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Why Kenya's 2027 Presidential Elections will mostly be decided through a runoff

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Kenya’s 2027 Presidential election is very likely to go to a runoff because of how the Constitution sets the bar to win in round 1. It’s a high threshold, and Kenya’s politics are too fragmented right now for anyone to clear it easily. Here’s why: 1. The 50% + 1 + County rule is tough to hit as guided under Article 138, Constitution of Kenya. To win on the first ballot a candidate must get: a) 50% + 1 of all valid votes cast nationally, and b) At least 25% of votes in a majority of the 47 counties = 24+ counties. That second part is the real filter. You can’t just rack up votes in 2-3 regions and win. You need a true national spread. 2. Kenya’s politics is currently multi-polar, not two-horse 2013, 2017 were mostly Uhuru vs Raila duels. In 2022 was Ruto vs Raila battle. Even then, Raila only hit 48.8% in 2022. For 2027, the field looks more split: 1. Incumbency factor: President Ruto will run, but he has lost parts of his 2022 coalition. Mt. Kenya bloc, Western, and parts o...

The secret pattern to win Kenya's presidency in General Elections

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There’s no real secret to win Kenya’s presidency - but there are patterns that every successful candidate since 2002 has followed.  The Constitution of Kenya 2010 sets the rules, and the math/politics around them shapes strategy. The constitutional math you must hit based on Article 138(4) To win outright in Round 1, a candidate needs: 1. More than 50% of all votes cast - the “50% + 1” rule 2. At least 25% of votes in 24+ counties - half of Kenya’s 47 counties Miss either one of the aforementioned constitutional threshold prompts a runoff between top 2 candidates. So far, no one has needed a runoff yet, but 2013 and 2017 were close. So the “secret” is really logistics and coalition building to clear both hurdles. What actually decides Kenyan presidential elections 1. Regional bloc alliances: You can’t get 25% in 24 counties without multiple ethnic/regional bases. Kenya’s voting is still heavily regional.  2013: Uhuru + Ruto = Mt. Kenya + Rift Valley. 2022: Ruto + M...

8 Side Hustles that can earn you more money in Kenya

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Here are side hustles you can actually work on and earn real cash: 1. Skills-based, low startup cost 1. Freelance writing / copywriting Verify: Upwork, Fiverr, Contra show real jobs + payouts. Search “blog post writer Kenya” on Upwork and you’ll see 50+ active listings. - Earn: KES 2,000–15,000 per 1000 words depending on niche. Tech/finance pays more. - Start: Make a profile, write 3 samples, pitch 5 jobs/day. 2. Virtual assistant / admin support - Verify: PeoplePerHour, http://OnlineJobs.ph list VAs at $3–$8/hr. Kenyan VAs are in high demand for timezone overlap with UK/EU. - Earn: KES 25,000–80,000/month part-time - Start: Offer email management, calendar booking, data entry. 3. Canva design / social media content - Verify: Check Fiverr “Instagram post design” — top sellers have 10k+ reviews. - Earn: KES 500–3,000 per post pack - Start: Canva is free. Make 5 mock posts for a local café in Nairobi as your portfolio. 2. Product/local hustles 4. Resell on Jumia / Facebook Marketplace /...

Why the era of Social Media is an error to 'Social Life'

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The advent of social media has disrupted the natural social fabric that have existed for eons.  Individuals tend to know about other people's lifestyles more than their own.  Facebook, X(formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tik Tok are some of the commonly used social media sites.  Users often post images showing the world about their life progression.  In modern world reality, humanity is separate, only to be connected in the virtual space. Individuals are separate from their physical neighbours, but closely knighted to those who are far away through online linkages. Natural social life is fast losing its original lustre under the guise of modern influence. Neighborhood is fading at an alarming rate as humans are blinded under the illusion of being concerned about those who are far than those closer to them. In the current era, people prefer marrying through social media sites and dating apps. Individuals who rarely know each other physically, are formi...

Delusion of grandeur as Gachagua battles 'impeachment court ruling syndrome'

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Delusion of grandeur, also referred as grandiose delusion, is a type of delusion where you believe you have exceptional abilities, wealth, fame, power, or a special identity that isn't grounded in reality. Rigathi Gachagua's legal team made two moves that opponents termed contradictory: -Oct 2024: Impeached by Senate 54-13 while he was hospitalized. Kindiki sworn in as DP - May 2026: Gachagua dropped his demand for reinstatement to office and instead asked for full salary + allowances + retirement benefits for 2022-2027, as if he served the term. Kindiki’s lawyers’ response were that: 1. “If there was no impeachment, then by operation of law he returns to office. There can be no future earnings for a term he legally continues to hold” 2. “You cannot say there was no impeachment and then proceed to compensate someone for removal from office.” Critics argued this was like“having your cake and eating it” — wanting the impeachment quashed but also cash for being impeached. Hence “i...

Everything Kenyans need to know about 2026 Finance Bill

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 Kenya's Finance Bill 2026 was published on 30th April 2026. It proposes changes to several tax laws and most provisions take effect 1st July 2026, while some kick in 1st January 2027. If passed, it will guide how KRA collects an extra KSh 201 billion in 2026/2027, with KSh 120 billion expected directly from the new measures. 391a8d63 Contents of the 2026 Finance Bill 1. PAYE & Income Tax Changes Tax-free threshold increase: The Bill seeks to raise the tax-free income threshold from the current KSh 24,000. Proposals want the lowest PAYE band expanded from KSh 24,000 to KSh 30,000. New PAYE bands: Introduce a 25% tax rate for monthly income between KSh 30,000 and KSh 50,000. Top rate debate: Kenya Bankers Association and World Bank have pushed for the highest PAYE band to drop from 35% to 30%, with relief increased to KSh 3,000 to create a KSh 30,000 tax-free base. World Bank also suggested funding healthcare through the budget instead of the SHIF levy, and repealing the housing...

Kenyan MPs trade barbs after Gachagua impeachment Court Verdict

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The High Court upheld Rigathi Gachagua’s 2024 impeachment on June 8, 2026, but awarded him KSh50 million in constitutional damages. The ruling came from a three-judge bench (Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Murima and Freda Mugambi) at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi. It confirmed that the National Assembly and Senate followed constitutional procedures under Articles 145 and 150 overall, despite finding a violation of Gachagua’s right to a fair hearing (the Senate refused an adjournment when he was ill).  The court did not reinstate him, affirmed Kithure Kindiki as the current Deputy President, and left issues like pensions for other proceedings. Background of Gachagua's case 1. Impeachment process (Oct 2024): The National Assembly passed an 11-charge motion (initiated by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse) with a massive 281-44 vote, citing gross misconduct, corruption, ethnic division, and undermining the President/government. The Senate upheld key charges days later. Gachagua (who ser...