The African Trumpet

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.

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 passion for homegrown solutions to society's problems and works to localize and personalize policy matters that are otherwise complicated.

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).

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.

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 Place.

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.

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.

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 alcoholism problem in Kenya. So what is the so-called war on alcoholism really masking? In this episode, The Elephant is in conversation with Patrick Gathara, a Kenyan journalist, cartoonist, blogger, author and social commentator.

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 agitated. How is this likely to play out in the short term? The Elephant's Joe Kobuthi speaks to economist and former Laikipia governor Nderitu Muriithi.

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.

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.

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 scholar and a social and political communicator.

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 throwback to the original 7-6-3 system. Dr Njoya also explores the implications of these developments.

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 commissions take away interesting and insightful histories which need to be properly told.

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 space in the country's democracy.

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, a Canon of the All-Saints Kampala Cathedral of the Church of Uganda, Adjunct Lecturer at St. Paul's University, Limuru, and Research Tutor at the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life.

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.

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 East African Tax and Governance Network (EATGN).

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 natural resources, regional development, and development of arid and semi-arid land (ASAL). Has it been a hit? Miss? Mixed bag? The Elephant in conversation with Dr Abraham Rugo Muriu, Country Director, International Budget Partnership Kenya.

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.

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 Adam Dalacha, a lawyer and human rights activist.

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 by women, is improving their lot. The Elephant in conversation with Kulamo Bullo Ikimire, CEC - Tourism, Culture and Social Services in Marsabit County, Kenya.

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 lands legally, its application has been slow. The Elephant in conversation with Dr Hussein Wario, Executive Director at the Center for Research and Development in Drylands, Kenya.

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 advent of the war on terror saw the rise of the label, terrorists. The result is a huge difficulty in accessing state services, National Identity Card, passports., and title deeds.

Increasingly, elders in the north play a critical role in determining who gets elected for political offices, especially county offices. However, how do traditional/cultural institutions interact with the new formal political institutions? The relationship between these institutions is not always unidirectional, but they mutually influence each other. Do women have a role since most of the elders are male? The Elephant talks to Ms Bilach Jimale.

The Constitution of Kenya, in Article 53 (1) (b) states that every child has a right to free and compulsory basic education, yet since Kenya's independence, the arid north has continued to exhibit extensively lower access, participation, completion, and achievement rates thanks to insecurity. The Elephant in conversation with Fatuma Ali Saman, a Kenyan educationist and women's rights campaigner.

The young people are central to how the current election will shape up. Their contribution as voters, aspirants, citizens, policymakers and experts makes them a central cog in our electoral machinery. But how has the current crop of leaders approached the youth issue, especially the urban youth voter? The Elephant talks to youth mobilizer, Mr Rasat.

In this episode, we quantify through numbers, narratives, and anecdotes what was lost, how it was lost and where they are or could be located. We talk about the museums, private collections, secret vaults, altered stories, and canaries.

Do farmers owe the nation food or do they owe themselves a profit? Should youths join the farming craze? Our country is primarily agricultural as it contributes about 26 per cent of Kenya's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), another 27 per cent of GDP indirectly through linkages with other sectors and value addition. The sector employs more than 40 percent of Kenya's 30 million adults and more than 70 percent of Kenya's rural people.

The contest between traditional seeds and IP patented industrially produced seeds runs apace. Seed savers Kenya believes their seed preservation techniques are great and ought to be preserved. Meanwhile, the industry seems to try and edge them out. That contest pits farmers against industrialists has immediate effects on consumers, farmers, seeds outlets and agro-inputs sellers across the country.

Around a third of Kenyans live in the Arid and Semi-Arid Regions (ASAL), which is 80 % of Kenya's landmass. The region temperatures have risen 0.34 degrees C (.6 F) per decade since 1985, which is fueling more severe cycles of drought. The drought cycle has been reduced from ten years to five years, with increasing intensity and frequency of drought. How are the counties dealing with these sets of challenges?

Devolution, access occasioned by new highways, a rise of local elites, has created a boon for sub-counties and towns within the counties in the North. The growth of LAPPSET is promising to more than triple the transport and communication infrastructure. And even though the northern counties are still reeling from decades of exclusion, a new hope emerges as modernization gradually takes root.

Elections in some ways have been great drivers of conflict and tools of authoritarianism but they also bring about positive incremental change and provide some form of accountability. Our moderator Patrick Gathara, and discussants Rashid Abdi, Justin Willis and Samira Gaid reflect on the progress made in democratizing the East African region and what needs to be done to secure long-term gains. A partnership between Heinrich Boll Foundation, The Elephant and The Rift Valley Institute.

Elections in some ways have been great drivers of conflict and tools of authoritarianism but they also bring about positive incremental change and provide some form of accountability. Our moderator Patrick Gathara, and discussants Rashid Abdi, Justin Willis and Samira Gaid reflect on the progress made in democratizing the East African region and what needs to be done to secure long-term gains. A partnership between Heinrich Boll Foundation, The Elephant and The Rift Valley Institute.

Elections in some ways have been great drivers of conflict and tools of authoritarianism but they also bring about positive incremental change and provide some form of accountability. Our moderator Patrick Gathara, and discussants Rashid Abdi, Justin Willis and Samira Gaid reflect on the progress made in democratizing the East African region and what needs to be done to secure long-term gains. A partnership between Heinrich Boll Foundation, The Elephant and The Rift Valley Institute.

Elections in some ways have been great drivers of conflict and tools of authoritarianism but they also bring about positive incremental change and provide some form of accountability. Our moderator Patrick Gathara, and discussants Rashid Abdi, Justin Willis and Samira Gaid reflect on the progress made in democratizing the East African region and what needs to be done to secure long-term gains. A partnership between Heinrich Boll Foundation, The Elephant and The Rift Valley Institute.

Every day, hundreds of millions of people go to bed hungry. Three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. Two billion are overweight or obese. Yet 462 million are underweight. Nearly a third of all food that is produced, is lost or wasted. How does a world of so much plenty struggle to feed so many of its inhabitants? The Elephant talks to Greenpeace Africa's Claire Nasike.

How are the respective players preparing for the upcoming elections? What role have they played in the past and how is that likely to change or evolve in the coming months? What will shape voter decision making and how does that feed the need for civic education? The Elephant speaks to the founder of Accountability Demand Net (ADN), Cyprian Nyamwamu.

Between COVID-19 and resultant issues, an approaching debt cliff, a new crop of young voters and a wobbly economy, Kenyans seem to have a clear set of the issues that will define the upcoming elections. How will Kenyans go about ranking their respective pressing issues and how will that shape the upcoming elections? The Elephant in conversation with Cyprian Nyamwamu.

As the current debates about the Competency-Based Curriculum rage on, Dr Wandia Njoya and Elephant Curator John Githongo walk down the memory lane of Kenya's education system since the pre-colonial days to the present.

A community is only as honest as the stories it tells itself. Who are we? What makes us a country or nation? How did we arrive at our stories? How does what we tell ourselves about our origin, and self-existence say about us? The Elephant joins Dr Wandia, Mshai Mwangola, Ngala Chome and Oyunga Pala to elucidate on how we arrived at the stories we tell ourselves as a community and a nation.

Successive issues around land, reparations, colonial violence, and policing structures throughout Kenya's life span have created a leash on the capacity of the Kenya public to imagine and build forward. How do we set free the soul of the Kenyan people? The Elephant joins Dr Wandia, Mshai Mwangola, Ngala Chome and Oyunga Pala to elucidate on how best to fix ourselves as a community.

What is a state and what is a nation? How have the two co-existed within our country and especially within the last few decades? The impact that the two structures have on the everyday lives of citizens and households is immense. The Elephant joins Dr Wandia, Mshai Mwangola, Ngala Chome and Oyunga Pala to elucidate on how best to fix ourselves as a community.

On May 14th the Kenyan High Court declared the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2021 unconstitutional. The proponent moved to the Court of Appeal who affirmed the decision of the high court. The proponents have decided to move to the Supreme Court. How has the process panned out and what will the Supreme Court decide on issues that touch on Section 255 and 257 that are quite sacred to the constitution? A conversation between The Elephant and Gautam Bhatia.

It is now 11 years since we voted in the current Constitution. Its implementation has been a case of hits and misses. Now a new wind of political disquiet is driving the call for a referendum. Is it too soon to try and change a document we have barely implemented? A conversation between The Elephant and Mutemi Wa Kiama.

It is barely 350 days to the next decisive general elections. The fluidity of the current political setup leaves a lot of room for negotiation but also increasingly narrows the choices available both for the political players and the voter. So, what gives. An Interview between The Elephant and Griffins Makokha.

We are within 350 days to the next elections in Kenya. The calendar for nominations, resignations, coalition building and political lines have been drawn. What are some of the key issues to look out for between now and the next election? An interview between The Elephant and advocate Patrick Kilonzo.

Kenya is about 60% youth with the median age of the country being 19.7 years. Recent calls for a referendum have very real and direct implications on the fate of the young. The question then remains; does the call for a referendum has the welfare of the youth at heart? as discussed by Joe Kobuthi, Ngala Chome, Darius Okolla and Shiko Kihika.