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  • THE STAGGERING DIVIDE BETWEEN THE PRIVILEGED AND LESS PRIVILEGED IN KENYA

    By Kamau Edgar,

    Perhaps the more perplexing paradigm, is the insufferable acceptance by the Kenyan populace of their echelon in the food chain but verily the difference between Kenyans living below a dollar a day and the 1% is simply mind boggling. That a bus full of rich people is wealthier than 42.6 million Kenyan citizens is jaw-dropping.

    A recent report by Oxfam reveals that only 125 rich people in Kenya hold a majority of the country’s wealth out of the total population that is close to 50 million people. This vividly paints a grim picture of the ever-widening gap between the poor and the rich in the country. This is without a shred of doubt a tale of two nations living within the same border. Even as economic constraints and living conditions keep deteriorating, they are exacerbated by systemic and structural violence with the elite hellbent on controlling almost all aspects of possible providence for the already overburdened “wananchi.” Which is this straw that will finally break the camel’s back? It will be hypocritical to say that Kenyans are an indolent and indifferent people. For what it’s worth, Kenyans are very industrious and hardworking people, yet this report indicates that over 7 million Kenyan people live in abject poverty. Kenya’s 1% owns 78% of wealth. I dare say that this is extremely nefarious and beats every level of logic. It is difficult to wrap one’s head around, one amassing a preposterous amount of wealth when millions of Kenyans can barely afford soap let alone the basic necessity of pure running water for bathing and drinking.

    We live in a country where the rich live lavishly whilst the poor struggle to swallow saliva. It is degenerate, the system has massively failed Kenyans and it is not even close. We live in a country where there is 300 billion to loot by the gluttonous political class which makes blunt promises days on end to gullible Kenyans whom unfortunately believe that they have no power to challenge the status-quo. According to the report, the poverty index has increased from 38% to 49%. This shows that there have not been active efforts to bridge the gap between the opulent and the pauper. The level of inequality is varied from the distribution of resources to the redistribution of power. The rich man keeps being rich while the poor man keeps languishing in pauperism and stinking of his own urine.

    The cost of food itself has risen by 50% since 2020, inevitably pushing poor households to a very tight corner. Additionally, social services and public funding on critical sectors such as education, health and agriculture have been grievously underfunded. In 2024, the government reportedly spent sh. 68 in every sh. 100 collected in taxes, to service debt (that’s if it was not at all pocketed by unknown entities) leaving behind a very meagre amount for social spending. The Kenya Kwanza regime’s bottom-up does not seem to be having any notable proceeds, simply ‘growing the economy’ without employing a paradigm shift and implementing workable redistributive policies has not lifted many Kenyans above the subsistence level. Many households’ face food insecurity and the inability to cater for educational, healthcare services, and their prospects to earn a stable income dwindle each passing day. The level of inequality has deepened despite the increase in GDP.

    While it’s arguable there exists a certain level of belief amongst of the larger section that this apathy is beyond their control, other issues come to the fore too. In as much as that attitude of indifference needs to be uprooted, the concentration of wealth amongst a few elites makes the redistribution even politically near to impossible. What is worth noting is that some of these elites have disproportionate influence. Worse still, government’s fiscal pressures are very highly exacerbated by constraints in revenue and debt servicing which makes the expansion of social spending difficult. It is clear that inequality is multi-faceted and it is not only linked with income. Reform approaches need be adopted in such a way that they are engineered to counter gender disparities, land disputes and the distribution of opportunities.

    Bridging the egregious gap between the rich and the poor is not impossible. The incorporation of bold political will, structural changes and public pressure coupled with positive civic activism and the role of the media in enhancing public awareness. All of this are crucial in challenging the status quo and the present injustices. From fiscal reforms through not punitive but progressive taxation, supporting small-scale farmers, social protection for informal workers and gender-sensitive planning are all crucial in empowering poor Kenyans.

  • The Sunday Supper Club: Finding Belonging in a Disconnected Age

    By MarieJoy Agoya and Ivy Wafula,

     

    “We were tired of rooms full of people staring at their phones. So we built a space where we could actually look at each other.” — Lydia Mwikali, founding member.

    (Sharing of food, stories, games are central to the Supper Club’s ethos of connection.)

    On a warm Sunday evening in Machakos County, the scent of simmering ginger and garlic chicken wafts through a modest two-bedroom apartment as a handful of young adults slip quietly through the door. Shoes come off, phones drop into a wicker basket near the entrance, and someone calls from the kitchen, “Who brought the ugali this week?”

    This is the Sunday Supper Club, part potluck, part group therapy, part board-game battleground, and for its members, a weekly lifeline.

    What started as three friends trying to beat loneliness has grown into one of the region’s most intriguing new social rituals, a secular gathering that feels, by design, almost sacred.

    “We were tired of pretending we were fine,” says Lydia Mwikali, 25, a public health enthusiast who helped form the club in early 2023. She sits cross-legged on the carpet, balancing a paper bowl of stew on her lap. “We were going out, posting photos, doing all the things you’re supposed to do, yet somehow feeling more isolated than ever.”

    Her roommate, Faith Kinyanjui, nods in agreement. “There’s something uniquely lonely about being surrounded by people who are all staring at their phones,” she says. “We wanted something that felt human again.”

    At first, they simply met for dinner on Sundays as three friends, with borrowed game night card games and a rule to keep phones out of sight. By the fourth week, each invited another friend. By the tenth, the group had grown to 12.

    Now, the Supper Club includes teachers, engineers, small business owners, and freelancers, each arriving with a dish, a story, or a game.

    Every gathering follows three gentle but unwavering rules: no phones or other devices go into the basket at the door. “It’s symbolic,” says Lydia. “We’re choosing each other.” Secondly, share something—a meal, a poem, a playlist, a board game, anything that contributes to the evening—and lastly, full presence, where there is no multitasking, no rushing off, and no pretending.

    “It sounds strict, but it actually frees you,” says Brian Kilonzo, 29, an IT technician and one of the club’s most enthusiastic members. “You’re not thinking about who’s texting back or what’s happening online. You’re just here.”

    He pauses, then adds with a grin, “Also, it turns out people get very competitive when there aren’t phones to distract them. Our Scrabble nights are basically warfare.”

    Kenya, like much of the world, is seeing a quiet shift in how young adults socialize. Bars still bustle on weekends, but a growing number are seeking alternatives that feel less transactional and more nourishing.

    “Post-pandemic, we’ve observed a meaningful rise in what we call intentional community practices,” explains Dr. Robert Wafula, a social Scientist and Educator at Friends Theological College. Though he is not affiliated with the group, he’s fascinated by it. “People are rebuilding social habits that prioritize depth over breadth. The Sunday Supper Club is a perfect example with a clear structure, where each member is allowed to be vulnerable hence fostering a healthy connection.”

    He also points to rising interest in sober meetups, book circles, craft nights, and hiking groups as part of the same movement. “Young adults are asking, ‘How do we find each other again?’ These rituals are the answer.”

    Each Sunday, by 7 p.m., the apartment is alive. In the kitchen, someone is plating chapati while two others debate whether pineapple belongs in pasta salad. On the living room floor, a deck of cards is being shuffled with dramatic flair. A speaker plays mellow blend of Kenyan music.

    Good food, full plates, full presence, and even fuller hearts.

    “This is my favorite part,” says Terry, a soft-spoken graphic designer. She’s one of the newer members and admits she nearly didn’t come the first time. “I’d been feeling disconnected from everyone, like my family, old friends, and even myself. But on my first night, someone asked me, ‘How was your week really?’ And I almost cried. No one had asked me that in a long time.”

    She’s not alone. Several members describe the group as grounding, even healing.

    “I used to have Sunday anxiety,” says Kevin, an accountant who commutes from Nairobi. “Now I look forward to this. It resets me.”

    The magic of the Sunday Supper Club isn’t in the food though the food is good. It’s in the consistency, the safety, and the permission to be unguarded.

    “Friendship takes work,” Lydia says, “but no one teaches you how to maintain it in adulthood. This is our way of choosing each other every week.”

    Brian puts it more simply: “It’s not just a social event. It’s a home.”

    As the night winds down, members trickle out into the cool Machakos air, retrieving their phones not with relief, but with a kind of reluctance. They hug longer than typical friends do. Plans are made for next Sunday.

    Back inside, the apartment is quiet again, except for the sound of dishes being stacked in the sink.

    “It’s funny,” Faith says, wiping the counter. “When we started this, we thought we were just bored. But now I realize, we were starved. Starved for presence. Starved for belonging.” And in a world buzzing with notifications and noise, the simple act of sitting down together every Sunday feels, if not revolutionary, then certainly rare and refreshing. A sacred ritual for a disconnected world.”

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  • How Remote Learning is Redefining the University Social Experience.

    By Joan Kamau and Rosemary  Nyambura,

    Switching to online learning hit university life like a quiet storm. In the beginning, it seemed like a break from the usual rush; no more squeezing into overcrowded matatus or running late for an 8 AM lecture. But with time, the real toll began showing up in ways no one expected. Students I spoke to described it as a slow drain on their energy, where the excitement of university life slowly faded into staring at a screen all day. Amina, a second-year student from a public university in Nairobi, shared her experience in regards to the shift. “Before, campus felt alive. You’d meet friends at the mess, laugh about a bad grade over chapati and beans. But now, it’s just me in my room, camera off most times because I didn’t want people to keep seeing my messy room. I feel invisible.”

    The emotional side is where the real problem lies. Loneliness crept in for many. Kevin, a final-year engineering student, shared how he used to play football with his hostel mates every evening as a form of relief after tough classes. “Online, the motivation is zero,” he said over the phone. “You submit assignments with a button, no high-fives, no group study sessions that turn into all-night debates. I failed two units last semester because it was hard to focus alone. Depression crept up on me.” It’s not just a single story; counsellors note the pattern everywhere. Dr. Jane Mwangi, a psychologist at a private university in the city. She told me her office used to handle almost 10 walk-ins a week for anxiety or stress. Now, even with virtual sessions, the cases tripled. “Students report higher isolation,” she explained. “The lack of face-to-face interaction means no casual check-ins, you can’t see when someone’s down. We’re dealing with more cases of burnout and even suicidal thoughts resulting from this detachment.”

    Practically, routines have fallen apart. Group projects became a nightmare. Sarah, a third-year business student, bitterly laughed when recalling a team assignment. “We’d meet on Zoom, but half the time someone lost connection, sometimes they’re multitasking with house chores. Commitment is really low. I got disappointed by the group and ended up doing 80% of the work myself. Friendships suffer too; distance grows without those random hangouts.” Motivation tanked. Without the buzz of campus events, social clubs or even library vibes, studying somehow feels pointless. A report from the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service noted that dropout rates surged by 15% in public universities during the heavy online periods after 2020, associating it directly to social disconnection.

    Counsellors including Dr. Mwangi describe how the pandemic accelerated the psychological fallout, but even now in 2025, with some hybrid options in place, the damage still lingers. “Humans live on connection. University is where lifetime networks are built. Online strips that away, leading to anxiety disorders. One student told me she cries after every class because she misses her squad” Another student, Tom, echoed this during our in-person meet-up at a coffee shop near his off-campus digs. “I came to campus for the full experience—parties, debates, crushes. Now it’s all on screen. I often get irritated, sleep less, and my grades are suffering. Feels like I’m not living anymore, just surviving.”

    The challenges of staying connected are real hurdles. Platforms such as WhatsApp groups help a bit, but they can’t compare to real-life experiences. Kevin mentioned trying virtual game nights, but “it feels forced, lags sometimes, and ends early because everyone’s tired from screen fatigue.” Stress piles up from home distractions too, such as family expectations and unreliable internet connections in rural areas. A study by UNESCO highlighted how remote learning widened mental health gaps in Kenya and across Africa, with 40% of students reporting increased depression symptoms.

    Overall, this shift has bruised many. Students feel unmotivated, counsellors are overwhelmed, and the joy of university has dimmed. It’s not all doom, but ignoring these impacts means losing the human side of universities, the part that makes them more than just places to earn degrees. Student leaders create Telegram and WhatsApp groups that became lifelines for communication. One leader admitted, “It’s not the same as meeting in person, but at least we still have a space to share updates and laugh together.”

    When classes shifted online, students and staff had to quickly find new ways to keep their social lives alive. The campus buzz of clubs, casual hangouts, and shared study sessions disappeared, but people didn’t stop trying to connect. For many, adaptation meant turning everyday tools into social hubs. Final-year students turned Discord into a mix of study room and hangout spot, where group work often ended with games or casual chats. Others leaned on simple acts of care, sending voice notes to friends, checking in, and offering encouragement. “Sometimes we just laugh about how strange everything feels,” one student said, “and that’s enough to make the day lighter.” Administrative staff also stepped in, organizing virtual trivia nights and wellness check-ins. These small gestures gave students a sense of belonging, reminding them that community can exist even through a screen

    Traditional clubs found creative ways to survive, hosting online talent shows and virtual meetings to keep their spirit alive. While none of these innovations fully replace the energy of campus life, they reveal a determination to stay connected. In the face of distance, students and staff are proving that community isn’t defined by physical walls. It is built through effort, creativity, and care. As systems evolve, the need for human connection remains a necessity. Students and lecturers need social interactions to have them fulfilled while going about campus life.

     

  • F1 (2025) A Hollywood – Sports Film

    By Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com

    F1 (2025) is a good ‘Hollywood’ fantasy of the sport.

    Visually, it delivers an authentic reconstruction of Formula 1 racing put on film. Narratively, it leans into Hollywood logic so hard that purists may need a neck brace. The result is a movie that is written in perfect script, but in the wrong language.

    The film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a veteran driver making an improbable comeback, partnered with rising star Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). Filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends, with real cars, real paddocks, and real team principals roaming in the background, the movie achieves a level of realism that traditional sports dramas rarely touch. The seamless integration of real F1 personalities – Toto Wolff, Max Verstappen, and even the Sky Sports commentary crew – gives the film an almost documentary-like immediacy.

    The film soars in its technical execution.

    Director Joseph Kosinski, who elevated aerial cinematography in Top Gun: Maverick, does for motorsport what he previously did for fighter jets. Working with cinematographer Claudio Miranda, he uses custom-built cameras mounted onto modified F2 machines, creating visceral, vibrating close-ups of wheel-to-wheel combat. Unlike the polished, TV-friendly broadcasts fans are used to, the film plunges the viewer directly into the claustrophobic violence of 300 km/h decision-making. The speed feels real because it is.

    The neutral, clean color grade – faithful to some track conditions – gives the film the texture of a modern sports documentary. Meanwhile, Hans Zimmer’s score pulses beneath the chassis like an idling V6 hybrid: restrained when needed, thunderous when unleashed.

    But for all the technical mastery, F1 could not resist Hollywood flair. And this is where some fans slam the brakes.

    Several race sequences rely on physics-defying heroics, impossible overtakes, and a spectacular fireball crash from which a driver recovers with suspicious speed. Strategy is simplified to safety hazard levels – “Plan C for Chaos”- a far cry from the razor-sharp, data-driven realities of modern F1. And while Lewis Hamilton’s role as producer helped elevate accuracy, even his involvement couldn’t prevent the script from leaning into familiar underdog tropes: the aging legend returning to glory, the friction-turned-friendship between teammates, and a subplot romance squeezed into a sport where drivers barely have time to breathe.

    The paddock environment, however, is startlingly believable. I felt like I was in a paddock myself. Kosinski captures the militaristic precision of pit crews, the media storms, the pressure-cooker atmospheres, and the corporate spectacle that surrounds every race weekend. It is the closest the average viewer will ever get to the Formula 1 they watch but do not truly see.

    In the end, F1 (2025) is a dazzling cinematic achievement wrapped in a script that could have taken more risks. It is thrilling, undeniably beautiful, and engineered with obsessive care – yet it asks audiences to suspend disbelief at every narrative corner. Casual viewers will cheer. Hardcore fans will wince. But both will walk out entertained.

     

    For story pitches, commissioned writing, or collaborations, connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aura-joe-digitalproducer/recent-activity/articles/

  • The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Three Drivers, One Championship, Fifty-Eight laps to settle everything.

    By Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com

    The energy around the final race of the season shifts up a gear every time. The world’s eyes will be on Yas Marina as anticipation is building ahead of the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where the Drivers’ Champion will be crowned following a thrilling 24-race campaign. But will it be Lando Norris, Max Verstappen or Oscar Piastri who leaves the Yas Marina Circuit with the title?

    F1 is the pinnacle of data-driven decision-making and engineering. So it’s amazing when those details go down to the final race, the final mili second and the final decision of the season.

    The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a thrilling, tight three-way battle for the Drivers’ Championship between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

    As things stand before the season finale: Norris leads with 408 points, Verstappen follows with 396, and Piastri is close behind at 392. Sources: Sky Sports, RacingNews365 [Sky Sports+2RacingNews365+2]

    All three – Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri – have seven Grand Prix victories this season, underlining how evenly matched their campaigns have been. Sources: AS USA, Nine Australia [AS USA+2nine.com.au+2]

    McLaren have already clinched the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, making them the dominant team across the season and giving additional weight to the intra-team rivalry between Norris and Piastri. Source: McLaren Racing [McLaren+2McLaren+2]

    McLaren has already sealed the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, underlining their technical supremacy and adding even more weight to the intra-team rivalry between Norris and Piastri. Source: McLaren Racing

    For most of the season, McLaren controlled the narrative — until Verstappen mounted a late-season resurgence, capped by a decisive Qatar Grand Prix victory. McLaren’s strategy misstep in the same race tightened the standings, transforming the Abu Dhabi finale into a three-way title shootout. The tension within the McLaren garage has been palpable, with teammates pushing each other to the limit while trying not to compromise the team’s championship ambitions.

    Zak Brown summed up the Verstappen threat perfectly, calling him “that guy in the horror movie that keeps coming back.” And true to form, Verstappen has shown relentless consistency, capitalising on every opportunity to stay in the hunt.

    The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will represent the 32nd time in Formula 1’s 75-year history that the battle for the Drivers’ Championship has gone down to the final race of the season.

    Norris can only win the title by finishing first or second while both Verstappen and Piastri fail to make the podium.

    Verstappen’s cleanest path is a win with Norris fourth or worse – if he doesn’t win he must outscore Norris by at least 13 points while preventing Piastri from outscoring him by five or more.

    Piastri’s route is narrow: he needs a top two finish (a win requires Norris sixth or lower; second demands Norris tenth or lower and Verstappen off the podium) – 58 laps to settle everything.

     

    For story pitches, commissioned writing, or collaborations, connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aura-joe-digitalproducer/recent-activity/articles/

     

  • BRIGHTER, NORMAL AND DARKER DAYS

    by Mariita J. Ongoro,

    Nearly everyone has those days that they are the happiest, everything seems to go well as planned and more rewarding. Such times, you will feel like you own the space and life is running deep in your vessels. Times when you’d laugh loudly, share every bit of your experience, show much care, show up for you and them. I would say it’s intra-relation positivity era.

    Days your business thrives with much profits, given stipends without delay so you won’t run late of paying bills, times when friendship soars and never lets you down. In fact, your relationship with your troublesome lover seems to have been renewed. It’s like a life full of hope and promises that come to pass without meanders and valleys. Long live those days.

    On the other hand,  there are just normal days. Times when you’d surely have something eating you within, a little disturbance but manageable. You are functioning normally; at least you laugh or smile and never failing to attend to your important tasks. At such times you’d whisper, “Today I have migraines, somehow fatigued, feeling dizzy but I have to run errands.”

    You’ll have a bunch of assignments awash but you’d still attend cinema, binge watch that series. Your friends would be asking you for help and you’d say, “Honestly I’m busy but I’ll try.” Everything you think or do is normal in a normal life.

    Here comes moments of frailty. Days when your nerves are painful and horror-striken.

    Moments of desperation, distress and for sometime, you’d think of leaving earth for mass. Mood swings atleast for ladies, and demotivation for nearly everyone. These darker days are a hell in a beautiful world.

    Days of grief, constant failure regardless of tenacious trials, days of bumpy roads with your land lord, heartbreaks and jilt. Domestic violence, marriage separation, hatred and haunting, strikes and streets coated with bloodshed, heightened Gender-based violence, civil wars and post election violence, pandemics and terroristic attacks are all descriptions but not limited to several demonstrations of darker days.

    Psychology reports that atleast everyone exhibits depressive symptoms once in a while. If these states are overwhelming and no point of escape, depression dares to sting men and women with a venomous defeat of stability. Unless help is given in due time, life then presents itself as meaningless kind of pursuit. Some would want to live no more.

    How to live during the darker days; it all depends with the perception. That it is not how things are but how we think them through-argues psychology. In other words, we will always have brighter, normal and darker days but how they affect us, is determined by how we think towards them.

    “Good or ill, life is life, you only realize that when you have to risk it” says a quotation.

  • The injustice of unequal borders.

    by Alec Dut,

    For years, the rest of the world has witnessed Africa remain an accommodating continent for foreign expats especially when it comes to immigration requirements. These few and often lenient regulations have allowed a multitude of African countries to welcome in tourists, foreigners and investors from all corners of the world.

    So why is it that when the tables are turned, Africans do not receive the same treatment when travelling to these foreign countries? To start with, applying for a visa to these countries is a time consuming process, almost like it requires blood and sweat. It becomes even more difficult if you hold a weak African passport. And as if that’s not bad enough, you can still pay for the visa and end up being rejected for simple reasons, such as not having strong ties to your home country.

    Perhaps the time has come for Africa to take back it’s power and meet these foreign countries at the same level of treatment when it comes to travel restrictions. Maybe then by taking a step in our shoes, they will finally understand how dehumanizing and discouraging it feels to travel to a place with such strict restrictions.

    Countries like Botswana have been the latest to be hit with the sudden change in visa laws.In the past, it was easy for Batswana citizens to travel to the UK and Ireland without visa requirements but that is all changing because the UK and Ireland have implemented visa requirements for individuals that hold the Botswana passport. This is a result of an influx in asylum seekers and concerns for their border security. So the question remains, Why are they not giving back the same treatment to UK citizens that travel to Botswana? It is not fair that Africa continues to overextend itself while these countries are not even willing to meet us halfway. It is time Africa wakes up and realizes how much power we hold, stand on our own two feet and learn to match actions with actions. We need to teach the other countries that being fair and just comes as a two way street.  This is not a battle of the borders but it is a way to demonstrate that we should reciprocate respect and equality. If Africa welcomes  foreign people in with open arms then their own people should receive the same warm welcome when they visit foreign lands. This would also be an opportunity for our African leaders to show just how much they care about their people and they would achieve this by fighting for our equal treatment when it comes to border laws. This would also highlight the values in which Africans stand for like respect, justice, fairness and kindness. When we stand firm and express our wishes, the western world might also take time to ponder over their strict visa rules for Africans and consider being more lenient.

     

  • Scoliosis: Uncovering the Curve.

    By Grace Nthemba, December, 2025.

    In a world obsessed with standing straight and fitting in, those living with scoliosis are flipping the script, proving that confidence has nothing to do with the angle of your spine and everything to do with how you carry yourself.

    Scoliosis is a condition whereby the spine curves abnormally to the side. The curve often resembles either a ‘C’ shape or an ‘S’ shape as opposed to being straight.

    Not all scoliosis is created equal. Doctors classify the condition into several categories based on its cause and timing. Idiopathic scoliosis accounts for about 80% of cases. “Idiopathic” is medical terminology for “we don’t know why it happens,” though researchers suspect genetic factors play a role. This type is further divided by age: infantile (0-3 years), juvenile (4-10 years), and adolescent (11-18 years), with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis being by far the most common. Congenital scoliosis is present at birth, resulting from vertebrae that didn’t form properly during fetal development. This rarer form may be detected in infancy or early childhood and sometimes requires earlier intervention.

    Neuromuscular scoliosis develops as a secondary condition in people with neurological or muscular disorders such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spina bifida. These curves tend to progress more rapidly and often require different treatment approaches.

    Degenerative scoliosis affects adults, typically those over 65, as the spine’s discs and joints wear down with age. This “adult-onset” scoliosis can cause significant pain and differs markedly from the curves that develop during childhood.

    According to the Spine Correction Center, research shows that girls are significantly more likely to experience curve progression that boys during the adolescent window, as this is when they experience a growth spurt. The symptoms which are presented may include; one shoulder being higher than the other or one hip being more prominent than the other.

    Treatment for scoliosis isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on the curve’s severity, the patient’s age, and whether the spine is still growing. Bracing becomes the standard recommendation for moderate curves (25-40 degrees) in children who are still growing. Modern braces are far less cumbersome than their predecessors, and many can be worn under clothing. The brace doesn’t reverse the curve but can prevent it from worsening during growth. Sarah wore a Boston brace for eighteen hours daily through her teenage years—a challenging experience she describes as “annoying but manageable once I got used to it.”

    Surgery is typically reserved for curves exceeding 45-50 degrees or curves that continue progressing despite bracing. Spinal fusion, the most common surgical procedure, involves fusing together curved vertebrae using bone grafts and metal rods to straighten the spine. While this limits flexibility in the fused area, most patients adapt well and experience significant improvements in appearance and, when present, pain relief.

    Research continues to unlock scoliosis’s mysteries. Scientists are investigating genetic markers that might predict which curves will progress, potentially allowing for earlier, more targeted interventions. New bracing technologies are becoming more comfortable and effective. Surgical techniques grow increasingly refined, with some procedures now performed using minimally invasive approaches.

    Perhaps most importantly, awareness is growing. School screening programs catch curves early when treatment is most effective. Medical professionals better understand the psychological impact of diagnosis and treatment, especially on adolescents navigating an already challenging time of life.

    Scoliosis may cause the spine to take a different path, but it doesn’t prevent people from reaching their destinations. With proper monitoring, appropriate treatment when needed, and support from medical professionals and loved ones, those with scoliosis can thrive—curves and all.

  • Firewalls and Freedoms: Inside Kenyan’s Controversial Cybercrime Law.

    by Jill Achieng and Duncan Ngetich,

    For James Abihu, a digital rights activist , the internet has always been his platform. a space to express himself , make a living, and share opinions. But with Kenya’s new Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, that freedom suddenly feels uncertain.
    Earlier this month, Parliament passed sweeping changes to the country’s cyber laws, granting the government broader powers to police the internet. President William Ruto assented to the bill on October 15, 2025, at State House paving way for the far-reaching changes to take effect.
    Yet behind that shield, critics see something more troubling. A growing shadow over free speech and privacy. The provision allowing The National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee, a body composed largely of security officials, to declare websites inaccessible without court approval is concerning as it is damning. For ordinary Kenyans, implications are stark.
    “The power to block websites though meant to curb harmful online content could easily be misused without strong oversight,” says James a digital rights activist with the Centre for Intellectual Property & Information Technology Law (CIPIT). He warns that the Bill may unintentionally open the door to silencing dissenting voices. Abihu notes that countries with similar laws have seen such tools turned against critics, bloggers, and whistle-blowers, raising fears that Kenya could follow the same path if safeguards are not put in place. He argues that any move to shut down websites must be transparent, legally justified, and used only as a last resort to protect Kenya’s democratic space from unnecessary erosion.
    Abihu insists that Kenya can tackle cybercrime while still protecting digital freedoms. He emphasizes that cybersecurity measures should focus on genuine threats such as fraud and exploitation,Since he has been a victim of cyber fraud and not on silencing uncomfortable opinions. For him, the solution lies in judicial oversight, accountability, and empowering citizens through digital literacy. “A secure digital environment and a free digital environment must coexist,” he says, urging policymakers to strengthen protections so that the fight against cybercrime does not become a fight against free expression.
    Jonathan Chemwoi, a cybersecurity expert in the legal corridors worries that the law’s vague language and lack of of judicial oversight could lead to arbitrary enforcement and criminalisation of legitimate public discourse. In our sit-down interview, he expressed his reservations on the ambiguous nature of the law and the threats it would have on freedom of expression. He had this to say. “The lack of precise definitions in the law particularly around terms like “false information” or “cyber harassment” creates confusion for everyone. Journalists, bloggers, and whistleblowers may self-censor for fear of prosecution, even when their content serves the public interest.” Kenyans on Twitter commonly to referred to as “KOT” have expressed their concerns on why the government is so eager to have these laws enforced without court orders. I posed this question to Mr Jonathan, and he was of the same opinion that lack of a judicial oversight poses greater legal and ethical implications. He expressively stated that court oversights are there to ensure proportionality and fairness in enforcement. Without it, as a country, we risk normalizing arbitrary arrests, and digital profiling all of which violate constitutional rights. “Ethically, it raises questions about consent, privacy, and the balance between national security and civil liberties. The law must be anchored in transparent processes to prevent abuse and protect citizens from state overreach.” He posed.
    A May 2022, expert roundtable, by the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies to discuss Africa’s rising cyber-related security sector governance challenges echoed just as crucially, many of the changes in security provision resulting from government and security actor responses to cyber-enabled threats are undermining the accountability and oversight aspects of security sector governance. For example, some participants recognized that the rapid expansion of security sector surveillance capabilities may offer states a tactical advantage in combatting cyber-enabled threats from non-state actors. However, particularly in countries with limited oversight of the security sector, they are consistently used to undermine press freedoms, invade privacy, and stifle political opposition. State and security sector actors have been able to acquire expanded surveillance capabilities through the acquisition of commercial malware that enable “remote-control hacking” by police, intelligence, military, and other law enforcement officials. The forum found such laws include vague definitions of cybercrime, disinformation, or hate speech that give security sector actors wide discretion in choosing whom to arrest or detain. Similar patterns emerged in Uganda, where vague cyber harassment provisions were weaponised against critics while actual cybercriminals continued operating.
    Besides the cyber laws, Kenyans continue to grapple with cyber fraud. Digital scams have surged in recent years, targeting mobile money users and online businesses. SIM swap fraud has become a pandemic, with Safaricom customers losing million as fraudsters hijack phone numbers to access mobile money. For James, he has been on the receiving end to the unforgiving nature of the online world; one as a digital activist as he earlier alluded and as a victim of cyber fraud. He painfully admits that he has lost money twice through fake investment pages and his MPESA savings account get hacked. He reported the matter to the police but never got any feedback. Repeated follows up, yielded no result. His hope is that the new laws addresses pressing concerns, expressing concern that genuine Kenyans like him, trying to make a living online are being criminalised and harshly penalised for expressing their opinions, yet criminals who run phishing schemes that steal actual money get away leniently.
    For Elizabeth Kwamana, a Kenyan entrepreneur, she believes the cyber laws will make kenyans online be more cautious online with what they comment. “Cases of cyber bullying have been a topic of discussion with the rising of social media. Kids who are below the age of 18 read comments that are not appropriate for their age group.” Elizabeth also insists that the new social media era can be both beneficial and harmful thus the laws. “ Back in my day, say one thing about the president and you’d be in big trouble. You young people are so lucky you get to voice out your opinions and have no consequences. Everything you say online has consequences.” Elizabeth concludes.
    For now, the conversation is far from over. Constitutional petitions challenging the law have been filed in court. These petitions offers a litmus assignment to whether courts will allow this law to stand or strike down its most egregious provisions.
    As Kenya embraces the digital era, the Cybersecurity Bill has drawn mixed reactions seen by some as essential for curbing online harm and by others as a potential threat to free expression. The real test will lie in how the law is implemented. Kenya must strike a careful balance between protecting citizens from cybercrime and safeguarding the freedoms that define its democratic space.