Will CBK rate hike shore up shilling? Only time will tell
Banks often respond quickly. They will make more money, with loans a big source of their revenues. Will shylocks do the same?
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Will CBK rate hike shore up shilling? Only time will tell
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Our examination model is in need of a paradigm shift
The reevaluation of exams in Kenya envisions a future where choices, innovation, and skills development take precedence over the prevailing exam-centric paradigm.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Our examination model is in need of a paradigm shift
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The unusual hustles of Machakos and other regions
Sixty years after independence, these hustles have not been formalized or scaled up to the industrial level. We have not enhanced their supply chain, given the sellers some nice sheds
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
The unusual hustles of Machakos and other regions
The 100-year-old fence and our socioeconomic systems
Curiosity can lead us far and wide. This fence caught my attention. It looks unusual, for three reasons. One the fencing wire "passes" through the post and two it has no "stings".
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
The 100-year-old fence and our socioeconomic systems
Innocence of Kitui hides wealth yet to be tapped
After crossing the mighty Athi River with no signage, you find yourself in Kitui town. The logo on county government signboards says, "Rasilimali zetu, maisha bora."
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Innocence of Kitui hides wealth yet to be tapped
Kenya is importing hustlers and we should celebrate it
The plight of this Burundian boy begs the question. How do we integrate immigrants? Do we see them as a resource or a liability?
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Kenya is importing hustlers and we should celebrate it
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Prestige, status aside: Can you buy a tiny car?
With the high fuel prices, I would have expected Kenyans to welcome this car with open arms. But they did not. As a social observer and a pragmatist, I was not surprised.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Prestige, status aside: Can you buy a tiny car?
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Understanding complex impact of a weak shilling
If you are a frequent traveller or involved in international trade, the depreciation of the Kenyan shilling carries significant implications.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Understanding complex impact of a weak shilling
Key lessons hustlers can learn from seasons and nature
Seasons change our views of life. We learn of life's many chances for renewal, like trees. We pause and reflect. Suppose these trees were human beings?
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Key lessons hustlers can learn from seasons and nature
Of the Sahara, war veteran and effects of climatic change
This is where innovation came in handy. Adopting military strategy and technology to different terrains. It was even tougher for the soldiers who may never have fought in such a terrain.
By XN Iraki 3 months ago
Of the Sahara, war veteran and effects of climatic change
Cultivating trust: Lessons from my stay in Hamburg
The pervasive lack of trust within society, whether directed towards the government, neighbours, spouses, or even children, has become an undeniable issue.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Cultivating trust: Lessons from my stay in Hamburg
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Why open-air cooking in the city is becoming the in-thing
Open-air "hotels" have become a distinctive feature of our capital city. These establishments cater to individuals on the move, particularly those commuting to or from work.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Why open-air cooking in the city is becoming the in-thing
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State of the Nation address and deflated expectations
Though the speech addressed issues dear to us, it left no doubt that the government has finally faced its economic moment of truth. We hope after that; things can only get better.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
State of the Nation address and deflated expectations
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Why the 60th anniversary of our Uhuru seems muted
The zoom effect seems to have become a permanent feature of our economy, mostly muting. Why is the 60th anniversary of our uhuru (independence) so muted?
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Why the 60th anniversary of our Uhuru seems muted
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Rite of passage for boys is the newest business in town
Entrepreneurs have seen a gap in that market. They form groups where they hire premises like schools for that purpose. The other key players are churches. Why the new business?
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Rite of passage for boys is the newest business in town
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Why raging debate on tax is not ending soon
The debate over tax will not end, pushed by our leaders and concessional lenders like IMF only that we are not paying enough attention to the unintended consequences of over taxation.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Why raging debate on tax is not ending soon
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Why most colonial powers are now trying to come to terms with the past
Calls for apologies and reparations over the slave trade have also been rife. Some say the black lives matter movement has given this call a new impetus.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Why most colonial powers are now trying to come to terms with the past
Got a great business idea? What are you waiting for?
Hustlers are good at offering everything to everyone, they know what does well in what season. They know what are necessities or luxuries.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Got a great business idea? What are you waiting for?
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Our scholars should learn from the diode
I know a number of Nobel Prize winners in economics who did part of their research in Kenya. Examples include Elinor Ostrom (2009) and Michael Kremer (2019).
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Our scholars should learn from the diode
My mixed feelings on King Charles III visit to Kenya
British-owned or linked firms still own lots of assets in Kenya, from companies to plantations. They would have been owning more had the economy not been liberalised in the 1990s.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
My mixed feelings on King Charles III visit to Kenya
Will the high cost of living take us back to the basics?
During periods of crisis, our true self emerges. I recall seeing Americans cry during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Will the high cost of living take us back to the basics?
We have options on reducing the cost of living
Pending bills should be paid. They are holding our economy hostage by reducing the speed of money circulation. Why do we fail to pay for work done or services rendered?
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
We have options on reducing the cost of living
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Land, love and a romantic ending to a 97-year grudge
History is fascinating. Sixty-six years later after 1927, I found myself working at Komothai. That is the trigger that made him share the story of his sojourns.
By XN Iraki 4 months ago
Land, love and a romantic ending to a 97-year grudge
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Nairobi will only get richer at expense of other counties
As long as Nairobi is open, attracts the talented, welcomes them and allows them to test their ideas, the city will remain wealthy, with a dark side, inequality.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Nairobi will only get richer at expense of other counties
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Traffic jams are back, and it's not just cars
The car owners have few alternatives beyond walking, buses or matatus. The convenience of the car is addictive. After using public means you realise the car was not that 'expensive'.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Traffic jams are back, and it's not just cars
The sad economics of war
Suddenly, Ukraine is now in the background just like Sudan. The focus is now on Israel and its conflicts with Palestinians. Yet war is war, with both physical and emotional devastation.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
The sad economics of war
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Why supermarket owners should not sit pretty
It's in supermarkets that the diversity of the Kenyan nation comes out. Every tribe, gender, age and nationality is represented in the supermarkets.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Why supermarket owners should not sit pretty
Economics of the boy child: A response to Chief Justice
Does it surprise you that the region most affected by boy child problem has a legacy of Mau Mau, where men are subjugated through detention and other forms of humiliation?
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Economics of the boy child: A response to Chief Justice
Letter from Ghana and the making of its nationhood
Accra did not surprise me after five years. The friendliness of the country and the feeling you are welcome could bring in more tourists than the Big Five.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Letter from Ghana and the making of its nationhood
Life is hard enough, stop and smell the flowers, won't you?
Why don't we actively seek natural beauty? It's free and therapeutic. Have you ever spent a minute admiring a flower?
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Life is hard enough, stop and smell the flowers, won't you?
Starehe Girls Centre at 18: When will philanthropy really blossom in Kenya?
Starehe Girls' Centre is now 18. An interesting landmark; 18 marks the age of consent, when one can now do lots of things after childhood.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Starehe Girls Centre at 18: When will philanthropy really blossom in Kenya?
Has the Kenya-China economic relations reached a turning point?
The US and her allies were big on "soft issues" like human rights and democracy. They left out the "hard issues" like roads and rails, which China easily took up.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Has the Kenya-China economic relations reached a turning point?
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Truth be told, boda bodas are not a sign of progress!
The motorbike, also called bodaboda, epitomises our path to modernity. We should now graduate into cars and later planes.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Truth be told, boda bodas are not a sign of progress!
Is Ukraine war reviving wheat growing in Kenya?
Since agriculture is devolved, what incentive are county governments giving farmers to grow new crops or revive old crops? Would have loved to hear from the county officials in this region.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Is Ukraine war reviving wheat growing in Kenya?
The unintended consequences of new taxes and increased oil prices
Economic shocks are not like explosions; they are more like earthquakes with aftershocks. The effects are often felt with a lag, taking months or years.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
The unintended consequences of new taxes and increased oil prices
Uber car vs the bicycle: Who will win the innovation race?
Uber simply makes use of excess resources, yet every economist talks of scarcity! Think of BnB and the excess space in your house; or carpooling.
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Uber car vs the bicycle: Who will win the innovation race?
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Taxes and fuel prices: How high will State take them?
Why are fuel prices skyrocketing, more so when our leaders are away?
By XN Iraki 5 months ago
Taxes and fuel prices: How high will State take them?
Africa's place in G20 and lessons from India, Hanoi
The 2023 group of 20 (G20) meeting ended up as G21 after the African Union was admitted as a permanent member. It was one of the highlights of this year's meeting held in New Delhi, India.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
Africa's place in G20 and lessons from India, Hanoi
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Paradox of free education as seen from a 'hustler's' view
Would co-payment make a difference in education? Would it force parents to be more focused on their children's education? Day schools have a copayment in the form of lunch, which one can skip.
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
Paradox of free education as seen from a 'hustler's' view
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Memories of Uganda and all our tomorrow
The East African or African dream will never be realised when we are so insular. How many Kenyans have interacted with Ugandans or other East Africans?
By XN Iraki 6 months ago
Memories of Uganda and all our tomorrow
KU bus accident: Seven airlifted to Nairobi for treatment
National
By Stephanie Wangari and Hezron Kimari
35 mins ago
Inside Kalonzo's charm offensive in Mt Kenya
Politics
By Ndung’u Gachane
1 hr ago
It's high time we went the lottery way in allocating public sector jobs
Financial Standard
By Macharia Kamau
1 hr ago