Time to race to the moon, not countryside this Easter holiday

Competition is a great motivator, even in space. National pride, espoused by Trump’s America First, is driving the return to the moon. Remember, making America great again? 

By Xn Iraki 12 days ago

What is the future of trade unions in the current world?

Trade unions have slowly been silenced.

By Xn Iraki 16 days ago

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From Karen to Ol Joro Orok: The making of a bold entrepreneur

The story follows an entrepreneur who left Nairobi’s upscale Karen suburb to build a business in rural Ol Joro Orok, defying the trend of rural-urban migration.

By Xn Iraki 17 days ago

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A curious mix of Muceera versus Land Rover

In Kenya, car stickers and truck slogans blend humour, local wisdom, and identity, exemplified by a Land Rover displaying “Mūceera,” a Central Kenyan clan, on its spare tyre.

By Xn Iraki 23 days ago

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Dawning reality of 2012 law on varsities and its impact

A new education law came into effect. One of its tenets is that all the universities came under one law. Previously, each university was established under an Act of Parliament.

By Xn Iraki 24 days ago

Containing China: The endgame in Iran war?

In peace through war, we must not forget the emotional consequences of losing a war.

By Xn Iraki 26 days ago

Instant traffic fines: There's more than meets the eye

The statement by NTSA that there is no human interference in the camera system is contestable, cameras are programmed and calibrated by human beings.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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Alliance at 100: What it can do to become an academic behemoth

As Alliance High School marks 100 years, experts explore how it can evolve into a leading academic institution while preserving its historic campus.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

Why I must improve my dancing skills in an area where innovations are rife

Dancing is one area where innovations are rife, with new universal dances, not tied to any cultural group. Nowadays, you can even take a degree in dancing! 

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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This could be end game of Iran war

The Iran war could have unintended consequences; Russia could fill the Middle East oil shortage and sell oil to key economies like China at a good price.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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The Alliance: A century of shaping dreams

A personal reflection traces the dreams, struggles and lasting impact of studying at Alliance High School, one of Kenya’s most influential institutions.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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Why informal sector remains small in developed countries

The informal sector remains small in developed countries as most workers aspire to formal office jobs, leaving little space for informal employment to thrive.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

The hard infrastructure options for Kenyan cities

Till we got the SGR and expressway, our “hard ambitions” were limited and the railway had remained the same for a century.  

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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Echoes of WW II in row over Ukraine war

The ongoing Ukraine war evokes echoes of World War II, as modern geopolitics and shifting alliances mirror past global tensions.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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School bus: The unnecessary status symbol for middle class

When the then Cabinet Secretary for Education Dr Fred Matang’i directed that all school buses be painted yellow, the order deprived schools of their identity.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

Evolving status symbols from cars to AI models

The US ultra-rich have lately shifted their status symbols to ownership of artificial intelligence (AI) models.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

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Why Kenya is 'up for sale'

Kenya’s economic decisions and governance trends have fuelled perceptions the country is effectively “up for sale”.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

Kenya's economy exhibits unique traits and magic

It is assumed that the small and micro enterprises that define the Kenyan economy are independent, but they are linked to the formal economy.

By Xn Iraki 1 month ago

Should we celebrate falling interest rates

It’s expected that with low rates, banks will take the cue and lower their lending rates.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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Rising lake waters and nature's fury that we should all take note

Rising waters at Lake Bogoria signal the growing force of nature and the urgent need to confront environmental change.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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Bank notes in decorations: It's more than meets the eye

The Central Bank of Kenya's advisory on the use of banknotes in decorations provoked my economic instinct

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

Why NCBA is on sale after Safaricom

If Safaricom and NCBA’s sale goes through, South Africa will control a big chunk of Kenya’s financial market, including M-Pesa.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

Of Epstein files and ghosts of Happy Valley

The fact that Epstein was both a financial consultant and a convicted sex offender makes any connection with him murky. 

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

Whom do you know? The injustice of personalising service delivery

Unfortunately, the most affected by “who do you know” are the hustlers, the men and women who have never built any networks.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

What if China wins the AI race, and what are its implications?

If China dominates the electric car industry and AI, it will upend the long-held belief in the superiority of Western civilisation.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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The age of gyms is upon us and with it a fitness boom

When shall we start respecting rural folks for owning their houses, with or without affordable housing? 

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

Elevated roads key to unlocking incessant traffic gridlocks

The elevated Standard Gauge Railway, which allows animals to move freely between parts of the Nairobi National Park, much like an elevated expressway saves lots of space.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

Why China is primed for global EV takeover

The fear now is that China will slowly kill the internal combustion engine by mass-producing cheaper electric cars. 

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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Don't build on that empty land! You will thank me later

An open space can be configured in many ways, and tent makers have been very creative. Movement is less restrictive and photography is much better! 

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

Has economic focus already shifted to the 2027 elections?

The 2022 polls were about economics, and so will be the 2027 elections, and the government seems too aware of that and is unlikely shy away from flexing its economic muscles.

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

What defines a good school in my book

Most parents with Grade 10 children are running from one school to another, one county to another, looking for a “good school.”

By Xn Iraki 2 months ago

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The new allure of the fast-growing countryside

The price of land in major urban centres has made it economically sensible to build in the countryside where amenities like roads and power are now available

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

It's more than oil in the fight for the soul of Venezuela

The pronouncement that the United States will control Venezuelan oil, about 70 per cent of which currently goes to China, explains the US determination to control the Venezuelan economy.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

With perfect weather, we can make Kenya a fruit country

Fruit farming has been neglected in Kenya despite its great potential. We have perfect weather for fruits.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

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Hope and fear to dominate economic prospects of 2026

Let’s address the prospects of this year using the funnel approach, from broad to narrow issues. Men are more conversant with a funnel, usually an old plastic bottle with the bottom ripped off.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

Let's prioritise quality learning this year

The big debate on Competency-Based Education was about the placement of junior secondary, teaching methodology, and examinations, not the content. 

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

And The Hustler of the Year 2025 Award goes to

Hustlers are in tune with seasons and reality and took advantage of Nairobians reluctance to leave the city to sell their wares. 

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

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2025: A year of premium economic tears all around

The year is ending in economic tears for the ordinary citizens, albeit official statistics show otherwise.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

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Would social market economic model take Kenya to Singapore?

The popular view is that the Singapore dream will replace the hustler story as 2027 approaches.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago

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Why motorbikes lead in Kenya's innovation journey

Beyond transport efficiency, they have given employment to thousands of Kenyans.

By Xn Iraki 3 months ago