The 2010 constitution was intended to transform the lives of Kenya’s minorities and marginalized groups, notably women. But 10 years on, women remain significantly marginalized in Kenya.
@AfricaProg
@ChathamHouse
@Mo_IbrahimFdn
I know we like to joke, but failed systems is genuinely hold so many of us back. Kenya once dominated cricket, volleyball and even swim. Imagine the many lives that would be changed if government was intentional about investing in sport? Instead, we choose corruption. A tragedy.
One of my favourite Kenyanisms is “Sisi wote hapa ni watu wazima”. A statement, threat, boundary, warning and a declaration of war. It really cracks me up 😂
I feel like Africans are negatively attached to humility and I suspect this may be rooted in colonialism. It isn’t a virtue to undersell yourself or your achievements.
I’m convinced that God blesses the delulu. Things tend to always unfold in their favour. The ability to believe in endless possibilities… the universe somehow rewards them for such audaciousness. Their stress levels are also much lower than the pragmatic and realists 😅
My new favourite Kenyanism is:
“Usitufunze Kazi”.
A refusal to be gentrified. A warning. A reminder that we are the experts here and if we needed your opinion, we’d ask for it. Basically, mind your business and face your front/jipe shughuli!
One of my favourite Kenyanisms is “Sisi wote hapa ni watu wazima”. A statement, threat, boundary, warning and a declaration of war. It really cracks me up 😂
High schools have suspended term 2 games, and most Kenyan teams are unable to successfully compete internationally because of inadequate support and funding. Instead of addressing these pressing issues, we create imaginary problems. We are never making it out the hood.
Herein lies the problem. MPs have no business developing anything. The role of an MP is REPRESENTATION and OVERSIGHT. The CDF fund which is unconstitutional, must be defeated. That is the only way we will shift representative politics in Kenya. How can you oversee yourself?
It’s less than three years until the next election, and we don’t have a duly constituted IEBC. Remember, recalling an MP requires filing a petition with the IEBC. This is a manufactured crisis that must be resolved. Constitutional lawyers, it is your time to shine.
It almost feels criminal how we get to enjoy watching dolphins in Wasini when the local community is languishing in poverty. There’s only 1 primary school on Wasini Island and those that make it to High School have to use boats to get to Shimoni. There’s only one dispensary…
White people have summer homes/cabins they go to once a year, and I don't see anyone causing a ruckus about it. Why must everything have a financial ROI? What if the ROI is knowing I have a place to run to when needed or a haven away from the hustle and bustle of life?
The days of arbitrary abductions are long gone. This administration is committed to the rule of law, and any arrests are followed by production in court.
Please remember that less than 3% of sanitary towels and diapers in Kenya are locally manufactured. Therefore, the argument that the proposed tax will only affected imported goods is misleading. Even the cheapest of pads are imported, meaning the costs will still be higher.
I hope that those striving to turn Nairobi into a city of “order and dignity” will remember that Nairobi is more than Karen, Spring Valley, Kilimani and Kileleshwa etc. Other parts of this city are also deserving of street lights, pathways, quiet & clean neighbourhoods.
A lot of Kenyan children will grow up without playgrounds within their radius and I wonder what longterm effects this will have on them socially and physically. The absence of spatial justice (the fair allocation of and access to public goods) will come to haunt us soon
If we don't keep our house in order, Kenya will lose its shine as a viable tourist destination. Investors will also shy from investing in the county.
Take note of this
@WilliamsRuto
@rigathi
@HusseinMohamedg
I hate simple/basic lies. If you're going to dupe me, at least confuse me so much that I sit down and nod in respect. Basic lies mean you don't even respect me enough to be creative. I want to gasp, I want to be bamboozled. Respect me enough to thicken the plot.
Not long ago, public schools like Nairobi Primary, Westlands Primary, etc, were so coveted that political elites would bribe their way into ensuring their children had spots. Today, we speak of good public schools in the past tense, with a sense of regret and nostalgia.
Kenyan artistes really churned out phenomenal albums this year. I don’t remember enjoying Kenyan music as I have this year. My top 10 albums of the year are below. At no. 10, Octopizzo comes in hot. Where he lacks in rhymes, he more than makes up for it in guest features.
Please don't deride or mock Kenyans trying to engage with the Finance Bill in whichever way they can. People are trying to do the best they can with what they have. Many are finding their political voices and bearings. This is a good thing and a step in the right direction.
What a disservice to Kenyans to reduce their protests and pleas to the "work of the opposition" as though Kenyans haven't been shouting at the top of their voices that they are struggling under the weight of all these taxes. It is almost insulting.
As a person who’s grown up in church, I can authoritatively say that the people who struggle the most with accountability are men and women of God. Misappropriation of church funds? Pray for the church. Abuse of power? Pray. Harm? Pray. Those held to account eventually defect…
I don’t know which country this plate represents but his behaviour today at Yaya centre was reprehensible. He refused the standard search, demanded preferential treatment as an “important foreign diplomat”, all the while abusing the guards. The audacity & shamelessness!
Making Kenyans pay to access green public spaces is almost inhumane. This is what spatial inequality and injustice look like- limit public spaces only to those with resources. Public spaces and public goods aren't meant to make a profit; they are meant to serve citizens.
I started sleep training myself about two months ago and my life has changed for the better. Sleeping on a schedule, switching off my devices at a specific time, winding down... life changing. Significantly reduced anxiety, lower stress levels... sleep is important folks.
If any young person comes across this-CHARGE FOR YOUR TIME. Preferably, in dollars. Monetise your time. Usikubali kutumiwa na “kulipwa” na chai ama Pombe. Hata nimekasirika sasa! Ati pombe ama kahawa.
Just landed in Nairobi! Would love to meet with people who work with SMEs, creators, side hustlers, and entrepreneurs to understand the market here. Happy to trade ☕️or 🍻for insights and also to share what I’ve learned working for the same customer based in W. Africa.
A government (National or County) that is actually serious about the well-being of Kenyans, would first publish and then publicise the new zones:
1. What are the residential areas in Nairobi?
2. Which areas will be affected by new regulations?
But no… violence. Must be a kink
I keep saying that our girlie Faith Kipyegon will make a fantastic cover girl for magazines such as Vogue or brand ambassador for luxury brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo. Garmin should also consider making her their ambassador. She has the body, looks and sauce.
A lot of Kenyans don’t even have the time to mourn the loss of livelihoods, businesses or dreams because they’re facing imminent eviction, hunger and depression. The ripple effect of bad governance will be felt for generations to come.
I keep hearing that a lot of MPs (including my own!) fled from their homes and either left the country or are staying in hotels for their “safety”. If leaving is always an option for politicians, what incentive would they have to fight for conditions that ensure safety for all?
I could be wrong, but I think Mercy Myra was Kenya’s first real Pop Princess. I hope she’s thriving wherever she is and that she knows that she really truly was a star! (Special mention to K-South who did great on this track and were also fantastic storytellers and artists!) ✨💫
Also, now that it’s unfortunately clear that the Wash Wash industry is here to stay, perhaps you can encourage your aunties and uncles to expand their scope beyond salons and car bazaars and perhaps invest in the music and film industry like yahoo boys in Nigeria.
We really glamorise entrepreneurship in Kenya as the key to self actualisation and the answer to unemployment, and it makes me believe that (1) we don’t have enough honest conversations with the entrepreneurs around us & (2) we believe we can out earn poor governance.
One of the major things I have learnt in the last two years is that you can't shift harmful narratives by countering them. The more you counter something, the more it is reinforced. The only way to shift a harmful narrative is through crowding in new narratives. Shift focus
My house manager has been unknowingly taking opioids for the last week for a recurring headache. She received these over the counter at a local pharmacy. I rushed her to Mbagathi hospital today after noticing she had a glassy gaze. The doctor wasn’t shocked and said it’s becoming
It's a bit terrifying how easy it is to access medicines with opioids and morphine without a prescription in many pharmacies in Kenya. I may be paranoid, but this is a health crisis waiting to happen.
Last night, a Boda rammed into me and it was an extremely scary experience. Luckily, a man and his lovely wife came to my rescue, parked their car and stayed with me until the entire ordeal was done. Unexpected kindness and grace saved my life.
Lee Njiru’s attempt at being Gossip Girl™️ was extremely underwhelming! I was expecting explosive intrigue but instead got a man constantly self congratulating, with limited self awareness and perpetuating stereotypes (while insisting that he saw beyond tribe-tsk tsk!) 2/10
What is even more heartbreaking about yesterday is the glaring evidence of failed public systems. A functioning county government should have a rescue team so that citizens aren’t tasked with the brutal responsibility of retrieving dead bodies. Can you imagine the trauma?
Red Ginger is one of the few restaurants in Nairobi that’s both aesthetically pleasing and serves delicious food. The architect(s) did a fantastic job.
Tafadhali
@KenyaAirways
you are our official flag carrier. Let this reflect this in your entertainment. There should be a specific section on Kenyan films and tv shows and one tab on Kenyan music only. We are more than our wildlife and safaris. Please support our creative economy
I love this so much. Also,
@OlympicsKe
, please share what steps have been taken to ensure our athletes' well-being (financially, physically, and emotionally) before and during
#ParisOlympics2024
. Also, what is the difference in per diem between the athletes and delegates?
@AbabuNamwamba
if the list of the delegation to the Olympics is not made public prior to
#ParisOlympics2024
we will be exposing the delegates in Paris one by one over here asking them whether they are there by merit. Remember we have a better relationship with athletes than you,
I would really like to read a book on Ngilu-the good and the ugly. Few politicians (across gender) can match her political game. She knows when she’s losing and what to do to regroup. Her political journey is a very very interesting one. Rarely has she made a miscalculation.
As a btw, don't believe the lies that Nairobi isn't the city for romance and love. Tuesday night had lovers walking hand in hand! Most restaurants were at capacity and had waiting lines. Seeing old and young couples alike bask in romance, was a beautiful sight to behold!
The Kenya Bus Service (KBS) was once a great example of a working public transportation system. There was order and the connections were endless. Then came Citi Hoppa which changed the face of PSVs (for the worse). Privatisation of a public good, led us to where we are now.
In my hunt for a house manager, I’ve spoken to ladies who are very self aware and refuse to be underpaid and overworked. I really love this for domestic workers and I hope that this becomes the norm.
Every time I’m at the airport, I bump into many confused (often young) women headed to work in unknown jobs in the UAE. They have little to no information about what lies ahead, but the overall sentiment is clear:anything is better than the poverty at home. Heartbreaking
I went down the Oxycontin rabbit hole after Dopesick and Painkiller, and for the life of me, I don't understand how not a single member of the Sackler family is in jail.
Why are these statements all unsigned??? Like is it ghosts operating these government entities? Why is this communication faceless? Who is taking responsibility and accountability?
Even with duty free products, they charge if you have more than one bottle of perfume or alcohol. Apparently duty free products bought abroad don’t apply here-we must still pay tax. An extremely unnecessary and hostile experience.
If you are coming to Kenya via
@JKIA
please don't carry electronics. Either you pay 63%! of the market value or leave the item. I've seen guys crying at the arrivals section. Imagine being charged 150k
My only contention with “vote better in 2027” is the focus only on elections. There are political processes beyond the ballot, where we are entitled to engage and where our voices should be heard. Our rights transcend election day. We aren't only meant to be heard every 5 years!
I've been thinking about these young men and women a lot. We've robbed Kenyans of free public spaces/third spaces where they can create, unwind, and build community. There are no public social halls, no free parks, no free empty spaces. Now we have to pay to be near nature.
This is an MCA, representing Kileleshwa Ward. What we need to hear from him is what steps he and his colleagues are taking to shift this tide. He can’t be lamenting with all of us. Is there a petition in court? Is there a motion at the assembly? What’s steps are our reps taking?
Rivers in Nairobi were downgraded into streams illegally by those in charge of planning.
Now we have many homes built next to rivers so flooded.
Walls have collapsed all over.
Good people, just listen to common sense. Don’t go against nature. It will fight back.
I introduced a young family member to Whitney's music and he responded with "she's just mid". Whitney. Elizabeth. Houston. Mid? This is my villain origin story.
My 13 year old neighbour is washing cars to make some extra pocket money and his charging system is quite fascinating! The cheaper the make, the less he charges. When I asked why, he shrugged and said:
“If they could afford to drive better, they would” I… 💀💀💀
Getting a good cup of tea in Nairobi is becoming more elusive. Imagine my delightful surprise when I discovered Chaiiwali. The Karak and Saffron chai were so good. I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed a cup of tea in Nairobi as much as I did last night.
Manufactured consent is increasingly becoming the norm in Kenyan politics. Kenyan media is complicit in its failure to question life altering policies such as exporting Kenyans abroad for work. Somehow, we’re beginning to believe that this is the only solution to unemployment.
We need to reject mediocrity in public service delivery. Publish the names behind projects: who was the approving authority? Who was the person(s) working on the project? If you're proud of your work, stand on business.
Hikers are always like, “l almost died, almost lost my leg, was disoriented and passed out, sprained my ankle, almost went blind, BUT it was the best experience of my life! The views were worth it!’ Like? 😂
If you're going to report about and write about this election, I implore you to avoid the usual stereotypes and harmful narratives. Kenyans aren't a monolith and we deserve dignity when you write and speak about us. Don't be lazy!
There’s a Kikuyu saying: “Ndugu nĩ makinya” loosely translated to mean that friendship is about going the distance/taking steps. You must invest in community to get the benefits of community. Love and support aren’t convenient. This season has been a pleasant reminder for me.
My Uber driver told me the same thing the other day. He and his wife have one meal a day at night. I just sat there in silence as he matter-of-factly shared that he'd resigned to his fate. They were knee-deep in debt, not because of gambling but to keep their business afloat.
I'm sitting with a man who is telling me how he has trained himself to go with one meal a day because the economy is so bad.
Meanwhile your president is out here cosplaying stability/development for white people.
We are dying Sir, have some shame.
Let Kenyans mourn. We don't need reminders that we are great/resilient etc. We need to know that our pain matters, and that it really is okay not to be okay. We have collective trauma as a Nation and we need to begin addressing it.
There's a lovely chocolatier in Kerarapon (the shops by the shell petrol station) that sells what's slowly becoming my favourite Kenyan chocolate-Grace Chocolaterie.
Community for sure. My mum is baffled by the fact that I only know one neighbour. As I get older, I see the dangers of this type of isolation. Beyond friendships, there’s a wealth of beauty, support and joy, in integrating with those around us.
One of the hardest things about this adulting thing is that often, I have to face myself and admit that sometimes, I am the problem and I need to either make peace with that or make the changes needed.
If we’re going by this, can we first compensate and reward former cricketers who consistently put Kenya on the map? Hockey players, the Kenya rugby team that’s gone months without pay, the volleyball team… can we check what communities they hail from and reward them too?
First born daughters, always remember that we are NOT the favourite child. That chaotic middle one who plays by their own rules or the last born who is carefree… that is where the power lies 😂 Look at us…all that people pleasing and nothing! 😂😂😂😂
Surely, what reimagined history is this? Cleopatra wasn’t black. She was Macedonian from the Ptolemaic Kingdom- none of the Ptolemaics were black. At best she was probably of South Slavic and Persian origin. African history is rich enough, we don’t need false narratives.
From Executive Producer
@jadapsmith
comes a new docuseries exploring the lives of iconic African queens.
QUEEN CLEOPATRA follows the story of Cleopatra, one of the world’s most famous and misunderstood woman.
QUEEN CLEOPATRA is available to stream May 10 only on Netflix
Now asking for a functioning country is deemed “middle class conveniences”. You can’t keep using poor people as a shield to avoid dealing with failed and broken policies. Being Kenyan is being in a permanent state of exhaustion and frustration.
I suspect that one of the reasons Kenyan journalists struggle with analysis and only report verbatim without question is that a lot of media houses are hiring inexperienced (and often more affordable) journalists and giving them tasks they’re unprepared for. Essentially…
While it is important to grieve things we have lost, hope deferred etc, I think it is equally important to ensure that the things we grieve do not become our identity and rob us of the things that still can be, of possibilities. May we not become like the things that have died
We rarely talk about the impact of having people bet on us/take a chance on us, even as we continue to do the work. It’s life changing. Forever thankful for those who’ve done that for me.
My neighbour’s (9 year old) daughter has been inviting me over for Iftar and I’ve been politely declining until today, when she showed up at my doorstep with her mum to personally invite me! It was the cutest thing! Needless to say, best meal I’ve had in weeks! Ramadan Mubarak!
The entry fee for Nairobi Arboretum shot up from Kshs 65 to Kshs 100 in less than six months, making it even more inaccessible to many Kenyans. Soon, children will grow up not knowing what parks look like because only a few will afford to pay and enjoy green spaces.
CDF is a dragon we all need to slay. MPs are beholden to the executive as the funds are the easiest way to campaign for reelection and the easiest way to misappropriate funds. Many of us unknowingly & wrongfully judge MPs by their projects and not by representation in Parliament
Herein lies the problem. MPs have no business developing anything. The role of an MP is REPRESENTATION and OVERSIGHT. The CDF fund which is unconstitutional, must be defeated. That is the only way we will shift representative politics in Kenya. How can you oversee yourself?
We don’t need another mall. Why can’t they build playgrounds and charge a fee or bike parks? Why is the imagination so limited to malls, boutiques or salons? I’m not cognisant with the wash wash mechanics but surely we can think outside the box, even just a little?
New mall coming up, on Ngong Road, at the vacant parcel opposite
@KenyaHarlequins
.
We need a moratorium on the construction of fuel stations and malls along Ngong Road.
Some potential CSs vetted yesterday showed little proof of distinguished professional careers or a history of industries built to justify their wealth. It was mostly “Ni God Manze” and Abracadabra. The MPs didn’t probe deeper because they, too, are in the abracadabra business.
Why is it difficult for children born into wealth to admit that this had a role in their journey towards success? Why the gymnastics to prove that they are just like everyone else? Own your privilege-it doesn't dilute your achievements
Now when you conflate church and State, you create an untameable monster that constantly urges you to “pray for your leaders” rather than “persecute” them. Any quest for accountability will be met with calls for prayer and honour and those that push back will be labelled heathens
I was taken on an amazing lunch adventure to Calif. The biryani was 🔥🔥 and it was affordable too! The passion juice was also the hidden star of the show. 10/10 recommend! Bonus: I got to see where Calif Records was-the rich history of that studio should be documented and shared