of Milan.

The crowded tram was travelling on Milan’s Vittorio Veneto street at about 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT) when it appeared to crash into the side of a building.

The person who died is thought to have been hit by the tram, and most of the injured were passengers. Numerous ambulances are at the scene and there are reports of people trapped in the wreckage.

Passengers described hearing a noise underneath the tram, after which it veered off, gathered speed and hit a building.

“I thought it was an earthquake. I was sitting down and I fell on the floor, along with the other passengers,” one man told Ansa news agency. “It was terrible.”

“I just heard an enormous bang,” said 27-year-old Anna, who was in an office nearby, quoted by AFP. “I saw a bit of the tram had gone into a shop.”

Civil protection teams have set up a tent at the scene to help the injured.

It is not clear what caused the derailment, although media reports suggested the tram had taken a sharp corner too quickly, as it turned out of Vittorio Veneto street.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala and other city officials have arrived at the scene of the crash.

By Anthony Solly

Aladwa: No elections at upcoming ODM NDC

By

John Mutiso

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February 27, 2026

Makadara MP George Aladwa has dismissed reports that there will be elections during the upcoming National Delegates Conference (NDC), clarifying that the party already concluded its internal electoral processes and will instead focus on consolidating its position ahead of 2027.

Aladwa said the party is preparing for its NDC scheduled for the March 27 but maintained that delegates should not expect any fresh contests.

“There will be no elections during the NDC for 2027. Matters election, we were done with in Mombasa and all the delegates were present during the NEC,” he stated.

His remarks come against the backdrop of mounting pressure from a section of leaders and supporters who have been calling for internal polls, with some publicly pledging to attend once the NDC is formally convened.

However, Aladwa insisted that the matter of elections was conclusively handled earlier through the party’s established organs.

“We are waiting for our NDC meeting that is to happen next month date 27. I know people are eager to know what is entailed in the NDC,” he said.

According to the legislator, the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Mombasa settled the electoral question, with delegates endorsing resolutions that would guide the party going forward.

He disclosed that subsequent deliberations were conducted by the party’s central committee and resolutions were ratified.

“We later had a meeting with the central committee that was held in Pwani, and all that were approved, are what we will follow,” he said.

Aladwa’s statement aimed at calming internal tensions and countering narratives that the upcoming NDC would reopen leadership contests. He framed the conference as a platform for strengthening unity and reaffirming the party’s political direction.

In a clear signal of continued alignment with the current administration, the MP reiterated the party’s commitment to the broad-based government arrangement under President William Ruto.

“To us, the party is bigger than an individual. We say that is where Baba left us, that is where we are in, the broad-based with President William Ruto,” Aladwa said.

The MP’s remarks suggest that the upcoming NDC will primarily serve as a consultative and policy-guiding forum rather than a battleground for internal power struggles.

By emphasising that all electoral matters were finalised in earlier meetings, Aladwa sought to project an image of procedural order and institutional continuity within the party.

As anticipation builds ahead of the conference, attention will likely focus on the resolutions to be adopted and how they position the party within Kenya’s evolving political configuration.

For now, party members have been urged to rally behind the decisions already made and to approach the NDC as a unifying moment rather than a contest for control.

Kenya Railways Announces Moi Avenue Closure In Mombasa

By

John Mutiso

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February 27, 2026

Kenya Railways has announced a temporary traffic disruption along Moi Avenue in Mombasa to pave the way for emergency repair works.

In a notice on Friday, February 27, the agency said the closure will take effect on Sunday, March 1, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

“Kenya Railways wishes to inform the public of a temporary traffic disruption along Moi Avenue in Mombasa following the planned closure of a section of the road

“The affected section will run from the Moi Avenue-Tangana Road roundabout to the Moi Avenue-Mogadishu Road roundabout,” the notice read.

Kenya Railways further explained that the temporary shutdown is necessary to allow technical teams to carry out emergency works on a critical bridge along the route.

“This closure is necessary to facilitate scheduled emergency repair works on the Mbaraki Rail Over Road Bridge, located along Moi Avenue in Mombasa,” the statement added.

Motorists accessing the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Gate 10 and the Docks area have been advised to use alternative routes during the four-hour closure.

Those travelling from KPA Gate 10 and the Docks area are advised to use Mogadishu Road – Zanzibar Road – Shimanzi Road.

Meanwhile, motorists heading to KPA Gate 10 and the Docks area should use Tangana Road – Mijikenda Street – Lumumba Road – Shimanzi Road.

Kenya Railways urged drivers to adhere to traffic guidelines that will be put in place to manage the disruption.

“Motorists are advised to observe the traffic management arrangements and comply with instructions from police officers and traffic marshals on site,” the statement further read.

Kenya Railways also appealed for understanding from the public as the works are carried out.

“KR regrets any inconvenience caused and appreciates the public’s cooperation as these essential works are undertaken to ensure the safety and reliability of railway infrastructure,” the statement concluded.

Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o Breaks Silence on ODM Wrangles

By

John Mutiso

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February 27, 2026

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has expressed displeasure over the wrangles within ODM that have left the party in disunity.

Speaking on Friday, February 28, Nyong’o called for unity of the party and asked the disputing factions to exercise restrain expecially in the face of conflict.

He further urged party members to defend the core values of ODM and live by its principles.

“As a founding member of ODM & the Party’s pioneer Secretary General, policies and principles custodian, I urge for unity and mutual respect within the party ranks.

“The party leadership and members have to remain steadfast in our core values of democracy, inclusivity and social justice for the people,” Nyong’o stated.

PHOTO | COURTESY A file image of Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o addressing a crowd.

The Kisumu Governor’s counsel came amid escalated wrangles that left ODM split into two: Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground.

Earlier, ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga insisted that the party was united, but reiterated that the party would not allow dissenters to destroy the party.

Oburu disclosed that the party should speak in one voice and that the voice of the minority dissenters would always be overpowered by the majority.

The Siaya Senator lauded the disciplinary action taken against Sifuna that saw him stripped of the SG role and Catherine Omanyo installed in an acting capacity.

He stated that nobody would arm-twist the Orange Party to follow their individual stand.

“ODM is a national party in Kenya, and there are very many parties. You can opt to go to one of them, but if you want to remain in ODM, you must play by the rules of the party,” Oburu stated.

At the centre of the division within the party is President William Ruto. The decision on whether the Party will work with Ruto in 2027 is causing a rift in the party.

There is also contention on the legitimacy of Oburu’s appointment as the party leader following the death of former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga.

UK withdraws Tehran embassy staff as concern grows over threat of US strikes

By

Editor

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February 27, 2026

The UK has temporarily withdrawn staff from its embassy in Tehran, as the threat of US strikes against Iran prompts warnings from a number of countries to their citizens in the Middle East.

The UK Foreign Office said it was a “precautionary measure” and that its embassy in Iran’s capital continued to operate remotely.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Israel told some non-emergency staff and their families on Friday that they could leave the country. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee advised staff who wished to leave to “do so TODAY”, the New York Times reported.

It comes a day after Washington and Tehran held talks widely seen as a last ditch effort to avoid a war over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

A number of other countries including China, India and Canada have told their citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible due to the prospect of hostilities.

Huckabee reportedly told embassy staff in an email there was “no need to panic, but for those desiring to leave, it’s important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later”.

A statement on the embassy’s website said they “may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available”.

It comes days after the US government ordered all non-essential staff to leave its embassy in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, following a security review.

Meanwhile, the State Department has announced US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel on Monday, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rubio will discuss “a range of regional priorities” including Iran, a spokesman said.

By Anthony Solly

Kenya Power Announces Outages in Parts of Kisumu on Saturday

By

John Mutiso

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February 27, 2026

Kenya Power has announced a planned electricity interruption in parts of Kisumu County scheduled for Saturday, February 28.

In a notice on Friday, February 27, the company said the power outage is necessary to facilitate routine maintenance works.

The interruption will affect parts of Riat in Kisumu County from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Areas set to experience the outage include Swiz Hotel, Farm Machineries, Bukna Bance Park, Kapko, Kiboswa, Safaricom Booster and adjacent customers.

This comes weeks after a man was sentenced to ten years in prison, or an alternative fine of Ksh 5 million, for unlawfully disconnecting a customer’s electricity supply in Ndhiwa, Homabay County.

According to a statement by the Kenya Power Company on Friday, December 5, Godwin Omondi Oduogi was convicted by the Ndhiwa Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court for charges related to vandalism of electricity equipment and unlawful handling of power infrastructure.

Oduogi was arrested in April 2025 by Ndhiwa Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers after unlawfully disconnecting a customer’s power supply.

Investigations conducted jointly by the Kenya Power team and officers from the DCI revealed that the convict was also found in possession of a transformer fuse.

Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, the court found sufficient evidence to convict and sentence him.

In the same statement, Kenya Power announced that another individual, David Ochieng Lang’o, was also handed a 10-year prison sentence or a fine of Ksh 5 million by the same court for vandalism-related offenses.

Lang’o was arrested in July 2025 during a joint operation conducted by Kenya Power-attached police officers and personnel from Migori Police Station.

He was found in possession of 10 jerricans containing oil believed to have been sourced from vandalized transformers.

After his plea of not guilty, the court examined the evidence and deemed it sufficient to proceed with sentencing.

In delivering the judgement, the Court emphasized that the increasing cases of vandalism and power outages in Ndhiwa Sub-County have become a recurring concern for communities and businesses.

“This ruling continues to reinforce our commitment to safeguarding power infrastructure serving our people. As Kenya Power, we thank the Judiciary and the law enforcement agencies for their continued support in ensuring that justice is served in such cases,” Kenya Power’s Security Services Manager, Major Geoffery Kigen (Rtd) stated.

He added that the public has a crucial role in supporting the energy sector by reporting suspicious activities.

“These convictions also bring to the fore our ask to the public that they should report any suspicious activities on electricity installations to the relevant authorities for action. When vandalism occurs, it affects our livelihoods and the safety of our communities,” he said.

EACC Recovers Grabbed Police Station Land Worth Ksh12 Million

By

John Mutiso

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February 27, 2026

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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered grabbed public land valued at Ksh.12 million that had been reserved for police housing at Karatina Police Station in Nyeri County.

The parcel, known as Karatina Municipality/Block II/383 and measuring 0.074 acres, was surrendered to the Government after a 13-year legal battle.

In a consent recorded before the Environment and Land Court in Nyeri between the EACC and the registered owner, Peter Thinwa Ngari, Justice Evans Makori on 17 February 2026 ordered the surrender of the Certificate of Lease for Karatina Municipality/Block II/383 to the Government, free of any encumbrances.

In a statement, the Commission says it had on 14 May 2013 filed Nyeri ELC No. 92 of 2013, EACC vs Joseph Mithamo Wachira, Peter Thinwa Ngari, John Muriuki Ruthuthi and Wilson Gacanja, seeking recovery of the land. Investigations had established that the property was originally set aside for police housing in Karatina town.

Further inquiries revealed that in 1998, a survey excised part of the land and generated two development plans: Ref. No. C20/98/4 for a proposed residential plot and Ref. No. C20/98/5 for the existing police station site.

The excised parcel was allocated to Joseph Mithamo Wachira, who later transferred it to Peter Thinwa Ngari on 19 July 2001.

Investigations found that the irregular excision and allocation of the public land were facilitated by Johnson Muriuki Ruthuthi, then Provincial Physical Planner in the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, and Wilson Gachanja, the then Commissioner of Lands.

At the time of the survey and allocation, the land had already been designated as Government property for police housing and was therefore not available for subdivision or allocation.

The court’s adoption of the consent brings to an end the protracted dispute, paving the way for the land to be utilised for its intended public purpose.

The Commission urges individuals who are in possession of, or hold title documents to, Government land to voluntarily surrender such property through the Commission under the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework.

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