A young man makes a call in Akiriamet, West Pokot County, after the area was connected to mobile network services, by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). PHOTO: Chiimbiru Gimode. By Chiimbiru Gimode, Communications for Development (C4D) Expert & Nancy Marangu, Communication and Public Policy Analyst. Connectivity holds the promise of empowering citizens to leverage … Continue reading Meaningful Connectivity Key to Unlocking Potential of ICTs in Kenya

Mr.Matthew Kamuyu during the interview with the writer.He has lived with Cerebral Palsy for the past 37 years, and overcome personal obstacles to succeed. PHOTO: Matthew Karungu. Whenever you engage Mr. Matthew Karungu, who has lived with Cerebral Palsy for the past 37 years, there is always one thing he wants to make clear. ‘‘Most … Continue reading With Cerebral Palsy, Kenyan Matthew Karungu Has Shattered Barriers and Excelled

Ms. Rebecca Kisilu, a teacher at the General Mulinge High School in Machakos County. PHOTO: Courtesy. As the world marks International Women’s Day, at the General Mulinge High School in Machakos County, Ms. Rebecca Kisilu is a teacher on a mission. As a Computer Studies teacher at the mixed day school, Becky, as she is … Continue reading Kenyan Teacher Breaking Technology Biases and Shaping Future Innovators

David Omollo, a painter based in Nairobi, Kenya. PHOTO: Courtesy While growing up, David Omollo, 35, like any other child, had grand dreams. He dreamt big. He wanted to be an engineer when he grew up, he always told himself. Well, he never realized his dream. But that doesn’t mean he lost focus. Throughout his … Continue reading David Omollo Missed his Engineering Dream But now ‘‘Engineers’’ Lasting Impressions as a Painter

A security officer assessing damage from an Al Shabaab attack in Mpeketoni in 2014. Children who witness the insecurity episodes are suffering from trauma, which may go untreated and have a lasting impact on their lives. PHOTO: AP. I witnessed the 2014 Al Shabaab attack in Mpeketoni in Lamu County, where people were butchered and … Continue reading OPINION: Save Lamu Children from Insecurity Related Trauma

The Maragoli Hills. PHOTO: National Education Network. My ancestors emigrated from the then Vihiga district (present day Vihiga County) in the 1940s to take up land in Kisii. This move from the area which was part of the North Kavirondo (with headquarters in Kakamega) during the colonial period was a consequential one. Vihiga County is … Continue reading How the Maragoli Clashed With Neighbouring Bunyore Rainmakers Over ‘‘Selective’’ Hailstorm

Former US President Barack Obama during his farewell address on 10th January 2017 in Illinois, Chicago.In his speech he underscored the importance of the citizen in democratic growth. PHOTO: AP In his farewell address in 2017, US President Barack Obama said that the most important office in a democracy is the citizen. ‘‘It needs you. … Continue reading Strengthening the ‘‘Office of the Citizen’’ Key to Kenya’s Democracy

Ms.Monicah Kimeu, the Secretary General of Women in Safety Excellence (WISE). The question of the role of women in peace and security has dominated global discourses over time. But one thing has been clear all along, that to sustain global peace and security, women must make their voices heard, and heard clearly on this important … Continue reading Kenyan Women Shaping the Safety and Security Agenda

Choosing the right career path is no easy task. Making the right decision can make a whole world of difference on how you fair on. PHOTO: Chiimbiru Gimode Each one of us, (if you are lucky enough) gets asked what they would like to be in life. This oftentimes happens particularly during our formative stages … Continue reading Achieving Career Goals is no Easy Task, Here’s What Worked For Me

Mr. Joash Nyamache Mogaka holds a monitor lizard in the field. PHOTO: Courtesy Mr. Joash Nyamache Mogaka is a man on a mission. A glance at his social media posts gives a glimpse about what is at his heart and soul. The images and videos that dominate his personal space revolve around wildlife, in its … Continue reading Kissing Frogs Can Be Dangerous, But We Need to Care for Them, Says Expert

Since we began this website, 5,000 people have dropped by to gain interest in the stories we generate. This may seem a small thing to celebrate, but it means a lot to us. This is a great milestone.We don't take it for granted. It also means we need to continually do more, to keep you … Continue reading 5,000 Reasons to Thank You!

Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams,two legendary British athletes won gold in the 400m and 100m at the 1924 Paris Olympics.While both athletes left an indelible mark on the games in their own right, it was Liddell’s singular refusal to run on a Sunday that became the highlight of the games, inspiring the world acclaimed film, … Continue reading Eric Liddell, British Olympian Who Refused to Run on a Sunday, Inspiring Globally Acclaimed Movie ‘‘Chariots of Fire’’

British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill delivers the Sinews of Peace speech at the Westminster College in London on 3rd March 1946.This speech, popularly known as the ''Iron Curtain'' speech, brought to the fore the realities of the Cold War that would engulf the world for nearly half a century. PHOTO: George Skadding. On 5th … Continue reading Before Cold War Divided the World, Driving Already Did, Permanently!

University of Embu Council Chairman Dr.Kennedy Okongó during a graduation ceremony at the institution in 2020: PHOTO: University of Embu The University of Embu (UoEm), was ranked the best performing state corporation in Kenya for the 2019/2020 financial year, in evaluations undertaken by the Public Service Performance Management Unit at the Ministry of Public Service … Continue reading The Making of a ‘‘University of the Future’’: A Conversation with Dr. Kennedy Okongó, Chairman of the University of Embu (UoEm) Council

Mr.Mathew Nyamlori (centre) with his parents Nerea Diangá (left) and Mr.Thomas Nyamlori (right) after his graduation ceremony at Kenyatta University in July. PHOTO: Mathew Nyamlori. If there was ever an army of people who have suffered in life, and lived to tell the story, Mr. Mathew Aol Nyamlori, would be a Five Star General of … Continue reading The ‘End Justifies the Means’ for Kenyan Man, 38, Who Graduated from Varsity After Nearly 30 Years in the Academic Trenches

My late dad Mr. Charles Gimode. He passed away on 28th May 2019.PHOTO: Chiimbiru Gimode. Memories of my father's sudden death still linger in my mind, like it was yesterday. Exactly this day, two years ago, my father Mr. Charles Gimode left without any goodbye. Without any last word. Just like that. And life has … Continue reading Phone Call That Shattered My Life, And a Daddy Who Wouldn’t Be There Again, Forever

Kenya has maintained its 53rd global spot that it held in 2020. Kenyan lakes are a sigh to behold and a magnet for tourists from around the world. PHOTO: Kenya Tourism Board. Kenya is the fourth best country in Africa and 53rd globally, according to the 2021 Best Countries ranking released by the US News … Continue reading Kenya 4th Best Country in Africa, 53rd in 2021 World Rankings

We all have our first time at doing things in life. My first time in Nairobi was uneventful, losing my way for four good hours and learning my lesson the only way; the hard way.How was your first time experience? Former President President Mwai Kibaki addressing the nation from the Nyayo National Stadium during the … Continue reading First Timer: How My Maiden Visit to Nyayo Stadium Turned into a 4 Hour Agony

In this final episode of ‘‘Adventures in the North,’’ we focus on Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Shrine in Lodwar town, Turkana County, that offers a lifetime experience on the ‘‘Way of the Cross.’’ Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Shrine in Lodwar, Turkana County. It has the ''Way of the Cross,'' symbolizing the journey that … Continue reading Adventures in the North, Part V: Walking In the ‘‘Footsteps’’ of Jesus!

As the world marks the International Women's Day (IWD) on 8th March 2021, whose call to action is #ChooseToChallenge, a group of women in Turkana County, north-western Kenya are doing something that deserves some mention. Turkana County in north-western Kenya is famed for many things. You see, the people there boast of a rich culture, … Continue reading Adventures in the North,Part IV: Turkana Women’s ‘Hands of Gold’’ Churning Out Exceptional Artifacts

The Kapenguria Six in a group photo with Daniel Arap Moi (third right). They are, L-R: Bildad Kaggia, Kungu Karumba, Achieng' Oneko, Jomo Kenyatta, Paul Ngei, and Fred Kubai. PHOTO: African Heritage House. Rawson Mbugua Macharia, the star witness during the Kapenguria Six trial was allegedly paid  £2,070 (about KSh. 317,952 at current exchange rates) … Continue reading Star Witness Who Pocketed KSh. 317K to Fix the ‘‘Kapenguria Six,’’ Later Charged with Perjury

On 17th January 1958 at 5p.m, Captain Ernest Law, a retired British military man and former chief officer of the Kenya Prison Department (now Kenya Prisons Service), went to the Kingsway Police Station (present day Central Police Station in Nairobi) seeking for assistance. You see, Captain Law was apparently broke and jobless. During the colonial … Continue reading Story of Retired British Soldier who Sought Deportation from Kenya in 1958 for Being Broke Only to be Detained for 5 Months at Kamiti Prison

On 20th June 2020, I published an article ‘‘University Professor Who Can’t ‘Stop’ Reggae’’ in which Mike Hajimichael, a university Professor in Cyprus and DJ for over 40 years shared his love for the music. Following this interview I got some interesting feedback from a reader by the name Ricardo Scott aka Ras Cardo from … Continue reading Who ‘‘Created’’ Reggae Music? A Conversation with Ras Cardo who Claims Copyright Ownership to the Word ‘‘Reggae’’

The rising water levels in Lake Turkana, as seen from the beaches along the Eliye Springs Resort in Turkana County. PHOTO: Chiimbiru Gimode. On the western shores of Lake Turkana, about 554km north of Nairobi, is Eliye Springs Resort. It is about an hour and half journey by road from Lodwar town in Turkana County. … Continue reading Adventures in the North, Part III: Hotels Bouncing Back from Twin Tragedies of COVID-19 and Rising Lake Waters

The First US President George Washington (sixth right) takes his oath of office on 30th April 1789 in New York City. Subsequent inaugurations took place on 4th March until 1933 when the 20th Amendment put 20th January as inauguration day.PHOTO: http://www.history.com. The first Presidential inauguration in the USA was on 30th April 1789 in New … Continue reading Why are US Presidential Inaugurations Held on 20th January?

Lodwar town, the capital of Turkana County, north-western Kenya. This town is tucked between two rivers, the Turkwel and Kawalase. PHOTO: Chiimbiru Gimode Lodwar town in Turkana County is sandwiched between two rivers. At the southern end is Turkwel River, the largest and the only perennial river in the County and which drains its waters … Continue reading Adventures in the North, Part II: Kawalase and Turkwel, the Bridges of Life in Lodwar, Turkana County

11 year old Idaya Ligoi at the shores of Lake Turkana.PHOTO: Chiimbiru Gimode In Eliye, about 65km north of Lodwar, in Turkana County, I recently met a promising young man. His name is Idaya Ligoi. Here, his nom de guerre is ‘‘Diamond,’’ after the Tanzanian music dynamo but also a truncation of his name, Idaya. … Continue reading Adventures in the North, Part I: Meet Lodwar’s ‘Diamond Platnumz’ Who Wants to ‘Fly’

For 17 years, Mr. Bernard Lubia has nurtured and sold about 500,000 tree seedlings, effectively contributing to the country’s efforts to achieve a 10 per cent national forest cover. Mr.Bernard Lubia at his tree nursery in Kipkarren River Township in western Kenya.PHOTO: Chiimbiru Gimode Environmental conservation is at the centre of Kenya’s  socio-economic progress.So important … Continue reading One Man’s Quest to Greening Kenya, A Tree at a Time

For 31-year-old Nyaruai Gitonga, mental illness has been part and parcel of her life.She has been bipolar since childhood. She suffered bouts of depression in her teens. In 2009, Nyaruai Gitonga was involved in a freak road accident along Mombasa Road that claimed the life of her friend. Initially presumed dead, Nyaruai was taken to … Continue reading Nyaruai Gitonga: My Battle with Depression and Bipolar Disorder

At the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, Dr. Michael Hajimichael is an Associate Professor and Head of Department of Communications. However, outside the lecture halls, DJ Haji Mike, as he is known in the entertainment circles, is an accomplished Deejay, poet and singer-song writer with 40 years in the trade. As a deejay, he is passionate … Continue reading University Professor Who Can’t ‘Stop’ Reggae

Hannington Luvembe waiting for customers in Kangemi in Nairobi City. The Coronavirus has exacted a heavy toll on boda boda riders. Photo: UGC When President Uhuru Kenyatta recently hinted that the Government was considering easing the ongoing containment measures against COVID-19, one man was particularly happy with the news. He is Hannington Luvembe, a boda … Continue reading Boda Boda Rider Waits for Lifting of Coronavirus Restrictions With Bated Breath

Prof.Ken Walibora. PICHA: Chuo Kikuu cha Riara Huku taifa zima likiendelea kuomboleza kifo cha ghafla cha gwiji wa Kiswahili Prof. Ken Walibora, kipindi hiki cha maombolezi pia ni cha kutafakari kuhusu mchangowake mkubwa katika kuikuza lugha ya Kiswahili nchini. Ni wazi kuwa wengi wameelezea hisia za walivyomfahamu Walibora, walivyotagusana naye na jitimiai zao kufuatia  kifo … Continue reading Kenya Imekuwa Bora Kutokana na Walibora

Musician Aziz Abdi Kilambo. He died today.He was 67. PHOTO: Daily Nation Today I woke up to the shocking news of the passing on of one of Kenya’s music maestros, Mwalimu Aziz Abdi Kilambo. He was 67. For the uninitiated, Aziz Abdi or Mwalimu as he was popularly known, was the leader of Orchestra Benga … Continue reading Aziz Abdi Kilambo Was a Good man