Stories & field notes

Top stories for the diaspora

What matters this week for people with one foot at home: travel, health, money and business. Each story links to its publisher.

• Kenya travel advisory raised to Level 3: Reconsider TravelUS State Department · 2026-10-19

  The State Department now advises Americans to reconsider travel to Kenya, citing health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and road safety. Read the full advisory before booking a trip home.

• Kenya confirms a ninth Ebola case; health ministry says patients are improvingKenyans.co.ke · 2026-10-20

  Kenya's health ministry confirmed a ninth Ebola case and says the surviving patients are stable and improving. Worth reading if you or family are travelling soon.

• Nigeria confirms an Ebola case in Abuja linked to East AfricaBBC News · 2026-10-20

  A patient is in isolation in an Abuja hospital and contact tracing has started. Check official health guidance before travel.

• Tanzania travel advisory: Level 2, Exercise Increased CautionUS State Department · 2026-10-16

  The State Department updated its Tanzania advisory to Level 2. The page lists the areas with higher risk.

• Kenya plans to exempt land worth KSh1 million or less from stamp dutyKenyans.co.ke · 2026-10-20

  President Ruto directed the Treasury to put land tax changes before Parliament. If you are buying land at home, watch for the final rules.

• Kenya raises the PAYE exemption limit for low earnersKenyans.co.ke · 2026-10-20

  Kenya announced a higher income-tax exemption threshold and a timeline for the change. It could matter for family members on modest salaries.

• Kenya proposes scrapping the 25% import duty on mobile phonesKenyans.co.ke · 2026-10-20

  The government says it will pursue removing the import duty on phones, which could change what you pay for a phone sent home.

• Fake job offers abroad are feeding trafficking in CameroonISS via AllAfrica · 2026-10-20

  Researchers describe criminal networks that use promises of work abroad to trap job seekers. A useful warning to share with family weighing overseas offers.

• Gabon's first angel network is backing young businessesTechCabal · 2026-10-20

  GAIN is bringing investors, expertise and connections together for Gabonese startups. Diaspora investors should watch it.