Journal ArticleConstraining the Kinematics of the Victoria Microplate and the Northern Western Branch of the East African Rift SystemKwagalakwe, Asenath [California State University, Northridge Northridge CA USA] (ORCID:0000000260318083); Stamps, D Sarah [Department of Geosciences Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA USA] (ORCID:0000000235311752); Kolawole, Folarin [Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Columbia University New York City NY USA] (ORCID:0000000256952778); Atekwana, Estella A [Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences University of California Davis Davis CA USA] (ORCID:0000000314244068); Taylor, Michael [Department of Geology University of Kansas Lawrence KS USA]; Atekwana, Eliot A [Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences University of California Davis Davis CA USA] (ORCID:000000024934650X); Katumwehe, Andrew B [Boone Pickens School of Geology Oklahoma State University Stillwater OK USA]; Barry, Peter H [Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole MA USA] (ORCID:0000000269601555); Njinju, Emmanuel A [Department of Geosciences Baylor University Waco TX USA]; Nyago, Joseph [Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines Entebbe Uganda]; Tugume, Fred [Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines Entebbe Uganda]; Kiberu, John Mary [Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies Makerere University Kampala Uganda]; Nakajigo, Joan [Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies Makerere University Kampala Uganda]; Kabanda, Albert [Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Northwestern University Evanston IL USA]; Kianji, Gladys [Department of Earth and Climate Change University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya]; Saria, Elifuraha [School of Geospatial Sciences and Technology Ardhi University Dar es Salaam Tanzania]The fragmentation of continents results in microplates that rotate to accommodate the lateral propagation of bounding rifts. Yet, the relationships between microplate rotation rates, fault slip, and kinematics at propagating rift tips remain unknown. Here, we analyze new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data and structural geology data from the northern Western Branch of the East African Rift System that defines part of the boundary between the Nubian plate and the Victoria microplate. We resolve 0.0583 ± 0.0293°/Myr (6.48 ± 3.26 mm/yr) counterclockwise rotation of the Victoria microplate, consistent with previous studies, but with significant northwestward shift in the Euler pole relative to earlier work. Strain is largely localized on microplate-bounding faults with 1.8–2.2 mm/yr slip rates, 7.2 × 10−8–1.28 × 10−7 y−1 strain rates, NE-directed extension, and oblique-normal fault kinematics. Most GNSS velocities are consistent with block rigidity, but three sites in the NW region of the Victoria microplate indicate possible internal deformation.AGU2025-10-2810649967Geophysical Research Letters52200094-8276https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL1163012021633; 1551864; 1943681; 2210214National Science Foundation