New ruling on safe abortion paves way to lower maternal deaths

The ruling stems back to a ban arbitrarily placed on reproductive health care services provided by Marie Stopes International Kenya.

By Irungu Houghton 1 month ago

How latest ruling on safe abortion will help address maternal deaths

A High Court ruling this week declaring safe abortion a constitutional right has massive implications for hundreds of thousands of women and girls with unintended pregnancies.

By Irungu Houghton 1 month ago

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There's no shame for an abused man to seek justice and healing

The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence ended on Wednesday, which was also International Human Rights Day.

By Irungu Houghton and Thitu Muiruri 1 month ago

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Let KNCHR lead compensation bid for police brutality victims

After months of a court stay, the President's Panel of Experts to compensate victims of state violence during public protests has been struck down.

By Irungu Houghton 1 month ago

Kenya Kwanza must review the tax regime for hustlers to thrive

Oxfam's report goes beyond criticism. It offers practical policy solutions that could rescue Kenya Kwanza's vision if implemented.

By Irungu Houghton 2 months ago

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Unchecked State surveillance curtails freedom of expression

The release of two investigative reports into technology-enabled state surveillance and violence against critics of the state reminds us of a disturbing reality.

By Irungu Houghton 2 months ago

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Upcoming by-elections offer big test for stakeholders in 2027 race

The 27th November by-elections have all the signs of a mini general election.

By Irungu Houghton 2 months ago

Tanzania's political instability risks spreading in the region

The escalation of repression by Tanzania against the public, journalists and human rights defenders sadly seems to be extending even to those without a voice or a vote.

By Irungu Houghton 2 months ago

To honour Raila, we must defend human rights, uphold rule of law

Described by his old friend Prof Anyang' Nyong'o as "the return of the lion to the mountain," Raila Amolo Odinga's death has left Kenya transfixed and in deep reflection.

By Irungu Houghton 3 months ago

Why Pheroze Nowrojee deserves a Nairobi road named after him

Nairobi South Ward MCA Waithera Chege's reading of a motion this week to commemorate the life of late Pheroze Nowrojee.

By Irungu Houghton 3 months ago

Let a new generation of honest leaders emerge ahead of 2027

With the resumption of continuous voter registration on September 29, seven by-elections set for November 27, the scramble for the next generation of honest leaders is on.

By Irungu Houghton 3 months ago

Police brutality victims and their families deserve justice

The real public interest question is whether Kenya's justice institutions will hold those responsible to account with or without the Panel of Experts.

By Irungu Houghton 4 months ago

Shun companies profiting from the genocide happening in Gaza

In another act of complete disregard for the international community, Israeli forces have escalated their assault on Gaza, killing at least 79 people this week.

By Irungu Houghton 4 months ago

Human rights defenders should stay the course to guard justice

Several victims' families, human rights defenders, netizens and bots this week focused on holding the advisory Panel of Experts on compensation for victims of brutal protest.

By Irungu Houghton 4 months ago

Karura Forest under threat from greedy individuals seeking profit

The Kenya Forest Services has just triggered a fresh controversy for the Kenya Kwanza administration by unilaterally taking control of the 93-year-old Karura Forest.

By Irungu Houghton 4 months ago

Let's use the fire, creativity from young leaders to fight corruption

Wednesday's celebration of one of the nation's most important teenagers, the Constitution of Kenya 2010, was remarkable

By Irungu Houghton 5 months ago

State violence victims deserve more than just a few millions

What is the value of a human life and how should victims of wrongful deaths caused by state officers be compensated?

By Irungu Houghton 5 months ago

Child sex trade report exposed why Kenya should act urgently

While participating in and promoting paid sex remains a moral debate, let us all draw the line that those who participate must be protected from harm and guaranteed their rights.

By Irungu Houghton 5 months ago

Use of harsh laws against dissent will reverse hard-earned freedom

This week, several people arrested during the June-July protests - including boda boda rider, and security officers - were charged in Kenya's counterterrorism Kahawa Law Courts.

By Irungu Houghton 5 months ago

Review police handling of protest after damning report from IPOA

Hot on the heels of last week's policy directive on the use of force and firearms, the IPOA, released its extensive report on the June and July public protests this week.

By Irungu Houghton 6 months ago

Kenya's dangerous drift as the government battles its citizens

Post-Saba Saba Day, allegations of an attempted coup, calls for police to shoot, and mass arrests have raised serious concerns about the government's response to public dissent.

By Irungu Houghton 6 months ago

Lessons for Kenyans and police after June 25th bloody protests

Wednesday night rains washed away the stench of pungent tear gas across several towns, but the devastation and trauma caused by hours of confrontation remains.

By Irungu Houghton 7 months ago

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City anarchy showed how quickly chaos can fuel instability in Kenya

Tuesday's street anarchy in Nairobi had me scrambling for dusty copies of the Commission on Inquiry, Ransley and Kriegler reports on 2007/2008 Post Election Violence.

By Irungu Houghton 7 months ago

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With dwindling global funding, Africa should chart a bold path

As East Africa's Finance Ministers unveiled their budgets this week, the region's top philanthropic funders met in Kigali amid growing uncertainty in global development financing.

By Irungu Houghton 7 months ago

Why the fourth estate is critical in democratic and open society

World Press Freedom Day and the Media Council Annual Summit this week highlighted the resilience of Kenya's fourth estate.

By Irungu Houghton 8 months ago

What ails majority of Kenyan families and how we can fix it

The world marks the United Nations International Day of Families,Thursday May 15. How can we ensure we all stay focused on what ails the Kenyan family and not be hijacked by foreigners?

By Irungu Houghton 8 months ago

Don't "move on" after injustice since that is the end of society

Allowing serious crimes to go unresolved will only further fuel the dangerous "aura for aura" narratives and the rising arguments.

By Irungu Houghton 8 months ago

Parallels between Butere Girls and US varsity students' battle

While some attempted to downplay the danger of using state security agencies to muzzle the Butere Girls High recently, most recognised the threat it posed to our academic and artistic freedoms.

By Irungu Houghton 9 months ago

Sudan needs neighbours more than ever during worst conflict

Why Sudan's neighbours must step up amid escalating conflict.

By Gathenya Njaramba, Irungu Houghton 9 months ago

Pheroze must be proud of Butere girls' spine to express themselves

Pheroze believed advocates must challenge misgovernance, corruption and impunity. His arguments were consistently morally anchored in constitutional and rule of law principles.

By Irungu Houghton 9 months ago

Nduta and many women are mere mules in drug trafficking network

I held my breath for Margaret Nduta Macharia (37) on Monday morning. Ms Nduta faces death by lethal injection following her conviction for drug trafficking in Vietnam.

By Irungu Houghton 10 months ago

What Dutch royal couple's visit portends for Kenya's justice bid

The Dutch constitution has protected the freedom of expression, assembly and association, prohibited the death penalty and declared that all are equal under the law since 1983.

By Irungu Houghton 10 months ago

You can withdraw from ICC, but dictators will pay for their sins

The moment all authoritarians dread showed up this week.

By Irungu Houghton 10 months ago

How Kenya and Africa should respond to Trump, global shifts

How ready is Kenya's national and devolved governments to govern in line with the Constitution and their 2022 promise to the electorate?

By Irungu Houghton 10 months ago

Lessons from protests seeking release of Besigye

The behaviour of Kenyan police this week sharply contrasted from a long season of violent protest policing and must be commended.

By Irungu Houghton 10 months ago

Fill the gaps left by USAID freeze to combat healthcare challenges

The state must find creative ways of stepping into the gap left by USAID. Only this will stop a new surge in HIV prevalence and spike in non-communicable diseases.

By Irungu Houghton 11 months ago

Let's create dignified spaces for all to express love to those they love

In a significant departure from previous years, men from diverse backgrounds chose to mark Valentine's Day by declaring "Safisha Rada".

By Irungu Houghton 11 months ago

Perpetrators of DR Congo crisis must be punished to find peace

As Heads of States arrive in Dar es Salaam today for a joint Summit of the EAC and SADC, close to a million Congolese are on the run.

By Irungu Houghton 11 months ago

Women MPs should listen widely on efforts to stop gender violence

New statistics released this week demonstrate violence remains a major threat to safety and dignity of nearly 29 million Kenyan women and girls.

By Irungu Houghton 11 months ago

Grace Mulei wants SHA to work, don't treat her like any criminal

Grace Njoki Mulei and the SHA are trending again. As the 61-year-old patient and whistleblower was arraigned in court yesterday.

By Irungu Houghton 1 year ago