AI: Training machines based on earlier examples can embed past prejudices, uphold discrimination
In the past decade, data-driven technologies have transformed the world around us. We’ve seen what’s possible by gathering large amounts of data and training artificial intelligence to interpret it: computers that learn to translate languages, facial recognition systems that unlock our smartphones, algorithms that identify cancers in patients. The possibilities...
‘Democracy’ and Dictatorship: Choice between accepting people’s will and facing a violent revolution
‘________________________________________ Written: December 23, 1918 First Published: January 3, 1919 in Pravda No. 2 Source: Lenin Collected Works, Volume 28 (p. 368-72) Transcription\Markup: Brian Baggins Online Version: Lenin Internet Archive (marxists.org) 2000 ________________________________________ A few numbers of the Berlin Red Banner and the Vienna Call (Weckruf) , organ of the...
Mental health: Young people are finally getting the attention they deserve
Worldwide, at least 13 per cent of people between the ages of 10 and 19 live with a diagnosed mental-health disorder, according to the latest State of the World’s Children report, published this week by the United Nations children’s charity UNICEF. It’s the first time in the organisation’s history that...
‘CIA officers play high-stakes game to accomplish their mission of uncovering and speaking the truth’
Two long-running spy thriller series, Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath and Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon, topped the New York Times Bestseller list during back-to-back weeks in August. The second season of the Jack Ryan series, tracking the adventures of the eponymous CIA analyst, was reportedly one of Amazon’s most popular shows...
Colonial pitfalls of vaccination: How a health system perpetuates historical marginalisation and political humiliation
In Covid-19 vaccines, we have an extremely impressive piece of biotechnology. But they won’t do their job if the health system ends up perpetuating historical marginalisation and political humiliation. People get uneasy when the vaccinator shows up and says they must have a “jab”, especially while other forms of healthcare...
Power and the glory: How the rich and powerful use politics to feed on miseries of poor, helpless Kenyans
I have spent a whole week investigating the rot in Kenya’s power sector. It has been a draining and sickening experience. As I conclude this exposé, I want to remind you of the following issues that we have discovered and discussed. In 2020, Kenya Power bought a unit of power...
Forget Saliba and Guendouzi, another loanee raises serious doubts about Arsenal boss’ judgement
It’s no secret that Willian Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi are making it harder for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. That’s because the Marseille duo were both deemed not good enough for Arsenal this season and sent on loan to France. And with both impressing virtually every week, it isn’t a good...
Kenyan clergymen land from Paradise, find president and deputy ‘talking in tongues’
Some religious leaders have been sojourning in Mars – or even further in the outer space! They touched down in Kenya from Wonderland aboard Savannah Galactica only to find that their President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto are speaking at cross-purposes mostly of late. As they say in...
Kenyans listen, we have a destiny with history to compel elected leaders to refund taxpayers’ money
It is on Monday, September 13, 2021, at 8am. As you will recall, on January 30, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta, while meeting leaders from the former Central Province at the Sagana State Lodge, he directed that all the 2,224 Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) countrywide receive Ksh2 million ($273,000) each as...
President Kenyatta’s education chaos: Legacy of vacuuming tool he calls Competency Based Curriculum
A few days back I watched the CBC (Competency Based Curriculum) debate on Citizen TV talk-show. It was just a talk-show – literally – with now substance at all. This thing (curriculum) is simply indefensible. None of the panellists, including the one who said he was part of the design...
