An aerial view of the Expressway Road. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] A week ago, BBC published a story titled, ‘What it’s like to live in the world’s smartest cities for 2025’. It featured five top cities across the globe where residents rely on cutting-edge technology and innovation to conduct their daily affairs. From self-driving buses to AI-controlled traffic lights to buildings that manage their own energy use, residents of those cities enjoy “smart living”. In one hotel in the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area in Japan, guests automatically check themselves in and enjoy the services of robotic staff. Guests also get to enjoy “smart beds”…
Author: By Henry Ochieng’
When people talk about last year’s Gen Z revolution, many forget that it all started with a hashtag. It was a passionate call by young people for Kenyans to reject the punitive Finance Bill 2024 in toto. What began as a social media outcry quickly snowballed into a movement that not only led to the withdrawal of the Bill, but, more significantly, forced President William Ruto to dissolve his Cabinet. For the first time in Kenya, the government and political leaders bowed to the power of social media as a platform to push for accountability. However, a year later, the…
Stealing a credit card through a laptop concept for computer hacker. [Courtesy/Istock] There is no doubt that Kenya needs a strong cybercrime law. The rapid growth of the country’s digital economy has made it a prime target for cyber threats including financial fraud, identity theft, misinformation, and cyberbullying. As more Kenyans embrace mobile banking, e-commerce, and digital platforms, risks to personal data and national security have increased. So, it is only logical to have a law that not only protects citizens and businesses from losses but also builds trust in the digital space. But the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment)…
Interior PS Raymond Omollo during the launch of public benefit organization (PBO) regulations 2025 in Nairobi on June 5, 2025. (Collins Oduor, Standard) When choosing where to live, especially in urban areas, security is usually a major consideration. Traditionally, we have entrusted this critical facet of our lives to security agencies. But with security challenges getting more complex and increasing in our cities and towns, a collaborative approach that includes communities and other security stakeholders can lead to more practical and sustainable solutions. As invaluable as our law enforcement agencies are, it is increasingly apparent that they cannot single-handedly shoulder…
Joseph Lokapel, quenches thirst from Mworwongar water pan in Kacheliba constituency. [File, Standard] In many neighbourhoods in Nairobi, you will hardly fail to come across the ubiquitous yellow 20-litre jerricans stacked high on a pushcart operated by water vendors. Water vendors have become a vital part of life in such neighbourhoods where taps run dry more often than not. As Nairobi continues to experience rapid population growth, it is struggling to keep up with the increasing water demand. Water rationing has become the norm in many parts of the city. In some estates, residents go for days without running water.…