The Common Pulse

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / NOVEMBER2025. When Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had secured an overwhelming 97–98% of the vote in her reelection, the country was immediately plunged into a heated debate over the credibility of the process and the future of its democracy. While the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), celebrated the result as a reflection of the people’s trust in Suluhu’s leadership and her steady hand in navigating both domestic and regional politics, opposition parties, civil society groups, and international observers voiced deep skepticism. They questioned whether such a staggering margin could truly represent the will of a diverse and politically aware nation or whether it symbolized a tightening grip of power under the guise of stability and continuity To understand the magnitude of the controversy, one must look beyond the final figures an...

 B y   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. When President Donald Trump vowed to intervene against drug smugglers in Colombia, it marked not just another declaration in America’s long war on drugs but a significant widening of U.S. counternarcotics operations across Latin America. What began as a campaign focused on intercepting cocaine-laden vessels at sea has evolved into a strategy that places entire governments under threat of U.S. action. Colombia, once heralded as Washington’s closest ally in the fight against narcotics, has once again become a flashpoint in the geopolitical struggle over sovereignty, security, and control of the hemisphere’s most lucrative illicit trade. Trump’s renewed attention to Colombia did not emerge in isolation. It sits atop a decades-long legacy of U.S. involvement in the Andean region, where billions of dollars have been poured into eradication campaigns, military assistance, and intellig...

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. For years, the dream of regime change in Venezuela has rested on one faint hope, that the military, the very institution that sustains Nicolás Maduro’s rule, would one day turn its guns around and sweep him from power. Opposition leaders have prayed for it, Washington has banked on it, and countless Venezuelans have whispered about it in dark corners, believing that only the army could end their misery. But as a menacing U.S. naval buildup looms just offshore and diplomatic pressure intensifies, one stubborn truth remains, Maduro is virtually coup-proof. His regime, through years of paranoia, patronage, and purges, has perfected the art of internal control, transforming the military from a potential threat into a pillar of loyalty. The Anatomy of a Dictatorship To understand Maduro’s hold, you have to understand the machinery Hugo Chávez built before him. When Chávez, himself a ...

 B y   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. In the quiet rhythm of France’s autumn, amid the soft hum of Parisian life and the measured calm of its provincial towns, a darker undercurrent broke through the surface. French authorities announced on Friday that four men had been detained for allegedly plotting to assassinate a Russian dissident living in the country, a revelation that thrust Europe once again into the shadowy domain of espionage, political revenge, and the murky reach of authoritarian regimes beyond their borders. What unfolded is not just a story about four suspects, but a chilling reminder of how the battle between freedom and fear now plays out far from traditional frontlines, embedded deep within Europe’s democratic soil. The arrests came after weeks of careful surveillance, as France’s counterterrorism prosecutors uncovered evidence suggesting a coordinated plan to eliminate a vocal critic of Vladimir P...

   By   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Washington’s grand strategy in the Pacific is running into the twin realities of cost and complexity. What began as a carefully calibrated effort to deter China and maintain freedom of navigation across one of the world’s most contested maritime spaces has morphed into a grinding, expensive race to build, modernize, and defend a front line stretching thousands of miles from Hawaii to the Philippines. The idea sounds simple on paper, forward deploy forces, reinforce allies, deter Beijing, but on the ground, in the shipyards, and across the congressional budget fights, it’s becoming painfully clear that fortifying America’s Pacific front line is no longer a matter of will, but of wallet and logistics. For years, U.S. defense planners have warned that the Indo-Pacific theater would become the defining challenge of the 21st century. The Pentagon’s pivot to Asia under successive...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. The sudden passing of Raila Odinga on October 15, 2025, has left a significant void in Kenya's political landscape. As the nation grapples with this loss, attention turns to the 2027 presidential election and the potential candidates who could step into the leadership role. One name that stands out is Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper Patriotic Front. But is he the best candidate to lead Kenya forward? Kalonzo Musyoka's Political Journey Kalonzo Musyoka has been a prominent figure in Kenyan politics for decades. Having served as Vice President and held various ministerial positions, he has a wealth of experience in governance. His leadership of the Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM-K) has seen the party become a significant force in Kenyan politics, particularly among the Kamba community. In recent years, Kalonzo has positioned himself as a key player in the opposition, of...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Nairobi and Kenya Mourn the Passing of Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga The streets of Nairobi are alive with emotion, a city pulsating with grief and remembrance, as residents congregate in various parts of the capital to honor the life and legacy of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga. Kenya has lost one of its greatest sons, a man whose name is synonymous with courage, conviction, and the relentless pursuit of justice and equality. Across the nation, from bustling urban centers to quiet rural villages, Kenyans reflect on a life that touched millions, a life dedicated to service, leadership, and the hope of a nation yet to be fully realized. A Life of Courage and Conviction Raila Odinga’s journey was marked by resilience, a steadfast commitment to principle, and the courage to challenge the status quo even in the face of adversity. From his early days in political activism to ...

By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. 🇮🇱 “If He Ends the War, He Earns the Prize” When Doubt Meets Hope “Trump may not be my cup of tea,” writes Pauline Njoroge yet she lays down a powerful challenge: if he can make peace in Gaza, she’ll admit he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. That tension  skepticism turned conditional hope   captures the emotional stakes in today’s headlines. From Words to Ceasefire: Trump’s Bold Declaration “The War Has Ended” Before landing in Tel Aviv, Trump told journalists that the Gaza war is over. What does he mean by that? A ceasefire? A political settlement? Or a fragile lull? The world watches closely, trying to parse whether this is a breakthrough  or a rhetorical flourish.  Hostages Free: A Glimmer in the Darkness Hope Returns, One Release at a Time Earlier today, Hamas released  seven Israeli hostages    the first hints of life, reunion, and relief i...

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news/Ethiopia/Eritrea /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. After Kenya’s President William Ruto publicly slammed earlier U.S. donations as “used, unreliable, and dangerous,” the U.S. has shipped 20 brand new armored vehicles to Haiti. This bold move signals Washington’s desire to restore credibility in its support and reassure troop-contributing nations. Keywords: new fleet, credibility, turnaround .   Ruto’s Rebuke: “Death Traps” in Dangerous Zones At the UN General Assembly, Ruto pulled no punches: many of the earlier armored vehicles were second-hand, prone to breakdowns, and thus exposed Kenyan forces to extreme risk in gang-controlled areas.  He said the faulty logistics “put our personnel in great danger when they broke down in very dangerous places.” Keywords: risk, safety, accountability .  Bolstering Haiti’s Security: GSF & Haitian Police Get Reinforcements The newly delivered vehicle...

  By   Justin Kirangacha| The Common Pulse/latest news/Ethiopia/Eritrea /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Ethiopia Sounds Alarm: “Eritrea Prepping for War” In a dramatic escalation, Ethiopia has formally accused neighboring Eritrea of colluding with a hard-line faction of the the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to prepare an offensive against Ethiopia.  In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos warns that “the hardliner faction of the TPLF and the Eritrean government are actively preparing to wage war.”  This public charge is one of the sharpest statements yet in months of rising tensions across the Horn of Africa. Collusion Charge: Eritrea + TPLF, Ethiopia Claims Addis Ababa alleges that Eritrea is not merely a passive border neighbor but has actively funded, mobilized, and directed armed groups in Ethiopia’s Amhara region   traditionally a flashpoint. The Ethiopian letter states there is “cle...

  By   Peninah Mbula| The Common Pulse/latest news/Mexico/US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee was nothing short of a political spectacle. For over four hours, Bondi clashed with Democratic senators over allegations of DOJ politicization, the handling of the Epstein case, and the deployment of National Guard troops. Here's a breakdown of the most explosive moments from the hearing.   1. Accusations of DOJ Weaponization Democratic senators, including Dick Durbin and Adam Schiff, accused Bondi of transforming the Department of Justice into a political tool for the Trump administration. They pointed to investigations into Trump critics and the dismissal of career prosecutors as evidence of this politicization. Bondi defended the DOJ's actions, claiming they were focused on "real crime" and ending the "weaponization of justice" .  2. Epstein Files Controversy Bondi fac...

  By   Peninah Mbula| The Common Pulse/latest news/Mexico/US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. President Donald Trump has faced criticism for directing federal funds toward initiatives that align with his personal and political interests, often bypassing traditional legislative processes. From reallocating military budgets to implementing controversial policies, these actions have sparked debates about fiscal responsibility and governance.   Redirecting Military Funds for Border Wall Construction In 2019, President Trump declared a national emergency to secure funding for a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. This move allowed the administration to divert approximately $3.6 billion from military construction projects to wall construction, despite Congress's refusal to allocate the requested funds. Critics argue that this reallocation undermines congressional authority and prioritizes political objectives over national security needs.    Using Exec...