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Letter from scenic Ndaka-ini: Why Murang'a needs an economic reset

Have high land prices in urban areas pushed entrepreneurs to rural areas? Could power and other amenities be attracting us to rural areas that now feel like Karen? 

By Xn Iraki 10 days ago

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Walking to work and the sad economic reality in Kenya

The contrast between costly helicopter travel and Kenyans walking to work highlights the country’s deep economic inequality and the need for stronger social support for vulnerable citizens.

By Xn Iraki 14 days ago

Humanoid robots show China's ingenuity beyond games

The recently concluded humanoid robotic games in China were a display of advanced science and technology.

By Xn Iraki 15 days ago

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No free ride: The likely factors to settle 2027 polls

Coalitions, swing voters, Gen Z, the economy, misinformation and political deals could shape the 2027 election.

By Xn Iraki 17 days ago

Are planes becoming supermarkets?

We dreamt of either flying in planes or flying planes as pilots. Curiously, all boys dreamt of becoming pilots till they met simultaneous equations and quadratic equations around Form Two

By Xn Iraki 21 days ago

Rising India and Kenya's resemblance: Can we grow together?

India (Bharat) and Kenya are tied at the hip through history and, lately, economics, with the partnership on the economic front supported by data.

By Xn Iraki 22 days ago

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Why Ol Kalou and 2027 are keeping me awake at night

As we head to the 2027 general elections, let's keep it in mind that history has no manners. It's a fact that's keeping me awake at night and I hope am not alone, tuko wengi

By Xn Iraki 24 days ago

Eating with a spoon vs hands: Why complicate life?

Let’s be sincere: using bare hands is versatile and relaxing, just like walking barefoot. Using forks, spoons or knives is not natural, but “class” forces us to use these tools.

By Xn Iraki 28 days ago

Physical AI is the route to industrialisation lest we forget!

Computers and software - can compare and contrast data, information or now insights from several sources and give a response or solution to a problem.

By Xn Iraki 29 days ago

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Charcoal and herbs: the power of simplicity and innovation

Why should toothpaste be herbal or charcoal black? To most people, it’s just an enhancement, new branding. To those who grew up in the countryside, it’s simply nostalgic

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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What economists can learn from golf

Taxation, subsidies, devolution and affirmative action can help level unequal starting points and build a fairer, more inclusive Kenyan society.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

Vision 2060: Putting new wine into old wineskins?

On paper, 2060 looks far, but 2030 did too.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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Vision 2063: Is Kenya putting new wine into old wineskins?

As Kenya prepares to develop a successor to Vision 2030, the debate centres on whether Vision 2063 can deliver more than economic growth and infrastructure.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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Why Kenyan footbridges are the new markets and parks

Traders know through observation that the few footbridges have lots of traffic, a good market, and they are some of the few public places one can idle around.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

The new intoxication and memories of the Deep South

The number of youngsters creating content on the streets makes me think Kenya is now the new Deep South, and this is happening as we define our road to Singapore.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

Of Kenya's chequered banking past and glimpse into the future

Receding historical and economic waters reveal a lot about South Africa's economic links to Kenya.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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Goonism: It's all economics

Goonism has become a common word in our conversations. It becomes more common during protests and polls. That leaves no doubt that goonism is not a random event like a road accident.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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Albert Einstein, nuclear bombs and economic growth

The piece draws parallels between nuclear science and economic growth, arguing that while technological power requires specialised knowledge, nations can achieve prosperity by improving institutions.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

SA's change of tack in Kenya banking takeover unsettling

After buying into NCBA and Safaricom, South Africans want more shares in Absa Bank Kenya, formerly Barclays Bank, which defined Kenya’s old money and status.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

Letter from Murang'a's quiet Giatutu area and the few agri-innovations

Some places look far yet are near. One such place is Giatutu in Muranga’s Location One or Loco 1. I have wondered why this unique location naming system was discontinued.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

Kenya's and India's historical ties run deep

India may view Africa as its next strategic frontier, and Kenya is well placed to become an important gateway.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

An obituary for the granary?

Hungry people are easy to manipulate. That is why foodstuffs are popular giveaways for politicians, including in Ol Kalou.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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University admissions: What next?

As Kenyan students begin university after placement, the piece explores how admissions, campus experiences, skills development and adaptability will shape their future beyond the courses they pursue.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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Why Ol Kalou is Kenya's political Vietnam

 Our biggest fear in Ol Kalou is not who wins; it’s the economic consequences. Citizens are learning you can get free money. 

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

Can men be generous beyond beer tables?

Men are most generous while taking beer in a group.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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Letter from Webuye: Did Industrial revolution bypass Western Kenya?

Western Kenya once-thriving industries have been on the rise, and declined, and revived, particularly Pan Paper and Mumias Sugar

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

SA paradox: From xenophobia to buying blue-chip Safaricom, Absa and NCBA

Compared with other African countries, South Africa is more industrialised and wealthier, but unequal. Inequality is the crux of the matter

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

Why the innocence of Western Kenya should be appreciated

There is something alluring about Western Kenya. They have tried to keep their culture. Talking their mother tongues is normal and not looked down upon.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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Time to halt slow puncture of Kenya's economic dream

Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product growth rate slowed from 4.7 per cent in 2024 to 4.6 per cent in 2025, says the latest economic survey 2026.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

My experience of long journey to Mumias that took me 40 years

The 411-kilometre trip from Nairobi to Mumias takes about eight hours by road. That trip took me 40 years to cover. Sit, relax and find out why. 

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

The days of padlocks are numbered, but shall miss it

The padlock is small but carries more than its weight. It is used to secure buildings, boxes in high school, cash boxes and bicycles, among others.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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Kenya's ultimate economic paradox of unclaimed assets

The article highlights Kenya’s growing stock of unclaimed financial assets worth over Sh115 billion, arguing that better systems are needed to trace owners and unlock the funds for economic benefit.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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Middle East conflict deal: Why economics, not US or Iran, won

The closing of the Strait of Hormuz made the Iran war become a global war on the economic front and it looped into the peace deal, the war in Lebanon pitting Israel against Hezbollah

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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A barber engineer whose work mimics Germany apprentice system

We can’t learn everything in school, and some people are not made for the school system.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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It's time we stopped fearing Gen Z and embraced them

Rather than fearing Gen Z, Kenya should embrace the generation’s global outlook, technological fluency, creativity and economic ambition by involving them in decision-making.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

Budget 2026-27: The long and short of it

This will be a wananchi’s budget if it transforms their lives with more money in their pockets and more optimism. 

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

Here's the hustlers' response to economic hard times

Few can dispute that the economy is not treating the hustlers well, and they are not just sitting down and lamenting. 

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

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Economy, not inexperience at heart of Kenya's jobs crisis

Kenya's jobs crisis stems from inadequate economic growth, a growing workforce, technological disruption, and a mismatch between education and market needs.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

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School fires: Time for total education reset

By burning our schools or threatening to do so, we could be admitting that our children are not given enough opportunities to be heroes. 

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

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Why shortcuts keep mutating as the corrupt think they help

With time, shortcuts become part of our lives. That makes societal transformation so hard; we even compete over who can cut shorter than the others.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago