Post Saba Saba day, allegations of an attempted coup, calls for police to shoot or maim looters, and mass arrests have raised serious concerns about the government's response to public dissent. How can the current tension be de-escalated?

By tabling the Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2025, ODM Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has stirred another national beehive. Critics argue the bill curtails the right to assembly and youth are now threatening to salamia her and MPs who support it. With fresh protests planned for Saba Saba Day on Monday, 7 July, what are the bill’s merits and drawbacks?

Tuesday’s street anarchy in Nairobi had me scrambling for dusty copies of the Commission on Inquiry, Ransley and Kriegler reports on 2007/2008 Post Election Violence. Within 72 hours, key figures accused of coordinating the mayhem had criticised the violence, some instigators had apologised, and several national and international voices had condemned the six hours of carnage. What happened to rapidly de-escalate the situation?

As East Africa’s Finance Ministers unveiled their budgets this week, the region’s top philanthropic funders met in Kigali amid growing uncertainty in global development financing. For all that gathered, it was clear that without bold, innovative action, development financing faces an uncertain future.

Despite the Kenyan Government’s silence, the detailed accounts of East African human rights defenders Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire at the hands of Tanzanian police officers remains deeply disturbing one week on. Their courage to tell all has opened the world’s eyes to some of the worst human rights abuses in East Africa. The veil lifted, this week international attention shifted to the persecution of prominent religious leaders who have dared to criticize the Governme

One of Kenya’s most famous freedom writers Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (87) died on Wednesday 28 May. As tributes from diverse quarters flood our timelines, I found myself reflecting on his relevance for our lives today.

The detention, torture, and deportation of Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire have spotlighted the Tanzanian government's pre-election authoritarian tactics, sparked international condemnation and concern and ignited a broader discussion on the role and necessity of international trial observers and defense counsel.

World Press Freedom Day and the Media Council Annual Summit this week highlighted the resilience of Kenya's fourth estate. The publication of a new media code of conduct is timely, given the regular criticism and the current challenges the industry faces.

On Thursday 15 May, the world marks the United Nations International Day of Families on Thursday 15 May. How can we ensure our focus remains on the challenges facing Kenyan families, rather than being diverted by narrow agendas funded by foreign interests?

The release of BBC “Blood Parliament” documentary and the Amnesty International 2024-2025 Kenya report whipped up a political storm this week. Accusations of bad faith completely miss the point. Victim centered thinking knows, only justice, not amnesia, heals national wounds.

While some attempted to downplay the danger of using state security agencies to muzzle the Butere High School play recently, most recognised the threat it posed to our academic and artistic freedoms. This very issue continues to play out very dramatically in the United States, a country with a long history of academic freedom, in ways we can admire and emulate.

Millions of lives depend on public healthcare investment, stemming corruption, and protecting health as a human right. Let’s ensure preventable diseases don’t claim more lives.