Category: Opinion

By Michael Mundia Kamau.

“Mboch” means servant in Giriama. The Giriama are a Kenyan community mainly found at the Kenyan coast, and the Giriama are part of Kenya’s larger Mji Kenda community, Mji Kenda meaning Nine Communities.

The other eight Mji Kenda communities are the Digo, Jibana, Kambe, Chonyi, Duruma, Kauma, Rabai and Ribe.

I belong to different Kenyan generations, aged about 55 years and above today in the year 2024, that were taught about the Mji Kenda, as well as all other Kenyan communities, when we were in primary school, in the now “ancient” seven-six-three (7-6-3) education system, namely:

1. Seven years in primary school after which was sat, in Standard 7, the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE). The last CPE was sat in 1983;

2. Six years in secondary school/high school, broken down into two, that is:

(i). Form 1 to Form 4 (O-Level), after which was sat, in Form 4, the Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE). The last KCE was sat in 1987;

(ii). Form 5 and Form 6 (A-Level), after which was sat, in Form 6, the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE). The last KACE was sat in 1989;

3. Three years of training/education at a tertiary institution;

At least four well known Kenyans, today in 2024, who sat the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE), the Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE), and the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE), are:

1. H.E. (Dr.) William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya;

3. H.E. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya;

4. H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya;

5. H.E. Dorcas Rigathi, Second Lady of the Republic of Kenya;

In the days of the first East African Community of 1967 to 1977, the Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE) was known as the East African Certificate of Education (EACE), and the same EACE was sat by Form 4 students (O-Level students) in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

In the days too of the first East African Community of 1967 to 1977, the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) was known as the East African Advanced Certificate of Education (EAACE), and the same EAACE was sat by Form 6 students (A-Level students) in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The last EACE was sat in 1978, and the last EAACE too was also sat in 1978.

Kenya’s current Prime Cabinet Secretary, H.E. Musalia Mudavadi was in Form 6 in 1979, and therefore sat the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE).

H.E. Musalia Mudavadi was in Form 4 in 1977, and therefore sat the East African Certificate of Education (EACE).

The current Speaker of the Kenya Parliament, Hon. Moses Wetangula, is slightly older than H.E. Musalia Mudavadi, and in his case, Hon. Moses Wetangula, in his time, sat both the East African Certificate of Education (EACE), and the East African Advanced Certificate of Education (EAACE).

Kenya’s current Attorney-General, Hon. Justin Muturi, in his time, also sat both the East African Certificate of Education (EACE), and the East African Advanced Certificate of Education (EAACE).

Those times seem so distant now.

In my interactions over the years, I have sometimes mentioned different things my generation were taught in primary school, such as about the Mji Kenda and other different Kenyan communities, to the shock and surprise of different people I have interacted with over the years.

The seven-six-three (7-6-3) education system was a good education system, not a perfect one, but a good one, though in saying so, I am not advocating for a return back to the seven-six-three (7-6-3) education system.

Also, what we today know as the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), was known as Voice of Kenya (VOK) from 1964 to 1989.

From 1928 to 1964, what we today know as the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), was known as the Kenya Broadcasting Service (KBS).

The Kenya Broadcasting Service (KBS), and Voice of Kenya (VOK), were a State owned monopoly in Kenya from 1928 to 1989.

In the 1960s, the 1970s and the 1980s, Voice of Kenya (VOK) Radio, through the Educational Media Service (EMS) of the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE), transmitted radio lessons, across Kenya, in both Kiswahili and English, between 10:00 a.m. in the morning and 12:00 noon, on weekdays, and between 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon and 4:00 p.m. in the evening, on weekdays.

These radio lesson broadcasts on Voice of Kenya (VOK) Radio back in the 1960s, the 1970s and the 1980s, were of great benefit to many Kenyans in different parts of the country, and were another bolster for the Kenyan education system back in those days. Some of those Voice of Kenya (VOK) radio lessons, back then, even taught the French language (French for beginners).

Quite a number of teachers in different parts of Kenya back then, regularly simply brought radios to class and switched them on during the Voice of Kenya (VOK) radio lesson broadcasts.

Voice of Kenya (VOK) Radio back in those days, also broadcast Adult Literacy lessons from about 7:30 p.m. in the evening on weekdays.

Like I say, those times seem so distant now. Nevertheless, either the “Daily Nation,” the “Saturday Nation,” or the “Sunday Nation,” could consider publishing this letter in public interest.

The Kenyan education system is currently in turmoil and maybe we can all help move the Kenyan education system forward, by looking back and borrowing from the past, such as the Voice of Kenya (VOK) radio lesson broadcasts of the 1960s, the 1970s, and the 1980s.

Former Chairperson of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Makau Mutua, has criticized the sentencing of Joseph Irungu, popularly known as ‘Jowie’, to death for the 2018 murder of Monica Kimani.

Commenting on the matter on Thursday, Mutua asserted that the death penalty has no place in modern society and is contrary to Kenya’s Constitution.

While delivering the sentence on Wednesday, Justice Grace Nzioka indicated that the nature of the killing warranted the highest penalty.

She stated that Jowie was ineligible for rehabilitation as the crime was beyond restitution.

However, Mutua contested the imposition of the sentence saying it contradicts the principles and legal philosophy enshrined in Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.

“It’s [death penalty] jurisprudentially inconsistent with the logic, values, and legal philosophy that undergird Kenya’s 2010 Constitution,” he said.

He argued that regardless of the brutality of the crime, the death penalty remains morally, practically, and philosophically indefensible.

Mutua added that the death penalty does not bring back the victim or deter future killers.

He further added that the death penalty is “vengeful, primitive, and callous” and does not benefit society in any way.

“An eye for an eye makes the entire society blind,” he added.

Kenya is one of 22 African countries that still has the death penalty in its statutes, even though it hasn’t carried out any executions in more than three decades.

Kenya last effected the death sentence in 1987, when prison authorities hanged Hezekiah Ochuka after he was convicted of treason over the 1982 coup attempt.

Currently, 120 countries throughout the world, including 25 in Africa, have abolished the death penalty.

As a result, Kenya is categorized by the United Nations as being “abolitionist de facto,” which refers to a nation that has not executed a convict in at least 10 years.

Penal Code reform

A 2023 report released by the Kenya National Commission on Human Right (KNCHR) indicated that there are over 600 inmates in Kenya who are on death row.

The report dubbed “living with a death sentence in Kenya: prisoners experience of crime, punishment and death row,” launched in January 2023, states that many more prisoners have been sentenced to death in the past decades but have had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

In October 2023, Chief Justice Martha Koome presented two bills to Parliament, the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) 2023 in a move to reform Kenya’s criminal justice system.

The proposed legislation aims to reduce sentences for individuals facing life imprisonment, particularly those convicted of capital offenses to 30 years.

Under the current Kenyan Penal Code, which was drafted in the 1930s, individuals found guilty of murder, robbery with violence, or treason can face the death penalty.

Further, the Bill seeks to cascade the offences of murder and robbery to ensure commensurate punishment for the different offences and to amend the provisions relating to mandatory death penalty in compliance with the judgements of the High Court on the prevailing human rights standards.

The Penal Code reform seeks to incorporate language that aligns with human rights standards, particularly concerning individuals with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities.

In the proposal, Koome is banking on Parliament to approve a change to Section 112A of the Penal Code in subsection (4) that replaces the word “manslaughter” with the words “second-degree murder.”

By Maxwell Juma

As long as there are no eyewitnesses to a murder case that you are facing, then use all the money you have in this world to prove your “innocence” and here’s why:

First and foremost, our justice system is designed to protect you – the innocent. So the standard of proof is very high, and one can only be convicted when the prosecution proves its case beyond reasonable doubt. The system is designed to ensure that you are not convicted unless your guilt has been proven beyond any possible question. If you raise one pertinent question – you are a free man.

Raising that question is not easy, but if you use enough money, then it somewhat becomes easy. Let me tell you how;

First, you have to understand the repercussions of a criminal record, it extends beyond the courtroom, potentially impacting your freedom, your sex life, your family, your employment and well, your future opportunities. Recognizing these stakes should be motivation enough for you to use all the resources you have to build a robust defence.

The first step to doing this is to hire a skilled lawyer who will help you assemble your dream team. A dream team in this context can be a law firm with adequate facilities and enough human resources to work on your case.

The second step is to pay your lawyer well enough to be motivated to help you raise that doubt. There are a number of people working on your case; we have the lead lawyer, the second chair lawyer, associates, paralegals, secretaries, pupils, private investigators, among others. Keep in mind that there are two types of Criminal Lawyers in Kenya:

1. The ethical defender – Louis Litt
2. The zealous lawyer – Harvey Specter

The Ethical Defense Lawyer is one who stands up for justice with Integrity. They don’t care whether you win or lose. They are just there to ensure that you are given a fair trial.

The Zealous Advocate goes to the pits of hell to secure your victory. They go above and beyond. You need this kinda lawyer.

The third step is to pay enough money to facilitate your case. We call them disbursement fees. If you are facing a murder case, just drain your bank account and hand it over to your lawyer. They will use whatever they use and give you back whatever is left. Lawyers are good people.

Here’s how your money is going to be used to help you raise that doubt:

1. Thorough Trial Preparation:

Before a trial begins, thorough preparation is essential for a strong defence. Your lawyers will meticulously review all evidence, from emails to police reports, and they will use this information to create motions in limine, propose voir dire, and prepare exhibit and witness lists. This comprehensive process demands significant hours, reflecting the commitment needed to ensure a fair trial. If this process is done speedily or wrongly, things will get wrong.

2. The Cost of Witnesses and Experts:

After preparation, your lawyer will formulate a defence strategy and a theme, subsequently, he will assemble a team of ideal witnesses to dance to the tune of your theme.

Witnesses play a crucial role in establishing facts, but their involvement comes at a cost. Let’s assume you are facing a murder charge that no one saw you commit (just like in Jowie and Jackie Maribe’s case). You will need a lot of expert witnesses to recreate the scene. The prosecution will need to paint a picture of what really happened since no one saw it. They will put you in the middle of the scene (wewe ndio stero). Your witnesses will try to deconstruct this scene. Some of these witnesses will include medical professionals, actors, forensics experts, photograph experts, Knife experts, and handwriting analysts. All of these people will try to help you present a compelling defence. The expenses tied to hiring these experts can be substantial. More so, some of these witnesses come with their props to court to demonstrate. More expense.

In OJ Simpson case, the defence presented a total of 58 witnesses. Mind you, this is a murder that not a single soul in this world witnessed being committed, only the dog saw it. OJ ended up using KES 400 Million to defend it, and the government used KES 900 Million to prosecute it.

3. Logistical fees:

Securing witnesses can pose logistical challenges, particularly if a key eyewitness has relocated. The expenses related to transporting, housing, and feeding them throughout the trial can be significant. Additionally, the need for law enforcement escorts or protection details further escalates overall costs. Some witnesses would want to be protected.

4. Time-Intensive Investigations:

Serious trials, including those involving the death penalty or life imprisonment, demand extensive time investments. Investigating, interviewing potential witnesses, and researching legal aspects are crucial steps in building a robust defence. This time-intensive process, both inside and outside the courtroom, underscores the complexity of mounting a thorough defence. Lawyers need to prep their witnesses well enough before they get on the stand. We normally create mock trials to help them overcome their stage fright and also prepare them for what’s to come. To achieve this, a lot of money has to be used.

5. Private Investigators and Additional Costs:

In certain cases, private investigators are enlisted to explore witness backgrounds for impeachment purposes. However, these services come at a steep price, potentially reaching KES. 100,000/= per witness. Moreover, some cases may require props and actors to recreate scenes, adding another layer of expense to the defence strategy.

Understanding the financial intricacies of criminal trials reveals the critical role of money in proving innocence. As individuals strive to defend their freedom within an imperfect legal system, investing in a comprehensive defence becomes paramount. While the costs may seem overwhelming, it is an essential investment in securing a fair trial and upholding the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. In the pursuit of justice, recognizing and addressing the financial challenges inherent in criminal trials is an indispensable step towards a more equitable legal system.

Disclaimer

This is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.

The writer is a lawyer.

By Silas Nyanchwani 

Undoubtedly, Kenya’s mainstream media organizations are in trouble. Big trouble. They have been since 2015.

Losses, profit warnings, periodic laying off the staff, and a general attitude of distrust from the public have become the norm. Only SK Macharia’s Royal Media seems to be having a good time, even as the next three or four giants sink in losses and into oblivion.

This is a far cry from the 2005-15 period when the media organizations were profitable, enjoyed institutional credibility, and journalists were some of the biggest names in the public sphere. TV personalities were big names. Louis Otieno. Julie Gichuru. Cathering Kasavuli (bless her soul). Janet Mbugua. Sophie Ikenye. Tom Mboya. You name them.

Newspaper circulation was high. Newspaper columnists were an institution unto themselves. Mutahi Ngunyi, anyone? Magazines almost became part of middle-class reading culture. Drum. True Love. Adam. And a dozen other more.

The newspaper sector is significantly affected, followed by television and some radio departments in different organizations that have either been shut down, their programming shrunk, and almost all have failed to keep up with the digital media onslaught from bloggers, YouTubers, and Social Media personalities. It is the same trend globally.

However, in a fair world, local press must not be allowed to die. As Ted Malanda, a one-time editor at The Standard, media said that local press(media, a newspaper, or a radio) is the first source of authentic news to the public, and if the local media were vibrant, a tragedy like what happened in Shakahola would have been avoided since an alarm would have been raised much earlier.

The mainstream media has been outdone, outshined, and displaced, and every passing day tends to bring their death sentence nearer.

The decline of mainstream media in Kenya started in 2015. A combination and conflation of several factors heralded a new era of sharp declines in profitability for mainstream media, made worse by the slow response of managers to the new realities at mainstream media organizations. Most managers were surprisingly (really ironically) Luddites. I used to write a popular column in one of the tabloids. Many people would request the column from me, but it could only be availed online a week later because the boss wanted people to buy the hard copy of the newspaper. This was in 2016 when everyone wanted to win the eyeballs on the Internet.

Usually, people used to share screenshots of the column and I always wondered, what if the article was shared online and the media found a way to lure advertisers to the digital space?

The first nail in the coffin of mainstream media in Kenya came in 2013. With a new regime led by Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, most media players may have been mistaken that the young duo, calling themselves “digital, ” would be friendly to the media. However, the duo turned out to be a PR-loving bunch with zero work ethic worth of praise from the media. Coupled with many corruption scandals, the media became overly critical. Provoking the president to call newspapers “Gazeti ni la kufunga nyama” (newspapers are for wrapping meat at the butcher’s shop). This eroded the media’s credibility, especially among his voters, who felt the criticism was undeserved. And being vengeful, a few sycophants thought the press had to be tamed.

Gagging the media in a democracy that had enjoyed freedom for almost a decade would have been tricky. Rounding up journalists and throwing them in jail or killing them was going to attract the ire of the international community. Those are not good optics for a government obsessed with PR. This is not to say that journalists were not being harassed.

However, someone figured out an even better solution. See, the government used to advertise in newspapers, and the mainstream media extracted up to 30 percent (some estimate up to 40 percent) of their profits from doing business with the government. Someone decided to take this away by creating a centralized government advertising agency where all government adverts and tenders are advertised through a newsletter in the dailies. The bureaucrats argued that it was part of the austerity initiatives to save the government a coin. Well, they did. And the money that was saved was allegedly stolen.

With the credibility badly shaken and the government money gone, newspapers had no choice but to lay off their best journalists because they could no longer afford them. In their place, younger, inexperienced journalists were employed, which only helped a few media organizations.

By 2017, the media was in HDU.

Something worse happened during the 2017 elections that further dented the media’s credibility.

On election day of 2017, this drunkard, salt-of-the-earth man went and queued to vote for his favorite candidate (presumably the incumbent, given the voter’s name and his looks, pardon the profiling). He had carried food for the day, namely githeri ( a boiled mix of corn and beans favored by Central Kenya folk, where the then president hails from). The man became the symbol of the election and the determination of voters from Central Kenya to vote for their favorite candidate.

The man who later earned the moniker Githeri Man became a national meme, ubiquitous everywhere as his photo was photoshopped into pictures of prominent people or occasions. He became a running gag because of the media’s fixation with him. In fairness to the press, they were silently gagged by the powers-that-be, and with nothing to report on, they became fixated on the Githeri Man.

Half of the nation that didn’t vote for President Uhuru in an election that the Supreme Court annulled (a first in Africa and third in the world) felt insulted by the images of the Githeri Man, who became a symbol of voters’ determination to vote. If the Jubilee voters loathed the media for being too critical of Uhuru and Ruto, the opposition hated the media for the cavalier coverage of the 2017 elections. Unknown to the public was the fact that the Kenyan media is not entirely independent. Both in terms of ownership and government meddling, it is a far more complex relationship. And like that, the media lost trust with both sides of the electorate.

But whereas the above factors changed the course of the Kenyan media landscape for the worse, there were other factors beyond the control of the media organizations.

Chief among them is the expansion of the social media space and the growth of the Internet.

Social Media has been highly disruptive. And the media, rather than latching onto it, have been clutching at straws, playing catch-up. As things stand, social media may trump legacy media once and for all, or a new media enterprise built around social media will likely emerge and send the mainstream home for good. More on this in the second part of this newsletter.

Presently, six social media entities have complicated life for mainstream media. Facebook is ideal for older millennials (those born in the late 1970s to around 1988. Twitter is good with those born between 1988 and 1993. Instagram is good with younger millennials, born in 1993-97, and TikTok is good with Gen Z. Of course, there are overlaps, and YouTube is widespread across all demographics. Each social media caters to the specific needs of each demographic. And LinkedIn has been playing good catch-up.

When media enterprises complained about social media using their content for free, tech companies deployed algorithms that started suppressing the circulation of the content, forcing the media houses to sponsor stories that could have worked better.

However, the big media platforms across the West have embraced different strategies to get their social media going and keep their audiences engaged.

Kenyan mainstream media has been playing catch-up. Tuko, which is not part of the legacy media, is Kenya’s leading digital news outlet. It is not even a decade old in Kenya.

Social media beat the local media organizations on two fronts.

First, as a source of news and gossip, bloggers such as Cyprian Nyakundi, Robert Alai, and Edgar Obare have become institutions unto themselves as the primary sources of good corporate and political gossip, with Edgar Obare the leading front in lifestyle and personal gossip. These bloggers don’t have the institutional need for checks and balances that mainstream media have to ensure they are not sued against libel and defamation, which has eaten a chunk of one of the mainstream media houses in Kenya. Secondly, their boldness has overshadowed the mainstream media in recent times. At one point, an individual like Nyakundi had a more significant following on Twitter than the next two big media houses combined.

Secondly, in terms of entertainment, whereas in the past, mainstream media could afford to hire any talent and monopolize it, such as KTN and NTV owning Reddyukulas and Red Korna in the mid-2000s, nowadays, many breakout stars are independent and don’t need any institutional media backing. The last ten years have seen many YouTube stars rake millions of dollars and endorsements. From big wigs such as Terrence The Creative to Bahati and Diana to Awinja, to Mulamwa, to Flacqo, Crazy Kennar, to mid-tier content creators, to communal ones, it looks like another star is born every few months.

Many of these stars make content that would not pass muster in the traditional media. Still, they are being embraced by various brands, eating into a chunk of conventional media profits. The press can neither afford them nor are the older men at the helm keen to see how they can work with the content creators. Even so, the younger content creators no longer need the mainstream media, and if anything, the mainstream media now has to chase them to eat part of their clout and get hits from the interviews and scandals of these celebrities.

Some online celebrities and content creators have created ecosystems on YouTube, Instagram, and other channels where they broadcast their activities independently without needing legacy media. Singer and controversial online personality Akothe’s wedding in 2023 was an entirely social media phenomenon.

Comedian Eric Omondi, rapper KRG-The-Don, and people like YouTuber Eve Mungai have reinvented the tabloid and shaken the mainstream media.

So, what can the mainstream media do to get back to profitability?

Check the second part of this newsletter next week.

The writer is an author and columnist.

Private legal practice is a dynamic and challenging field, where lawyers operate as independent practitioners or within law firms to provide legal services to clients. Success in private legal practice especially for young lawyers requires a combination of legal expertise, business acumen, and effective client management. This article explores the key factors that contribute to effective private legal practice, from building a strong client base to maintaining ethical standards.

Building a Strong Foundation: The foundation of any successful private legal practice begins with education, training, and gaining practical experience. Lawyers must graduate from law school, pass the bar exam, and often work as associates in established law firms to gain valuable experience before considering private practice. Specialization and Expertise: One effective strategy in privatelegalpracticeistospecializeinaparticulararea of law. Becoming an expert in a niche area not only allows lawyers to command higher fees but also positions them as valuable resources for clients seeking specialized legal advice.

Effective Client Management: Managing client relationships is crucial for success in private legal practice.

•Communication: Establish clear lines of communication and provide regular updates to clients.

•Expectations: Manage client expectations and explain legal processes and potential outcomes.

•Transparency: Maintain transparency regarding fees, billing, and case progress.

Success in private legal practice goes beyond courtroom victories; it involves a strategic blend of legal expertise, client-focused service, and effective business strategies. By implementing these key strategies, private practitioners can not only survive but thrive in the competitive legal landscape, building enduring relationships with clients and establishing a strong presence in their chosen field of law.

Marketing and Networking: Successful private practitioners understand the importance of marketing and networking:

•Online Presence: Maintain a professional website and use digital marketing to reach potential clients.

•Networking: Build relationships with other professionals, such as other lawyers, judges, and industry experts.

•Referrals: Encourage satisfied clients to refer others to your practice.

Efficient Time Management :Time is a precious commodity in private legal practice. Lawyers must allocate their time efficiently:

•Prioritization: Focus on high-value tasks and delegate routine work to support staff. Effective.

•Tools: Utilize legal software and technology to streamline processes and save time.

Financial Management:Private legal practice involves managing finances effectively:

•Budgeting: Create a budget for operating expenses, marketing, and staff salaries.

•Billing: Implement transparent billing practices and promptly invoice clients.

Savings: Set aside funds for unexpected expenses and save for future investments or expansion.

Ethical Standards and Professionalism: Maintaining the highest ethical standards is paramount in private legal practice:

•Confidentiality: Safeguard client information and maintain confidentiality.

•Professional Conduct: Uphold ethical standards and comply with legal regulations.

•Conflict of Interest: Avoid conflicts of interest and disclose potential conflicts to clients.

Continuing Education: The legal landscape is continually evolving. Lawyers must commit to lifelong learning:

•Continuing Legal Education (CLE): Attend CLE courses to stay updated on changes in the law.

•Legal Research: Stay current with legal research and emerging legal trends.

Client Retention and Satisfaction: Satisfying clients and retaining their business is essential for long-term success:

•Quality Service: Provide excellent legal services and exceed client expectations.

•Feedback: Encourage client feedback and use it to improve services.

Adapting to Market Trends

The legal industry is not static. Lawyers must adapt to market trends and changing client needs:

•Technology: Embrace legal tech tools for research, document management, and communication.

•Alternative Billing Models: Consider alternative fee structures, such as flat fees or subscription-based services.

A few days ago, some members of the troubled Metropolitan National Sacco, formerly Kiambu Teachers Sacco, petitioned the government to investigate SASRA CEO Peter Njuguna for fraud. They want him fired or suspended so that the Director of Criminal Investigations can determine the extent of the corruption cartel within SASRA, the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority.

This follows a couple of incidents that are just the tip of the iceberg of the rot within the cooperative sector. Among the issues is the fact that Peter Njuguna, as CEO and also in his former capacity as SASRA Manager Supervision of Saccos, has failed in his duty. The case alleges that his job has been to run a cartel of corrupt Sacco officials with whom he has embezzled millions of shillings of member funds and is extorting Saccos applying for a new license, looking to renew their licenses, or even those looking to be listed within the top rankings of SACCO listings!

An audit of the state of Saccos shows that the victims are many, and more will soon emerge because the rot is deep and systemic. In fact, the audit report was so bad that Sacco members in Kenya need to brace themselves for a crisis that will leave them with bad loans and prevent them from withdrawing their deposits!

However, this is not news. It cannot even be reported because it is not yet interesting enough for two main reasons. One is that, compared to other scandals, the theft of a couple of millions from different Saccos is not big enough to warrant headline news. That is why today, we have kind of forgotten a small article that appeared somewhere showing members of Metropolitan SACCO protesting the loss of 703 million shillings and other assets because, outside their friends and families, nobody seems to care.

We cannot blame Kenyans for not caring. We can’t even blame the media for not caring, investigating, or lighting the fire under Peter Njuguna’s feet for his alleged crimes. This is not a news item any more. For nearly a year now, on a nearly weekly basis, and for sure, month after month, we have been reading similar stories of schemes, fraud, and mismanagement. It is not a complete news story if there is no story of someone who somehow did something or refused to do something so that some money got lost from this public institution and that other agency. 

We are desensitized. There is no shock factor, and frankly, who wants to read of these miseries when we have also been victims of the same crimes? Some will even go to ask why we need to glorify these criminal elements by giving them a face and name when we all know they end up nowhere. 

After all, just looking at the theft, looting, and extortion that have taken place within the last ten years, we know how the story goes. We know that nothing comes out of exposing officials from state ministries, departments, agencies, and other public institutions that are looting taxpayer money. This has become so normal that it would make no news if we could go a week without a new scoop on a corrupt official. In fact, it would be breaking news if Kenya went a day without someone defrauding the public!

The difference, at least for the past year, is how these scandals are being conducted. Previously, we would get the main guy implicated in the scheme. Whether it was the NYS scandal, which had the honour of having two females as the main characters, or the classic Goldenberg, where the villain turned to God and repented, earning an early jail release, there was always a main character. The villain. The anti-hero was the criminal mastermind corrupting innocent bystanders’ who were outwitted to carry sacks or cash or move other documents to facilitate the crime. In other words, you could pull the thread from the institution’s banking system to the beneficiary.

Things have changed, particularly under the Ruto regime.

Nowadays, there don’t seem to be unwitting salon owners, guards, or secretaries duped into doing the dirty work on behalf of their trusted boss or former friend, now elevated into a political or government position. That is so elementary and, to be honest, carries a significant risk because the majority of the poor still suffer from nagging consciences that might lead them to speak or, worse yet, testify before some parliamentary committee. Not to mention the police have no problem squeezing the poor until they squeal like the rats they are.

It is not a risk worth taking. Not when you can do it in a sophisticated manner: a scheme among peers. In legal terms, it is called a conspiracy. In politically correct terms, it is called a collision in the red-carpeted halls of our public institutions; it is called a deal. Depending on the audience they want to appeal to, our local media frames it as either an inspiration or a scandal for the public’s entertainment. In documentaries, they call it a cartel. It’s fancy, but the truest definition is in a video where the drama is limited but speakers, witnesses, and victims have words aplenty.

Foreign powers, donors, and some old-school Kenyans call it corruption. It is a word we have heard for over thirty, forty, hey, maybe even fifty years, and anyone who has ever been linked with the word is now super rich and super okay. However, when the word is used in today’s vernacular and setting, it does not register as a bad word. It is a good word; it is not a bad word because it depends.

It used to be a bad word when one guy seemed to be getting away with billions of shillings or even millions—although considering the exchange rate, we can literally convert those into millions—of stollen money. It was corruption because some guy would corrupt some innocent secretary, and an accountant or semi-literate government clerk with tears streaming down their backs signed a document the big boss had called him to his office to sign. It was a knowledgeable guy, the person in a position of power and respect dirtying the system. Defiling it in order to enrich himself. Or herself.

Today, there are no sweaty clerks signing documents. These are not even in document form because they are deals. That is why they are legal conspiracies—something where many people, aware they are perverting justice and the system, choose to do it—one of the most impossible legal cases to make. These deals are made in big hotels, and they are so clever that they are part of the system. They are not something you can pin down, and they are often seen after the fact. Months, or even a year after the money has been stollen and utilized—converted into houses, cars, foreign trips, and school fees in private international universities—there is a third mistress, and that is just for the main guys.

In Peter Njuguna’s case, the reports show that there is no money to find because his money was handled in a literal conspiracy that started long before he was the CEO. It is alleged that he colluded with corrupt SACCO directors and officials to steal money from the Saccos. The money was stollen through a number of seemingly legal ways that could never be dictated until proper audits were done and also, possibly, until those directors left the institution.

Take the false construction of housing development projects, or even the allegation that the SACCO was rebranded without the approval of the members. A simple conspiracy between the SACCO leaderships—the officials and directors—who had power to transfer funds and approve projects simply found the main guy, their boss at SASRA, and made a deal to get rich. The reason they needed Njuguna was simple: they could not steal from the members without the approval of the directors and the officials.  

They needed SASRA to approve their crimes because, otherwise, the regulatory authority would have flagged them for their theft and mismanagement of members’ funds. And SASRA needed to approve their crimes—that was the deal. For Peter Njuguna to look the other way and for the officials and directors to pay him off for not looking, reporting, or flagging their crimes. In other words, he got paid and was super rich for doing nothing.

And boy, was he paid. In fact, he was so paid that he got promoted from being the supervision manager to full CEO. Chief Executive Officer. Now, the guy who does nothing—the person who was getting paid to look away—had executive powers. It means he could expand his extortion deals from just looking away to looking! I hear they have expanded into extorting SACCOs for their license fees.

Right now, if you want to get a SACCO registered, you have SASRA under Peter Njuguna, who will not look away. They will look in and look deep. Actually, if you want a Sacco, right now, you don’t need to even qualify. Because they look away from useless things like regulations and performance, for about 100 million shillings, you can get an operator license from SASRA. Reports say that one, not so qualified Sacco was asked to pay 50 million shillings, but paid 30 million shillings. They did not get their license because that 50 million is non-negotiable. Afterall, everybody knows there will be no Sacco-ing taking place. Everyone is out to make a big pay day the moment they embezzle enough!

Nobody is spared from the extortion. Even the good ones have to pay. A small would-be Sacco that has done everything and all things and paid their dues and taken the managers for lunch and paid per diem is still expected to pay from three to five million shillings to get your operator license. Existing Saccos, the big guys on the block are also on the hook. If, for example, you want to be listed in the top rankings, you must pay SASRA for the honour or you will be thrown so far down your members will evaporate in a day!

Yeah. This thing is deep, it is impossibly clever and so intricate that resolving this would require possibly firing the whole team at SASRA and re-hiring on an elimination method because the corruption and extortion are so ingrained that it is a monster of an institution with no other role but to bleed Kenyans dry.

Unfortunately, nobody will do this. As it happens, Kenyans have been protesting and voicing their concerns against Peter Njuguna and the SASRA monster for some time now. Letter shave been written to the Commissioner of Cooperative Development and Peter Njuguna has been reported to the Director of Criminal Investigations for, well, criminals of theft and conspiracy and all that criminal stuff. Guess what? Nothing has happened. Nobody has been removed from their office, even on a temporary basis, and the government is silent on the matter.

If you wondering why even Principal Secretary or other officers from the national government who are responsible for the sector are silent, you must be new or new or new or never have been to Kenya and read about these things before. In fact, I bet you just scrolled down your screen or were deposited here from a search link of Patrick Kilemi, the Principal Secretary. Welcome.

Welcome to Kenya and the Kenya of 2023 where the word corruption is normal. Where stealing millions of shillings is not a shock and where nothing can be done to those who steal or mismanage or mishandle or whatever other fancy word, they use to not say the word steal because that way, we can also report that the money was ‘lost’ or worse, it is missing.

Never stollen. Because if we said it was stollen, then it would mean that the Director of Criminal Investigation who is aware of this case would have to take action. And how do you take action on such an intricate conspiracy? Collusion? How do you bring cohorts and cartels to justice? Going by past experience, we can only assume that the impossible task of unravelling a crime is beyond the capabilities of the DCI. After all, if they have not managed to prosecute anyone—or keep them in jail long enough to pay for their crimes—in the good old days of simple corruption, how can we expect them to do anything in these days of sophisticated deals and schemes and cartel bosses who conduct their business in broad day light and invite the DCI investigators into their Runda homes to give their statements of the alleged crimes?

Find copy of the petition by Kenya Human Rights below:

Alright. I give up. I lay down my weapons and kick my boots into the floor because this is too much and too bad to be a coincidence. And if I am wrong, unwrong me because my life is a lie, and apparently, my understanding of the word hustler has been wrong all along. 

When President Dr. William Ruto called us hustlers, I thought it was ”us’—the collective majority of Kenyans struggling to make ends meet. Us, those who are hustling. People who are trying to make ends meet by doing this thing and that thing, like trying to do the boda business while keeping chickens and seeing if we can invest with that guy with the pig farm, because that is what hustlers do. 

Whether you voted for him or not, I think we were all in agreement that this was the meaning of the word hustler. After all, there was the other word, and we are definitely not that. However, it seems this was more in my mind than in practice because the people hustling nowadays are not hustlers. They are something else, and that thing is not hustling. It is worse.

And just so we are clear, I don’t mind being called a hustler. I am a hustler. I am here, I am there, and I am doing an honest job, trying to make it out of the hustle. I have plans, I have motivations, and I have words, affirmations, and prayers to back those plans and protect those motivations. I am okay being a hustler because, according to the big man’s message, hustling ends well and we should hustle until it is over. 

However, recent events have soured me on the whole hustler business. Not because of what I am doing, but because hustling does not seem to pay, or rather, it seems like we are cursed to keep hustling because someone somewhere has decided to feed off the fruits of hustlers in Kenya. It appears that no matter how much we hustle, someone has rigged the game so that they can outhustle the hustler by doing nothing. That is not hustling. That is theft. Stealing. Extortion so that they can suckle on the sweat of the hustler, and we, the real hustler, are left high and dry as they drive off into the sunset.

And guess who is blocking this road? I dare you; I double dare you to guess the person and the name before I say it because once I say it, you will smack your face at not saying it. Say it! Okay, here it goes. The guy is called Peter Njuguna. Google him. He is in the news; of course, he is in the news because anyone with the guts to just sit by and take without lifting a finger seems to be someone big enough and high enough in power to be in the news! And guess what? You likely disregarded the story because others were screaming, crying, and protesting when it was reported, and you did not want that because you were too busy hustling!

I will tell you about mine if you tell me about yours.

Mine is called Peter Njuguna.

Peter Njuguna is the CEO of SASRA. SASRA, for those not in the know, is the four-, um, five-letter word we use to refer to the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority. When I was writing this piece, I asked one of the veteran journalists about SASRA, and his response was that SASRA has become an animal. Like me, he had heard the rumors and had read the Metropolitan SACCO mess, and he was worried that the nastiness and character of Mr. Peter Njuguna had spread across the entire organization. And knowing what we know about fish—rotting from the head and whatnot—that was not a far-flung conclusion.

Anyway, who is this Peter Njuguna, and why is he rotting the animal? Also, why and how? Well, first things first. Peter Njuguna is the current CEO of SASRA. But before he was the CEO, he was the supervision manager of SASRA. He was the guy in charge of monitoring and evaluating the performance of deposit-taking Saccos so they could not fleece their members. I swear, I am not making this up.

Reports say that Peter Njuguna was also a talker. When he was the supervision manager, he talked about how some of the ‘big’ Saccos were going to see red soon. Red is not a good thing in finance. It means financial death. Why he talked, I will never know. I guess it is the same reason why serial killers, art thieves, and people who operate outside the right path do. 

I think any master criminal feels compelled to sign their work. After all, how else will we see their genius? It is not like they can make a CV of their activities, so they talk or creatively sign their work. Anyway, Peter Njuguna talked. He bragged that he was working with a number of like-minded managers and directors of those Saccos on a side deal. A hustle, if you will. 

We now know what the deal was because, thanks to those corrupt managers and directors working in cohorts with the supervision manager of SASRA, more than 75,000 members of one of the big Saccos in Kenya were denied access to loan facilities and their dividends!

In other words, the CEO of SASRA, the guy charged with protecting members from being eaten by corrupt, criminal SACCO officials, has been collaborating with the criminal elements. The man whose work it was to ensure there were strong guardians preventing the foxes from entering the henhouse literally opened the gate and set the predators to take as much from the nest eggs as they could!

Under his watch, innocent Kenyans, assured of the stability and correctness of the ‘regulated’ SACCO, invested their money in that SACCO. Those members are now crying salty tears, unable to afford a good handkerchief to wipe away the pain of losing more than 703 million shillings. It is gone, and it cannot be accounted for. Their money is suspended, and their SACCO is also in debt. Yeah, sorry but not sorry!

Well, it can somehow be accounted for when you do the math. This is not the mathematics of the books, because if the mathematics occurred during these schemes, then the mathematics would fail. However, if you take away the mathematics hat and put on your physics hat, you will realize that nothing is ever lost. 

Under this rule, we can fully solve the SACCO mathematics according to Peter Njuguna and his cohorts. All you have to do is sum up the totla from the five-bedroom houses in Keleleshwa and the many parcels of land in prime locations worth millions of shillings Peter Njuguna owns plus the money, accounts, and expenses of the corrupt SACCO officials, and there is the amount looted from the former Kiambu teachers Sacco and others.

Yeah, we will also use the law of logic, which says nobody loots that much without having done it before and made a couple of tries because of logic and confidence and muscle to do the creative math to make millions disappear only comes with experience!

I just can’t. Not anymore. Not when I know that, despite these clear trails of evidence and talks and whispers and public cries and protests, even the criminal case that was filled with the Director of Criminal Investigations has led to nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing. Today, those Sacco members and other silent victims are suffering while the former officials and former supervision manager roam free, richer, and with mathematically creative bank accounts and assets that can only be solved with the help of physics. And a criminal mind!

And don’t think the government—the one under the whole hustler narrative—will help you. Seriously, this issue was also referred to the ‘boss’ government agency and put to the attention of the Commissioner for Cooperative Development for redress. To this day, the Commissioner has not even issued a public notice to caution Sacco members and put officials on notice. It is as if we are all alone. Nobody can help us. Nobody.

Which brings me to the death of the hustler dream!

Remember what I told you about the pig farming and other side hustles that looked like they were becoming something? Well, you can forget about those plans because if Peter Njuguna could oversee such mess and corruption as the supervision manager, what do you think he is overseeing right now that he is the boss? What schemes and conspiracies can the boss do? What are the limits? Who can stop him?

Well, the reason I know about this guy is because I too was hustling around, and in my hustle, I came across fellow hustlers who also had a dream, and then the cost of living and lack of dynasty money meant that we had to hustle together. It is called being collective. It is cooperation. It is the backbone of this economy. It is the mathematics of multiplication in that 2×2=4 while anything multiplied by 1, meaning me and me along will always be equal to 1.

So, we multiplied and decided to open our own Sacco. Simple. Normal. Hashtag goals, hashtag multiplier effect So we collected our money, and since it was not enough, we decided to obtain an operator license from SASRA so we could bring in even more people to build our equity. 

Unfortunately, our journey was cut short when we were informed that all prospective SACCOs must give the CEO and his people an envelope of no less than KES 5 million. Yeah, this is money outside the norm. Legal fees to the government. And this was a good offer because some prospective Saccos have been forced to pay something like KES 7 million. Especially those with corporate backing. However, if you are poor and rural and from those counties, you can give a bargain envelope of, like, KES 3.5 million! 

And while you are over there appreciating just how caring and economically-minded these government extortionists can be, I need to say something nasty. I feel I am entitled to say something nasty because I am bitter and angry and sad and vengeful and so tired. These actions by the new boss are what the kids call grooming. It is what paedophiles do to young children so they can desensitize them to their perversions later on. Like crossing their boundaries until the kids can no longer tell the distance. It is a psychological practice where, if you get them young and train them, they will not scream or protest too loudly when you begin abusing them! 

Yeah, Mr. Peter Njuguna, knowing there are limits to the existing members, is leading an institution to groom any potential SACCOs to their extortion ways. SASRA officials are demanding Saccos applicants pay him lots of money to get anything done or else. From the get-go, they will know that extortion is part of the service, and nobody will cry out loud when they are forced to pay to be ranked or credited because they have been groomed and compromised from the start.

Clever!

So, this is where I give up. How can I hustle if even the hustle game is rigged to be a rat race with no end? It appears the only way to win in the hustle game is if you are already big or well positioned—appointed to help the hustlers. And it appears that nobody is going to help because these extortionists are so clever with their creative mathematics and accounting that they can only be solved using relative physics theories. How can we outfox these corrupt officials in power? How can innocent, simple Kenyans hope to compete against such greed and corruption that the system is rigged to be corrupt from the first step? 

If the authority charged with protecting the littlest of us is riddled with corrupt, greedy officials who steal from our very mouths, then what are we doing? What can we do under these impossible conditions?

And if another person says the courts will handle it or that this is the hustler economy, I will throw a scream on their faces so loudly because we are also Kenyans. We have grown through collective action, and 1 times 1 is always one. We must multiply to grow!

Somebody tell me once again how a small person like me is meant to advance if all the paths for advancing are blocked. Taxes are high, inflation is over the roof, and the shilling is devalued, making imports for trade impossible. But even in the worst of times, SACCOs were our safe spaces. By coming together, we could do anything. This was the Kenyan spirit. This was the hustle that has built buildings, put food on our tables, and provided the money that took us to school and financed our public transport! 

Our collective action was supposed to lead to something. It provided refuge and support even when the government failed. But if they take these away, we will become beggars in our countries, and those people will win. Somebody, anybody, please make it stop

Time is of great value in today’s fast-paced world, especially for the working class or professionals. These people juggle multiple tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities daily, leaving no time to pursue other activities and hobbies.

But people must also find time to breathe, pamper themselves, and enjoy life. They should be able to dedicate time to leisure activities like board games, their favorite sport, video games, and even online sports betting. Good thing,  the best mobile apps for sports betting in Kenya are here to serve as entertainment for working individuals.

Other convenient apps can also be installed on your smartphone to help you manage your schedule daily and find time to rest. But before you try them out, you must learn to manage time effectively when busy.

Prioritize Tasks

The first step in effective time management is identifying and prioritizing tasks. Make a to-do list of accomplishments at the start of each day or week. Then, assign a priority level to each task based on urgency and importance. By prioritizing tasks, you can organize your workload and focus on high-priority activities first, completing critical tasks on time.

Set SMART Goals

The SMART goal-setting method is also an efficient way to manage your time wisely. This goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Tailor your to-do lists and goals in this framework by breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. After that, allocate specific timeframes for completion and strictly follow them.

With the help of the SMART approach, you can have clarity, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment as you progress toward your goals without losing track of your time.

Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking can help you quickly cross out more tasks on your to-do list. But, instead of improving productivity, multitasking often leads to divided attention and reduced focus. To maximize efficiency, concentrate on one task at a time, complete it, and then move on to the next. This workflow allows you to focus more on each task and produce high-quality work.

Eliminate Time-Wasting Activities

Identify activities that consume significant time without adding value to your work or personal life. Time-wasting activities include excessive social media usage, nonessential meetings, or excessive time on unproductive tasks. Eliminating or minimizing such activities can free up valuable time for more important responsibilities and activities that align with your goals.

Delegate and Outsource

As a busy professional, it’s important to recognize that you don’t have to do everything yourself. Give some tasks to capable team members or consider outsourcing certain responsibilities to experts. By assigning tasks to others, you can focus on critical tasks that require your expertise and attention while empowering others to contribute and grow within the organization.

Learn to Say No

Saying “no” can be challenging, especially when faced with numerous demands on your time. However, learning to prioritize your commitments and say no to nonessential or low-priority requests is necessary for effective time management. Remember that you create space for more meaningful and important activities by saying no to certain tasks or obligations.

Time Blocking and Batch Processing

Scheduling or time blocking allows you to set a timeframe to work on specific tasks or projects. By setting aside uninterrupted blocks of time, you can enhance focus and concentration, increasing productivity.

Batch processing is a similar concept where you group similar tasks and tackle them consecutively. The process minimizes frequent task switching and allows for more efficient completion of related activities.

Take Regular Breaks

Last but not least, take regular breaks. While it may seem counterintuitive, taking regular breaks is crucial for maintaining productivity and avoiding burnout. Research shows that brief periods of rest and rejuvenation enhance concentration and cognitive function.

By incorporating short breaks into your schedule, you allow yourself time to recharge and refocus before diving back into work.

Master The Art of Time Management

Time is a finite resource. Hence, to master time management, you need continuous self-awareness, discipline, and adaptability to succeed personally and professionally. By following all the above guidelines and practicing them daily, you can avoid losing precious time and spend it on more important matters.

References: https://www.mindtools.com/arb6j5a/what-is-time-management

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesmarketplace/2021/01/20/8-time-management-techniques-for-busy -people/

https://www.scienceofpeople.com/time-management-strategies/

The move by Equity Bank to place investment firm Transcentury and its subsidiary East Africa Cables should concern any one who cares about Kenya.

Equity Bank this week announced that Muriu Thoithi and George Weru of PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) have been appointed joint receivers of Transcentury with effect from June 16th 2023.The bank also appointed Thoithi and Weru as joint administrators of East Africa Cables.

In an advertisement placed on local dailies, Equity Bank stated that “ The powers of director (of Transcentury) in terms of For with the company’s business and assets no longer apply. Any person who purports to hold, receive, use, or attempt to buy or sell, contract or otherwise deal with the company without the prior written consent of the receivers will be acting in contravention of the law and will be liable to legal action.”

This move should alarm the private sector and the government alike. If the trend continues, Kenya’s economy will sink deeper.

In Kenya, no company ever survives receivership. The receiver managers act like butchers slaughtering a cow. From Nakumatt to Karuturi, the story is the same. Being placed under receivership is like a death sentence because the receiver managers never bother to restructure or revive a business, they are only there for the carcass.

Companies like Transcentury are the lifeblood of the economy and letting Equity Bank kill an indigenous business like Transcentury is an attack on Kenya’s self interest.

It would be unforgivable if we let Equity Bank kill Transcentury, perhaps Kenya’s best known investment clubs. The Transcentury story inspired millions of Kenyans into group investments, popularly known as chamas.

TransCentury is not your ordinary company. The company is one of the best indigenous investment companies and has created jobs and wealth for thousands of kenyans.

Currently, the laws that govern receiverships are designed to only cater for creditors instead of finding avenues to protect the financially distressed firms.

If not reversed, the move by Equity Bank will lead to job losses and send thousands of kenyan families into poverty.

It is worth noting that no company put into administration by Equity Bank has ever survived. It seems the bank is an undertaker.

Kenyans would be watching keenly to see if Equity Bank succeeds in killing indegnous enterprises such as Transcentury and East Africa Cables.

Milton Were- PR & Communication Expert

CS Moses Kuria Statements on Family Planning should be Shut. Inflation is crippling across people’s houses, with prices of Unga, cooking oil, Sugar sky rocketing. How many kids does CS Moses Kuria have? Can he himself take up the role of Kenyans and add the world. He is privileged, rich, he can afford a child every year for the next 20 years.

Family Planning, or rather Contraception as most of our kind like to call it, as we have sex for pleasure not to plan any families, we don’t want kids now, maybe in the future. Yes embrace population, if you can be able to take care of babies that you bring to this world being aware that it costs money, good roads, good hospital, good educations system.

Something that CS Moses Kuria forgets to mention to you is that in some of those countries, the government has programmes and swift processes that take care of their people. Whilst in Kenya, new taxes are being proposed left, right and centre. The Finance Bill 2023 is here to leave you with 1000Ksh out of your 20,000Ksh salary after all those proposed levies. Sometimes I sit and wonder where is the hustler in this government? Politicians are selfless humans.

Kenya’s poverty level is increasing. According to Statista, in 2022, 17 percent of Kenya’s population lived below 1.90 U.S. dollars per day. This means that over 8.9 million Kenyans were in extreme poverty, most of whom are in rural areas and also in the urban informal settlements, and this can further be contextualized to some of the cases in the Shakahole Massacre who were fasting to see the endless milk and honey, brainwashing poor, unemployed people in the promises of good life is wrong. Raising a child needs so much more, so plan for your family, space them out if need be, use Contraception!

CS Moses Kuria refers to Indonesia and he continues to mention that the country has made the best use of its 300 Million people. Any government that is able to make use of its population and use its resources will definitely get Indonesia where it is. When on the hand you compare Kenya, with an approximate population of about 50 Million people, our debt is approaching 10 trillion, corruption left right and centre, wage bill almost exploding.

Even with the 50 Million of us, Kenya has not been able to make use of us to ensure we are getting to the levels of Indonesia. Everyday Kenyans walk to industrial area to look for work, make thousands of applications, and now your proposing that people need to have more kids?

Contraception involves controlling the population to be able to fend for yourself, be able to meet the needs of your population. It supports child spacing which enables people to plan for their lives, education, career. Most of the G20 countries have swift processes, do not humiliate their citizens with outrageous taxes like what is being proposed in the Finance Bill 2023. Nigeria has almost 200 Million people and the state of poverty is the same, same problems. Governance has remained a huge issue in Africa.

People with money in most cases have 1, 2, maximum of 3 children, not 10. Kenyans continue to struggle to even have 3 meals a day. Programmes that promote use, access and provision of family planning information, services and commodities should be enhanced this remains a great measure for a county to help its people to manage populations, be able to manage and plan what you have at the moment

So Ji sort Na Contraceptive! Today, Tomorrow and Everyday

Alvin Mwangi

Youth Church Leader

Twitter: @alvinmwangi254

Nairobi, Kenya