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Mr moneybags: How the Sh500 note came to be known as Jirongo

During the entire 1992 campaign period, Jirongo became the ATM machine for Kanu.

By Caleb Atemi 1 month ago

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Reflections: Why the presidency slipped from Baba even with massive support

He held my hand as we walked towards my car parked under the leafy shade of indigenous trees.

By Caleb Atemi 1 month ago

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Jaramogi, like his son Raila, deserved a State funeral and recognition

Mkangi said that Jaramogi deserved a State funeral due to his contribution in shaping the country's history

By Caleb Atemi 3 months ago

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Fear and courage: reporting Kenya's turbulent 80s and 90s

During the single-party rule, playing one-man army could attract imminent death.

By Caleb Atemi 3 months ago

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Nyanza's persecution that forged Jaramogi, Raila's resolve

It's only Raila who understands the collective pain, they endured to free, not just the Luo but Kenyans who were held in a deadly chokehold.

By Caleb Atemi 3 months ago

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How the Odinga family bore the cross of a community and nation

Raila Odinga was detained and had to endure physical, mental and emotional torture and for years he suffered isolation, the worst form of torment any human being could endure.

By Caleb Atemi 3 months ago

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Wall of security Raila and Jaramogi built around them

The Odinga's recruited reliable, dedicated and loyal young men who were ready to die for them.

By Caleb Atemi 3 months ago

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Soft and tender personality Raila hid in the private closet

My mind swirled and my head reeled. Tears welled in my eyes as I listened to him. I looked at him repulsively as he spoke.

By Caleb Atemi 3 months ago

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Prof Obel: Flawed genius who courted controversy and fame

Prof Obel developed Pearl Omega, the HIV/Aids drug which the Health ministry and World Health Organisation claimed was ineffective in curing the virus.

By Caleb Atemi 4 months ago

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Dalmas Otieno had respect for Jaramogi, but had no time for his son Raila

"He is not an ordinary person. I swear, he is a man with extraordinary powers. A good man though"

By Caleb Atemi 4 months ago

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The political price Dalmas Otieno paid for going against Odinga's

Dalmas Otieno served under Moi, Kibaki, and Uhuru's administrations and remained the Kanu point man in Luoland.

By Caleb Atemi 4 months ago

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Phoebe Asiyo: Prisons boss who saw humanity in prisoners' lives

The punch landed on my jaw, sending me reeling on the hard surface. I struggled to stand up but was met with a flurry of kicks and lashes.

By Caleb Atemi 5 months ago

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The many battles Phoebe Asiyo fought and won, and those she lost

Mama Asiyo survived countless attacks and assassination attempts. She was subjected to physical, mental and emotional torture and humiliation.

By Caleb Atemi 6 months ago

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The rebirth of what Ngugi resisted in the 70s and 80s

Kenyans are still fighting for freedoms and democratic space even as extrajudicial killings are on the rise. The dreaded Special Branch police unit of yore seems to have been reborn.

By Caleb Atemi 7 months ago

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Down memory lane: Why elections have always been a nail biting affair

Persistent late enactment or amendment of electoral laws too close to elections, always undermine planning and implementation of electoral activities.

By Caleb Atemi 10 months ago

Trump's declaration that he is stopping US aid to Africa has caught many unawares

Trump just did Kenya and Africa a great favour. Despite the pain, agony and frustration to millions, Africa can finally break away from slavery and dependability.

By Caleb Atemi 10 months ago

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Chebukati: His elections legacy through the eyes of Kivuitu

Kivuitu lived a desolate life after the 2007 debacle that led to post-election bloodshed. Reactions after his death showed many had not forgiven him.

By Caleb Atemi 10 months ago

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How Chebukati won where Kivuitu failed

While President William Ruto publicly lauded Wafula Chebukati, Kivuitu was quickly abandoned by the political class that put him in a mess.

By Caleb Atemi 11 months ago

Mambo Mbotela: May his voice echo through haunt our leaders into integrity

The late Veteran radio broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela's voice raised Kenya from its knees during its darkest and bloodiest hour.

By Caleb Atemi 11 months ago

Aga Khan was father of EA journalism

To many journalists, His Highness the Aga Khan, was the father and high patron of Kenyan and East African journalism.

By Caleb Atemi 11 months ago

How African leaders can handle long-running crisis in DR Congo

The DRC, with its vast territory and abundant mineral wealth has become a key battleground for external powers whose interests in the country's resources have exacerbated internal strife.

By Caleb Atemi 1 year ago

Jimmy Carter's life lessons that could turn Kenya into a developed, united country

I was delighted. The tension and fear that had seared through my body vanished. The arena burst into sudden screams of joy, song and dance.

By Caleb Atemi 1 year ago

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Prof Davy Koech: From acclaimed scientist to prisoner and short-lived freedom

My friend Prof Davy Koech was a traumatised man in serious pain. At 70, he had suffered a heart attack. He had endured abject poverty, calamity and sorrow in childhood.

By Caleb Atemi 1 year ago

Oloo Aringo's exit rekindles Hezekiah Oyugi's powerful reign during Kanu's rule

Like his nickname, Big Pen, he made and destroyed careers and people's lives. At times we were forced to do embarrassing things for our own survival.

By Caleb Atemi 1 year ago

Oloo Aringo's harrowing airport experience after Ouko's death

Oloo Aringo's sycophantic moment came when he heaped praise on President Moi to the point of referring to him as "The Prince of Peace."

By Caleb Atemi 1 year ago

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41 years later, plotters of the 1982 coup owe Kenya apology

Non-Commissioned Officers of Kenya Air Force (KAF), calling themselves the 'People's Redemption Council' ('PRC') organised the coup. But their heinous actions were short lived.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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UhuRuto Tantrums: Walking in the other's shoes and a lesson for leaders

Uhuru is stuck in political wars between his former deputy and Raila. After Supreme Court ruling that affirmed Ruto's election, Uhuru loudly stated that he recognises only Raila as his leader.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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The African diplomat; Is Ruto treading a dangerous and slippery ground?

Ruto is a young, educated and highly ambitious politician. He is the first holder of a doctorate degree to became president of Kenya. He is trying to cut for himself an image of an African Statesman

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Kenyans caught between two hard headed politicos reluctant to let go amid raging tiff

Ruto never backs off from a fight even when wisdom says he should. Raila, a man with a restless spirit whose opposition walk is littered with tears, broken bones, and blood.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Of politics and the health of presidents

President Daniel Moi was such a heath freak, if one coughed or sneezed violently during cabinet meetings, he could be requested to take leave and return once fully recovered.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Malala joining Cabinet: A case of trusted presidents' allies whose word became law

Ruto is following in the footsteps of his predecessors, who surrounded themselves with men and women that were strangers in government, but had massive clout and say on matters of national importance

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Murders, detentions and armed raids: Wars that media has fought across the decades

Since independence, Kenya has had its fair share of the likes of Kuria; men foaming at the mouth, spewing venom and vomiting threats.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Drunks, brewers, and chiefs: Politics of illicit brews and the curse of colonial laws

Since colonial days, poor Kenyans have suffered in the name of the fight against alcoholism. Violence, discrimination, and primitive methods have been used to fight brews.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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What Ruto can learn from his predecessors on how to manage precarious situations

Ruto being a strategist who learned from Daniel arap Moi, will not allow the Finance Bill to fail. Most MPs know that if the bill fails in totality, the country will shut down.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Why, Like others before him, Ruto will have a hard time dealing a killer blow to graft

Ruto, who packaged a hustler's champion campaign, is promising to tackle the vice whose flames made my father weep during his last days. He must first contend with the private owners of Kenya.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Trump before court: Similarities between US and African countries on power and wealth

After many years of violent street protests, battles and deaths, long after the Cold War had fizzled out, Kenya ushered in multiparty democracy. But did this mean anything to the citizens?

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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First on scene! Telling stories about the pain of others and living with the consequences

Journalists are among the most traumatised professionals. Like doctors, nurses, teachers and police officers, journalists are neglected and taken for granted.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Combating religious cults is timely, but let us also get rid of cultic politicians

The Shakahola massacre opens national wounds oozing with pus and maggots of religious cults and cultic leaders, who prey on people's weaknesses.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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Economic genius but bad politician; why Kenyans still miss Kibaki's leadership

Kibaki introduced performance contracting, each government ministry, agency and parastatal, had to put in place measurable programmes with clear goals and deliverables.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago

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How Kamlesh Pattni's charm held Kenya's rich and mighty captive in his Goldenberg scandal

The year was 1993. After pressure from donors and western governments, Pattni was arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud the government of billions of shillings.

By Caleb Atemi 2 years ago