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Journalist Abdi Latif Dahir Hired As New York Times Correspondent In Nairobi

Journalist Abdi Latif Dahir Hired As New York Times Correspondent In Nairobi

New York Times
The New York Times hired Nairobi-based journalist Abdi Latif Dahir as its East Africa correspondent. He began his career 10 years ago at the Daily Nation. Collage by Autumn Keiko Original photo via nytco.com

The New York Times has hired Nairobi-based journalist Abdi Latif Dahir as its East Africa correspondent starting Nov. 1.

Dahir is joining the Times after working for Quartz Africa as an East Africa reporter for several years covering technology, agri-business and geopolitics including China’s foray into the region.

New York Times correspondent with experience living in Somalia

Born and raised in Nairobi, Dahir spent part of his life in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. He has written about his love for Somalia and the pain of losing loved ones there in violent attacks by extremists.

His appointment comes months after former bureau chief Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura’s contract was revoked over insensitive reporting during the DusitD2 terrorist attack at 14 Riverside Drive, Nairobi.

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“He has written about how companies and innovators are shaping industries, from agriculture to art. In between, he’s brought readers insightful stories about African culture, literature and food,” said Michael Slackman, New York Times international editor, when introducing Dahir.

The New York Times current South Asia bureau chief, Jeffrey Gettleman, was previously the East Africa bureau chief from 2006-2017. Gettleman is the author of “Love, Africa”, a memoir about his experiences in Africa.

Dahir began his career nearly a decade ago covering business and technology for the Daily Nation.