The East African's News Round Up

KENYA: Peaceful election key to economic growth- World Bank

The Candidates of Kenya Election seats

The next General Election will play a key role in determining the extent Kenya will go in achieving the projected economic growth of five per cent, a new report shows.

According to the 2012 Kenya Economic Update Report launched by the World Bank Wednesday, political risks to economic growth are ranked equally to growth risks posed by shocks in the global economy such as the persistent debt crisis in the European markets.

"The conduct of the national elections in 2013 will determine international perceptions of Kenya for the years to come and greatly influence Kenya's medium-term economic prospects," reads the report in part.

Political Rally for the Orange Democratic Movement Candidate, Raila Odinga, in 2007

UGANDA: Government plans budget cut over aid freeze

The government will review this financial year’s Budget to make adjustments in light of hundred-million dollar cuts in direct aid by the country’s development partners. Until yesterday, some government functionaries had been maintaining that the government would somehow manage even without the development partners’ financial support.

The State Minister for Economic Monitoring, Mr Henry Banyenzaki, however, told the Daily Monitor that the government would have to check wasteful expenditure. “We need to tighten our belts, seal all loopholes and cut our wasteful expenditure,” Mr Banyenzaki said.

RWANDA: Government Issues FDLR Warning

The government yesterday warned the Congo-based Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) that their attacks on Rwanda are intolerable.

Speaking at a news briefing in Kigali, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Government Spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo, said Rwanda would respond accordingly if the militia attacks continue.

Some of Ammunition seized from rebels.