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Why destruction of trees will likely lead to fights over water resources

Truphena Muthoni is driven by an unadulterated love for nature, which is ably represented by trees.

By Alexander Chagema 1 month ago

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Why councils of elders shouldn't abdicate core responsibilities for politics

In a typical case of the kettle calling the pot black, the Western Elders Forum met in Kakamega last week for two reasons.

By Alexander Chagema 1 month ago

Government should rescue our university education from doldrums

A ban on alcohol, drugs and wild parties in hostels and penalties for those who break the rules can enforce discipline.

By Alexander Chagema 1 month ago

Mini poll wins have fortified President Ruto for epic 2027 election battle

UDA's win in Malava and Mbeere constituencies has proven that President William Ruto doesn't easily back off from a fight, and the opposition must rethink its strategies.

By Alexander Chagema 1 month ago

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ODM's ideological stand cannot be dictated by individuals' dreams

The contest is now down to Sifuna's stand and Winnie's truth against Mbadi's dreams.

By Alexander Chagema 2 months ago

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Why Suluhu's despotic disposition is bad for democracy in Tanzania

The murder of citizens clamouring for democratic space is a mark of sadism.

By Alexander Chagema 2 months ago

Heed calls for stronger collaboration to bridge gap between research and implementation

Research and innovation are indispensable for achieving universal health coverage and national development priorities.

By Alexander Chagema 2 months ago

Ruto will bag Luo votes if he picks Mama Ida as a running-mate

Mama Ida is not only capable of harnessing Luo and national votes, she has decades of experience in political leadership and organisation, having managed the political affairs of Raila Odinga.

By Alexander Chagema 2 months ago

Unforeseen events have conspired to give President the upper hand

President Ruto surprised many by acknowledging that Raila Odinga propped up his government when it was tottering, besieged by Gen Z, the Opposition and civil society activists.

By Alexander Chagema 3 months ago

Raila's last wish cheated community out of exploitative burial rites

Raila Odinga is one of the very few Kenyan leaders who, though jealously 'owned' by their ethnic groups, never lost sight of the bigger picture.

By Alexander Chagema 3 months ago

Raila's sickness shines spotlight on our floundering health services

Mama Ida claimed she would have taken Raila to Migori hospital for treatment if he were sick, but no, he was flown to India.

By Alexander Chagema 3 months ago

Leaders' aversion to change is the fuel of growing youth discontent

Self-aggrandisement by the old leaders only serves to infuriate the youth who want change urgently, and they have demonstrated they are ready to force it if there is need.

By Alexander Chagema 3 months ago

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Why Netanyahu's genocide against Palestinians must be stopped immediately

The war has moved from being a defensive attack against the Hamas militia to genocide.

By Alexander Chagema 4 months ago

UDA nominations proof of the party's firm control over members

It's instructive that while President Ruto could have easily had his way on who flies the UDA flag in the Malava Constituency by-election, he chose not to interfere despite what is at stake.

By Alexander Chagema 4 months ago

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Kenya vs Singapore: Why we were equals in 1963 but worlds apart today

In 1963, Kenya had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $926.6 million against Singapore's $917.6 million.

By Alexander Chagema 4 months ago

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Intrigues deepen as St Mary's Hospital Mumias acknowledges payment from SHA

Many people in the larger western Kenya region are yet to come to terms with the reality that St Mary's Hospital, Mumias, is no longer in operation.

By Benard Lusigi and Alexander Chagema 4 months ago

Democracy and accountability don't mean much for our political leaders

Intrigues surrounding the aborted impeachment motion against besieged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja after the ODM and UDA leadership intervened put our democracy to question.

By Alexander Chagema 4 months ago

Self-medication is a product of dysfunctionality in public hospitals

Public hospitals are a nightmare for many; from long sluggish queues, indifferent staff, exasperating demands and lack of medicines.

By Alexander Chagema 4 months ago

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Why St Mary's Hospital Mumias has closed after 117 years of service

Workers at the hospital had downed tools a few days earlier in protest after going without pay for four months.

By Alexander Chagema 5 months ago

How low-interest regime shrunk banks' half-year interest income

Banks have taken a hit on their financials with reduced income charged on loans following the low interest regime that the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) started in August 2024.

By Alexander Chagema, Graham Kajilwa 5 months ago

To tame Gachagua, President Ruto should borrow a leaf from Nelson Mandela

Three schools of thought exist. The first argues that Gachagua is the brains behind the chaos, seeking to paint the government in bad light.

By Alexander Chagema 5 months ago

Farouk Kibet's efforts might help UDA to win Malava by-election contest

Farouk Kibet has camped in Malava constituency for months, reaching out to widows, women and youth as campaigns for Malava Constituency by-election intensify.

By Alexander Chagema 5 months ago

Reduce education and health costs to win back the trust of Kenyans

Many parents have sold valuables, from livestock, buildings to land, just to finance the education of their children.

By Alexander Chagema 5 months ago

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How confusion in opposition guarantees Ruto's comeback

June 25, 2024 marked Ruto's most vulnerable moment when he was arm-twisted into discarding the Finance Bill 2024 and disbanding his Cabinet.

By Alexander Chagema 5 months ago

Mbadi's economic misadventures show ODM can't offer better leadership

From reducing capitation from Sh22,224 per student to Sh16,900, and re-introducing examination fees, Mbadi's economic policies are hurting Kenya's education system.

By Alexander Chagema 6 months ago

Raila no longer excites the masses; his magic wand has lost its potency

Jolted out of complacency and now caught between two extremely antagonistic forces, Raila Odinga must rue his uncanny ability to pull rabbits out of the hat.

By Alexander Chagema 6 months ago

Acknowledging mistakes might help Ruto government regain public trust

For more than one week, blogger Ndiang'ui Kinyagia made Kenyans incessantly bark up the wrong tree.

By Alexander Chagema 6 months ago

Murkomen lacks the wisdom to manage Interior security docket

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen's decision to liken demos to a coup is outrageous and designed to run away from reality, which the government must confront to address underlying issues.

By Alexander Chagema 6 months ago

Unflappable and focused, Farouk Kibet is the new enigma in town

Those who have been tracking Farouk Kibet's engagements will have noticed that he does not only look after the President's interests but is a major mobiliser of the Kenya Kwanza government.

By Alexander Chagema 7 months ago

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Raila's 'collabo' with President is for self-survival, not betrayal of youth

Raila appears to have come to terms with the reality that his 'chi' has consigned him to a life on the periphery of the presidency.

By Alexander Chagema 7 months ago

President's conditional apology an insult to victims of State violence

Ruto's apology neither acknowledged the wrongs committed nor sought genuine forgiveness. Prefacing the apology with 'if' actually legitimises the State's high-handedness.

By Alexander Chagema 7 months ago

There is a lot that proves our country is headed in the wrong direction

Crackdown on government critics, the sacking of Public Service CS Justin Muturi and the expulsion of Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba from UDA put to question the country's democracy.

By Alexander Chagema 8 months ago

We have engaged reverse gear with budget cuts in education, health sectors

Implementation of CBC, and now CBE, has been chaotic with the government seemingly groping in the dark, lurching from one blunder to another.

By Alexander Chagema 8 months ago

Blaming media for the shortcomings of government is dishonest

Trump is well represented locally by the likes of Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma, who called for the cancellation of BBC's licence for airing an expose of police brutality in Kenya.

By Alexander Chagema 8 months ago

Salasya's presidential bid a threat to old guard

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya last month kicked off campaigns to unite the Luhya community.

By Alexander Chagema and Bernard Lusigi 8 months ago

Atwoli 'must go'; his dalliance with government has neutered Cotu

Atwoli is pained that hawkers project a negative image of poverty to foreigners.

By Alexander Chagema 8 months ago

Africa must unite to escape exploitation by the West and East

Africa should take advantage of the fractionalism caused by Trumpism to rally, harness its potential and reclaim its rightful place in global rankings.

By Alexander Chagema 9 months ago

What Ruto will likely do to win Kenyans' confidence and votes in 2027

From the outset, Dr Ruto was determined to besmirch Uhuru's government, taking advantage of every opportunity to place blame on it for his shortcomings.

By Alexander Chagema 9 months ago

Patriotism is devotion to country, not President as some leaders believe

The plays 'Betrayal in the city,' 'Government Inspector,' and 'Animal Farm' were once set books in secondary schools, yet never brought out the type of state violence unleashed over 'Echoes of War.'

By Alexander Chagema 9 months ago

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A tale of Bungoma mud houses and jigger-infested feet of rich Mt Kenya residents

The Social Health Authority, for instance, is comatose, but leaders close to the President swear it is the best thing that has ever happened in Kenya

By Alexander Chagema 9 months ago