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COVID-19 has unleashed a crisis in public health and rule of law in Africa. In Kenya, narratives of corruption associated with the crisis are rampant. The paper evaluates political factors that amplify the response attempts in the country. It argues that traditional responses have focused on public health and economic issues. However, to develop appropriate responses, the overarching presence of neo-patrimonialism must be considered. Despite attempted governance reforms, neo-patrimonial practices have exacerbated corruption. There is a need for a rethink of governance reform strategy by acknowledging and addressing this fundamental cause, failing which there will be serious adverse public health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has devastated societies and economies all over the world. States, both developed and developing, have struggled to mitigate its effects. National interventions have reaffirmed the importance of co-ordination of different levels of government to help cushion the impact of the pandemic. For a developing country such as Kenya, these conversations include issues of decentralisation via a devolved system of governance that was enacted by the 2010 constitution after decades of agitation against centralisation. Devolution was used as a mechanism to curb inequality, create more inclusive governance, as well as enhance service delivery throughout the country. Health was one of the sectors that was decentralised with these aims in mind. However, despite devolution, centralisation tendencies continue to present a challenge to the sector, to policy implementation and the pandemic response. This article seeks to evaluate the extent to which these problems of the two-tiered devolved governance structure affected the COVID-19 pandemic response in its early stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyberspace is seen as presenting a vast landscape of imagined potential for social and political transformation. It has allowed for the creation of platforms for individuals and groups to organise for different causes. In the Caribbean, new organisations such as #Lifeinleggings, which started in an online space, attest to this reality. They have been able to organise around shared goals and can be considered positive proponents of the helpful impact of Information and Communication Technologies on social activism. The degree to which they have highlighted their cause and the reach which social media has allowed them beyond national boundaries and into regional and international spaces cannot be denied. However, the extent to which this has translated into meaningful impact on policy is questionable. This is compounded by the lack of participatory channels of governance prevalent in the region. This paper seeks to analyse the impact of digital activism as a catalyst for change beyond the online space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on Barbados Labour Party holding a political rally for a by-election at Charles Rowe Bridge, St. George. Topics include political meetings and platform speeches being an important and interesting aspect of the Anglophone Caribbean's political culture; and women finding themselves marginalised in the political sphere and excluding from decision-making processes.

The article offers information on the European Commission list of high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies in their regime concerning antimoney laundering and countering terrorist financing which are Bahamas, Barbados and Jamaica. It discusses that theses countries face challenges in implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals because of the distinct vulnerability to external shocks, high levels of indebtedness and high exposure to climate change and extreme weather pattern.