Nancy Karigithu is one of seven contenders pitching for the top job at the International Maritime Organization. If successful in the July elections, Karigithu would be the first African and first female elected in IMO’s 75-year history. Thuku Kariuki (Bird Story Agency) Nancy Karigithu, a globally recognised maritime expert with 38 years of experience, began her journey playing with paper boats on puddles in Mwea, a rice-growing region in Kenya. “My dad’s teaching fellow, Edna Oxtoby, introduced me to paper boats that I loved floating on the water puddles. Along with the paper boats came the gift of a cowrie…
Author: NLM writer
with Prof. John Harbeson Freedom House recently published its findings on the state of democracy in the world in 2022 together with detailed scores on each of over 200 countries. This year, for the first time since about 2005, Freedom House found some evidence to suggest that perhaps the gradual decline of democracy may have begun to bottom out. On the one hand, it noted that freedom declined for the 17th consecutive year: it found that 35 countries experienced declines in their observance of political rights and civil liberties, while 34 countries witnessed improved scores. On the other hand, it…
An Anti-Corruption Court sitting in Nairobi recently convicted immediate former Member of Parliament for Bonchari, Mr. Robert Oimeke for receiving a bribe of Sh200, 000 when he served as director of Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). The former director of EPRA had faced two counts of requesting for a bribe of Sh500, 000 and receiving a bribe of Sh200, 000. It was alleged that he leveraged his position as EPRA boss to frustrate reopening of a petrol station in Nyanza whose license had been reinstated after fulfilling the requisite requirements. The Court, however, acquitted him on the first count…
Fewer than half (46%) of Africans say their country is a full democracy or a democracy with minor problems By Joseph Asunka Afrobarometer reports that as the winds of democratic decline make headway in Africa, some of the continent’s long-standing democracies appear to be under pressure. Insights from Afrobarometer surveys conducted in 28 countries in 2021/2022 show that fewer than half (46%) of Africans say their country is a full democracy or a democracy with minor problems, and even fewer (38%) say they are satisfied with the way democracy works in their country. Both ratings have declined since 2014/2015: The…
By Warren Brett Activations are the key that unlocks the connection between brands and consumers as they drive to incite trial and drive conversion, selling benefits over features and affecting behavioural changes The digital era is on us with the pandemic sealing the deal as tech and ecommerce stepped up and on parade. Tantalising us with seamless, effortless shopping, even at 3am when sleep just won’t play the game – essentially reprogramming our DNA. In the bigger picture looking well beyond the horizon (or is it just around the corner?), we are ultimately gearing up to be humanoids where our…
By Jacob Oketch Boniface Nyamweya’s PEELING THE COWEBS is a story about what has been deeply inculcated in our communities – negative ethnicity. In its simple plot, four neighbouring tribes have stereotypical biases towards each other to the point that it now affects the well-being of the residents. This novel zeroes in on a theme mainly glossed over because it isn’t a subject that most writers are comfortable tackling. The author demonstrates how younger members of the society can step up and eradicate some of the outdated practices in the community – Nyorita and Uturoho’s relentless pursuit of unity at…
By Seth Onyango Africa’s fine art market is emerging from obscurity, fuelled by a surge of demand from international and, increasingly, local collectors. According to the Africa Wealth Report 2023, published by Henley & Partners with New World Wealth, the continent’s fine art market is valued at just over $1.8 billion as of December 2022. The figure indicates the annual combined value of artworks traded at auction, highlighting art as a symbol of social status and luxury and a promising investment opportunity. Works by African artists such as Irma Stern, El Anatsui and Ben Enwonwu are especially popular among art…
The African Development Bank recently hosted a workshop for stakeholders in Kenya’s energy sector to discuss the new Public-Private Partnership Act 2021 and how it can advance the country’s power industry. The 23 March to 24 March event was organized together with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco), the country’s power transmission agency. Participants looked at the status of the Act and made recommendations that would help to expedite the development of PPPs. Signed into law in December 2021, the new Act recognizes the need to enhance private sector participation in the financing, construction, development, operation or maintenance of infrastructure…
In April, the Supreme Court of Kenya spoke eloquently for judicial independence and, by extension, the independence of the mechanism by which judges are chosen, the Judicial Service Commission. It’s a watershed decision in that it will significantly change the way in which members of the JSC are appointed: the court said the president of the country had no function, not even a ceremonial one, in appointing and gazetting JSC members and that the role that the president had assumed in the past was a ‘fundamental contravention’ of the constitution. The litigation in this case was prompted by the actions…
Two men, found guilty of being in possession of almost two tons of elephant tusks, have just lost a third challenge in their case. The matter was brought before Tanzania’s court of appeal for a second time, with counsel urging the court, on review, to change its earlier decision on sentence. While declining the appeal, the judges called the review a disguised appeal against sentence. The accused claimed the original appeal decision showed a ‘manifest error’ resulting in a miscarriage of justice. But, in its judgment, the court ruled that no judgment could be perfect. They, however, said the grounds…