People protest against US President Donald Trump’s decision to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2025. [AFP] Following the announcement by the United Kingdom that it will cut its foreign aid to Third World countries, fresh fears have arisen over what this means for social programmes in Kenya. The new round of foreign aid cuts has come after suggestions from the United States that European countries need to de-prioritise foreign aid and development, and focus instead on bolstering support towards the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and other local defence…
Author: By Njahira Gitahi
Youths during Gen-Z anniversary protests in Kitengela, on June 25, 2025. [ Jenipher Wachie, Standard] Days ago, a tribunal in Bangladesh indicted former Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina in absentia for crimes against humanity, following a leaked audio of the PM ordering for the shooting of protestors. Hasina fled the country for India in August 2024 after student protests overthrew her government and installed a transitional one. These protests began in 2022 when the youths demanded for reforms in the allocation of government jobs to younger people. But instead of addressing these concerns, Hasina used violence to quash the protests,…
US President Donald Trump meets with unseen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2025. [AFP] Before running for the office of President of the United States, Donald Trump had fashioned himself as an astute businessman, one who understood The Art of the Deal (this would later become the title of one of his books), and used it to his advantage to make billions. Building on this reputation, even before assuming office for his second term, he had sent envoys to Israel to secure a peace deal that…
Youths during the Gen Z anniversary protests in Kisii town, on June 25, 2025. [Sammy Omingo, Standard] In these days of rapid movement building, we can fail to notice how language and propaganda might be used to derail a movement for progress. In Kenya’s case, the youth are bogged down with trying to survive, mourning their dead peers, keeping track of government activities and organising the next mass action. The government, on the other hand, is infinitely resourced, capable of clamping down on movement building from several directions. One effective way to ensure there is little to no progress in…
Protestors demand justice for the late teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, along Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, on June 17, 2025. Ojwang died in custody at Central Police Station. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] With the first anniversary of the June 25 demonstrations being Wednesday, many youths as well as older generations are in a state of mourning, even as they recognise the monumental day last year when they dared to march into Parliament and have their voices heard. In the long year since this day, however, it has felt as if the more things have changed, the more they have remained the same.…
President William Ruto is welcomed by Raila Odinga during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay County on June 01, 2025. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard] What is the purpose of the prison system at large? Theoretically speaking, we are taught that prisons exist for reform and rehabilitation, with those sentenced to a prison term taking the time there to understand the gravity of their actions and working to change. In reality, however, there might be a deeper part of the human psyche that views the prison as a place where the unwanted of society go to rot away, much like Britain sent off…
Former Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba when the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare summoned Labour CS Alfred Mutua over foreign jobs, at Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi. May 6, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard In the past couple of weeks, Senator Gloria Orwoba’s political career has been in a state of upheaval, with her political party withdrawing her nomination to the Senate, the Speaker of the Senate officially declaring her position vacant, and the High Court putting a stay on this ouster as the matter is resolved. Ms Orwoba’s time in the Senate has been nothing short of colourful. In…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, providing us with an opportunity to discuss mental illness openly and candidly. More than any other illnesses, mental conditions are looked upon with the most stigma, even though many people are struggling in one form or another. Rising levels of stress and anxiety, owing to the current living conditions of our societies, means that more people are suffering than ever, making it vital that we take mental health more seriously. The need to have a Mental Health Awareness Month is couched in the overwhelming stigma that exists around mental illness. Stigma is a great…
Cardinals during the fifth congregation meeting in the Vatican, on April 28, 2025. [AFP] Pope Francis is being mourned the world over by believers and non-believers of the Catholic faith alike. The Pope stood up as a beacon of light, change and progressivism for many. Notably, in his final years, he stood firm against the genocide in Gaza. While leaders across the rest of the world continue to hedge around the question of the genocide, the Pope chose to spend his every day commiserating with the people of Gaza, calling the Catholic Church there to speak with and pray for…
Hanna Wendot Cheptumo Nominee for Cabinet Secretary, Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage during her vetting process before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments at County Hall, Nairobi on April 14, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] The appointment of Hanna Wendot Cheptumo as the incoming Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs sparked a great deal of ire in women’s spaces in the last week. This followed her comments while being interviewed for the position when she implied that a leading reason behind femicide was young women’s greed for money. Ms Cheptumo sparked outrage for blaming…