The health ministry said on Wednesday that the second patient had already been in quarantine when he developed symptoms on Tuesday, including fever, fatigue and joint pains. He was immediately isolated after falling ill.
“Both cases are linked, and there is no evidence of spread in the wider community,” the ministry said, urging Kenyans to remain calm but vigilant.
The development comes as authorities continue tracing people who may have been exposed to the first patient, a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The man travelled by road through Uganda before flying to Nairobi on October 3. A relative picked him up from the airport and took him to hospital, where he was diagnosed with Ebola shortly after admission.
His illness raised concerns about gaps in regional screening systems, as he travelled across borders without being detected.
According to the health ministry, authorities have located 113 of the 128 people identified as contacts of the first patient. Of these, 108 are in quarantine in Kenya, while five are outside the country. Health authorities in the countries concerned have been notified, and efforts to locate the remaining 15 contacts are continuing.
Officials are also assessing people who may have come into contact with the second patient since he developed symptoms, including healthcare workers and staff at the quarantine facility.
“This is the response working as designed,” the ministry said, adding that it would share updates on the patient’s progress.
Kenya has strengthened screening measures at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, introducing a dedicated screening gate for passengers arriving from the DRC and other countries potentially linked to the outbreak.
The current outbreak in the DRC, declared in May, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for this strain, although trials are underway.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people. Its incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, making contact tracing and early isolation critical to containing transmission.
Health workers and officials stand outside an Ebola isolation facility at The Nairobi Hospital in Kenya on October 7, 2026,
A new minimally invasive treatment for knee osteoarthritis has shown promising results, with 80 per cent of patients reporting meaningful pain relief lasting at least one year, according to a study published in the journal Radiology.
The treatment, known as genicular artery embolization (GAE), targets abnormal blood vessels around the knee joint that contribute to inflammation and chronic pain.
It could offer an alternative for patients who do not respond adequately to conventional treatments and cannot undergo, or wish to avoid, knee replacement surgery.
The study, conducted by researchers led by Florian Nima Fleckenstein of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, involved 194 patients whose knee pain persisted despite at least three months of conventional care, including physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and joint injections.
During the procedure, doctors use a thin catheter to deliver tiny, gelatin-based particles into selected blood vessels around the knee.
The particles block the targeted vessels temporarily and dissolve within hours, with the aim of reducing inflammation while preserving normal blood circulation.
According to the findings, patients experienced substantial improvements in pain, mobility and quality of life following treatment.
Median pain scores fell from seven out of 10 before the procedure to four after six weeks.
The score declined further to three at six months and remained at that level after 12 months.
At the one-year follow-up, 80 per cent of patients who completed the pain assessment reported improvements considered clinically meaningful.
“In our cohort, we saw a significant drop in pain and a significant increase in function, including sports and recreation and daily activity,” Fleckenstein said. “Most importantly, their quality of life significantly increased.”
Researchers also reported improvements in everyday activities, including walking and climbing stairs, as well as participation in sports and recreation.
The safety findings were encouraging. All 239 procedures performed on the participants were technically successful. Mild, temporary complications occurred in 6.7 per cent of procedures, while no moderate or severe adverse events were recorded.
Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that knee osteoarthritis affects more than 365 million adults, making effective treatment options an important public health concern.
However, researchers cautioned that further studies are needed to establish how much of the improvement results directly from the procedure. The study did not include a control group, making it difficult to separate the treatment’s effects from other factors.
The researchers also noted that the findings do not establish whether the procedure can prevent cartilage damage or slow disease progression.
Larger controlled trials and longer follow-up periods will be needed to determine its long-term effectiveness and identify the patients most likely to benefit.
A minimally invasive treatment offers lasting knee pain relief for 80% of patients with osteoarthritis, a study finds.
Murokozi Paul and Baraka Emmanuel appeared before the court on October 13, 2026. They are being held at Nyanza Prison over alleged offences committed in Kayonza District in April 2025.
The hearing was conducted in Swahili, with an interpreter translating the proceedings into Kinyarwanda.
Prosecutors allege that the two men deceived the women, both from Kayonza District, with promises of employment before taking them to Tanzania, where they were subjected to sexual exploitation.
“They were sent there after being promised good jobs. However, upon arrival, they found that they were expected to work in a bar and were also sexually abused by the men who had taken them there. They were then sold to other men,” the prosecutor told the court.
The prosecution argued that the women were deceived for financial gain and taken to Tanzania without their parents’ knowledge or the authorities being informed.
Prosecutors asked the court to convict each accused and sentence them to 25 years in prison and a fine of Rwf 20 million.
Defence denies trafficking allegations
In his defence, Murokozi said he had been working as a sailor at the Rwanda-Tanzania border alongside Baraka when he became acquainted with the two women.
He told the court that they became friendly and rented a room where they had sexual relations.
According to Murokozi, the women expressed an interest in travelling to Tanzania, prompting him to arrange transport and accompany them.
He said they stayed in Tanzania for four days before deciding to return to Rwanda, adding that he also arranged transport for their return.
Murokozi denied that the trip involved trafficking or sexual exploitation.
“They went to a bar to drink, not because we were trafficking them. They also shared drinks, and nobody sexually abused them,” he said.
He denied committing any crime and asked the court to acquit him.
His lawyer, Mpayimana Jean Paul, argued that the prosecution had not established that his client committed a criminal offence.
He said Murokozi had simply become acquainted with one of the women, who later asked him to take her to Tanzania.
“What crime was committed if a Rwandan went out with a Tanzanian and that is what happened?” the lawyer asked.
Mpayimana also challenged the allegation that his client had sold the women, arguing that the prosecution had not identified any buyer. He asked the court to acquit Murokozi.
Baraka, meanwhile, denied involvement in taking the women to Tanzania, telling the court that he had remained in Rwanda and knew nothing about what happened there.
“What I did was have sexual relations with her. As for taking her to Tanzania to be sold, I know nothing about that,” he said.
His lawyer, Adiel Mbanziriza, argued that Baraka had no intention of committing a crime.
“The prosecution says the women were taken there to be trafficked, yet one of the women herself stated that she had gone to see what Tanzania was like,” Mbanziriza told the court.
He also asked the court to acquit his client.
The three-judge panel is scheduled to deliver its verdict on November 12, 2026.
The prosecution asked the Nyanza Special Chamber to sentence the two men to 25 years in prison.
The organisers are yet to announce the full lineup of artists and DJs expected to perform at the event.
Improper Access debuted on August 30, 2024, at Kigali Universe, with a focus on showcasing female artists and DJs.
The inaugural edition featured Nigerian artist Dopecaesar, Ugandan singer Etania, and Rwandan DJs Brianne, Sonia and Alida, alongside Senshi.
The event returned for its second edition on June 28, 2025, at Zaria Court Kigali, with South African DJ Blue Aiva as the headline act.
Other performers included Rwandan DJs Niny and Higa, as well as artists Zuba, Muyango and Etania.
Knowless will take centre stage at the upcoming edition, bringing her experience in Rwanda’s music industry and a catalogue of songs that have earned her a strong following.
She is among Rwanda’s established musicians, having built a career spanning more than a decade. In 2015, she won the Primus Guma Guma Super Star competition, becoming the first woman to claim the title.
Butera Knowless to headline ‘Improper Access’ music eventButera Knowless is set to perform at ‘Improper Access’ for the first time.
Named Vasuki indicus, the extinct reptile lived during the Middle Eocene, a period when parts of the world experienced warmer climates than today.
Its estimated length of between 10.9 and 15.2 metres would make it comparable to Titanoboa, a prehistoric snake believed to have reached approximately 13 metres.
The fossils were discovered at the Panandhro Lignite Mine in Kutch, Gujarat, western India.
Paleontologists Debajit Datta and Sunil Bajpai of the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee identified the species after examining 27 fossilised vertebrae, the bones that form a snake’s backbone.
Although researchers did not find a complete skeleton, the unusually broad vertebrae provided clues about the animal’s size.
Estimates based on comparisons with modern snakes produced different results, leaving uncertainty about its exact length.
Scientists therefore cannot confirm whether Vasuki was larger than Titanoboa, which lived in what is now Colombia around 60 million years ago.
The researchers believe Vasuki was a thick-bodied animal that probably relied on ambush rather than speed to capture prey.
Its hunting strategy may have resembled that of modern anacondas and pythons, which use their muscular bodies to overpower animals.
However, its exact diet and hunting behaviour remain uncertain because the available fossils provide limited evidence about how it lived.
The ancient snake inhabited a region characterised by warm, tropical conditions, with average temperatures estimated at approximately 28 degrees Celsius.
Because snakes depend on external heat to regulate their body temperature, such conditions may have supported the growth of large reptiles.
Nevertheless, scientists say temperature alone cannot explain gigantism, as food availability, habitat and evolutionary history also influence animal size.
Vasuki indicus belonged to Madtsoiidae, an extinct family of snakes that existed for roughly 100 million years and whose members lived across several continents, including Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia.
The discovery provides further evidence of the diversity of prehistoric snakes and helps researchers understand how ancient reptiles evolved and spread across different regions.
The findings were published in Scientific Reports in 2024, with the fossils offering a rare glimpse into India’s ancient ecosystems and the enormous predators that once inhabited them.
An artist’s illustration of Vasuki indicus, an extinct snake that lived in India approximately 47 million years ago and may have reached up to 50 feet in length.
The visit, organised by the Rwanda Institute of Architects (RIA) in collaboration with delegates from the East Africa Institute of Architects (EAIA), took place on October 10, 2026, following the EAIA Congress 2026, which was held in Kigali on October 8–9, 2026.
It aimed to strengthen links between architectural practice and local manufacturing while giving participants practical insights into the production of construction materials.
During the visit, participants explored how steel manufacturing contributes to the built environment, with discussions focusing on construction materials, their applications and the importance of quality in delivering safe, durable and sustainable buildings.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for architects from across the region to exchange knowledge and share experiences on improving professional practice and construction standards.
Speaking on behalf of RIA, the institute’s chairperson Arch. Nishimwe Luce Gloria emphasised that architectural design must be supported by quality materials and close collaboration with manufacturers.
“Architecture does not end at the drawing board. The quality of our buildings depends not only on the quality of our designs, but also on the materials we specify, the standards we uphold, and the collaboration we build with industry partners,” the chairperson said.
Nishimwe, who assumed the role of chairperson of the regional architects’ body during the recent congress, added that direct engagement with manufacturers helps architects strengthen their technical knowledge, make informed design decisions and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable construction sector.
The participation of delegates from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in advancing architecture across East Africa.
Architecture students also benefited from the visit, gaining an opportunity to connect classroom learning with industrial processes and better understand the responsibilities of future professionals.
RIA said continued collaboration among architects, manufacturers, engineers, contractors and educational institutions is important for promoting quality, innovation and responsible construction practices.
The institute also recognised the contribution of local manufacturers such as Imana Steel to Rwanda’s construction sector, noting the importance of closer engagement between professionals involved in designing buildings and those supplying the materials used to construct them.
The visit reflects broader efforts to strengthen cooperation between the architectural profession and industry while encouraging knowledge sharing among professionals and students across East Africa.
The visit was organised by the Rwanda Institute of Architects (RIA) in collaboration with delegates from the East Africa Institute of Architects (EAIA). Participants explored how steel manufacturing contributes to the built environment, with discussions focusing on construction materials, their applications and the importance of quality in delivering safe, durable and sustainable buildings.The visit took place on October 10, 2026, following the EAIA Congress 2026, which was held in Kigali on October 8–9, 2026.Architecture students also benefited from the visit, gaining an opportunity to connect classroom learning with industrial processes and better understand the responsibilities of future professionals.
The declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly on October 12, following negotiations co-facilitated by Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Martin Ngoga, and his Armenian counterpart, Ambassador Paruyr Hovhannisyan.
The negotiations sought to build consensus among member states on measures to prevent future pandemics, strengthen health systems and improve international cooperation following the challenges exposed by COVID-19.
Rwanda’s involvement reflects concerns President Paul Kagame has previously raised about the need to strengthen global preparedness and reduce inequalities in access to essential medical supplies.
Speaking at a roundtable on pandemic preparedness in May 2021, Kagame highlighted the importance of expanding vaccine production, particularly in Africa, where reliance on external suppliers can leave countries vulnerable during periods of global scarcity.
“So long as Africa remains dependent on other regions for vaccines, we will always be at the back of the queue whenever there is scarcity,” Kagame said.
He also called for stronger national health systems and greater attention to preventing diseases from spreading from animals to humans.
The president’s remarks came as countries were assessing the impact of COVID-19 and considering reforms to make the international response to future outbreaks more effective.
The UN declaration addresses several of these concerns, calling for stronger disease surveillance, investment in health systems, equitable access to vaccines and medicines, and sustainable financing for pandemic preparedness.
The declaration was adopted with 153 countries voting in favour, three against and two abstaining, according to reports on the UN vote.
Beyond its public health provisions, the process placed Rwanda in a facilitating role in negotiations involving countries with different priorities and expectations.
The declaration also calls for stronger local and regional manufacturing capacity, an issue that remains particularly relevant to African countries seeking to reduce dependence on imported vaccines, diagnostics and treatments.
However, adoption of the declaration is only one step towards stronger pandemic preparedness. Its impact will depend on whether countries translate the commitments into sustained investment, stronger public health systems and improved access to medical products.
Rwanda’s participation in the negotiations adds to its engagement in multilateral discussions on global health, while the implementation of the declaration will require continued cooperation among governments and international partners.
The declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly on October 12, following negotiations co-facilitated by Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Martin Ngoga, and his Armenian counterpart, Ambassador Paruyr Hovhannisyan.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national who joined OpenAI as an engineer in July 2025, is accused of using an electronic device to intercept oral communications, according to federal prosecutors.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect allegedly concealed the device to obtain sensitive information from within the company.
According to court documents, the device was wrapped in toilet paper and inserted into a USB port at the back of a television in the conference room. OpenAI employees discovered it on September 30, two days after it was allegedly installed.
Prosecutors allege that the suspect had researched the company’s offices and sensitive locations before the device was planted. Investigators also cited chatbot prompts reportedly linked to an account associated with Alfozan’s spouse, which concerned building an audio recorder, configuring Wi-Fi connectivity, improving remote listening and encrypting stored recordings.
The FBI further alleges that Alfozan returned to the conference room on October 5 to inspect the device. CCTV footage was used to link him to the location, according to the complaint.
A second similar recording device was reportedly discovered in a bag left unattended in another room at the company’s offices.
OpenAI said it used its artificial intelligence models to investigate the device and trace its origin, ultimately identifying the employee believed to have planted it.
The company said it used its models “to understand the device and where it had come from, identifying that a specific employee had planted it a few days earlier”.
The employee was subsequently dismissed. OpenAI added that it had no indication that its source code, model weights or customer data had been improperly accessed or taken in connection with the incident.
Alfozan was arrested on October 9 and appeared in federal court on October 13, according to the US Department of Justice. He faces a charge related to the alleged interception of oral communications.
If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge remains an allegation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
A device, which the US Justice Department says is a hidden audio recording device installed in an OpenAI executive conference room by Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national employed as an engineer at the AI company, at a location given as San Francisco, California, US.A handout photo shows what the US Justice Department says is Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national employed as an OpenAI engineer, checking a hidden audio recording device in an executive conference room at the AI company, at a location given as San Francisco, California, US, October 5, 2026.
Masaka Views Eco Estate is being built in Masaka, a neighbourhood in Kigali’s Kicukiro District, near an area designated for healthcare facilities.
Once completed, the development will comprise 382 housing units, including apartments, semi-detached family houses and townhouses.
Fortis Green Housing, the US-founded company behind the project, announced the progress on October 8, 2026, during a visit to the construction site by officials from NCBA Bank Rwanda.
The visit followed a partnership between the developer and the bank aimed at helping prospective buyers finance purchases in the estate.
Officials from NCBA Bank Rwanda visited the Masaka Views Eco Estate construction site on October 8, 2026.
Nyabagabo Fleury, Assistant Manager for Marketing, Communications and Citizenship at NCBA Bank Rwanda, said the houses are ready for prospective buyers to visit and encouraged those seeking to own homes to explore the development.
“The houses are ready. Anyone looking to settle in their own house is welcome for a site visit. And NCBA Bank Rwanda has a mortgage scheme to allow you get that dream home,” he said.
He described the development’s homes and location as attractive, urging prospective buyers to visit the site, select a property and approach NCBA to explore financing options.
“As you can see, the houses are very beautiful, and the location is ideal. I encourage everyone to come visit. After you settle on your choice, come straight to NCBA because we have an arrangement with Fortis Green Housing,” he said.
Under the partnership, NCBA offers home financing through its Tura Neza 105% mortgage product, which is designed to help buyers finance their home purchases.
“We offer you 105% mortgage, which includes insurance cover and several benefits to allow you settle in a nice house like any of these ones you’re here. As for the repayments, you will handle that like you would with any other credit scheme,” Nyabagabo said.
Masaka Views Eco Estate is being built in Masaka, a neighbourhood in Kigali’s Kicukiro District.
The product’s 105% financing structure and included insurance cover could help eligible buyers meet the costs associated with acquiring a home. Prospective customers would need to confirm the applicable eligibility requirements, interest rates, repayment terms and other conditions with the bank.
Homes are priced up to Rwf212 million
The entire development is expected to cost more than Rwf36 billion. The project has also been described as a $25 million investment.
Masaka Views Eco Estate will comprise 302 apartments in blocks, with units ranging from one to three bedrooms, alongside 51 semi-detached family houses and 57 townhouses.
The first phase includes 180 housing units, according to the developer. Of these, 88 are intended for rental and 92 for sale.
Masaka Views Eco Estate will feature 302 apartments, 51 semi-detached houses and 57 townhouses, with apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms.
Homes available for purchase include two-bedroom and four-bedroom houses, priced between Rwf102 million and Rwf212 million.
Furaha Amos, Director of Development at Fortis Green Housing, said construction of the first phase was nearing completion, with much of the remaining work focused on landscaping and cleaning.
“Construction of these houses in the first phase is almost coming to an end. We have started planting lawns and flowers because one of our main priorities is building environmentally friendly homes,” Amos said.
He added that essential infrastructure, including water and electricity, had already been installed, while construction of roads for residents was also progressing.
“Overall, we can say that our buildings are 85% complete because what remains is mainly cleaning,” he said.
Tura Neza by NCBA Bank Rwanda is offering 105% mortgage financing for the houses.
Part of Kigali’s housing expansion
Masaka Views Eco Estate is among the projects intended to support Kigali’s efforts to improve housing and urban living conditions as the city continues to grow.
During the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the City of Kigali planned to spend more than Rwf251 billion on various initiatives, including improving urban development in different areas and upgrading living conditions in informal settlements.
The development combines homes intended for sale and rent, offering different housing options in Masaka. Through its partnership with Fortis Green Housing, NCBA Bank Rwanda is seeking to connect prospective homeowners with financing that could help them purchase properties in the estate.
Officials from NCBA Bank Rwanda during a visit to the Masaka Views Eco Estate construction site on October 8, 2026.The visit followed a partnership between the developer and the bank aimed at helping prospective buyers finance purchases in the estate.The first phase of the $25 million housing development in Kigali has reached 85% completion.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on October 13, after doctors discovered a small, localised nodule in his lung during medical examinations.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the operation was successful and completed without complications. The Pope woke up as expected and returned to his hospital room following a brief period of observation.
“An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations,” the doctors said.
The diagnosis has drawn attention to the nature of the disease, how it is treated and what is known about the Pope’s recovery.
Lung adenocarcinoma is a type of non-small cell lung cancer that develops in cells responsible for producing substances such as mucus. It is the most common subtype of lung cancer and frequently develops in the outer parts of the lungs.
The disease can affect smokers and non-smokers alike. Its progression varies from one patient to another, depending on factors including the size and location of the tumour, whether it has spread and the patient’s overall health.
In Pope Leo’s case, the Vatican confirmed the diagnosis after tissue removed during surgery was examined. However, the Holy See has not publicly disclosed the cancer’s stage or whether it had spread beyond the affected area. These details are important in determining the most appropriate treatment and assessing a patient’s prognosis.
During the operation, surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung in a procedure known as a lobectomy.
The surgery was performed using a video-assisted technique, which enables doctors to operate with the help of a camera and specialised instruments inserted through small incisions.
According to the Vatican’s medical statement, the procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes, although the Pope spent about three hours in the operating room.
The removal of the affected lobe was intended to eliminate the tumour and surrounding tissue. Further examination of the removed tissue will help doctors assess the extent of the disease and determine whether additional treatment is needed.
Before undergoing surgery, Pope Leo announced that doctors had discovered a small, localised lung nodule during medical examinations. He said the finding had been detected at a very early stage.
Although his earlier statement described the nodule as localised, this alone does not establish the cancer’s precise stage. Doctors generally consider additional findings, including whether cancer cells have reached nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body, when determining how far the disease has progressed.
The Vatican has said that further examinations will be conducted following the operation. The results will help his medical team determine whether surgery is sufficient or whether additional care is necessary.
In an update issued on Wednesday, October 14, the Vatican said the Pope had spent a calm night at Gemelli Hospital following the operation.
His public audiences have been cancelled through October 20, and the previously announced hospital stay of approximately one week remains unchanged.
The Vatican has not announced a definitive change to his planned November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The trip’s status will depend on further updates and any decisions communicated by the Holy See.
For now, the focus is on the Pope’s postoperative recovery and the results of further medical examinations.
While the successful operation is an important development, it does not by itself establish whether all cancer cells have been eliminated or whether further treatment will be necessary.
The stage of the cancer, the findings from additional tests and the medical team’s recommendations will provide a clearer picture of what lies ahead for the pontiff.
Until more information is released, the extent of the disease and the long-term outlook remain uncertain.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital on October 13, after doctors discovered a small, localised nodule in his lung during medical examinations.
