Our mentor crisis and one man's crusade
It's remarkable how retired President Olusegun Obasanjo remains humble, never resorting to the bushed refrain of 'we're sovereign and outsiders should keep off.'
By Mark Oloo 3 months ago
Our mentor crisis and one man's crusade
Reforms, 2027 and end of 'nusu mkate' circus
Amid Gen-Z protests, Mr Kenyatta reportedly urged the former premier to reach out to President William Ruto to get a solution and save the country from going to the dogs.
By Mark Oloo 4 months ago
Reforms, 2027 and end of 'nusu mkate' circus
Joining the sports gravy train is top priority
With ample space, a youthful population, and a receptive economy, Africa is well-positioned to join the global sports industry gravy train.
By Mark Oloo 4 months ago
Joining the sports gravy train is top priority
What we should do to save Musyimi report
It's a no-brainer that political interests override everything. There's only one way for the Musyimi proposals to see light of day. We must depoliticise religion.
By Mark Oloo 4 months ago
What we should do to save Musyimi report
Media face tough task of letting go of the fear
It's now urgent to heed calls for Kenya's newsrooms to begin taking a firm unified stand on important but contentious national issues.
By Mark Oloo 4 months ago
Media face tough task of letting go of the fear
One man, one shilling: My Marsabit odyssey
Let's spread benefits of devolution and our oneness.
By Mark Oloo 5 months ago
One man, one shilling: My Marsabit odyssey
Premium
Ruto, Raila and Gen-Z: This is my prediction
On Tuesday when President Ruto signed the IEBC Bill, Raila Odinga was left with an egg in the face.
By Mark Oloo 5 months ago
Ruto, Raila and Gen-Z: This is my prediction
High stakes for Kenya and EAC as elections test Kagame's mettle
The ruling RPF has to avoid suffering the fate of other monolithic parties like South Africa's ANC. Kigali is widely seen in the region to be a darling of major investors seeking new opportunities
By Mark Oloo 5 months ago
High stakes for Kenya and EAC as elections test Kagame's mettle
Why journalists must stick to truth, facts
Objective journalism can challenge stereotypes, correct misinformation, and promote a nuanced understanding of the continent.
By Mark Oloo 5 months ago
Why journalists must stick to truth, facts
From gunfire to a safe haven, it's a fresh start for ex-child soldiers
Rwanda's reintegration commission has so far rehabilitated some 13,000 former combatants.
By Mark Oloo 5 months ago
From gunfire to a safe haven, it's a fresh start for ex-child soldiers
Touting his development record, Kagame kicks off campaign for fourth term
Kagame may have faced criticism but nonetheless, political analysts say his re-election isn't in doubt.
By Mark Oloo 5 months ago
Touting his development record, Kagame kicks off campaign for fourth term
Knee-jerk approach to issues our undoing
Magistrate Monica Kivuti's death has affirmed how Kenya's knee-jerk culture is perpetuating our misery.
By Mark Oloo 6 months ago
Knee-jerk approach to issues our undoing
Mudavadi is a man destined for a bigger pie
Prime Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi has a unique political identity. Often perceived as a reluctant fellow who can't hurt a fly, his calm demeanour is a weapon.
By Mark Oloo 6 months ago
Mudavadi is a man destined for a bigger pie
EAC on brink? We've rocked the boat enough
The bloc is huffing and puffing despite us flying the 'jumuiya' flag.
By Mark Oloo 6 months ago
EAC on brink? We've rocked the boat enough
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Tribes should talk often, it's an eye-opener
Limuru Three upshot was the hallmark of restlessness. Critics said it was tribal posturing.
By Mark Oloo 6 months ago
Tribes should talk often, it's an eye-opener
Let academia clean up our political mess
Africa must rewrite its history. Let it make a fresh attempt at sound progress by all means. Since the political class has failed us, perhaps it's time for an academia-led push for change.
By Mark Oloo 6 months ago
Let academia clean up our political mess
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At this rate, Raila's ODM will expel everyone
Raila now alleges a state-sanctioned plan to weaken his troops. But why ostracise members whom the party badly needs to thrive?
By Mark Oloo 7 months ago
At this rate, Raila's ODM will expel everyone
Problem isn't fake papers, it's our mindset
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently revived the debate at a wage bill forum in Nairobi, calling it a disgrace.
By Mark Oloo 7 months ago
Problem isn't fake papers, it's our mindset
Mithika Linturi's fate in face of 'scapegoat epidemic'
The writer says President William Ruto's reform agenda offers a glimmer of hope. Let decision-makers readily admit their mistakes but take timely corrective action.
By Mark Oloo 7 months ago
Mithika Linturi's fate in face of 'scapegoat epidemic'
Ogolla, Bomas scenes and region's big task
President William Ruto, a pan-Africanist par excellence, should extend a helping hand to our pet neighbour to allow a transition from turmoil to tranquillity.
By Mark Oloo 7 months ago
Ogolla, Bomas scenes and region's big task
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Why Natembeya is doomed to Tuju, Mboya fate
You can take this to the bank - George Natembeya will 'tembea' hastily like that into pre-mature political oblivion. With no clear audacity to win over his region, he risks burnout.
By Mark Oloo 8 months ago
Why Natembeya is doomed to Tuju, Mboya fate
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Uhuru, his 'traitors' and shaky peace bid
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has teeming oratory skills. His words often come with heavy meanings. When he speaks, you risk hearing and concluding your own things.
By Mark Oloo 8 months ago
Uhuru, his 'traitors' and shaky peace bid
Sakaja can still avoid the Nairobi curse
On hawkers, he started on the wrong footing when, during the 2022 campaign, he got carried away by the 'hustler' mantra and promised them a through pass to all corners of Nairobi.
By Mark Oloo 8 months ago
Sakaja can still avoid the Nairobi curse
The one thing East Africa leaders must do
For EAC and its leaders, they must do one thing: Muster the courage to confront its tumultuous past and embark on a path towards honest renewal. But how?
By Mark Oloo 8 months ago
The one thing East Africa leaders must do
This can be Senate's redemption moment
Though last week's decision on Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda somehow earned it an optimistic public judgment, it left a lot to be desired.
By Mark Oloo 9 months ago
This can be Senate's redemption moment
Defeat drugs, brews and graft or we perish
Illicit drugs, alcoholism and graft are among Kenya's foremost evils. The 'triple challenge' has ensnared us in a vicious grip, making us prisoners of our corrective efforts.
By Mark Oloo 9 months ago
Defeat drugs, brews and graft or we perish
13 years later, Rhumba legend Musa Juma's melodies live on
Next week on March 15, fans will be marking the 13th anniversary of the rhumba music maestro's death with shows to celebrate his life
By Mark Oloo 9 months ago
13 years later, Rhumba legend Musa Juma's melodies live on
Let's just agree we dread artistic creativity
Pulling down films, documentaries, TV dramas and music, however well-intentioned, should not overshadow the imperative need to uplift artistes.
By Mark Oloo 9 months ago
Let's just agree we dread artistic creativity
Raila can do better at handling succession
There are those who sold the ODM ticket to the highest bidders. The ODM 'lapdogs' can chant 'tibim' but must keep off Raila's succession.
By Mark Oloo 9 months ago
Raila can do better at handling succession
Let's get talking again on media freedom
In the lead-up to every election in Kenya, there's always embellished attention on newsrooms, only that it never offers a balanced perspective into the actual or perceived coverage biases.
By Mark Oloo 10 months ago
Let's get talking again on media freedom
Region's fate hangs on a few men's egos
The extent of displacements, loss of livelihoods and lives in Eastern Africa is disquieting - and happening before our helpless eyes.
By Mark Oloo 10 months ago
Region's fate hangs on a few men's egos
Moi was right on politics and quality of life
Former President Daniel Moi was right that 'siasa mbaya ni maisha mbaya (Bad politics breeds misery)."
By Mark Oloo 10 months ago
Moi was right on politics and quality of life
Museveni cries are on right side of history
Give it to him, strongman Museveni has been calling it as it is. At 79, he is uniquely consistent in his unification call.
By Mark Oloo 11 months ago
Museveni cries are on right side of history
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Avid Ruto critics have just one option left
A few days ago, a damaging petition was filed at the Malindi High Court where 'hustlers' claimed he ascended to power through falsehood. They are demanding a Sh426 billion payout.
By Mark Oloo 11 months ago
Avid Ruto critics have just one option left
Clergy can prove critics wrong this year
The slain aide was a top army officer assigned by the government to protect Pastor Aloysius Bugingo, an unapologetic political ally of President Yoweri Museveni.
By Mark Oloo 11 months ago
Clergy can prove critics wrong this year
2024 chance to revisit Ruto's youth plan
President Ruto's youth charter of 2022 needs fresh scrutiny in 2024. Formal jobs must no longer be the only lens through which unemployment is redressed.
By Mark Oloo 11 months ago
2024 chance to revisit Ruto's youth plan
Only grit and guts will make our roads safe
This week, Mr Murkomen and police boss Japheth Koome recited the tired chorus that those flouting traffic rules this festive season will be dealt with.
By Mark Oloo 1 year ago
Only grit and guts will make our roads safe
Lessons from UAE and how we catch up
Sitting inside automated Dubai Metro trains heading to the COP venue, Africans only spoke in hushed tones.
By Mark Oloo 1 year ago
Lessons from UAE and how we catch up
Kiir's term a new chance to make EAC work
Kiir, whose country joined the bloc in 2016 became its chairman last month after Burundi's Evariste Ndayishimiye called it a day.
By Mark Oloo 1 year ago
Kiir's term a new chance to make EAC work
Put hubris and begging bowl aside at COP28
President Samia Suluhu may have stirred the hornets when she told African nations point-blank to end the dependency syndrome and start up their own form of climate financing.
By Mark Oloo 1 year ago
Put hubris and begging bowl aside at COP28
Omari to Havi: Apologise or else...
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