Author Archives: Brian Nyabuti

Fake Medicines Threaten Public Health in Kenya

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Kenya’s pharmaceutical supply chain is facing a creeping, deadly crisis — one that’s quietly poisoning public trust in healthcare. In 2024 alone, over 30 different drug products were recalled in Kenya, more than doubling the previous year’s figure. This disturbing surge included contaminated pediatric syrups, mislabeled antibiotics, and packaging mix-ups between life-saving cancer drugs and common generics. Some of these were produced by global manufacturers with once-reputable names. The growing scale and severity of these incidents have exposed glaring weaknesses in regulatory enforcement, border control, and supply chain oversight. But beyond the headlines lies a darker story — fake and substandard medicines are no longer rare exceptions; they are becoming routine features in pharmacies, clinics, and even households. As treatment failures rise and drug resistance intensifies, trust in medicine itself is breaking down. Patients increasingly worry: if I walk into a pharmacy, how can I know what I’m buying won’t kill me?

A K24 Report from 2024

The regulator, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), is overwhelmed. With just 16 inspectors tasked with overseeing a vast and evolving market — spanning over 10,000 retail outlets, mobile vendors, and now, an unregulated e-pharmacy explosion — enforcement efforts are falling behind. In 2024, the PPB shut down 117 illegal pharmacies, an important but ultimately symbolic move in the face of thousands more operating without licenses or pharmacist supervision. Online drug sales are the new front line. A study found that over 60% of Kenyan e-pharmacies sell restricted drugs like antibiotics and sedatives without prescriptions, bypassing safeguards entirely. These platforms, often disguised as Instagram shops, WhatsApp-based vendors, or websites with fake credentials, target desperate buyers looking for cheap, fast relief. With little digital verification, no pharmacist involvement, and no legal framework to manage or penalize them, the risk of mass harm is escalating. Meanwhile, legitimate pharmacies face the fallout: eroded consumer confidence, a rise in self-medication, and unfair competition from black-market sellers. At the center of it all is a poorly resourced regulator trapped in a battle it cannot win with its current tools.

Fixing this won’t come from a few more closures or stern warnings. What’s needed is a total overhaul of pharmaceutical regulation and public health literacy. The PPB needs financial and legal independence, an expanded workforce, and modern tools — including barcode authentication, blockchain-backed tracking systems, and real-time reporting dashboards for drug recalls and falsifications. E-pharmacies must be brought under legal oversight immediately, with criminal penalties for non-compliant platforms. Consumer protection should no longer be passive; the government must launch aggressive national awareness campaigns to teach people how to identify fake drugs, report suspicious sources, and verify prescriptions. Crucially, Kenya must repair public trust — not just in the pills on pharmacy shelves, but in the very systems meant to safeguard their health. Because when faith in medicine collapses, people don’t stop getting sick — they just stop getting help. This is more than a regulatory failure. It’s a national health emergency — and one that cannot be ignored.

References:

The Eastleigh Voice Inside Kenya’s battle against fake and unsafe medicines

Eurek Alert Curbing harmful medicines: the promise of a unified African health products regulatory system

OECD Dangerous Fakes


Decoding Elimu Thabiti: Is Kenya’s Education Truly Improved?

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In April 2025, the Kenyan government did what governments often do when the heat rises — it rebranded. Out went the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), in came Competency-Based Education (CBE), now dubbed Elimu Thabiti — “Stable Education.” On the surface, it looked like a smart communications reset: streamline the curriculum, simplify delivery, calm public fears, and signal that Kenya’s education reform is finally maturing. But under the hood, the same unresolved problems are festering — and threatening to derail the system again. A new name hasn’t solved the deep cracks in Kenya’s education foundation: from underfunded schools and frustrated teachers, to digital inequalities and mismanaged infrastructure. The education sector is being reshaped with bold promises — but very few of the tools needed to make those promises real.

A Report by TV47 Kenya

Let’s talk numbers. While the Teachers Service Commission boasts about retooling 291,000 educators, independent research in 2025 shows two-thirds of teachers say they haven’t been adequately trained for CBE. Many still rely on the old 8-4-4 methods. Worse, over 343,000 trained teachers remain jobless while schools face a 72,000-strong staff shortage in Junior Secondary School alone. Promotion pathways are clogged, hardship allowances may be cut, and morale is low. Now layer that on top of infrastructure demands: the new “pathway model” for senior schools, launching fully in 2026, demands schools be categorized as “Triple Pathway” or “Double Pathway” — meaning massive upgrades to labs, sports halls, art studios, and digital infrastructure. And while the government talks about progress, the Auditor-General is flagging KSh 6 billion in irregular spending from previous education projects. What’s the point of planning a digital classroom if half the schools don’t even have functioning toilets?

And here’s the financial kicker: schools are still owed over KSh 64 billion in capitation arrears. As of May 2025, the promised Sh21 billion had yet to arrive. Headteachers are being fined Sh500 per project for late CBC/KJSEA submissions — even though many schools have no internet access or computers to begin with. Meanwhile, a flashy new KEAC Bill proposes AI exam grading and electronic assessment. Great on paper, but in classrooms across ASAL regions, basic digital literacy is still below 50%. While Finland’s President arrives with hope and MoUs to support Kenyan education, the shadow of the Uasin Gishu scholarship scandal still looms large. Education reform can’t run on optics alone. Kenya doesn’t need another slogan. It needs teachers who are paid and trained, capitation that arrives on time, classrooms that work — and honesty about just how deep the overhaul must go. If Elimu Thabiti is going to be more than a PR stunt, it has to fix the pipes — not just polish the tap.

References:

The Star MPs Raise Concern Over Zero Budget Allocation for KCSE, JSS Exams

The Eastleigh Voice Budget cuts jeopardise education for millions as key programmes struggle with shortfalls

The Eastleigh Voice CS Mbadi: KCSE funds frozen over misuse, but parents won’t pay

KBC Kenya, Finland sign deals to boost ties in peace, education

The Standard Kenya and Finland forge strategic partnership


Government’s Bold Move: Leasing Sugar Factories in Kenya

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Kenya just handed over four of its biggest sugar factories — but kept the land. In a dramatic policy shift, the Ruto administration signed 30-year leases in May 2025 with private firms to run Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni, and Sony Sugar. The goal? End decades of sugar sector chaos: collapsed factories, billions in unpaid debts, unpaid workers, and cheap imports undercutting farmers. Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe says this isn’t privatization — it’s “strategic leasing,” with public ownership preserved and billions in arrears cleared to give the new operators a clean start. Big names like Jaswant Rai’s West Kenya Sugar and Kibos Sugar are now in charge — and they’re expected to invest heavily. But not everyone’s cheering.

A Report by NTV Kenya

Local leaders are furious. Kisumu’s Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o is calling foul, slamming the deals as opaque, exclusionary, and a threat to community-owned land. At Chemelil and Nzoia, workers are protesting over unpaid wages, job security, and fears that private operators will trample their rights. Farmers worry about price manipulation and monopolies. And watchdogs are questioning the wisdom of the government wiping out billions in past debts — on taxpayers’ backs — without clear guarantees of public return. The Auditor General has already flagged risks to the Commodities Fund. If this feels familiar, it’s because Kenya’s SOE reform playbook hasn’t changed much in decades: bold plans, shaky execution, and the ever-present risk of insider deals dressed up as national progress.

Still — if the government gets this right — it could turn a rotting industry into a competitive, tech-upgraded, farmer-friendly economic engine. But it won’t happen without airtight oversight, crystal-clear contracts, local accountability, and a serious break from past mistakes. Leasing might be smarter than selling — but only if it comes with more transparency than politics usually allows.

References:

The Standard Nyong’o opposes the government’s plans to lease sugar mills

The Eastleigh Voice Government leases four state-owned sugar mills to private firms for 30 years

Business Daily Workers oppose Chemelil sugar factory lease plans

The Star Sugarcane farmers welcome move to lease sugar firms

All Africa Kenya: High Court Dismisses Petition Against Leasing of State-Owned Sugar Farms


Job Scams in Kenya: A Growing Crisis

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Kenya’s job seekers are under siege. As economic pressures push more young people to chase opportunities abroad or online, fraudsters are sharpening their traps — and the stakes are deadly. Sophisticated job scams, often orchestrated by transnational crime rings, are landing unsuspecting Kenyans in forced labor operations across Southeast Asia. Many are lured with fake offers, issued tourist visas instead of work permits, and end up trapped in scam compounds under brutal, enslaving conditions. Despite repeated government warnings, the scams persist, exploiting systemic weaknesses like rampant youth unemployment, weak digital literacy, and sluggish protections around labor migration. While officials stress the importance of individual due diligence — verifying agencies, double-checking job offers, demanding proper contracts — the scale of trafficking shows that better-informed individuals alone can’t stop a crisis this large. It’s a systemic failure — and it’s costing lives.

A Report by Citizen TV Kenya

At the heart of the vulnerability is a perfect storm: soaring unemployment, heavy informal sector reliance, and a government labor export strategy that prioritizes remittances over robust citizen protection. Kenya’s policies encourage labor migration — but enforcement lags behind, leaving workers exposed. Digital platforms, once hailed as tools of empowerment, have become weapons for scammers: Facebook pages, WhatsApp groups, even fake LinkedIn listings are used to lure victims. The Kenyan government’s countermeasures — the NEAIMS verification portal, bilateral labor deals, and pre-departure training — help but are patchy and slow. Civil society groups and media investigations have done much to highlight the dangers, but without aggressive enforcement and diplomatic intervention, Kenyans will keep falling prey. This is not just about digital fraud anymore; it’s about modern slavery, forced criminality, and human suffering on an industrial scale.

Solving this crisis demands a collective rethink. Government agencies must dramatically tighten recruitment regulations, shut down illegal operators, and prosecute traffickers — including those hiding behind legitimate fronts. Embassies abroad must step up protections for Kenyans, while local authorities crack down on rogue recruiters. Civil society must keep exposing the networks exploiting desperate youth, and tech companies must purge their platforms of scam ads and pages. Meanwhile, citizens must be empowered — not just blamed — with real tools to verify job offers and report suspicious activity. But real safety will only come when the Kenyan economy offers enough decent, secure jobs at home, removing the desperation that drives risky migration. Until then, job scammers will continue to thrive — and Kenyans will continue to pay the price.

References:

The Standard Job scams: Some Kenyans aiding their own smuggling, says PS Njogu

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Kenya’s labor export model exposes workers to exploitation and other labour rights abuses

Kenyans.co.ke Govt Outlines Verification Process for Jobs Abroad as Scams Surge

The Eastleigh Voice Job scam alert: Government cautions Kenyans on fake overseas opportunities

Jijuze Rethinking Kenya’s Job Strategy: From Exports to Domestic Growth

Jijuze Kenyans Trapped: The Dark Reality of Job Scams in Myanmar

Reinstating Mathematics in Kenya’s CBC: A Necessary Shift

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In March 2025, we examined the rising concerns over Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) rollout, where critics warned that critical academic foundations were being neglected in the rush toward specialization as discussed here. Chief among these concerns was the controversial proposal to make mathematics optional for students in the Arts & Sports Science and Social Sciences pathways at the senior secondary school level. Many stakeholders — including professional bodies, educators, and parent associations — argued that removing compulsory mathematics risked undermining students’ critical thinking, problem-solving ability, and future career flexibility. The fears were compounded by Kenya’s broader ambitions to remain competitive in a global economy increasingly shaped by STEM skills and data-driven professions. As the CBC pathways were being finalized for the Grade 10 transition starting in 2026, it became clear that significant gaps remained between the curriculum’s vision and its practical implications. It is against this backdrop that, in April 2025, the Ministry of Education announced a major policy reversal: mathematics would once again be mandatory across all senior secondary school pathways, not just for STEM students. This reinstatement signals an important shift toward reinforcing core competencies while still pursuing specialization — a recognition that a solid academic base is essential for building adaptable, future-ready graduates.

A Report by KTN News Kenya

The decision to reverse course on mathematics came after intense, organized advocacy by various stakeholder groups who viewed the optionalization of math as a dangerous policy misstep. Organizations such as the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) were among the most vocal opponents. They collectively warned that sidelining mathematics would erode essential competencies needed across all fields, not just technical ones. Their arguments framed mathematics as the “language” underpinning modern engineering, architecture, finance, digital technology, and even the creative industries — emphasizing that basic numeracy is now a universal life skill, not a niche technical ability. During the national dialogues on CBC reforms, a strong consensus emerged that foundational subjects like mathematics cannot be optional in a 21st-century education system. CS Julius Ogamba acknowledged the impact of this feedback during the announcement, positioning the Ministry’s U-turn as evidence of a responsive government willing to adjust policy based on real-world insights. However, this shift, while welcome, also highlights earlier weaknesses in CBC policy design — suggesting that insufficient consultation with key professional sectors had left the initial plans vulnerable to critical gaps. It also underlines a broader tension within the CBC framework: the challenge of balancing meaningful specialization with maintaining a strong, common academic foundation across diverse student pathways.

To operationalize the reinstated mathematics requirement, the Ministry of Education — in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) — has adopted a differentiated model. Students following the STEM pathway will study “pure mathematics,” covering advanced concepts necessary for science and technology careers. Meanwhile, those pursuing Arts & Sports Science and Social Sciences will engage with a “simplified” or “foundational” version of mathematics aimed at building essential problem-solving and numeracy skills relevant to their fields. While this solution addresses stakeholder demands for universal mathematical literacy, it simultaneously introduces a new layer of complexity into an already strained CBC implementation process. The development of two distinct mathematics curricula will require extensive work by KICD to ensure each pathway remains rigorous and coherent. Additionally, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) must ensure that sufficient numbers of teachers are trained and deployed to deliver differentiated mathematics instruction effectively — a tall order given existing shortages and capacity constraints highlighted in previous CBC evaluations. Schools will also need updated materials, tailored assessments from KNEC, and sufficient infrastructure to handle new teaching demands. In short, while reinstating compulsory mathematics is a vital corrective step, it magnifies the resource, training, and logistical challenges already dogging CBC’s transition. It also reinforces a broader lesson for education reform: that protecting foundational skills must remain central, even as systems innovate and specialize for a changing world.

References:

All Africa Kenya: Mathematics to Remain Compulsory in Primary and Secondary Schools

The Eastleigh Voice State makes Math mandatory for all CBC senior school learners after public outcry

The Standard Maths no longer compulsory as CBC pioneers set to pick careers

The Standard Stakeholders raise concerns over Math specialisation at Senior Schools

Capital News Mathematics to remain compulsory in primary and Secondary Schools

Jijuze Concerns Over Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum Implementation

2024 KCSE Certificates Release: Urgent Action Required

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The Ministry of Education has announced the release of 2024 KCSE certificates, kicking off the week of April 27, 2025, a deadline that couldn’t come at a more critical time. Education CS Julius Ogamba has pressed students and guardians to pick up certificates urgently, warning that the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal closes on April 30. With over 962,000 candidates having sat the exams and only 246,391 securing the minimum C+ grade needed for university admission, timely collection is non-negotiable for those hoping to lock in their higher education spots. Yet, this milestone is clouded by a stubborn and illegal practice: the continued withholding of certificates by school principals chasing unpaid fees, despite the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Act of 2012 outlawing the behavior. Top education leaders, including PS Julius Bitok and Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, have slammed the practice as a violation of students’ rights, but many principals remain defiant. PS Bitok has now issued a blunt circular demanding immediate certificate release and compliance reporting within 14 days, reflecting the Ministry’s boiling frustration with rogue school heads who continue to treat legal orders as suggestions.

A Report by Kisii TV

Fed up with defiance, the Ministry is now raising the stakes, moving from warnings to hard action. CS Ogamba has made it plain: starting the week after certificates are released, principals who still withhold them will face disciplinary and legal consequences. This marks a sharp turn — no more polite memos, no more ignored directives. But even more critical is a deeper systemic fix in the works: plans are advancing to pull certificate collection entirely out of schools’ hands. Under the new model, students will pick up their documents directly from Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDE) offices, a shift that aims to kill the problem at its root. It’s a bold move, built on the successful pilot earlier this year when KCSE result slips were sent through SCDE offices. Stripping principals of the power to hold certificates hostage cuts out the middleman and restores certificates to their rightful owners — the students. Beyond logistics, this strategy is about restoring trust in the education system itself: showing that once a student earns a certificate, no one — not even a principal — should stand between them and their future.

The next few weeks will be the true test of whether this shake-up delivers real change. For the 2024 KCSE candidates, quick access to certificates is the key that unlocks university admission, job applications, and life plans that can’t wait. For principals who defy orders, this time the consequences are meant to be real — legal action, career-ending sanctions, public accountability. And for the education system as a whole, the shift to SCDE offices could become a model for breaking down entrenched administrative abuses that have long crippled student mobility. But this won’t happen automatically: it’ll require tight coordination across counties, clear instructions to SCDEs, public communication campaigns, and a Ministry willing to enforce its own rules without flinching. If it works, it will not just be a victory for this year’s candidates — it will set a new standard for fairness and efficiency in how Kenyan education treats its students. Either way, the clock is ticking, and the Ministry’s next moves will show if it’s serious about turning bold words into bold action.

References:

The Standard KCSE Certificates to be collected from government offices, not schools

Daily Nation KCSE 2024: Highest university qualifiers recorded in eight years

Kenyans.co.ke KNEC to Release 2024 KCSE Certificates This Week As KUCCPS Portal Closes

Kenyans.co.ke KCSE Certificates to Be Collected from Govt Offices Instead of Schools

Easter 2025: Voices of Conscience from Kenyan Clergy

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Easter 2025 in Kenya unfolded not only as a celebration of Christ’s resurrection but as a moment of reckoning for the soul of the nation, with clergy across the country using the pulpit to deliver searing messages that reached far beyond theology. Falling on April 20th—a rare alignment for both Western and Eastern Christian calendars—the holy day became a stage for calls to conscience, unity, and reform. While sermons across denominations upheld traditional themes of resurrection, hope, and renewal, several clergy, particularly from the Catholic Church, stepped into the fray of national discourse with unapologetic candor. Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, delivering his homily at Nairobi’s Holy Family Basilica, did not mince words. He blamed Kenya’s ongoing suffering on the “sins” of its people, drawing a direct and controversial link to the choices made during the 2022 general elections. He named rising corruption, domestic violence, and a disturbing trend in unethical healthcare practices—particularly organ theft—as symptoms of a moral crisis engulfing the nation. His warning to congregants to “be careful with your surgery” hinted at a deep public fear of a broken healthcare system and underscored his broader message that spiritual and societal decay were intertwined.

A Report by Citizen TV Kenya

In Mombasa, Archbishop Martin Kivuva struck a similarly critical tone, directing his Easter sermon at the government’s economic policies. With President Ruto preparing to travel to China for talks with one of Kenya’s major lenders, Kivuva’s timing was pointed as he decried the government’s unchecked appetite for loans. He questioned whether borrowed billions were being used to serve the people or to fund untraceable ventures, voicing a concern that has simmered among Kenyans grappling with a rising cost of living and dwindling faith in public accountability. But the Archbishop’s critique didn’t stop at debt; he rebuked politicians for engaging in premature campaigns for the 2027 elections and stoking tribal tensions, warning that such actions risked pulling the country further apart. His words reflected a growing anxiety about Kenya’s political culture—one increasingly marked by performative leadership and ethnic division rather than national unity. Meanwhile, in the rural town of Elburgon, Fr. Gideon Korir turned the spotlight inward, condemning the infiltration of politics into sacred spaces. He expressed deep dismay over chaotic scenes witnessed on church pulpits, where rival politicians turned places of worship into arenas of confrontation. His impassioned plea was for churches to be preserved as sanctuaries of peace, healing, and moral guidance—not hijacked for political expedience.

These sermons reveal a critical shift in Kenya’s ecclesiastical tone—one that reflects an increasingly assertive clergy willing to challenge the political establishment and speak directly to the hardships of ordinary citizens. What emerges is a portrait of the church not merely as a spiritual institution, but as a potent voice in Kenya’s public square. The critiques delivered during Easter 2025 resonated because they mirrored real anxieties: from economic inequality and corrupt governance to deteriorating healthcare and the erosion of moral values. While the media gave these messages significant attention—particularly the stinging remarks about debt and governance—government responses remained conspicuously absent, possibly signaling discomfort or strategic avoidance. Yet, the Easter pulpit’s impact was undeniable, reaffirming the church’s enduring role as a moral compass and social conscience. The voices of Kamomoe, Kivuva, and Korir stood not just as isolated acts of courage, but as part of a broader ecclesiastical momentum demanding a better Kenya—one that upholds justice, integrity, and compassion. In a time of crisis, their sermons were more than words; they were calls to action, prayers for accountability, and reminders that even amid despair, the resurrection message remains one of transformation and hope.

References:

Anglican Ink Kenyan Anglican Church backs criticism of government

The Eastleigh Voice 30 Pentecostal Churches criticise Ruto over runaway corruption, governance issues

Capital News Archbishop Kivuva urges political tolerace to avert violence

Capital News Anglican Church joins Catholic Bishops in calling for govt accountability

Vatican News Kenyan bishops emphasize collective responsibility to transform nation

Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Kenya’s Trade and Economy

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In a move that has dramatically altered Kenya’s trade dynamics with the United States, the Trump administration imposed a blanket 10% tariff on imports from most nations, including Kenya, effective April 2025. This action effectively nullified the longstanding preferential treatment Kenya enjoyed under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a Congressional framework set to expire in September 2025. The result has been a sharp contraction in Kenya’s export competitiveness, particularly in the apparel and agricultural sectors, which together accounted for a significant share of exports to the U.S. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) estimates the country could lose as much as USD 100 million annually in export revenue—a loss that represents over 13% of Kenya’s total exports to the U.S. The textiles and apparel industry, which employs tens of thousands in Export Processing Zones (EPZs), faces the steepest consequences, with squeezed margins threatening factory closures and mass layoffs. Compounding this is the complex global trade environment, where some of Kenya’s competitors face even steeper tariffs—suggesting a theoretical competitive edge—but domestic cost disadvantages like high energy prices and infrastructure bottlenecks could prevent Kenya from capitalizing on this.

A Report by Citizen TV Kenya

The introduction of the tariffs also triggered immediate market reactions, particularly on the Kenyan Shilling (KES), which depreciated upon the announcement, reflecting investor anxiety and a broader loss of confidence. While the KES had been strengthening in early 2025 due to improved foreign exchange reserves, tight monetary policy, and robust diaspora remittances, the tariffs introduced new downward pressures through trade disruption and a worsening current account balance. Analysts project a continued depreciation trend through 2025, with some forecasts suggesting the KES could reach as low as 155 to the dollar. Factors contributing to this outlook include high external debt servicing obligations, the CBK’s decision to pursue accommodative monetary policy—cutting rates to stimulate domestic demand—and narrowing interest rate differentials with the U.S., which could dampen investor appetite for KES-denominated assets. Although inflation is largely under control and remittances remain strong, these buffers may not fully offset the structural pressures introduced by disrupted trade flows and persistent macroeconomic imbalances. Moreover, Kenya’s exposure to external shocks remains high, and market sentiment continues to react swiftly to any signals of instability or shifts in U.S. policy.

A Report by NBC News

In response to these mounting pressures, the Kenyan government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy centered on diplomatic engagement, trade diversification, and internal economic reforms. Efforts are underway to secure a waiver from the 10% tariff through negotiations with U.S. officials, although progress remains uncertain. Simultaneously, Kenya is accelerating its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which offers a long-term avenue to diversify trade partnerships within Africa. However, AfCFTA implementation faces its own hurdles, including infrastructure gaps, non-tariff barriers, and complex rules of origin that limit short-term gains. Beyond the continent, Kenya is looking to strengthen trade ties with the European Union, with whom it signed an Economic Partnership Agreement in 2023, and explore new opportunities in Asia and the Middle East. On the domestic front, the government is considering measures to support affected sectors, including targeted incentives for exporters and investments in value addition. Nonetheless, these responses may take time to yield meaningful relief. With AGOA’s expiry nearing and no replacement framework yet secured, Kenya’s vulnerability to abrupt shifts in U.S. trade policy has been laid bare, reinforcing the urgent need to build a more resilient, diversified, and self-sufficient export economy.

References:

Capital Business Shilling falls amid uncertainty over US tariff hikes

Capital Business Kenya risks losing Sh14bn in exports to U.S. after 10pc tariff

The Star Kenya to diversity trade ties, push for more intra-Africa trade – CS Kinyanjui.

Serrari U.S. Hits Kenya with 10% Export Tariff Amid Shifting Global Trade Dynamics

The Standard Trump tariffs threaten Kenya’s Sh72b exports

All Africa Africa: How the New U.S. Tariffs Were Calculated and What They Mean for AGOA Trade Deal

The Clash Between Art and Authority in Kenyan Schools

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The 2025 censorship of Echoes of War, a play by Butere Girls High School, marks a flashpoint in Kenya’s long-standing tensions between youthful artistic expression and state authority. Despite winning top honors at the Western Region level of the Kenya National Schools and Colleges Drama Festival, the play was abruptly barred from proceeding to the national stage. Written by former senator and seasoned dramatist Cleophas Malala—who also penned the previously banned Shackles of Doom—Echoes of War was a bold allegory set in a fictional kingdom grappling with generational tensions and authoritarian rule. Its protagonist, Mustafa, a university student and tech innovator, challenges the regime’s rigidity with digital solutions like telemedicine, while his ally Anifa Imana mobilizes public opinion through social media. The play’s futuristic and radical tone, its incorporation of AI characters, and its critique of entrenched leadership struck a nerve with education officials. Events took a darker turn when police forcibly disrupted the school’s participation in Nakuru, deploying tear gas, arresting journalists, and detaining Malala despite a valid High Court order authorizing the play’s staging. The students’ response—singing the national anthem and then walking out—symbolized a defiant act of resistance that reverberated far beyond the festival venue, turning a school play into a national spectacle and sparking widespread outrage over the apparent state-sanctioned suppression of minors.

A Report by Nation

To understand the gravity of this moment, one must view it through the historical lens of Kenyan theatre, where censorship has long been wielded to curtail dissenting voices, especially those emanating from younger, politically aware generations. The Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival, established in 1959, was originally a colonial import modeled on British educational theatre, excluding African voices until the early 1970s. It became a crucible of radical expression in the post-independence years, especially after the historic 1971 victory of Olkirkenyi, the first indigenous play to win at the national level. Throughout the late 20th century, plays became a subtle yet powerful means for students and teachers to comment on societal issues—ranging from tribalism to corruption and inequality—often using metaphor, allegory, and traditional performance styles. However, successive regimes, particularly under the KANU government and President Moi, treated such works as subversive. Prominent playwrights like Ngugi wa Thiong’o were jailed or exiled for dramatizing the suffering of the poor and critiquing the status quo. Plays like Makwekwe and Shackles of Doom were famously banned, with their writers and adjudicators fleeing or facing arrest. The state’s fear of theatre has historically stemmed from its ability to unify, mobilize, and awaken young minds—an effect amplified when performed by students within national platforms.

What happened in Nakuru in 2025 is a modern echo of this legacy, but it also highlights new dynamics in the ongoing struggle for creative freedom. Unlike past generations, today’s students are more connected, more media-literate, and more aware of their rights, particularly through digital platforms that allow them to share their voices widely and instantly. This context raises the stakes of state censorship. It is no longer just a question of restricting a school play but of suppressing a broader youth movement grounded in performance, protest, and political consciousness. The state’s justification for the ban—Malala’s role as a non-teacher and allegations of script alteration—rings hollow when contrasted with the overwhelming legal, civic, and public support for the students. The High Court’s intervention and the public’s reaction, including condemnation from Chief Justice Martha Koome, human rights organizations, and political leaders across the spectrum, reflect a society that is increasingly unwilling to tolerate authoritarian overreach in education and the arts. If anything, the incident has catalyzed a reexamination of the role of drama in education, with calls growing louder for student-centered authorship, institutional accountability, and a reformed regulatory framework that nurtures, rather than punishes, expressive courage. In this light, Echoes of War is not just a play—it is a clarion call, and how the nation responds will shape the cultural and civic landscape of Kenya’s future.

References:

Nation Echoes of War: The script of the play government doesn’t want you to watch

BBC Kenya police fire tear gas during school drama competition

Capital News Tension in Nakuru as Journalists, public barred from viewing ‘Echoes of War’ play

Citizen Digital Echoes of war: No photos or videos of Drama Festivals as Butere girls set to perform

Leveraging AI for Africa’s Growth: Key Takeaways from Kigali

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The inaugural Global AI Summit for Africa in Kigali marked a pivotal moment, underscoring the continent’s ambition to become a significant player in the global artificial intelligence landscape. The summit, themed around leveraging AI for Africa’s demographic dividend, brought together leaders to discuss the immense potential of AI to drive economic growth and enhance social welfare across various sectors. From revolutionizing healthcare through AI-powered diagnostics and telemedicine to transforming education with personalized learning and breaking down language barriers, the opportunities for Africa to leapfrog traditional development stages are substantial. In agriculture, AI promises to optimize crop yields and improve resource management, while in governance, it offers tools for greater efficiency and transparency. This enthusiasm is tempered by the recognition of significant hurdles that need to be addressed for this potential to be fully realized.

A Report by France 24

Despite the bright prospects, the widespread adoption of AI in Africa faces considerable challenges. These include significant infrastructure deficits in computing power and internet connectivity, the complexity of linguistic diversity hindering the development of inclusive AI models, and limitations in the availability of high-quality, relevant data. Furthermore, a notable skills gap in AI-related fields and the imperative to establish ethical and regulatory frameworks are critical considerations. However, African innovation is already emerging to tackle these challenges. For instance, BuniAI is making strides in enhancing digital accessibility by simplifying the creation of USSD applications. This technology is particularly relevant in Africa, where basic mobile phones are prevalent, offering a crucial pathway to bridge the digital divide and deliver essential services and information to underserved populations.

The path forward for AI in Africa requires a concerted effort from governments, investors, educational institutions, and the private sector. Strategic investments in infrastructure, talent development, and the cultivation of local innovation ecosystems are crucial. Moreover, fostering strong public-private partnerships and promoting ethical AI development that is tailored to Africa’s unique context and values will be essential to ensure that the benefits of AI are inclusive and sustainable. The discussions and commitments made at the Kigali summit, coupled with the work of innovative organizations like BuniAI, signal a determined move towards harnessing the transformative power of artificial intelligence to shape a more prosperous and equitable future for the African continent.

References:

The East African Why Africa has a real chance to lead the way in AI

Malawi Ace Artificial Intelligence: Africa’s Opportunity to Leapfrog Development

African Business Global AI Summit on Africa: Can policymakers take control of AI?

Medium Buni.AI, Revolutionizing USSD Technology

Techpoint Turning AI’s opportunity into reality for Africa