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  Photo : KICC, Nairobi Kenya Kenya's economy is towering the brink of total collapse as investors shun the country over punitive tax measures imposed by the government. Kenyans are glaring at tough times ahead, excerbated by increased cost of living, amidst a raging inflation that has seen the weakening of the Kenya Shilling against the US Dollar. Kenya's inflation Consumer Price Index (CPI) is at around 135.32 points. CPI is derived from the change in the prices of a basket of goods and services that are normally bought by specific household groups. Is Kenya really doing well economically? The question as to whether Kenya is doing well economically is a rhetorical one as the apparent answer is a capital NO . President William Ruto's regime developed an insatiable tax appetite that has left a majority of the country's populace seeking alternative ways to earn a living devoid of the government watch. A recent report indicating that most Kenyans are spending more time o

  Photo : Silicon Valley data center Kenya President William Ruto travelled to Silicon Valley in the USA in a plan to woo innovators into investing in Kenya. Ruto tours Silicon Valley President Ruto's USA tour come weeks after he issued a charter to the Open University of Kenya (OUK). OUK programmes are tailored to be delivered virtually. The University is located at Konza City, which offers technologically geared courses to spur rapid tech-related innovations in varied disciplines. Ruto seeks to connect the Silicon Savannah to the Silicon Valley in the United States of America. Tech Giants such as Microsoft, Google and Apple are set to heavily invest in the Konza Technopolis City after Ruto's tour. President Ruto accompanied by US ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman met Apple CEO Tim Cook, Intel's Pat Gelsinger and Google CFO Ruth Porat. "Kenya is your gateway to the Silicon Savannah, to the East African Community, the most integrated regional market of 500 million, an

  Opposition Leader Raila Odinga stormed the Africa Climate Summit venue in presidential style. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was at the VVIP entrance to usher in foreign Heads of States and top-notched dignitaries, was astounded when Raila Odinga alighted from his car just at the spot where foreign dignitaries were being received. The firebrand deputy president, and Raila's political nemesis, had no otherwise other than welcoming the ODM leader with a hearty handshake amid smiles. This prompted Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to alter protocol of accessing the climate summit venue. The opposition chief has been a staunch critic of the government of Kenya, which in his view, is illegitimate. Raila Odinga came second in the last general election, where Ruto emerged the winner. He disputed the election results and filed a case at the Supreme Court of Kenya, which ruled in favor of Ruto and upheld the election results as had been declared by the Independent Elect

  Raila Odinga's quest to liberate Kenyans from authoritarianism remain unstoppable. History of the Saba Saba event in Kenya The original Saba Saba rally was organized by Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Raila Odinga. However, the three didn't make it to the Kamukunji venue. The first Saba Saba rally in Kenya took place on 07/07/1990. The aim of the event was to bludgeon the then president Daniel Arap Moi to repeal section 2(A) of the Constitution in paving way for multiparty democracy. Political players Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, Raila Odinga, lawyers John Khaminwa and Gitobu Imanyara were arrested by the police. Kiraitu Murungi who was on a trip to Ethiopia, chose to cut-off his journey back to Kenya and fled to the United Kingdom. Lawyer Mohammed Ibrahim, currently a judge of the Supreme Court, was arrested by the Special Branch officers after they failed to find the then Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Paul Muite at his office. Senior Counsel Gibson K

  2010 constitution drastically curtailed presidential powers limiting the Head of State in making appointments anchored by the supreme laws of the land. Mwai Kibaki was the last Kenya's powerful president who never suffered the wrath of judicial decisions. Ruto's major setback President William Ruto suffered a major setback when the High Court quashed his Cabinet Assistant Secretaries (CASs) appointments on Monday. The 3 judge bench termed the appointment of 50 CASs as unconstitutional, for there was no public participation for the 27 extra appointees.  Ruto had appointed his allies, including those who had been rejected by Kenyan voters in the 2022 general elections. Azimio leaders, led by Raila Odinga and a host of ODM mandarins, applauded the Court's verdict and urged the president to respect judicial decisions. The decision to overturn Ruto's appointments come days after the same court stopped the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 . The contentious Finance Ac

  Ever heard about the history of multiparty democracy and how several African countries succumbed to pressure that thrashed one-party dictatorship. Multiparty politics was majorly influenced by countries with established democracies such as the West led by Britain and America. Raila Amollo Odinga is one of the most powerful politicians in Kenya. He is revered both locally and abroad. He enjoys a wider political network, superseding those of his political detractors, with an edge. The doyen of opposition politics staged a series of street protests rejecting to recognize the legitimacy of William Ruto as Kenya's validly elected president. How Raila's impact resonates with other African countries In 2007, Raila Odinga protested the outcome of the presidential election which placed Mwai Kibaki ahead of him. The spontaneous election violence that ensued the 2007 General Elections in Kenya remains one of the darkest moment in Kenya's history. Incidences of almost a similar natu

  Kenya is set to undergo a democratic process in which Kenyans will have a chance to vote in leaders of their choice. The country has experienced a vicious electioneering period, characterized with harsh exchanges, sometimes leading to physical confrontation among antagonizing camps. The heat of the election moment will be felt ahead of the announcement of a new president. Opposition leader Raila Amollo Odinga is expected to face a fierce contest with Deputy President William Samoei Ruto . The two top presidential contenders have not left anything to chance. Raila is making his fifth presidential stab, while Ruto will be on his first attempt. If history was to repeat itself, Raila Odinga has the highest chance of being elected to replace President Uhuru Kenyatta. Former President Mwai Kibaki and his successor Uhuru Kenyatta failed on their first attempts. Basing on the same precedence, it's expected that Ruto will not make it to presidency. However, this fact is hypothetical a

Kenya will hold a General Election on August 09 th 2022. Top Presidential contenders include Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. Just like the previous two elections, there will be no run-off as there’s no other third person with nationwide support other than Ruto and Raila. Opposition Leader Raila Odinga has a long history of contesting for presidency and this will be his fifth stab for the top job. Deputy President William Ruto will be vying for presidency for the first time and is likely to give the doyen of opposition politics a run for his money. DP Ruto enjoys massive support from the underprivileged courtesy of his ‘Hustler’ narrative, which resonates well with the lower echelon. Ruto will vie on a UDA ticket.  The second in command has upset the status quo by snatching President Uhuru Kenyatta his support base due to the latter’s dalliance with Raila. Selling Raila in Central Kenya has been a herculean task and has significantly reduced Uhuru’s influence

D eputy President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga stare at a possible predicament as they seek to expand their coalition lattices in order to accommodate new players. The entry of ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya colleague Moses Wetangula into Ruto’s camp has compounded things on the DP’s initial camp. Recently, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua spilled everything and told new entrants to forget about the running mate position. According to Gachagua, the Deputy President slot is a preserve of Mt Kenya. This argument is reinforced basing on the numerical strength of supporters being brought onboard.  Mt Kenya region is among the top vote-rich zone in Kenya. The region has produced three presidents of Kenya – Jomo Kenyatta (Kiambu), Mwai Kibaki (Nyeri) and Uhuru Kenyatta (Kiambu). Owing to their proximity to power, leaders from the region want to remain a heartbeat away from presidency after the retirement of President Uhuru Kenyatta.  Raila Odinga is most likely

K enyans have been resigning from lucrative positions in both the private and public sector to seek elective seats. As Uhuru Kenyatta ’s term approaches a tumultuous halt, his employees are uncertain of their job security.  What baffles mutual logic is why Kenyans quit lucrative positions to join politics. There are higher stakes in politics than other jobs as politicians have the tendency to attract influence, power and money. There are many politicians who use colossal amounts of money that even exceeds the cumulative salaries to be paid after winning a particular seat.  The Constitution of Kenya 2010 prohibits public officers from active political engagement. Cabinet Secretaries are classified as State officers hence the restraint on their political engagement. However, we have witnessed a number of Cabinet Secretaries hitting the campaign trail. Cabinet Resignations Recently four Cabinet Secretaries resigned to seek gubernatorial positions in the 2022 general elections scheduled