(By Estera Popowska)

A statement from Uganda’s State House issued on Tuesday said United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked Ugandan President Museveni to intervene and help avert a degeneration of the political crisis in Burundi sparked off by its leader Pierre Nkurunziza’s move to extend his stay in power.

Daily Monitor says the UN's  request came hours before the Burundian Constitutional Court cleared President Nkurunziza to contest for a third term as president.

(By Estera Popowska)

At least 46 people were killed and several others wounded by raiders, Kenyan authorities said Tuesday adding that security has been beefed up along the restive Turkana- Pokot border in northwest region following the incident.

The incident took place on Monday after a raid by bandits believed to be from Turkana on a village in Nadome area on the Turkana-East Pokot border, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa said while confirming the deaths according to Xinhua.

(By Estera Popowska)

In a bizarre incident, Burundi’s vice-president of the constitutional court  fled the country Monday, Daily Nation reported. According to reports, the judge was about to decide on the legality of a hugely contested third term for President Pierre Nkurunziza.

A Burundian Judge Sylvere Nimpagaritse reportedly told AFP that the court's judges had come under "enormous pressure and even death threats" from senior figures, which he refused to name, to rubber-stamp the disputed candidature of the president.

(By Estera Popowska)

In a renewed protests against the Burundian president's attempt to extend his rule to a third term, police reportedly opened fire on demonstrators killing three people on Monday in the capital Bujumbura, VOA reported.

The Burundian Red Cross confirmed the three deaths to VOA's Central African Service. Dozens more people were reported to be wounded when police opened fire on protesters marching in suburbs of Bujumbura.  

(By Estera Popowska)

Kenya’s Deputy President, William Ruto has said homosexuality is not allowed [in Kenya] as it goes against Christianity and human nature, Daily nation reported.

The Deputy head of state reportedly assured the religious community of the government’s support in opposing the introduction of same-sex relations in Kenya.

“We would stand with religious leaders to defend our faith and our beliefs. We would not allow homosexuality in our nation, as it violates our religious and cultural beliefs,” said the Deputy President.  

(By Estera Popowska)

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday announced an additional Sh4 billion ($45 million) for refugees programmes in Kenya but asked Kenya not to close the Dadaab Refugee Camp because the “fundamental problems” in Somalia are still unresolved.

(By Estera Popowska)

At least three people were killed on Friday in Burundi as protests continue between citizens and the police sparked by the president's bid for a third term.

According to reports, some 600 people have so far been arrested in a protest that begun last Saturday after the ruling CNDD-FDD party, which has been accused of intimidating opponents, designated President Pierre Nkurunziza its candidate in the June 26 presidential election.

(By Estera Popowska)

Following mass demonstrations against incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid to seek a third term, Burundi has  reportedly closed its national university. According to VOA, the university in Bujumbura shut its doors on Thursday and sent home the students living in residence halls on campus.

(By Estera Popowska)

Access to social media networks via mobile and messaging applications were on Wednesday blocked by Burundian authorities following mass demonstrations againist president’s bid to seek a third term,  a telecoms official reportedly said.

Daily Monitor says Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp  which have been used to coordinate protests, were no longer accessible via mobile telephone in the capital Bujumbura, although an official explanation for the service cut has not been given.

(By Estera Popowska)

The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR has confirmed that  some 21,000 people have fled from Burundi into Rwanda following political protests, UN Radio said Tuesday.

As demonstrations entered a second day on Monday against a bid by the Burundian president to cling to power for a third term, at least 320 people had been arrested in Burundi , a senior police official said. The UN has warned that an attempt to seek a third term in the June presidential election is unconstitutional.