Author: NLM Correspondent

By Cobus Van Staden The last quarter of 2019 saw the launch of the newest phase of Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR,) connecting the port in Mombasa to the Rift Valley town of Naivasha. The Mombasa-Naivasha section of the SGR cost $1.5 billion. It connects to the initial phase, between Nairobi and Mombasa, which cost $3.2 billion. Both phases were funded by China and built by Chinese construction companies. More than an infrastructure project, the SGR has become symbolic of both the promise and the pitfalls of the China-Africa relationship. Or, more accurately, it has been caught up in competing discourses…

By Dennis Ndiritu The political landscape in the country has undergone a metamorphosis since the March 3, 2018 handshake between President Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. This has forced major political realignments in light of the match anticipated Building Bridges Initiative seen as precursor for a pro-parliamentary system referendum. At the heart of these realignments are two women groups, Inua Mama, allied to Deputy President William Ruto and Embrace, allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and the right honourable Raila Odinga. The two groups have been engaged in cut-throat campaigns that have been mired with gory insults against each other. This has…

By Joel Okwemba Foreign policy has hitherto been a prerogative of the Executive arm of government despite the globalised nature and complex interactions in the 21st Century that demand creative solutions in maintaining peace and stability. The Executive, through Parliamentary bodies and committees, allows the policies to be scrutinised in an effort to create harmony within government agencies. Constitutions in democratic states now demand that the State cannot engage in Wars without the approval of Parliamentary bodies. This remains the foremost engagement on International Relations for most parliaments to date. However, opportunities abound when it comes to: how Parliaments interact…

By Shadrack Muyesu The Buy Kenya-Build Kenya Campaign Strategy was developed in April 2017 following a Presidential directive that a strategy be formulated to drive consumption of locally produced goods and services. The Buy Kenya-Build Kenya initiative is expected to enhance competitiveness of local firms, stimulate local production and promote industrialisation, a key priority area in Vision 2030. In addition, the strategy shall contribute towards mitigating the impacts of the trade deficits. Among the lofty objectives of the policy document are the establishment of a legal and regulatory framework to guide public procurement; the provision of an enabling business environment;…

By Victor Adar Some Kenyans say coming together to vote for one young person to lead the country as president can pay off but it appears there is little to show for it with a majority of young people generally opting to support seasoned politicians. Driven by the need to incorporate the interests of young people and to stimulate economic growth, Miruru Waweru, Chair of Thirdway Alliance, argues that the alternative for Kenya is its “Young Turks”. “Women are not marginalised. Young people too are not marginalised,” says Waweru. “What is needed is active, meaningful representation. Things can be done.…

In July 2019, during the AU summit, the number of signatories to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) agreement increased to 54 out of 55 after Nigeria and Benin signed, leaving Eritrea as the only country yet to get on board. Also, with 27 countries having ratified, the operational phase was launched with the agreement looking to take effect in June 2020. Once the agreement takes effect, it will establish a single African market that will cause intra-regional trade in the continent to soar. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), intra-African trade in 2017…

By Tamara Khandaker In February, Canada introduced new measures to protect its elections from foreign interference, striking a task force to handle “covert, clandestine or criminal” attempts to meddle in the democratic process, as well as a campaign to educate the public about fake news. “Increasingly the interference is higher-tech… Social media have been used to falsely slander elected officials, trolls and bots are dispatched to stoke anxiety, even hysteria around sensitive issues. Fake news masquerades as legitimate information,” Ralph Goodale, minister of Public Safety, told reporters. Efforts include monitoring foreign social media activity to identify where Canada might be vulnerable…

By Rohan Chopra Means of dissemination of information relating to the affairs of the ruling class have been in place since a very long time, although controlled by the same echelons of society for as long a period. It was believed that if the people thought of something opposing what these echelons wanted them to believe, it could cause chaos. Religion was also controlled by the state, leading to those questioning earlier beliefs to be considered as infidels. This led to, for instance, the infamous Inquisition in Christianity, causing the deaths of many. Yet the ruling classes were not able…

By David Wanjala The dust has settled in Nairobi’s Kibra Constituency after the by-election occasioned by the untimely demise of its member of Parliament, Ken Okoth. Many lessons will, however, be drawn from the explosive campaigns that preceded the voting especially heading into the looming 2020 General Election and for many years to come. To understand the intrigues that ensued from the time IEBC declared the seat vacant through to the campaigns, voting and announcement of results, three key players come to mind: Deputy President William Ruto – the sponsor; Macdonald Mariga, the prop; and former Senator for Kakamega Dr…

By Daniel Mutegi Giti Many arguments have been advanced on the merits and de-merits of constructing the JKIA-Westland’s express way and the KNH private hospital. From the Urban management point of view, it is a strategic move to help us address traffic congestion, which has been estimated to cost the country Kenya Sh18 billion yearly, according to the World Bank, and also develop a world class hospital to address the cost of overseas medical treatments for Kenyans. This will solve other associated challenges in Nairobi Metropolitan region, one of the largest urban conurbations in East and Central Africa. Constructing the…