The long shadow of fear stalking the country will ruin economy
The fear seems to compete favourably with Covid-19 or the floods earlier in the year, the two other disasters that recently shocked our faith in science and ourselves.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
The long shadow of fear stalking the country will ruin economy
Hustling in old age: Let's learn from developed nations
We have to think of the elderly more than in the past. We love talking of the youth bulge in Africa, which will one day turn into an elderly bulge. We better prepare for it.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Hustling in old age: Let's learn from developed nations
Want to motivate the next generation? Good luck with that
Parents give children what they never had, in plenty. The problem with this approach is that material things never satisfy.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Want to motivate the next generation? Good luck with that
Will China outdo the West in transforming Africa?
Africa has been babysat for too long, it's time we stood on our own like other countries. We have the resources and the brains.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Will China outdo the West in transforming Africa?
Forum on China-Africa cooperation: What's there for Kenya and Africa?
China wants to engage Africa through partnerships, cooperation and shared prosperity to outdo the West, which is often seen as more paternalistic.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Forum on China-Africa cooperation: What's there for Kenya and Africa?
Tough world: Let's spare a thought for elderly hustlers
The elderly deserve to age gracefully for the great job they have done for their country and their children.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Tough world: Let's spare a thought for elderly hustlers
City status craze should translate into tangible benefits for regions
Kenya now boasts five cities. Nairobi is no longer lonely at the top. It is assumed that attaining city status attracts investors. That calls for more than a change in status.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
City status craze should translate into tangible benefits for regions
As Raila Odinga goes global, his political shadow will still loom large locally
Raila is like water which can exist in liquid, solid, or gas depending on the circumstances. Anytime political circumstances change, he also changes, ensuring his longevity.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
As Raila Odinga goes global, his political shadow will still loom large locally
Bottlenecks: why It's more than just bottles
Think of the bottlenecks M-Pesa removed. What bottlenecks do we need to remove in your sector? Are you a victim or perpetrator of bottlenecks?
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Bottlenecks: why It's more than just bottles
How digital revolution sent the post office on its deathbed
Think of it: Amazon, for all its success, has mimicked the post office. Amazon delivers your shopping just like the post office delivers letters.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
How digital revolution sent the post office on its deathbed
On investment, the missing link is local
Being a foreign investor shields you from local issues like harambees, negative publicity and petty jealousy. They are placed on a higher pedestal courted in palaces.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
On investment, the missing link is local
Nane Nane demos: An eye witness account and its likely impact on economy
While there were no riots, the economy felt it. Many Kenyans stayed at home. Empty roads and closed shops mean lost sales and an economic slowdown.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Nane Nane demos: An eye witness account and its likely impact on economy
Truth be told, Social sciences have their soft underbelly too
Can we remove early human studies from the syllabus? Why should I know what early humans ate but not why tribalism and racism thrive in the age of the internet and space travel?
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Truth be told, Social sciences have their soft underbelly too
Why Kenya feels like the year 1938
One thing seems to us hostage; tribalism. I have agonised to understand tribalism and why it has co-existed with modernism. Why are we so modern but still tied to our tribal roots?
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Why Kenya feels like the year 1938
When will Kenyan hustlers start owning electric cars?
Electric cars are the future; everyone seems to agree. Their adoption is driven by climatic change and the reality we rarely want to face, one day the world will run out of oil.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
When will Kenyan hustlers start owning electric cars?
We have changed Constitution, why not our teaching styles?
Failing to link subject areas is a major flaw in our education system. Another issue is failing to show practical applications.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
We have changed Constitution, why not our teaching styles?
Kabete National Polytechnic marks 100 years - and why it matters to me
The Kabete National Polytechnic is 100 years old. In that century, it has gone through mutations from native industrial training depot (NITD), the reason the small town next to it is called N.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Kabete National Polytechnic marks 100 years - and why it matters to me
Did Pi make you a hustler?
Maths has the highest number of lessons per week.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Did Pi make you a hustler?
Will it be Trump or Kamala? Why we should care about the US poll
In four months, the USA will go to the polls. Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will be the next US president. Should we bother with who will be the next US president?
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Will it be Trump or Kamala? Why we should care about the US poll
Premium
Why the new Ruto Cabinet should not spin your head
By reappointing some old faces, the president gave a coded message; I am the president. Gen Z and others can make their demands but the buck stops with him.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Why the new Ruto Cabinet should not spin your head
Premium
Ruto's poisoned economic chalices that he must confront
By winning the 2022 presidential polls, the Kenya Kwanza (KK) coalition ingested several poisoned economic chalices. The first chalice was the national debt.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Ruto's poisoned economic chalices that he must confront
Why horses never cease to fascinate me despite newer innovations
After Uhuru (independence), we found horses in movies and the Jockey Club of Kenya. A few can be found in Upper Kabete, for veterinary or equine research.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Why horses never cease to fascinate me despite newer innovations
Will Gen Z's core message catch on for the rest of us older folk?
There is a feeling that Generation Z is "running" the country going by some of President William Ruto's decisions after their protests.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Will Gen Z's core message catch on for the rest of us older folk?
Why Kenya's Gen Z protests take us back to Europe in early 16th Century
The Gen Z protests had a mixture of reformation, renaissance and industrial revolution.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Why Kenya's Gen Z protests take us back to Europe in early 16th Century
Ladies with 'rungus' on Nairobi streets: Boldness or desperation?
Would you celebrate seeing your wife or girlfriend armed with a rungu? Despite changing gender roles, our women deserve better than defending premises using rungus.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Ladies with 'rungus' on Nairobi streets: Boldness or desperation?
Premium
Gen Z protests: The difficult question that no one seems to have an answer
By raising taxes and prudently using them, we could one day pay all debts and hopefully start lending money to other countries.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Gen Z protests: The difficult question that no one seems to have an answer
Premium
Tuesday protests: How Google map saved the situation
Watching live TV streaming and events in town, I realised what I had left behind in town. Law and order can easily break down.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Tuesday protests: How Google map saved the situation
To pacify Gen Z, we have to right our economic wrongs
No Kenyan is saying no to taxes. They just want to know where their hard-earned tax goes.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
To pacify Gen Z, we have to right our economic wrongs
A solemn letter from Mageta Island
This island, small as it is, holds a special place in my family, just like the jungles of south East Asia and specifically Burma - now Myanmar.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
A solemn letter from Mageta Island
Premium
Ten reasons I may just retire to Kakamega town
I got a feeling Kakamega would welcome me as one of their sons. My name rhymes with Ingo. My Kakamega name is Matendechere.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Ten reasons I may just retire to Kakamega town
Appropriation Bill goes under the radar amid street protests
The Finance Bill will pass with amendments that excited us. But be sure more financing proposals will keep coming. Most likely through levies which are less contentious.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Appropriation Bill goes under the radar amid street protests
Generation Z on the streets: Awakening is about economics
The demonstration over Finance Bill (and surprisingly not Appropriation Bill) is per se not about taxes. It's about economic suffering. The Finance Bill is just a trigger.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Generation Z on the streets: Awakening is about economics
Captive markets revisited: How brands lure customers
Why kiosks at bus stations? Commuters have basic needs from hunger to buying home accessories.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
Captive markets revisited: How brands lure customers
Premium
Why Kenya's tea plantations can be our Venice canals, Mt Fuji
Italians in Venice are up in arms against too many tourists. In Japan, there are restrictions on visiting Mt Fuji. In Kenya, we are struggling to hit five million tourists a year.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
Why Kenya's tea plantations can be our Venice canals, Mt Fuji
India and SA: Voter savvy, economic priorities and the politics of coalition
Why did the framers of the Constitution copy other parts of the US Constitution and leave out mid-term elections? County elections can also be slated as mid-term elections.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
India and SA: Voter savvy, economic priorities and the politics of coalition
Producing something better than being a salesperson
Our emphasis on Technical Vocational Education and Training is a step in the right direction. We need more makers. Shall we buy what they make?
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
Producing something better than being a salesperson
China-US contest in Kenya goes beyond SGR and big roads
US is moving to Chinese space - the tangibles like roads while China is moving to American space; the intangibles such as training, schooling, cultural exchange or teaching languages.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
China-US contest in Kenya goes beyond SGR and big roads
Tough economy: Funnels on sale is more than hawking
The latest item on sale on Uhuru highway is funnels. We used them to fill up our paraffin lamps. The most popular model of lamps was Dietz. Some youngsters have not seen such novelties.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
Tough economy: Funnels on sale is more than hawking
US-China tariff war is a global trade issue
Some economists think tariffs interfere with the law of supply and demand. If the prices rise in the domestic market because of the tariffs.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
US-China tariff war is a global trade issue
Premium
Will Wanjiku enjoy the benefits of President Ruto's State visit to US?
Visiting the USA is an endorsement by the sole superpower. A photo with the US president is not just any photo.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
Will Wanjiku enjoy the benefits of President Ruto's State visit to US?