Category: Features

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.

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.

By Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com

December 3, we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) – a day to celebrate resilience, push for equity, and reflect on the societies we are building. This year’s theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” is deeply personal for many Kenyan families – including mine.

My grandmother is the definition of grit. As a single mother raising several children, she woke before dawn to milk cows, tend the compound, fetch water, and sell whatever she could to keep her family alive and her children in school.

One fateful morning, while navigating the slippery rocks of River Yala during her daily routine, she fell and seriously injured her back. Overnight, the woman who once carried the weight of her world could no longer walk unaided. Mobility became a struggle, and without a car or daily help, moving even short distances turned into an exhausting ordeal.

Her story reflects a truth many Kenyans face: disability can arrive suddenly, uninvited, and society’s response determines whether a life ends in despair – or transforms with dignity.

Kenya has made important strides. The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 replaced the 2003 law with a transformative rights-based framework. It establishes a 5% employment quota, mandates physical accessibility in public spaces and transport, and offers tax incentives to employers who accommodate workers with disabilities. These provisions – if fully implemented – can prevent families like mine from sinking deeper into hardship after an accident or illness. But laws alone don’t remove the rocks from our rivers, repair the stigma in our communities, or ensure mobility for someone like my grandmother. The journey from policy to practice is still steep.

Beyond legislation, Kenya’s healthcare system is quietly undergoing a revolution in disability support – one that many citizens don’t yet know about. At Kenyatta National Hospital, the Department of Orthopedic Technology, led by the country’s only consultant in orthopedic technology, Dr. Onjei Ondege, has transformed mobility and rehabilitation services.

Through partnerships between the Ministry of Health, AT-Scale, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the department now assembles advanced wheelchairs, walking appliances, and prosthetics using world-class Swiss and Alivio technologies. Their workflow—supported by new rotor machines, an infrared oven that molds materials in 20 minutes, and a state-of-the-art Motion Lab—has reduced patient turnaround times dramatically. A prosthetic leg that once took three days can now be ready in two hours. For people who have suffered accidents, strokes, or congenital conditions, this is life changing.

And yet—these services mean little if they remain hidden behind hospital walls, or if cultural stigma and lack of awareness keep people from seeking help. Many still believe disability is a personal tragedy rather than a societal responsibility. Abroad, one can easily book accessible hotel rooms, choose disability-friendly travel options, or navigate cities designed with ramps, lifts, auditory signals, and tactile pavements. Here at home, my grandmother must still wrestle with uneven grounds, inaccessible buildings, and public transport that rarely considers wheelchair users.

A disability-inclusive society is not one where people are simply tolerated – it is one where they are expected, supported, and celebrated. It is a Kenya where a woman injured at River Yala does not lose her independence; where mobility devices are affordable and accessible; where every teacher, police officer, doctor, and public servant is trained in disability rights; where digital government services work for everyone; and where we see disability not as a burden, but as part of the human experience.

The Kenyan government can become more inclusive by enforcing simpler, clearer laws that prioritize accessibility and by integrating the needs of people with disabilities into all policymaking through disability mainstreaming. This includes implementing specific regulations for accessible infrastructure, such as ramps and accessible public transport, and ensuring access to resources like technology and education. A key strategy is consistently involving people with disabilities in the design and implementation of these laws and services.

Inclusion isn’t charity. It’s justice. It’s progress. And it is the only path to a Kenya where every person – disabled or not – can live fully, contribute meaningfully, and age with dignity.

This IDPD, let us walk the talk. Let us build a Kenya where no one’s life ends on a slippery rock.

#IDPD2025 #AccessibilityForAll #HumanRights #SustainableDevelopment #LeaveNoOneBehind

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