In ‘pardoning’ him, former Kenya president sentenced his AG to five decades of shame and impotent rage
Because he was the son of a senior colonial official, Charles Njonjo, never really experienced colonialism first-hand and was at best indifferent to the independence struggle. Afterwards, he was vehemently opposed to Africanisation, loudly announcing that certain professions were beyond the ability of Africans. He specifically mentioned law, medicine and...
Fallen Kenya first indigenous AG Charles Njonjo was living testimony of how a ‘Pan-African must not be’
Charles Njonjo goes down in history as one of the best examples of what NOT to be as a public servant, a leader, and a politician. He also qualifies as what a true Pan-African MUST NOT BE. Njonjo, as Independent Kenya’s first attorney-general, presided over the shoddy inquiries into the...
Food, sleep and health: The future belongs to those who wake up early for they’ll eat and sleep healthily
The future, my mom used to say, belongs to those who wake up early. L’avenir appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt. She’d say this as we drove to early ice-skating practices on those cold winter mornings growing up in Quebec. As it turns out, science may be proving her...
To policymakers: Abandon this stifling stereotype that all refugees are passive victims in need of help
Refugee participation can help transform the global refugee system to be more equitable, effective, responsive, and legitimate. Together, we need to reimagine a system where refugees have a seat at the table and can add our expertise and lived experience to a system we depend on for protection and that...
Equality: It’s racism, not race, that’s at the root of persistent disparities in physical, mental well-being
The scientific evidence is crystal clear: Early experiences literally shape the architecture of the developing brain. This widespread understanding is driving increased public support for universal pre-K to enhance school readiness for all children and level the playing field for kids who face adversity. But here’s something that’s less well-known...
Human rights: Ongoing genocide Tigrayan is an indictment on the collective conscience of the world
A full year has passed since Eritrean government forces massacred Tigrayan civilians in Ethiopia’s historical town of Axum. But survivors of the massacre and of other atrocities in Tigray are still no closer to accessing justice and redress – an accountability shortfall that is fuelling further abuses as conflict spreads....
We have witnessed corruption and cannot imagine a Kenya where looters are in charge
We, the leaders from Mt Kenya region, have gathered here for consultations and to take a common position on our shared political future and destiny ahead of the Azimio La Umoja forum on Friday at Kasarani. We want to thank all the stakeholders who have participated in today’s deliberations. We...
Inequality: Punitive laws hit on sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, drug use and sex work
From my life, in my own deepest being, I know the power of stigma, discrimination, hatred and exclusion. And, after 25 years as a judge, I have been witness to three facts. First, the destructive power of stigma and shame. Second, the damage punitive and discriminatory laws inflict on public...
Aids inequality: Punitive laws hit on peoples’ sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, drug use and sex work From my life, in my own deepest being, I know the power of stigma, discrimination, hatred and exclusion. And, after 25 years as a judge, I have been witness to three facts....
Access to ARVs is linked to democratic values, rule of law, freedom of expression and freedom to protest
On December 1, we marked World AIDS Day. This year marks a sombre anniversary. On June 5, 2021, it was 40 years since disturbingly unexplained cases of illness and death – later called AIDS – were first officially tabulated. These four decades have yielded enormous medical and scientific progress, but...
