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 13 days 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 15 days ago

Of Meta, Stanford and lessons from Silicon Valley

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

By 17 days 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 20 days ago

Premium

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

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

By 21 days 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 21 days ago

Rafiki: of tastier Kenyan cuisine in Pacific Northwest

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

By 27 days 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 29 days 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 months ago

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

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 3 months ago

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 3 months ago

Monetising data: Africa should not be left behind

Monetising data would attract more entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, innovators and jobs.

By 3 months ago

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 3 months ago

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 3 months ago

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 3 months ago

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 3 months ago

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 3 months ago

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 3 months ago