Author: NLM Correspondent

By Tom Odhiambo That global terrorism has become part of life in most parts of the world is not in doubt. What is debatable is whether governments can successfully fight terrorist organisations and eliminate them. This question arises because of the transnational character of terrorist groups. But probably what makes it difficult to confront terrorist organizations today is because of their religious character. In fact, there are hardly any terrorist organisations today that are founded purely on political ideology. There may be groups fighting civil wars within countries but they hardly have following beyond their locales. But it seems that…

By Daniel Benson Kaaya “If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that members of the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly” – Thomas Sowell, American economist, social theorist, political philosopher, and author No right-minded person can deemphasise the significance of the media in any society. It has underwritten various revolutions and liberations. Media has saved lives in many countries. Elsewhere, it has been a contrivance in endorsing propaganda and anti-social patterns. Malcom X, human rights activist, legendarily observed,…

By Newton Arori The past few years have witnessed an exponential growth in the gambling industry in Kenya, especially in the form of sports betting. That growth, however, is not without its fair share of challenges. The players, who are predominantly unemployed youth, have been on the receiving end of the perils of the vice that is gambling – it is not unusual to read in the dailies about suicides triggered by a lost bet. Sports betting, like any other form of gambling, are often harmless when engaged in as a form of entertainment. Unfortunately, many do not view it…

By John Ndar Do you run a personal or corporate blog? Whichever the case, you will likely agree that things have never been sweeter. At the mere touch of a button, one has the whole world listening and begging for more. Indeed, for many, it’s a dream come true. Yet, here comes the million- dollar- question: How can you do blog marketing like a real professional with great results?  Here are tips, tools and resources that have helped millions to succeed. Easy tips, tools and resources From the outset, it’s vital to recognise the fact that blog marketing, revolutionary as…

By Antony Mutunga In the course of our day-to-day activities, we come across a lot of advertisements whether on the Internet, billboards, television or radio. The texts and images used on the advertisements usually entice us to different products and play a big role in our decision on purchases. To quote Kumar and Raju in “The Role of Advertising in Consumer Decision Making – IOSR” (2013), “all advertising seeks to influence the decisions consumers make.” Among all these images, it is difficult to identify which products are worth it and which are not. Organisations spend a lot of money advertising,…

By Leonard Wanyama A Wikipedia page has recently been developed detailing all the countries President Uhuru Kenyatta has travelled to since assuming office. Critics were quick to paint him as being more concerned with serial gallivanting than anything else. However, it seems the idea of finding out whether the people the President travels with are productive enough has not caught on with the intelligentsia. Over the past decade or so, the idea of business delegations has grown ever since former president Mwai Kibaki initiated economic diplomacy as a pillar of Kenyan foreign policy. Across the continent, trips by various private…

By Patrick Mutinda The right to adequate food as provided for by the Constitution, as well as the obligation to respect such a right by the state, provides a significant move towards the progressive realisation principle provided in that same Constitution. But both of these are met by extreme challenges. Even with the adoption and ratification of international instruments, which have a bearing on the right to adequate food, as well as the obligation of states to respect those rights, many still don’t have access to adequate food; the state has failed in its duty. More pointedly is that when…

By Robin Nyore Choosing the right lawyer is an important decision, regardless of the nature of representation required. Referrals can be great, but a potential client also needs to understand the workings of the system to have the right one for the job. This article targets the practising advocate and, by extension, the client who seeks legal services. Its main aim is to educate the public on what to do before soliciting the services of a lawyer, and what he or she needs to do before that happens. For the advocate The legal profession is a noble one, and as…

In February 2014, the Director of Medical Services (DMS) in the Ministry of Health issued a memo prohibiting health workers from participating in trainings on safe abortions or the use of the drug Medabon, which has a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion purposes. The memo was titled “Training on Safe abortions and the use of Medabon”. It is curious that the memo was issued a short while after the withdrawal of the “Standards and Guidelines for Reducing Morbidity and Mortality from Unsafe Abortion in Kenya” that was meant to ensure that health facilities assist women who deserve…

By Justus Jeffery Olaka A committal to a civil jail is where a judicial officer or judge sends a borrower – sued by a lender – to jail, usually for inability to pay a debt owed. It is a kind of arrangement where the lender is obligated to pay the government for each and every day the debtor stays in jail. Some of the reasons why one may be committed to a civil jail include, inter alia, failure to pay: money one agreed to pay if someone they know was on bail and did not turn up in court; money…