Managing change: Lessons as Japan inches closer to getting female PM

It’s unprecedented that Japan could get its first female Prime Minister, long after the UK, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Argentina, and New Zealand.

By 6 days ago

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Why Raila's demise mirrors the end of Cold War in early 1990s

The media was Raila’s home as it shaped his image and brand. Like Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila came from a well up family, but connected with the masses.

By 9 days ago

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Made in UK and quality link: Is the Empire striking back?

The return of UK products is interesting. Is Brexit a factor? It’s not just second-hand products but also education.

By 13 days ago

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Economics of heroism: Can we learn from golf and athletics?

Heroism can’t be about public relations; it must be about something tangible, something one did and has possibly an intergenerational impact.

By 14 days ago

Westlands market's beauty and how self-regulation has kept it spick and span

The Westlands market in Nairobi contrasts with the affluence of the Westlands area, indicated by malls, high-end hotels and grade A offices.

By 20 days ago

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The unintended consequences of political and economic paralysis

Dynamism, where decisions are expeditiously made, where economic and political players are allowed to exercise their discretion within the confines of the law, works best in the long run. 

By 21 days ago

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Unearthing my family's hidden past in Embu

That was surprising because I have never seen a wedding certificate among his many documents. 

By 23 days ago

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Why Nairobi is slowly turning into an 'economic rainforest'

The drainage system in the Nairobi economic rainforest is poor.

By 28 days ago

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Marvels of California's innovations

The Silicon Valley innovation spills over into tourism and leisure. Can you imagine tourists seeking to see the Nyali or Nithi bridges?

By 1 month ago

End of the calabash? Rise of plastic alternative a big win for innovators

The replacement of the calabash is a reminder that most innovations mimic or copy nature.

By 1 month ago

Kenya can have own Stellenbosch beyond wine and vineyards

Kenya can start marketing banana and cactus wines and exploit tourism to become an advanced economy like South Africa.

By 1 month ago

Of Meta, Stanford and lessons from Silicon Valley

Our next destination after visiting Google headquarters was Facebook, now Meta.

By 1 month ago

Cheers to Kenyan trio brewing muratina for fun in California

A visit to California left no doubt that we also love our intoxicating drinks and carry them along wherever we go. 

By 1 month ago

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The colonial legacy of 'kitchen totos' and 'shamba boys' lives on

But why do the stories of kitchen totos and shamba boys matter? 

By 1 month ago

Google's firm culture an eye-opener

Google has blurred the border between work and leisure, the workspace is designed for freedom, with no traditional office cubicles.

By 1 month ago

Rafiki: of tastier Kenyan cuisine in Pacific Northwest

Kenyans are not exceptional; they carry their food wherever they go.

By 1 month ago

Investing more on transport systems to catalyse our economic growth

One reason we take too long to improve our logistics is that we see it in terms of roads, railways, ports or airports.

By 1 month ago

Letter from Massachusetts, the citadel of American intellectualism

Massachusetts, with only 4.6 per cent of Kenya’s land mass, has six times Kenya's GDP. The secret behind its economy is services and innovation. 

By 1 month ago

Why Kenya leaders should 'dehustlise' the economy

More innovation and technology reduce hustling jobs and increase high-quality jobs that require less muscle power but still pay better.

By 1 month ago

CBE: Lessons from America's Seattle elementary school

When it came to changing our education system, we looked to the US, but via Canada through the 8.4.4 system while the CBE looks very American, minus resources. 

By 1 month ago

Down memory lane the 'Emerald City'

What would you expect if you returned to a place 20 years after you left?  If the place is Kenya, especially Nairobi, the answer would be “unrecognisable.”

By 1 month ago

Why M-Pesa could not gain traction in South Africa

M-Pesa, one of the most successful innovations in Kenya could not gain traction in South Africa (SA).

By 2 months ago

The hearth vs flat screen TV: The winner is

The hearth may be gone in most homes, but It was a symbol of togetherness, a fountain of wisdom and inspiration, with no TV or radio “interruption” for news or entertainment.

By 2 months ago

Beyond omqombothi and inhloko: S Africa's historical links with Kenya

We need to leverage this historical link to increase the level of trade and other engagements with SA.

By 2 months ago

Is there a limit to hustling even as it is celebrated in Kenya?

Data can be surprising; only about 20 per cent of the South African (SA) economy is informal. In Kenya, it’s 80 per cent.

By 2 months ago

The economic inequality; can we close the gap?

Taxes should ensure no one falls through the cracks by providing subsidised housing, education, health, food and other basics. Currently, there is a big debate on a basic income for all. 

By 2 months ago

The Kenyan link in idyllic eMkhomazi

This is the third letter from South Africa, the only country in Africa with “Africa” in its name. You can contest the Central African Republic.

By 2 months ago

Letter from SA's Empangeni and lessons on urbanisation

The journey to equality, integration and high standards of living is long and exhausting; it requires national boldness and leadership.

By 2 months ago

Why growth without development keeps us stuck

The size of the economy, gross domestic product (GDP) keeps growing but not the standards of living. 

By 2 months ago

The economics of empathy

The lack of empathy is misinterpreted as confidence and toughness. But it’s counterproductive in the long run.

By 2 months ago

Letter from Richard's Bay, South Africa

Despite all the stories of xenophobia, South Africa is a welcoming country and truly a rainbow nation, in colours and cultures.

By 2 months ago

Intergenerational success is a possibility with innovation, experience

Have you ever been requested to write a letter on behalf of someone else?

By 2 months ago

State of Kenya's economy: What's really going on?

The 2022 polls put the economy on the pedestal, but It’s likely to remain there in the foreseeable future.

By 2 months ago

Why 2027 polls must be all about the economy

Political leaders are positioning themselves for the next election, likely to be full of drama, intrigue and hopefully no violence.

By 3 months ago

Kenyans are good people, treat them well please

Kenya has been a magnet for foreigners for over 1000 years. One attraction beyond the weather is the good people. An average Kenyan is humble, welcoming and friendly.  

By 3 months ago

Time to smell soccer money fast like the Americans

The presence of an English Premier League team Chelsea must have attracted lots of Kenyans.

By 3 months ago

Research not a preserve of the West

We have communities that have not changed their traditional way of life and others who would dine with the King without any lessons in table manners.

By 3 months ago

Memories of National Youth Service and the new reality

My generation had the privilege of going through the National Youth Service (NYS) training before campus.

By 3 months ago

Intrigues of the post office innovations in modern age

Post offices' best bet is to become Huduma Centres and go a step further and deliver the IDs, passports and other vital documents to their owners. 

By 3 months ago

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Why July 7 protests were a nightmare

On June 25, it was about looting in the city. On July 7, the city was locked and no business. Either way, entrepreneurs lost.

By 3 months ago