Kenya Minute.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 13 June 2026
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Kenyan press · Place

Somalia

Also known as: Somalia's · Somali

2026-04-252026-06-13

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. The Standard

    Kenya is also one of the largest hosts of displaced communities from neighbouring countries such as Sudan, the DRC, Burundi, and Somalia, many of whom reside in refugee camps.

    Floods, conflict disrupt healthcare for chronic disease patients
  3. The Standard

    One of the key highlights is that apart from Somalia and DR Congo, all the other East African countries trounced Kenya on GDP growth in 2025.

    Economic Survey 2026 delivered no surprises
  4. The Standard

    dio By VocalizeSomali journalists attend a World Press Freedom Day commemoration event in Mogadishu, where media workers and rights groups raised concerns over safety, arrests and killings of reporters. [Courtesy] As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, journalists in Somalia

    World Press Freedom Day: Journalists face killings, arrests in Somalia
  5. Capital News

    Hodan Osman, Somalia’s ambassador to China, said the policy has opened a strong new phase for Africa-China trade by helping more African products reach Chinese consumers and by attracting investment into production, packaging and export capacity.

    Zero-tariff policy opens door wider for African imports
  6. The Standard

    Audio By Vocalize President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has gone on a charm offensive to woo Somalia’s clan elders to his corner.

    Letter from Mogadishu: Scramble for the traditional elder's attention
  7. April 2026
  8. The Standard

    The redeployment of international naval forces to combat the Yemen-backed Houthis and the U.S/Israel war against Iran has created a security vacuum in the Indian Ocean for Somali pirates to hijack ships.

    Mombasa-bound ship hijack signals troubling return of Somali piracy
  9. The Standard

    The redeployment of international naval forces to combat the Yemen-backed Houthis and the U.S/Israel war against Iran has created a security vacuum in the Indian Ocean for Somali pirates to hijack ships.

    Return of piracy: Hijacking of Mombasa-bound ship signals troubling concerns
  10. The Standard

    Anyumba sought an order that Kaunga be committed to a mental hospital for bipolar treatment.According to the report presented in court, Kaunga is alleged to have gone for peace enforcement and peacekeeping in Somalia.

    KDF soldier unfit to stand trial for wife's murder
  11. Citizen Digital

    Ships seized as Somali pirate attacks surge: monitors By AFP April 27, 2026 08:40 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize The EU's naval mission off the Somali coast is investigating three piracy

    Ships seized as Somali pirate attacks surge: monitors
  12. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 27 – A Somali national has been sentenced to multiple jail terms after a Kenyan court found him guilty of terrorism-related offences linked to Al-Shabaab.

    Court Hands 60 year Sentence to suspect in Al-Shabaab-Linked Case
World & Region

Somalia emerging as regional destination for hair transplant procedures

The News

Somalia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for hair transplant procedures, with many Somalis who previously travelled to Turkey, India, and the UAE now opting for local solutions. The sector's growth is driven by modern clinics offering internationally recognized procedures and growing awareness of hair loss's psychological impact.

7 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Today

  1. Somalia emerging as regional destination for hair transplant procedures

    Somalia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for hair transplant procedures, with many Somalis who previously travelled to Turkey, India, and the UAE now opting for local solutions. The sector's growth is driven by modern clinics offering internationally recognized procedures and growing awareness of hair loss's psychological impact.

    7 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  2. Somaliland asserts sovereignty to deepen Taiwan ties despite pressure

    Somaliland has opened a new office in Taiwan and says it has the right to choose its own relationships, rejecting pressure from Beijing and Mogadishu to sever ties with the island. Somaliland and Taiwan established representative offices in each other's capitals in 2020.

    15 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Yesterday

  1. Kenya's Junior Starlets pursue CECAFA title before World Cup qualifier

    Kenya's Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche is confident her team can win the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women's Championship in Tanzania (June 13–23), using the tournament to prepare for an upcoming FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifier against South Africa. Kenya's Group A matches are against Sudan on June 13, Somalia on June 15, and Tanzania on June 17.

    12 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Somalia inaugurates infrastructure projects to boost growth, jobs

    President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud inaugurated infrastructure projects in Hirshabelle State, focusing on roads and development to strengthen institutions, create jobs, and improve market access for local businesses across the East African region.

    12 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Ruto's apology signals Africa's path to inclusive nationhood

    An analysis in The Standard argues that President Ruto's apology for the historical exclusion of Northern Kenya from national discourse reflects a broader postcolonial African challenge of building inclusive nations from borders drawn without regard for geography or identity, with reconciliation requiring acknowledgement of historical grievances.

    12 June 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 11 June

  1. 2026 World Cup kicks off with record revenue but visa and ticket challenges

    The World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, launched Thursday with Mexico taking on South Africa, featuring 48 teams and projected to generate $13 billion in total revenue. The tournament has faced criticism over high ticket prices and visa issues affecting a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans seeking entry to the United States.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Somali referee denied US entry appointed to UEFA Super Cup

    Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an excellent and experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football competition.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Somali referee denied US entry appointed to UEFA Super Cup

    UEFA appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. Artan was previously denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, and UEFA's appointment was announced as part of a cooperation accord with the African confederation.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. 2026 World Cup kicks off with record revenue, ticket-price backlash

    The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, begins Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa; FIFA projects record $13 billion in revenue but faces criticism over ticket prices topping $30,000 and visa denials affecting referees, officials, and fans trying to enter the US.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 10 June

  1. UN General Assembly President warns of liquidity crisis

    The President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock has warned that the UN's deepening liquidity crisis is threatening peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, and development programmes worldwide, citing unpaid assessed contributions from member states and declining voluntary funding from key donors.

    10 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. FIFA chief Infantino faces scrutiny over World Cup ticket prices, immigration issues

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold a rare press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, facing tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has barred a top African referee, fans, and team officials from entering the country.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Somali referee denied US entry for World Cup vows 2030 return

    Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup finals, was barred from entering the United States and returned to Mogadishu, where he pledged to participate in the next World Cup in 2030 despite the rejection.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. US defends World Cup visa ban for Somali referee

    The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some Iranian team support staff. A US State Department official said the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for US entry.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  5. Somalia backs referee denied US entry for World Cup

    Somalia's government expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and barred from officiating at the World Cup finals. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations," making him ineligible for admission.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Somali referee denied US entry, dropped from World Cup

    Somali referee Omar Artan, named referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, was denied entry to the United States and dropped from FIFA's World Cup officials list. A US State Department official said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," and Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. FIFA chief calls Somali referee's US entry denial "unfortunate"

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino described as "unfortunate" the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for admission.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

  8. FIFA chief faces questions on World Cup eve

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to face questions about ticket prices and US immigration restrictions that have barred a top African referee, fans and team officials from entering the country.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 9 June

  1. President Ruto secures 1,000 seafaring jobs in Norway deal

    President Ruto has secured employment for 1,000 Kenyan seafarers with Norwegian ship management firm Wilhelmsen Ship Management, with 120 Kenyans to be hired by the end of this year as part of strengthening bilateral relations between Kenya and Norway.

    9 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Somalia backs referee denied US entry for World Cup

    Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The US Customs and Border Protection said he was denied entry following a routine inspection, despite diplomatic engagement between Somalia, FIFA, and US authorities.

    9 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Two killed in suspected militia attack in Mandera County

    Two people were killed and another seriously injured in a suspected cross-border militia attack in Elgolicha village, Mandera County near the Kenya-Somalia border. About ten heavily armed militia members crossed into the village at around 3am on Monday and opened fire on residents; the attackers are believed to be from Somalia.

    9 June 2026 · Capital News

  4. IGAD, Western powers call for Somali dialogue as tensions escalate

    Western embassies and the UN mission in Somalia issued a joint statement calling on Somali political actors to resume dialogue and agree on an electoral roadmap amid a worsening political standoff. IGAD separately condemned violence in Mogadishu and called for de-escalation, with its Executive Secretary urging leaders to prioritize national interests and peaceful resolution of disputes.

    9 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Somali referee barred from US, dropped from World Cup

    FIFA confirmed that award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States and will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Had he participated, Artan would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup; FIFA said it has no authority over host-country immigration decisions.

    9 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Ruto urges Belgian firms to manufacture in Kenya

    President William Ruto challenged Belgian manufacturers to set up factories in Kenya to process raw materials locally using clean power, rather than extracting and exporting them for processing abroad. Speaking at the Kenya–Belgium Business Roundtable in Brussels, Ruto called for Benelux firms to double their presence in Kenya and help triple bilateral trade from about $335 million in 2024 to $1 billion by 2030.

    9 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. Somalia defends referee denied US entry for World Cup

    Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The government reaffirmed "unwavering support" for Artan, expressing full confidence in his integrity and professionalism, though diplomatic efforts with US authorities and FIFA did not achieve a positive outcome.

    9 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 8 June

  1. Somali referee denied US entry despite World Cup appointment

    Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first from his country to officiate at World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. Somalia is on a travel ban list under President Donald Trump's administration, though Artan held a valid US visa.

    8 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Ruto urges Belgian investors to manufacture in Kenya

    President William Ruto called on European investors to establish manufacturing industries in Kenya rather than exporting raw materials for processing elsewhere, citing clean energy availability and EU trade benefits. He made the remarks at a Kenya-Belgium Business Roundtable in Brussels while launching the Kenya-Benelux Chamber of Commerce.

    8 June 2026 · Capital News

  3. Ruto invites European investors to manufacture clean energy products in Kenya

    President William Ruto has called on European investors, particularly Belgian manufacturers, to establish industries in Kenya for local mineral processing using clean geothermal energy, citing Europe's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Kenya's duty-free access under the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement as competitive advantages.

    8 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Sunday 7 June

  1. Session Paper 10 of 1965 institutionalised development inequality in North

    An opinion piece argues that Session Paper Number 10 of 1965, which codified African Socialism policy, deliberately marginalised the Northern Frontier District (now Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, and Isiolo counties) by prioritising "high potential" agricultural regions in the highlands for infrastructure investment, while the arid north was left underdeveloped by design rather than accident.

    7 June 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 4 June

  1. Mogadishu gunfire escalates Somalia political crisis over tenure extension

    Heavy gunfire erupted in Mogadishu on Thursday as Somalia faced a fresh political crisis, with former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo attacking President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for using force to suppress dissent and for extending his tenure by one year after his term expired on May 15, a move opposition leaders say undermines constitutional and democratic processes.

    4 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Mogadishu rocked by gunfire ahead of anti-government protests

    Heavy gunfire and clashes erupted in Somalia's capital overnight between rival political factions as opposition leaders gathered for planned protests against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's announced one-year extension of his term. Armed forces were deployed on the streets as residents reported sporadic fighting continuing into Thursday morning.

    4 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Somalia — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute