×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Informed Minds Prefer The Standard
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now
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
Managing change: Lessons as Japan inches closer to getting female PM
Premium
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
Why Raila's demise mirrors the end of Cold War in early 1990s
Premium
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
Made in UK and quality link: Is the Empire striking back?
Premium
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
Economics of heroism: Can we learn from golf and athletics?
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
Westlands market's beauty and how self-regulation has kept it spick and span
Premium
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
The unintended consequences of political and economic paralysis
Premium
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
Unearthing my family's hidden past in Embu
Premium
Why Nairobi is slowly turning into an 'economic rainforest'
The drainage system in the Nairobi economic rainforest is poor.
By 28 days ago
Why Nairobi is slowly turning into an 'economic rainforest'
Premium
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
Marvels of California's innovations
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
End of the calabash? Rise of plastic alternative a big win for innovators
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
Kenya can have own Stellenbosch beyond wine and vineyards
Of Meta, Stanford and lessons from Silicon Valley
Our next destination after visiting Google headquarters was Facebook, now Meta.
By 1 month ago
Of Meta, Stanford and lessons from Silicon Valley
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
Cheers to Kenyan trio brewing muratina for fun in California
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 1 month ago
The colonial legacy of 'kitchen totos' and 'shamba boys' lives on
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
Google's firm culture an eye-opener
Rafiki: of tastier Kenyan cuisine in Pacific Northwest
Kenyans are not exceptional; they carry their food wherever they go.
By 1 month ago
Rafiki: of tastier Kenyan cuisine in Pacific Northwest
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
Investing more on transport systems to catalyse our economic growth
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
Letter from Massachusetts, the citadel of American intellectualism
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
Why Kenya leaders should 'dehustlise' the economy
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
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 1 month 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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 3 months ago
Why July 7 protests were a nightmare