A High Court ruling this week declaring safe abortion a constitutional right has massive implications for hundreds of thousands of women and girls with unintended pregnancies. The ruling stems back to a ban arbitrarily placed on reproductive health care services provided by Marie Stopes International Kenya.

16 days of activism against gender-based violence ended on Wednesday, which was also International Human Rights Day. That horrific “initiation” gang rape in Meru reaffirmed how far we are from a society that keeps all women and girls dignified and safe. Less visible however, is how sexual violence and trauma that follows, affects Kenyan men and boys.

The High Court has struck down the President’s Panel of Experts on compensating victims of protest-related state violence. Survivors and families should not lose hope. Justice Edward Muriithi has outlined a fair path forward for all parties.

It is the system that has been built to serve a few that fuelled young Kenyan citizens’ anger over the past year. Will Kenya Kwanza act on Oxfam’s findings and policy lifeline or repeat last year’s crisis? The clock ticks.

Recent reports reveal that digital technologies are being weaponized by states to suppress active citizens. If this threatens constitutional freedoms and risks undermining an open, thriving digital economy, how do we compel both states and telecom companies to uphold our right to privacy and free expression?

The 27 November by-elections have all the signs of a mini General Elections. Given that our two neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda governments have provided clear evidence how not to prepare for elections, can the Kenyan authorities demonstrate any difference?

Described as having lost “its innocence” by the Citizen News Gang, Tanzania is in a political meltdown. After days of internet shutdowns, blackouts and curfews, the truth is slowly beginning to shine through state’s efforts to censor or control information. With this, comes credible concerns about the conditions of Tanzanian protesters and Kenyans caught up in the violence.

With the Aga Khan University's study on femicide related media coverage can we ask why the Gender-Based Violence Technical Working Group Report remains shelved in the Office of the Deputy President?

Kenyan citizens Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi were abducted in broad daylight by uniformed officers in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. Since then, they have simply vanished. Uganda’s police and military deny involvement, and the Kenyan government has gone silent. Are we witnessing a return to Idi Amin’s terror or does the 1986 NRM promise of justice and human rights have any legs left three months before the January 2026 general elections?

To truly honour Raila Odinga’s legacy, East African leaders must uphold the human rights values he championed and end the violence that scarred his life, family, and cause. Rest in Power, Jakom.

Nairobi South Ward MCA Hon. Waithera Chege’s reading of a motion this week to commemorate the life of late Pheroze Nowrojee (1941–2025) by naming a road after him was well received by community associations and residents in the city. I urge our city leaders and residents to honour his impact and support this tribute to one of our greatest and most humble of sons.

With the resumption of continuous voter registration on 29 September, seven by-elections set for 27 November, the scramble for the next generation of honest leaders is on. As Kaggia hits the stage later next week, it allows us to ask the very topical question: What would Kenya be, if our leaders were not corrupt?