Political reality allows Kenya to use several paths to growth

It was George W Bush who, in a moment of terrorism induced fury, defined interstate relations in binary terms; you were either for America or against it.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 1 month ago

Lessons from Rwanda's awful past and the ongoing renewal

Kigali and its environs are exceptionally clean and well maintained. Speed limits work, monitored through a network of cameras that warn you as soon as you pass the required limits.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 1 month ago

How we fund counties will kill or build our devolution dream

Celebrations over the progressive decision by the High Court in the Road Maintenance Levy Fund case were brought to a crashing halt by the Court of Appeal last week.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 1 month ago

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Ethekon, IEBC team should win Kenyans' trust for 2027 contest

I am an avid supporter of the Article 104 right that enables citizens to recall their MPs. It is the unabridged version of exercising sovereignty provided in Article 1 of our Constitution.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 1 month ago

AG should initiate review of all laws on mandatory sentences

The mandatory sentence in robbery with violence is especially controversial because of the wide range of the offence.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 2 months ago

Echoes of the past, lessons for the future from Saba Saba Day

It has been five days since July 7, the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba Day.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 2 months ago

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Let Gen Zs pursue change, but not be naive to political reality

The elections promised a new beginning, a respite from a hope cruelly stolen from my youth.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 2 months ago

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Fury over Ojwang's death shows Kenya won't return to dark days

Every so often an event stirs the conscience of a country differently from similar occurrences. This week's death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang is such an occurrence.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 3 months ago

Riggy G momentum is here

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had a significant week marked by the launch of his DCP party and a favourable ruling from the Court of Appeal in his impeachment case.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 4 months ago

MPs addicted to CDF will have to adjust to a future without it

My focus is not on these appointments but on the ongoing public participation forums by Parliament on constitutionalising the three funds, the NG-CDF, the AAF and the Senate Oversight Fund.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 4 months ago

People's Pontiff left a legacy of humility for all of us to emulate

People's Pontiff left a legacy of humility for all of us to emulate.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 4 months ago

Five characters around the cross, Kenyans should be wary of

It is Easter, the season when those who believe in the biblical Jesus reflect on his suffering, death, and triumphant resurrection.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 5 months ago

Five characters around the cross that Kenyans should be wary of

It is Easter, the season when those who believe in the biblical Jesus reflect on his suffering, death, and triumphant resurrection.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 5 months ago

How devolution dream has been snatched from hopeful Kenyans

Delayed disbursements to county governments have crippled them and lowered their esteem before the public.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 5 months ago

Why you can't write off Ruto in Mt Kenya as 2027 contest nears

There are many unknown factors in the next elections, including the impact of Gen Z voting bloc but for those planning to unseat President Ruto, they may need to go back to the drawing board.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 5 months ago

Why petitions against apex judges don't auger well with 2027 elections

The petitions against judges of the Supreme Court remain in limbo, halted by orders obtained by the judges in the High Court in their individual capacities.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 5 months ago

MPs fight to retain CDF raises more questions than answers

That MPs will not give up on reviving the CDF is clear from the publication early this month of the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2025.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 6 months ago

How petition to oust top judges could raise a legal conundrum

I want to believe those seeking removal of the judges are doing so in good faith and for the sake of what they believe will be a better Kenya.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 6 months ago

Judges must protect Judiciary's integrity by facing their critics

Public confidence is essential to the long-term survival of the Judiciary as an institution.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 7 months ago

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In-tray is full for next AU chair as Raila stands best chance

Raila is by far the strongest candidate Kenya has fronted for an international role and the most fitting candidate for this position.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 7 months ago

New IEBC commissioners must be beyond reproach and selfless

When money, position, power or politics put pressure to make decisions that are bad for Kenya, theY must be able to say, no; my name is worth more than that.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 7 months ago

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The good, bad and ugly of Trump presidency for majority in Africa

The grand reign of Donald J Trump is finally here. While my problems with DJT are about his personal character, there is also a grudging respect for the man.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 7 months ago

What made Thongori, Odede stand out as learned friends

Every so often death strikes a blow that forces reflection, both about the fleeting nature of life and the need to plan for this grim reality.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 8 months ago

Two court decisions promise to up protection of human rights

This week the High Court handed over two impactful decisions on distinct, but related issues, which will have far reaching effects on human rights.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 8 months ago

Five hopes for 2025 that should lead to a better Kenya and world

Firstly, this is the year we must say never again to this business of forced disappearances and abductions.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 8 months ago

My barbs and bouquets to those who made a difference in 2024

While we love to hate our cops, the reality is these fellows interact with society at its worst and deal with situations we would not be caught near.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 8 months ago

Why we must not target individuals in efforts to reform the Judiciary

The assault on the Judiciary has until recently been a one person "terminator" style assault by Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 9 months ago

Retrace the devolution dream for a more sustainable Kenya

We pay lip service to the devolved system but deny it funds either through inadequate allocations or delayed disbursements.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 9 months ago

Democracy on trial globally, let Africa pick lessons and improve

There are lessons to be learnt from those whose democracies which seem to be working, especially those closer contextually to Africa.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 9 months ago

Origins of thanksgiving week in US and key lessons for Kenyans

This much-revered tradition is said to date back to the 17th century when a small group of English settlers celebrated a thanksgiving upon landing in Virginia.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 9 months ago

Supreme Court should always stand for the truth and justice

The Supreme Court has been accused of unreasonable delays in concluding cases, but more critically, of impropriety, with charges that justice is on sale in its hallowed corridors.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 10 months ago

Lawyers' memoirs shed light on darker parts of Kenya's history

It is important, as we try and weave a united nation, to appreciate details of how Kenya evolved after its Independence until the demise of the Moi State.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 10 months ago

Court's take on housing tax has impact on public participation

The decision in which the apex court refused to declare the Housing Levy unconstitutional has raised a storm on the direction it gave on public participation.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 10 months ago

Fare thee well the four great brains we lost this week

We take time off high voltage politics playing out in our courts to dedicate this column to four professors who passed away this week after years of dedicated public service.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 10 months ago

Our Judiciary is the last bastion of hope for a wounded country

This week we have all been glued on our TV sets as the most intense political battle of our time moved from the precincts of Parliament to the courts.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 10 months ago

How can we cure the curse of Kenya's second-in-command?

This will not be our first unique achievement under the Constitution. In 2017, we became one of the very rare countries globally to have nullified a presidential election.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 11 months ago

It's time for Africa to rise and shine amid global turbulence

Africans can either decide to vanquish each other, through war, abuse of rights or just by our political elite milking our economies so dry the people die of hopelessness and hunger.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 11 months ago

Impeachment is political even as courts absorb such matters

Unlike impeachments for governors, the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will be the first targeting the Presidency under the 2010 Constitution.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 11 months ago

MPs' dance with courts on CDF last kick of a dying horse

CDF offends the devolved system of government, confusing the function assignment process and even taking over functions that belong to county governments.

By Kamotho Waiganjo 11 months ago

Why we should respect courts even when one is in high office

Former acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli's travails are part of regrettable moments of Kenya's history in relation to police chiefs' contempt of court

By Kamotho Waiganjo 1 year ago