Audio By Vocalize A spinach farm in Yimbo, Bondo sub-county. [Isaiah Gwengi, Standard] Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy and is essential to food security in Kenya, where millions of families are currently in dire need of relief food as a result of famine. Food insecurity casts a long shadow over a nation’s progress, especially in a developing country like Kenya, where it directly affects the energy and productivity of its people. Even more troubling is that food, a basic necessity, has become a political tool, and aspirants promise to lower food prices and offer free foodstuffs during campaigns.…
Author: By Kimani Wamatangi
Ballot boxes. [Daniel Chege, Standard] For far too long, Kenyan politics has been weighed down by empty rhetoric, endless name-calling, and lofty promises that rarely translate into tangible change. Election seasons are often marked by beautifully crafted manifestos, powerful slogans and emotional appeals meant to excite the electorate. .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 60px; z-index: 1; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0), rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)); } .paywall-container { position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; padding: 25px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); background-color:…
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi flanked by MCA’s addresses journalists at the County Headquarters of green leaf tea fraud by tea factories in the county on February 8, 2024. [George Njunge/Standard] As Kenya continues to deepen its devolution journey, the realisation of development at the grassroots and improved service delivery depends significantly on how counties manage and mobilise their financial resources. While the equitable share from the national government remains vital, long-term sustainability and autonomy of counties hinge on the strengthening of Own Source Revenue (OSR). The reality is that an overreliance on national disbursements, often subject to delays, leaves counties…
Committee on County Public Account and Investments (CPAIC) member Senator Kimani Wamatangi when Governor Okoth Obado appeared before the committee at the Kenyatta International conference centre (KICC) Nairobi. June 4th, 2021. [File, Standard] When devolution was introduced after the promulgation of the new constitution, it carried the great promise of bringing services closer to the people. Indeed, counties across Kenya have made commendable strides in health, education, infrastructure and economic empowerment. However, one persistent and growing threat that continues to undermine these efforts is the unsustainable cost of grid-powered electricity, particularly for public utilities like street lighting. Today, darkness engulfs…