×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Join Thousands of Readers
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now
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 11 days ago
CBE: Lessons from America's Seattle elementary school
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 13 days ago
Down memory lane the 'Emerald City'
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 17 days ago
Why M-Pesa could not gain traction in South Africa
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 18 days ago
The hearth vs flat screen TV: The winner is
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 20 days ago
Beyond omqombothi and inhloko: S Africa's historical links with Kenya
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 24 days ago
Is there a limit to hustling even as it is celebrated in Kenya?
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 25 days ago
The economic inequality; can we close the gap?
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 27 days ago
The Kenyan link in idyllic eMkhomazi
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 1 month ago
Letter from SA's Empangeni and lessons on urbanisation
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 1 month ago
Why growth without development keeps us stuck
The economics of empathy
The lack of empathy is misinterpreted as confidence and toughness. But it’s counterproductive in the long run.
By 1 month ago
The economics of empathy
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 1 month ago
Letter from Richard's Bay, South Africa
Intergenerational success is a possibility with innovation, experience
Have you ever been requested to write a letter on behalf of someone else?
By 1 month ago
Intergenerational success is a possibility with innovation, experience
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 1 month ago
State of Kenya's economy: What's really going on?
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 1 month ago
Why 2027 polls must be all about the economy
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 1 month ago
Kenyans are good people, treat them well please
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 1 month ago
Time to smell soccer money fast like the Americans
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 1 month ago
Research not a preserve of the West
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 1 month ago
Memories of National Youth Service and the new reality
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 1 month ago
Intrigues of the post office innovations in modern age
Premium
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 2 months ago
Why July 7 protests were a nightmare
Has university lost its lustre amid higher college intake?
Students are opting to leave our universities for less prestigious TVETs,  Kenya Medical Training Colleges and less talked about universities abroad.
By 2 months ago
Has university lost its lustre amid higher college intake?
There's a cloud of fear hanging over our nation
Democracy ensures the 'right people' get the mandate to instill fear in us. This fear should be moderated by justice. That is the work of the government and its institutions.
By 2 months ago
There's a cloud of fear hanging over our nation
Monetising data: Africa should not be left behind
Monetising data would attract more entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, innovators and jobs.
By 2 months ago
Monetising data: Africa should not be left behind
Premium
Harness the dreams of Gen Z to power Kenya's innovation
Gen Zs are seen as an enigma. They are not. I think we have failed to understand them and their world. I have tried to understand them both in my house and in class.
By 2 months ago
Harness the dreams of Gen Z to power Kenya's innovation
Gen Z protests: Let's deflate the national anger
The failure to solve the economic problem is fueling anger among Kenyans particularly when promises were during the polls.
By 2 months ago
Gen Z protests: Let's deflate the national anger
Is customer service a victim of economic hard times?
My search for Vitz tyres not only revealed the dominance of Chinese brands in the local market but also became an unexpected lesson in customer service.
By 2 months ago
Is customer service a victim of economic hard times?
Beyond IPOs: Time to end firms ownership limitations
The change in law gave the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary the power to prescribe ownership limitations during IPOs or later to protect strategic industries.
By 2 months ago
Beyond IPOs: Time to end firms ownership limitations
Premium
Israel-Iran war spells new world order
One wishes the Iran-Israel war would end soon. The world has enough troubles, even here at home.
By 2 months ago
Israel-Iran war spells new world order
Dad's wisdom and strange economics of the toilet
My dad shared with me two nuggets of wisdom, but they are related. One was that when looking for a wife, visit her home and pay special attention to the toilet.
By 2 months ago
Dad's wisdom and strange economics of the toilet
New education system: Key pathways to the future lit
The Internet has not ended tourism. Out of curiosity, will day streams open a can of worms; a child being driven and picked from Kenya High or Alliance as borders eat githeri. 
By 2 months ago
New education system: Key pathways to the future lit
It isn't shocking there were no surprises in this year's Budget
The much-anticipated 2025-26 budget yielded no surprises or hidden taxes.
By 2 months ago
It isn't shocking there were no surprises in this year's Budget
Premium
Is the Finance Bill 2025 about boxing or dancing?
The Bill has now been put under a microscope, scrutinised clause by clause and the implications for our pockets and corporate bottom lines. 
By 3 months ago
Is the Finance Bill 2025 about boxing or dancing?
Global wars: When will they cease?
We must ask why conflicts and wars continue to define our planet instead of peace and tranquillity.
By 3 months ago
Global wars: When will they cease?
Premium
Luggage charges: Will passengers go the Dundori way?
Most airlines have started charging for check-in bags. The latest is the US-based Southwest Airlines, a budget carrier used as a case study in strategy and operations.
By 3 months ago
Luggage charges: Will passengers go the Dundori way?
A tribute to the giant of African literature Ngugi wa Thiong'o
Ngugi wa Thiong’o can easily be called the Chinua Achebe of Eastern Africa or Shakespeare of the same, but with less inclination to plays.
By 3 months ago
A tribute to the giant of African literature Ngugi wa Thiong'o
Premium
Promotion path: Shock for State firm's employees
Workers must apply for vacancies even after getting new qualifications. Filing a vacant post should be competitive and transparent.
By 3 months ago
Promotion path: Shock for State firm's employees
Varsities row: What's Trump afraid of?
Many young men and women from across the globe harbour a dream of studying in the US.
By 3 months ago
Varsities row: What's Trump afraid of?
Premium
It's high time local foods found their rightful place on five-star hotel menus
I doubt if our visitors want to pay top dollars to come and eat what they have in their own homes. They want something exotic. Do we offer them that?
By 3 months ago
It's high time local foods found their rightful place on five-star hotel menus
How long will Swahili and English dance together?
As long as the elite switch to Swahili when angry, joking or abusing someone, Swahili will continue being overshadowed by English. 
By 3 months ago
How long will Swahili and English dance together?