The Gen Z protests have provided an interesting crucible with which citizens interact with spatial spaces as they air their grievances. In this episode, we discuss how the various parties make sense of this political moment out in the streets.

Join us in this compelling episode as we delve into the intricacies of Kenya's recent Finance Bill protests, exploring the pivotal role of fact-checking journalism. Our esteemed guest, Linda Ngari, an award-winning freelance journalist and fact-checker, illuminates the critical intersections of information integrity and public dissent, unravelling …

Gen Z shows the power of digital activism - driving change from screens to the streets.

How was your relationship with your dad and how has fatherhood shaped you? On this Father's Day, we honour grandfathers, foster dads, adoptive dads, stepdads, Godfathers, Father figures, and all the men who uphold paternal bonds. Happy Father's Day.

Madaraka Day is a special occasion in Kenya's calendar. But beyond the festivities, Madaraka Day is also a time for reflection and unity. Do you feel Kenyans still attend national events, and what drives them to attend or not? What would you want the leaders to address on Madaraka Day? And what would you want older Kenyan folks to tell you about th…

For a long time, very few used to talk a lot about mental health, and thankfully many more people do now. In this episode, we explore what has changed, because these days everyone, everywhere is mental health this and that. Still, do we have a generational gap between Gen Z, Millennials and our folks on the attitudes towards seeking mental health s…

On this episode of Chini Ya Maji podcast, CEO and Co-Founder, Pamela Muriuki, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the birth of GiftPesa. Discover how she transformed gifting from a side hustle into a game-changer. Dive into her business model, focused on appreciating the most deserving employees and service providers. Tune in to listen to this e…

We are hostages of this venal, idiotic class that harps on sovereignty and independence because all they can do now is enclose us in these colonial borders in the name of Handshakes and Handouts.

On this episode of Chini Ya Maji podcast, CEO and Co-Founder, Marvin Tumbo, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the birth of Scale. Discover how he transformed procurement from a side hustle into a game-changer. Dive into his business model, focused on surfacing the best service providers, building trust and reputation and ensuring equal opportu…

In recent years, Generation Z has garnered a reputation for being both entitled and woke, but what does this mean for the future? This conversation explores the nuances of Gen Z's identity, questioning whether their perceived entitlement clashes with their woke ideals or if it's a manifestation of their desire for a more equitable world.…

In this episode, delve into Kevin Mutiso's captivating journey. From his discovery of Warren Buffet to his deep dive into the world of stocks, we explore his transition from data entry to launching his own startup. Discover the invaluable lessons learned from his entrepreneurial setback and his bold vision to transform Africa into the most futurist…

Peter share his Journey of Innovation and hard work. An inspiring conversation that walks us through how the idea of TWIVA came about and how building a product in a new market is not easy. Enjoy the Podcast!

Gen­er­a­tion Z has emerged as a pop­u­la­tion increas­ing­ly wor­thy of atten­tion, espe­cial­ly now as its old­er mem­bers are in their 20s and have become a polit­i­cal­ly engaged force in recent elec­tions.

Fresh controversy is swirling over Kenya's ballooning debt crisis even as President William Ruto prescribes painful tax measures to fund his 3.68 trillion debut budget that has been squeezed by debt service costs.By by The Elephant

More than 90% of Kenyans have rejected the Finance Bill 2023, which includes the government’s taxation plan for the financial year starting in July 2023, a new survey has shown. The courts have extended the conservatory orders on the Bill. The Elephant speaks to Abraham Rugo, PhD, the International Budget Partnership's Country Manager. He has a pas…

The Kenya Finance Bill 2023 is an unfair and regressive legislation favouring the wealthy and corporations at the expense of the working-class and poor majority. The Elephant in conversation with Diana Gichengo, National Coordinator at The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA).By by The Elephant

The rise of movements such as Feminism and the Men’s Rights Movement in a landscape long divided raise valid concerns regarding gender-specific issues that as a society need to be addressed.By by The Elephant

Failing to examine youth engagement trends may be a serious blind spot— and thus a threat to democracy. It is a question that merits closer examination. When youth disengage, they are often saying they don’t have a high level of confidence or trust in existing economic, political, or social entities. Nerima Wako is the Executive Director at Siasa P…

The Kenyan government's new tax proposals that seek to boost revenue collection and cut public borrowing have been met with much opposition, especially from Kenyans who already fill the burden of a high cost of living. Former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi speaks to The Elephant.By by The Elephant

The Kenyan government's new tax proposals that seek to boost revenue collection and cut public borrowing have been met with much opposition, especially from Kenyans who already fill the burden of a high cost of living.By by The Elephant

Kenya’s cost of living demonstrations has as much to do with popular discontent as they do with the opposition capitalizing on frustrations. The Elephant in conversation with Zein Abubakar, a director at the Orature Collective and former Member of Parliament at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).…

In recent weeks, lawmakers and politicians in Kenya, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have decried the alleged spectre of widespread alcoholism and sparked a nationwide hysteria. There is only one problem; all available data from state agencies, civil society, and global health firms do not back up their alarming claims about an alcoholi…

This government faces significant political risk in the middle of an economic crisis. Lucky governments are those that are able to avoid having both, at least concurrently. President Ruto's decisions as he tries to balance political deal-making versus economic risks are creating the impression of an overwhelmed regime and the public is getting agit…

Property invasion has emerged as a core facet of the recent demonstrations including the Northlands in Nairobi, and Kedong ranch in Isiolo. Is our failure to implement Agenda 4 of the 2007 National Accord coming back to bite us? What is the future of the land question in Kenya? The Elephant's Joe Kobuthi talks to conservationist Mordecai Ogada.…

How the myth of ‘institutions’ has shaped the fight against graft and wasted precious time and money. The Elephant in conversation with Sheila Masinde, Executive Director at Transparency International Kenya.By by The Elephant

Despite the enormous burden that mental ill-health imposes on individuals, their families, society, health systems and the economy, mental health care remains a neglected area of public policy in Kenya. Dannish Odongo speaks.By by The Elephant

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), labour leaders, faith-based organizations, religious leaders and other civil society representatives play a critical and diverse set of roles in societal development. Will the shifting external environment for civil society have any place in civil society? The Elephant in conversation with Dr Wandia Njoya, a s…

Dr Wandia Njoya explores developments in Kenya’s education sector since independence. She explains that the initial 7-6-3 system was designed to recreate a British style elite; 8-4-4 created more rounded Kenyans who were better critical thinkers; now we head into the uncertainties of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which seems to be a throwb…

Title: Building Middle East and Africa's first Super API for a comprehensive payment solution Nader started out as a curious young man in the 1990s, intrigued by technology. He decided to pursue engineering in order to build and create solutions. Through his passion for understanding the tech world, he discovered that knowledge alone is not enough,…

In Kenya, the question of who, what and when the civil society started and evolved remains a contentious issue. The nature, scope and operations of the civil society tend to be bandied to the identity of the few known stalwarts while many key parts of the sector remain relatively obscure. And as Muthoni Wanyeki explains, these sins of omission and …

In the 1990s, a group of intelligentsia arose to partner with the then civil society, and the new crop of firs-time politicians in parliament. The three different factions were all conflated to be part of the civil society. But as senior economist David Ndii clarifies, these three groups were distinct yet cooperative in expanding the political spac…

As long as we focus on the tribe, we will lose the nation and be stuck in the tribal mire. Kenya will cease to be a society. We will lose our sense of collective responsibility and find in its place a culture of competitive victimhood. The Elephant in conversation with Rev. Canon Francis Omondi, a Priest of All Saints Cathedral Diocese of the ACK, …

Kenyan youth are not to blame for their election apathy. For decades, elections have hardly made a difference in curbing violent plunder by Kenya’s ruling class. The youth are wondering whether this would be any different. The Elephant in conversation with Dr Alex Awiti, Associate Professor and Vice Provost - Aga Khan University, East Africa.…

Betting on Solar Energy to Address Climate Change and Impact Lives Samir Ibrahim grew up in Orlando, Florida. His parents always told him that the opportunities he had were not available to them back home. As a child of immigrants, Ibrahim knew that it was important to use his opportunities to help others.In this episode of our Founders series, hos…

BOLDNESS CREATES OPPORTUNITY My father had plans for me but I wasn't keen on that... he wasn't very happy to support me. For a lot of young Africans this statement isn't new to them. It's not easy chattering your path against your parents' will. So many questions are already asked to us in the startup world about the description of our work and for…

For tax justice to truly work on behalf of the citizen, it must be founded on the principles of human rights. This demands that the fiscal architecture in place allows for citizen participation; non-discrimination, and empowering processes that enhance social mobility. The Elephant in conversation with Leonard Wanyama, regional coordinator of the E…

Kenya’s agro-economy accounts for about 24 per cent of GDP and 74% of jobs (GoK, 2008). On 4th March 2013, the central government transferred much of the at least 10 separate sub-sectors to county governments. These are crops (both industrial and food), horticulture, livestock, fisheries, land, water, cooperatives and marketing, environment and nat…

The Wowzi Journey: Connecting The Dots When you come up with an idea and you talk to the market and you see how it gets translated into a solution, it's magic.Brian Mogeni and his Co-Founders Mike Otieno and Hassan Bashir wanted to connect capacity and opportunity and the greatest insight that came by was that 'People trust People,' The major quest…

THE 'FOUNDER-PROBLEM FIT' APPROACH The most overlooked aspect by entrepreneurs "One of my challenges was realizing I didn't need to have just technical skills... As a founder I need to know how to pitch"Idorenyin Obong or as we'd like to call him 'The Writing Techie' found himself in a situation that a lot of founders find themselves before their l…

Leveraging Tech in the African Logistics Landscape "It's going to take some time for us to stop comparing ourselves to each other and other countries... and start asking the question of why we didn't do better"Mark Mwangi was never your average student, he never settled, not from his days in high school to his days as a truck driver making ends mee…

Its government is virtual, borderless, blockchained, and secure. An early, sustained and deliberate adoption of digital tools to provide government services to its citizens. Has this tiny post-Soviet nation found the way of the future? The Elephant in conversation with Kadri Humal Ayal, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in Kenya.…

In this conversation, we talk about tax justice and the 15% minimum corporate tax proposal by the G7. What is it about, why is it important for Africa and what can we do? Crystal Simeoni, Director at NAWI, in conversation with Chenai Mukumba, Policy Research and Advocacy Manager at the Tax Justice Network Africa.…

A New Era of Businesses with Social Impact I think we are entering a new era where businesses can't ignore their social impact ~ Tracey Turner Growing up, Tracey just like many young people, did not have a clear path for what career she wanted to pursue. She was ambitious and spontaneous and had a stint of wanting to pursue so much including being …

LET'S TALK INVESTMENT "We want to turn out one million African investors and we have the capacity to go for such a goal" Meet Richmond Bassey, the Co-founder and CEO of Bamboo, an investment platform that gives people the tools to build wealth from the ground up through real-time access to the global marketsCatch him and our host Mark Karake as the…

Scaling Fintech in Africa "The reality in Africa is that if you really want to scale today, you need to run a hybrid strategy, meaning digital and part physical." ~Timothy Nuy Meet Timothy Nuy, a man who was always intrigued and interested in business in the financial services space. Hear how he started as a call centre agent and moved to African D…

Embracing the Disruptive Nature of Entrepreneurship "Be comfortable with failure. Fail at this, fail at that and keep failing but just make sure that you learn from them" Eerik was an adventurous young man growing up in Estonia Northern Europe where he tried his hand at everything from lawn mowing to being an infantry team lead even opening a bar b…

The Northern Rangelands Trust has been active in the pastoralist region, setting up "Community Wildlife." Some have argued that these conservancies are a trojan horse for taking away pastoralist land. With the coming into force of the Community Land Act 2016, securing pastoralist land has become even more urgent. The Elephant in conversation with A…

Socially, the pastoralists are patriarchally organized; men take most of the powers, and women are to be seen and not heard. That combined with the climatic shocks, where women are disproportionately affected, has made them incredibly vulnerable. However, economic empowerment through programs like Ushanga - an endeavour that was mostly undertaken b…

The Community Land Act, No. 27 of 2016 (the Act) came into force on 21 September 2016. The Act gives effect to Article 63 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 (The Constitution) which provides for the classification of land known as community land. While the law is progressive on paper- it enables local communities to register and own their communal …

Pre-independence, Kenya's Northern Frontier Districts fought to be part of Somalia during Shifta War or Gaf Daba (1963–1967). The post-1963 Kenya war against the "Shifta," securitized the relationship between the state, the region, and the people. Since then a series of massacres- the Wagala (1984), Bagala (1998), and Malka Mari (1982), and the adv…