Author: NLM Correspondent

By Ali Abdi “It’s sort of like a teeter-totter; when interest rates go down, prices go up” – Bill Gross When it comes to the world of banks and interest rates, three words come to mind: overwhelming, intimidating and frightening. For us “regular folks”, the questions seem never-ending. For example, if interest rates are low, they, in the long run, create a lot of activity in the market. At that point, how do we deal with inflation rates? Last month, the President passed the Banking (Amendment) Bill, 2015, which now introduces new sections to the Banking Act. Section 31A will…

By Samuel Wahome Abraham Lincoln once said that the tree of liberty is watered by blood. This couldn’t be truer in the Kenyan context. Its common knowledge that in all the “accomplished” democracies of the world, the current enjoyment of rights was preceded by an immense struggle for the same. Since the post-colonial and pre-colonial period when Kenyans united for a common cause, the price paid for liberty has been high. But the gains made have been well worth it. Nevertheless, weaving through history in the murky waters of the early political regime, it is evident that the rights Kenyans…

Ahmednasir Abdullahi In my third instalment, I explain the working of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), its composition and how it functions constitutionally. Five years after it recruited the chief justice and deputy chief justice under the Constitution 2010, the JSC will repeat that process starting today. The JSC is one of the most respected and powerful constitutional commissions in the country. The Constitution gives it blanket monopoly on all matters touching on the Judiciary. It hires, promotes and retires all judges and judicial staff. If anyone doubts the powers of the JSC, they should talk to retired justices Kalpana…

Ahmednasir Abdullahi In this second instalment in the series, I address the pertinent issues that inform the interviews for the chief justice, the deputy chief justice and a judge of the Supreme Court from the perspective of the most powerful man in Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta. I also highlight the threat to the rule of law posed by his unhinged sidekicks. President Uhuru is very different from his predecessor Mwai Kibaki and their views and relationships with the Judiciary are dialectically opposed. Kibaki’s views were shaped by the history of a Judiciary that stifled and abused the rights of Kenyans…

Ahmednassir Abdullahi At 9 a.m. of Monday next week (August 29, 2016), the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will commence the interview process of candidates shortlisted for the offices of Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya. It is that periodicritual that the Constitution mandates the country to go through whenever vacancies arise in these important offices in the Judiciary. In a five-part series, I explain why this particular recruitment exercise is of critical national importance, and why we must collectively get the best candidates for these offices. The entire country is in agreement that…

I took interest in governance while in form one, thanks to my history teacher. His teaching was very dynamic: one day he would ask what the capital city of Hungary is and the next, the subject of debate in Parliament the previous day, and so on. It was during one of the history lessons that a discussion on a motion of no confidence on the President (Daniel arap Moi) tabled by James Orengo came up. I was impressed by the guts of the back-bencher and so I later read the Daily Nation and the East African Standard, pulled highlights of…

BY SHARU MUYESU Talk about fancy holiday getaways, vintage handbags, or even a skin formula… A woman has needs, immediate needs. And there is no better way to cure them than to pursue a new “social entrepreneurship” portfolio that creative liberals have conjured up, which, thus far, has demonstrated maximum benefit at minimum cost. The only problem is that, reliant on the fickle entities of a comely face and a fierce physique, such entrepreneurship doesn’t offer much in terms of a retirement plan. That the culture of disciplined saving for a “rainy” day is not an innate human characteristic makes…

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…