Author: Lynet Awino

Kenya’s democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in elections. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has resumed Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), giving every eligible Kenyan the chance to register or update their details ahead of the 2027 General Elections. With a target of 28.5 million registered voters, the IEBC is calling on youth, first‑time voters, and marginalized communities to step forward and make their voices count. What is Continuous Voter Registration? Continuous Voter Registration is an ongoing process that allows citizens to register at any time outside election periods. Unlike mass registration drives, CVR ensures inclusivity by: Capturing new…

The United States has expanded its visa bond program, requiring travellers from several African countries to pay up to $15,000 in refundable deposits when applying for visitor visas. The policy, part of a State Department pilot, aims to curb visa overstays but has drawn criticism for disproportionately targeting African nations. African Countries Now Required to Pay Visa Bonds As of January 1, 2026, nationals from Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan are required to pay bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. On January 21, 2026, the list expands further to include: Algeria Angola Benin Burundi Cabo Verde Côte…

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women, especially in Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks cervical cancer as the fourth most common cancer affecting women globally, accounting for approximately 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths in 2022. According to the United Nations, a woman dies from cervical cancer every two minutes worldwide. Most of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where health systems are often overstretched and prevention services are limited. This is worrying because cervical cancer is largely preventable and treatable when detected early. Yet, thousands of women continue to…

Kenya’s dining scene is heating up as Java House and Uganda’s Café Javas battle for dominance, each racing to capture affluent urban consumers and expand into fast-growing satellite towns. The Big Picture Java House, founded in 1999, has grown into one of East Africa’s largest casual dining chains. It now boasts 102 outlets across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, with recent openings in Eldoret and Ruaka. Café Javas, a Ugandan brand, is steadily building its Kenyan footprint. Its ninth outlet opened in September 2025 in Nairobi’s upscale Lavington area. Both brands are targeting middle- to upper-income consumers who are increasingly dining…

Nairobi’s high society lit up over the weekend as luxury lifestyle entrepreneur Dr Catherine Masitsa hosted a dazzling Rio Carnival–themed party in honour of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa. Glamour at Castello Dell’Amore The opulent Castello Dell’Amore at The Anka House set the stage for a night of glitz and celebration. Media personalities, influencers, and reality TV fans gathered to toast Kenya’s stars in the groundbreaking Pan‑African reality series. Kenya’s Pride on the Global Stage Dr Masitsa, fondly known as Dr C, co‑hosted the soirée with fellow cast member Zena Nyambu, both proudly representing Kenya in the first‑ever…

Applications for the 2026 MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) intake are now open, offering fully funded training for aspiring African filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers, and storytellers. The Pan-African film and television training institution, MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), has announced applications for its 2026 intake. The programme invites graduates across Africa who aspire to become directors, producers, scriptwriters, and storytellers to apply for a nine-month, fully funded course at its academies in Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia. Empowering Africa’s Creative Voice Having recently become part of CANAL+, MultiChoice has renewed its commitment to delivering compelling programming to African audiences. A key pillar of this…