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Otherwise?

Otherwise is a weekly show that explores Kenyan current affairs issues as chosen by you. Visit our site at www.otherwisepodcast.com
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 13, 2018

This past weekend, it was reported that universities had noted a worrying trend of students dying by suicide, with at least 12 cases having been recorded since January. Many more cases go unrecorded, but the causes were depression and other mental illnesses, family problems, intimate relationship problems, examination and fees stress, drug use among others.

We're joined by Anita Awuor, a clinical psychologist, to discuss mental health and well-being in Kenya, and to debunk common myths around mental health. Pres play!

Resources

Kenya Mental Health Policy [2015 - 2030]

Worrying trend of university students committing suicide

Mental health issues trigger suicides among students

Kenya suicide rate hits ten-year high

Health experts warn of mental illness crisis

People with mental illnesses struggle to find treatment

Mental health problems in Kenya and Africa and how their perception negatively impacts the provision of care

The taboo of mental illness in Kenya

This is how expensive it is to access mental healthcare in Kenya

Kenya's mental health law

Providing Sustainable Mental and Neurological Health Care in Ghana and Kenya: Workshop Summary

Image Credit: The Conversation

Dec 6, 2018

On November 18th 2018, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB) banned international health organization Marie Stopes from offering any form of abortion services after alleged complaints from the “public” that their radio adverts were promoting abortion. Abortion is a very emotive topic because it cuts across healthcare, sexual intercourse, religion, gender and sexuality, as well as policy. These are the lenses we will use to look not just at abortion, but reproductive healthcare as a whole.

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Stellah Bosire, a physician and human rights activist, to talk about abortion and reproductive healthcare in Kenya. Press play!

Resources

Board orders Marie Stopes to stop offering abortion services

Kenya bans Marie Stopes from offering abortion services

The Reproductive Health Care Bill (2014)

Kenya’s Abortion Provisions

In Harm's Way: The Impact of Kenya's Restrictive Abortion Law

Abortion in Kenya

Women’s Lives Matter: Preventing Unsafe Abortion in Kenya

Unsafe abortion in Kenya: a cross-sectional study of abortion complication severity and associated factors

Contraceptive Use among Women of Reproductive Age in Kenya’s City Slums

A System in Crisis from Contraception to Post-Abortion Care

Measurement, Learning & Evaluation of the Kenya Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (Tupange): Kenya Endline Service Delivery Point Survey 2014

2011 Kenya Urban Reproductive Health Service Delivery Report

Religious Affiliation and Contraceptive use in Kenya

Separating the Church from State: The Kenyan High Court's Decision in "Jesse Kamau and 25 Others v Attorney General" (Judgment of 24 May 2010)

Five facts about birth control in Kenya

Depo-Provera and HIV

New PRI Study Shows Depo-Provera Increases Risk of HIV Infection

Sexuality Education in Kenya: New Evidence from Three Counties

The reality of sexuality: Schools are taking the wrong approach on sex education

Women and The Law: A Spotlight On Recent Kenyan Legislation

What About Nerea?

Mollis and the Troubling Attitude Towards Sex in Kenya

What About The Girl Child?

The Elephant in Kenya’s Room

Image Credit: Focus Africa

Nov 29, 2018

The Constitution of Kenya (2010) has multiple provisions that govern representation, but the two-thirds gender principle has been the most difficult to implement. Article 27(8) states that the State shall take legislative and other measures to implement the principle that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender. Article 81(b) states that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender. Article 175(c) also states that no more than two-thirds of the members of representative bodies in each county government shall be of the same gender.

It has been 8 years now since we passed the constitution, but we have yet to enact legislation that enforces these constitutional provisions. Today, we're joined by Marilyn Kamuru, a lawyer, writer and consultant, to talk about how this refusal to enact this principle has put Kenya in a constitutional crisis. Press play!

Resources

Where Women Are: Gender & The 2017 Kenyan Elections

MPs divided over Bill as lobbying steps up

Uhuru urges MPs to pass the two-thirds gender Bill tomorrow

Uhuru, Raila appeal to MPs as gender bill goes to the vote

A Gender Analysis of the 2017 Kenya General Elections

OUR UNLAWFUL LAWMAKERS: Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Gender Principle

Why we cannot change the Constitution without violating it

The Elephant in Kenya’s Room

Flower Girls, Girlfriends and Sexist Discourse: The Politics of the Two-Thirds Gender Bill

The F-word: The Place of Feminism In Contemporary Kenya

In The Name Of Freedom

Are Kenyans Over-represented?

Episode 49: Women and Youth in Kenyan Politics

Episode 68: Women and the 2017 Elections

Image Credit: The Informer

Nov 22, 2018

In our first ever live event, we were joined by Joy Ndubai, Kwame Owino and Alex Owino to discuss how public finance and tax justice intersect with our right to food in Kenya.

What is tax justice and public finance, and how do they interact with our access to affordable food? What current circumstances/challenges do we face as a country that make us food insecure? In which ways do the current policy frameworks and systems in Kenya undermine food security and the right to food and how does our public finance system alleviate or contribute to these challenges?

What steps should the Kenyan state take towards achieving the food security and right to food? How can we better use our taxes and craft financial systems/frameworks to make sure that we have adequate food that is accessible and affordable for all? How about citizens? How can we get to know how public money is used, hold our government(s) accountable, and build expectations of service delivery re: clean and safe food? Press play to find out!

Nov 22, 2018

In our first ever live event, we were joined by Joy Ndubai, Kwame Owino and Alex Owino to discuss how public finance and tax justice intersect with our right to food in Kenya.

What is tax justice and public finance, and how do they interact with our access to affordable food? What current circumstances/challenges do we face as a country that make us food insecure? In which ways do the current policy frameworks and systems in Kenya undermine food security and the right to food and how does our public finance system alleviate or contribute to these challenges?

What steps should the Kenyan state take towards achieving the food security and right to food? How can we better use our taxes and craft financial systems/frameworks to make sure that we have adequate food that is accessible and affordable for all? How about citizens? How can we get to know how public money is used, hold our government(s) accountable, and build expectations of service delivery re: clean and safe food? Press play to find out!

Nov 15, 2018

On Monday, 12th November, 2018, commuters woke up to a matatu "strike" that saw fares rise to almost double (or even triple) what they normally are. The cause of the strike? The government’s declaration that it would once again begin enforcing the “Michuki Rules” commencing that day. Many were left stranded as matatus were pulled off the road to comply with the rules, which had never been revoked in the first place.

This was the government's response to a bus accident at Fort Ternan that claimed 58 lives. Today, we're joined by Constant Cap, an urban planner, to talk about why the lack of road safety in Kenya is actually a planning issue, and what we can do to remedy the situation. Press play!

Resources

10 bodies yet to be claimed after Fort Ternan road accident

Matatus' mad rush to comply with Michuki rules

Michuki Rules: Kenya back to square one

The Traffic Act (2013)

The Organization, Issues and the Future Role of the Matatu Industry in Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi County Non-Motorized Transport Policy

Planning and Road Safety: Opportunities and Barriers

The Influence of Urban Planning on Road Safety

Digital Matatus

Naipolitans: Facebook, Twitter

Critical Mass: Facebook, Twitter

Re-imagining Nairobi

Open Streets Cape Town

[Rwanda] Car-free day: What is the impact?

Image Credit: Nairobi News

Nov 8, 2018

The Blankets and Wine Festival, a pioneer in the Kenyan live music scene, turned 10 years old on 3rd November 2018. We are joined by its founder, Muthoni Drummer Queen, to talk about its journey, the growth of live music in Kenya and how it has evolved in the past decade, as well as what the future holds for Kenyan music. Press play!

Image Credit: Blankets and Wine

Nov 1, 2018

Intellectual Property (IP) is intangible property that arises from the mind/human intellect – it could be anything from inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names and images used in commerce. Legal rights are derived from this intellectual activity in industrial, scientific, literary and artistic fields.

There are two main types of IP – industrial property and copyright. We are joined by June Okal,a technology, media and telecommunications lawyer passionate about the law and technology, to discuss intellectual property in Kenya.

Resources

The Copyright Act (2001)

The Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Industrial Property Act (2001)

The Movable Property Security Rights Act (2017)

The Trade Marks Act (2002)

Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO)

Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI)

Intellectual Property Rights in Kenya: Towards a More Effective Dispute Resolution Framework

The Legitimacy of Indigenous Intellectual Property Rights’ claims

Episode 63: The Business of Music

Episode 71: In Data We Trust

Image Credit: Cookswell

Oct 25, 2018

KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations kicked off on Monday 22nd October, 2018. 664, 586 students will be taking the exams, which test what they have studied in their four years of secondary education in three to four weeks. This year, the state has undertaken many tyrannical measures to stop exam cheating, including threatening to send parents of children caught cheating to jail.

We're joined by Nyambura Mutanyi, a multi-disciplinary artist who has been active in crafting education policy, to discuss what causes exam cheating, how prevalent it is (less than 1% of candidates are caught cheating), and what we can do to improve the state of examinations and education in general in Kenya. Press play!

Resources

Why Kenyan students are cheating in their exams and what can be done

Factors Influencing Recurrence Examination Irregularities in Public Secondary Schools in Kisii County, Kenya

[2016] New formula crafted to curb exam cheating

[2016] National school candidates among 5,101 KSCE exam cheats

[2016] Report reveals how teachers, students used phones to cheat in KCSE

[2016] Schools calendar overhauled in new war against exam cheating

[2017] Exam cheats to be fined Sh5 million

[2017] Boarding schools to be audited and why many may be closed

30 schools on State watchlist for collecting exam cheating money

Knec names national exam cheating hotspots

Tight security as KCSE exams begin

200 schools targeted in exam cheating probe

Teachers asking for Sh10,000 to buy exams, warns KNEC

Meeting on cheating in exams scheduled

KCSE begins today as Government puts in tough exam measures

'Militant’ handling of exams worries parents and learners

Image Credit: Mpasho

Oct 18, 2018

Technology Assisted Violence Against Women (TAVAW) comprises acts of gender-based violence that are committed through the use of Information and Communication Technologies(ICTs), such as phones, the Internet, social media platforms, and email. Many questions arise: is online violence really violence? Why is TAVAW such an important issue to address? What are the ways in which women experience technology assisted violence? What are its consequences, and how can we stop it?

We’re joined by Muthoni Maingi, a digital media strategist, to talk about this. Press play!

Resources

Ending Technology-Assisted Violence Against Women in Kenya

#Toxictwitter: Violence and Abuse Against Women Online

Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls: a World-Wide Wake-Up Call

Understanding Technology-Related Violence Against Women: Types of Violence and Women’s Experiences

From Impunity to Justice: Domestic Legal Remedies for Cases of Technology-Related Violence Against Women

From Impunity to Justice: Improving Corporate Policies to End Technology-Related Violence Against Women

Technology-Related Violence Against Women – Recent Legislative Trends

Internet Intermediaries and Violence Against Women Online: User Policies and Redress Framework of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

UNHRC Submission (Online Violence Against Women)

Image Credit: Amnesty International

Oct 11, 2018

In September 2016, Kenya passed the Banking Amendment Act, creating interest rate controls where there were none before. It sets the maximum lending rate at no more than 4% above the Central Bank base rate; and the minimum interest rate granted on a deposit held in interest earning accounts with commercial banks to at least 70% of the same rate.

There has been an ongoing debate in the two years since on whether we should remove these controls because of their perverse effect on our economy. Today, we're joined by Elizabeth Wangechi, the Head of Research at Genghis Capital, to discuss the impact of these controls. Press play!

Resources

The Banking (Amendment) Act 2016

The Impact of Interest Rate Capping on the Kenyan Economy - Full

The Impact of Interest Rate Capping on the Kenyan Economy - Summary

CBK regrets interest rates cap due to negative effects on economy

MPs uphold rate cap law, scrap interest on savings

CBK spells out loan rules ahead of interest rate cap review

Image Credit: FT.com

Oct 4, 2018

Kenya currently has two draft Data Protection bills both tabled in 2018. One is a Senate Bill sponsored by senator Gideon Moi, while the other is a National Assembly Bill sponsored by the Ministry of ICT. The right to privacy is a fundamental human right. In Article 31, our constitution says that every person has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have - their person, home or property searched; their possessions seized; information relating to their family or private affairs unnecessarily required or revealed; or the privacy of their communications infringed.

Today we’re joined by Lucy Mwangi, an ICT lawyer, to discuss the importance of data protection and privacy, the pros and cons of each draft bill, as well as best case practices (such as the GDPR - General Data Protection Regulations) we should aim for in our legislation. Press play!

Resources

Senate Data Protection Bill, 2018

Ministry of ICT Data Protection Bill, 2018

Privacy and Data Protection Policy 2018 – Kenya

General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR

What is GDPR and how will it affect you?

What does GDPR mean for me? An explainer

What Is GDPR and Why Should You Care?

Sep 27, 2018

The 2018 Finance Act, one of the most controversial in recent times, was passed into law on 21st September 2018 despite public opposition. Today we're joined by Mokeira Nyagaka, a research analyst at the International Budget Partnership Kenya, to talk about public finance, which is the management of a country’s revenue, expenditure and debt through government institutions.

Do our public finance policies help us achieve growth, stability, equity and efficiency? Are they in line with our constitution? What is a finance bill, and what is its role in public finance? What are the other laws that govern public finance in Kenya, and how do they interact? Is revenue shared equitably between the national government and county governments? What does Kenya's debt position mean for our future? What is the role of the Kenyan public when it comes to public finance? Press play to find out!

Resources

The 2018 budget speech in full

The Finance Bill (2018)

The Public Finance Management Act (2012)

The Budget Policy Statement (BPS), 2018

Laws on Devolution

The Consolidated Fund Services (CFS) Report by the Controller of Budget

Quarterly Economic and Budgetary Review

Historical Debt Trends

How Much Should Counties in Kenya Receive in 2018/19?

How Fair are Revenue Sharing Mechanisms in Fighting Intra-County Inequalities in Kenya?

Budget Making in Kenya

Budget Transparency: Kenyan Perspective

Deliberating Budgets: How Public Deliberation Can Move Us Beyond the Public Participation Rhetoric

The Kenyan Public Finance Management Act 2012 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) For Citizens

Public Participation Under Kenya’s New Public Financial Management Law and Beyond

County Budget and Economic Forums (CBEFs) and Public Participation in Kenya: A Synthesis of Case Studies from Five Counties

Image Credit: Nairobi News

Sep 20, 2018

Beginning September 1st 2018, 16% VAT was applied on petroleum products, sparking nationwide uproar. This tax on petroleum products was first proposed by the VAT Act (2013) and scheduled to kick in in September 2016. However, in 2016, it was postponed by another 2 years. Before the price increase, petrol was KES 113.73, diesel was KES 102.74 and kerosene was KES 84.95 in Nairobi. After VAT was applied on September 1st, the price of petrol became KES 127.80, diesel KES 115.00 and kerosene KES 97.41.

Kenyans are now paying 44% in taxes per litre of fuel. We're joined by Ramah Nyang, a journalist, to discuss this increase in tax and the effects it will have on Kenyans' lives. Press play!

Resources

Fuel VAT to raise prices by up to Sh17 per litre

Treasury to take Sh57.57 for every litre of petrol sold

Kenyans big losers if fuel prices rise

Tough times ahead as prices of basic goods, services set to rise

Minority Whip Junet Mohamed seeks to delay tax plan on fuel

Uhuru cuts fuel VAT to 8%, State hospitality expenditure

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Economic Survey 2018

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: INFLATION TRENDS 1961-PRESENT

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Integrated Household Budget Survey

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Consumer Price Indices and Inflation Rates for August 2018

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Report First Quarter, 2018

Death by VAT

Taxing for a More Equal Kenya

Episode 62: Tax Justice in Kenya

Image Credit: Bizna Kenya

Sep 13, 2018

In the August 2017 general election, we had 9 women running for Governor, 25 for Senate, 115 for Member of National Assembly (MNA), and 261 for Member of County Assembly (MCA). That was a total of 410 women aspirants, which was even lower than the number in the 2013 election, which was 449. To compare, the total number of candidates for these positions was: 210 for Governor, 1,893 for both MNA and Senate, 11,858 for MCA, and 8 men are running for president. Only 9% of the candidates were women.

Three women made history by becoming Kenya's first female governors, and three others became the first elected female senators (in 2013, all women in the Senate had been nominated). We're joined by Nanjala Nyabola, a writer, humanitarian advocate and political analyst, to talk about women and the 2017 elections, and where women are based on the findings of a book she co-edited: "Where Women Are: Gender & The 2017 Kenyan Elections". Press play!

Resources

Where Women Are: Gender & The 2017 Kenyan Elections

A Gender Analysis of the 2017 Kenya General Elections

Key Gains and Challenges: A Gender Audit of Kenya's 2013 Election Process

Flower Girls, Girlfriends and Sexist Discourse: The Politics of the Two-Thirds Gender Bill

Women Contributions in Parliament

Political Party Nominations

An Overview of the 2017 General Election

On Voting

The Election Boycott Of 2017

Women gear up for elections in Kenya

“They Were Men in Uniform”: Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Kenya’s 2017 Elections

OUR UNLAWFUL LAWMAKERS: Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Gender Principle

Why we cannot change the Constitution without violating it

Episode 49: Women and Youth in Kenyan Politics

Image Credit: Her Story Wins

Sep 6, 2018

 

Last Week, BBC Africa Eye released a three part series titled Sex and the Sugar Daddy (or Sugar in short) that has driven a lot of conversation about sponsors both online and offline. Today we’re joined by the film-maker behind the series, Nyasha Kadandara, to talk about why she made the series, what she learned, and what she thinks the way forward is. Press play!

Resources

Sex and the Sugar Daddy

Bridget Achieng: "Baby girl, nothing goes for nothing" - BBC Africa Eye

"If he's asking me to sleep with him, I will" - BBC Africa Eye

"Sometimes, sex ain't wrong at all" - BBC Africa Eye

Sugar dating in Kenya: An investigation of ‘Sponsorship’ among female university students in Nairobi

Image Credit: BBC

Aug 30, 2018

The Kenyan Constitution states that every person has the right to be free from hunger, and to have adequate food of acceptable quality. This means that the people of Kenya are entitled to food security, which is when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient,, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences.

This week, we are joined by Grace Githiri, an urban planner and Geographical Information Systems expert, to look at food security in Nairobi, where 63 - 70% of the population lives in informal settlements which occupy only 6% of the land in Nairobi. Press play!

Resources

Cha Kula: Serving Thought for Food

The Route to Food Initiative

Nourishing livelihoods: Recognising and supporting food vendors in Nairobi’s informal settlements

Slum Almanac 2015/2016: Tracking Improvement in the Lives of Slum Dwellers

World Habitat Day 2014 – ‘Voices from Slums’

2017 Situational Analysis: Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Kwa Reuben & Viwandani

Improving Access to Justice and Basic Services: Situational Analysis Report

Nairobi: Inventory

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (2017)

Episode 60: Nai Ni Who?

Episode 61: Stop Killing Us

Episode 62: Tax Justice in Kenya

Image Credit: Antony Mayunga

Aug 23, 2018

The Lake Turkana basin is an over 70,000-square-kilometer region that is home to Lake Turkana, East Africa’s most saline lake, and the largest desert lake in the world. The area is home to pastoral communities like the Turkana, Samburu, El Molo, Rendille, Gabra and Dassanach. It is also a breeding ground for Nile crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and many snakes. On 26th March 2012, Mwai Kibaki announced the discovery of oil in Turkana County by Tullow Oil, a British company. Three wells had been discovered, holding at least 250 million barrels. Since then, more oil has been discovered, and it is estimated hat we have between 600 million - 1 billion barrels.

We're joined by Ikal Angelei, coordinator of Friends of Lake Turkana, to discuss the oil in Turkana as well as the other environmental issues affecting the Lake Turkana area. Press play!

Resources

Early Oil from Turkana – Marginal Benefits/Unacknowledged Costs Report

Kenya Civil Society Platform on Oil & Gas (KCSPOG) Statement: Early Oil Pilot Scheme Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Kenya beats odds to become first EA nation to export oil “When I grew up the land was for the community”: Oil troubles in Turkana Oil discovery in Turkana County, Kenya: A source of conflict or development? Cost of Turkana oil stand-off hits Sh1bn Tullow Oil threatens to shut down Turkana operations in two weeks Leaders reach deal to allow trucking of oil from Turkana Image Credit: Turkana Land

Aug 15, 2018

The #Repeal162 movement is a part of a long struggle for the recognition and protection of the rights of the LGBTQI community in Kenya. It consists of 2 ongoing court cases: Eric Gitari v Attorney General & another (Petition no. 150 of 2016) and John Mathenge and 7 others v Attorney General (Petition no. 234 of 2016). These petitions ask the court to declare Section 162 (a) and (c) and section 165 of the Penal Code (Cap 63) as unconstitutional, and therefore inapplicable, in Kenya.

We’re joined by Kari Mugo of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) to talk about #Repeal162 as well as the human rights environment in Kenya for LGBTQI persons.

Aug 9, 2018

In 2017, the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) had its license refuse to be renewed by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) for failure to submit its audited financial statements and amounts paid in royalties to its members. MCSK is a membership organization that has existed since 1983 (for music authors, publishers, composers, and arrangers), and it is supposed to collect royalties derived from mechanical/reproduction rights, performing rights and synchronization rights and distribute at least 70% to its members. This has not been the case in recent years.

We are joined by Dan Aceda, a musician and director at the Music Publishers Association of Kenya (MPAKE), to discuss how copyright works, the problem with the under-resourcing of KECOBO, the rot at MCSK, the failure to pay musicians their royalties, and the way forward for musicians and lovers of their work. Press play! 

Aug 2, 2018

This week, we explore tax justice, which looks at the intersection between taxation, inequality and human rights. Why do we pay taxes? We have a social contract with the state. We give up some freedoms to it, and in return we receive security, healthcare, education, infrastructure and other services that enable us to become a functional and prosperous society. To invest in these social programs and in public property, which enables our goal, the government needs steady/sustainable financing from taxes. Taxes are also used to re-distribute money that is concentrated in the upper classes to the middle and lower classes. They help us run an effective government, which is why it matters how much money is collected, how it is collected, and how it is used.

Do taxes perform their functions in Kenya? What exactly is tax justice, and why is the conversation around it important in Kenya today? Is Kenya’s tax regime going to pull us out of poverty or keep us there? Why is it that Kenya can’t raise enough revenue from taxation? How can we go about stopping tax dodging to ensure we’re not robbing the poor? Should we have a tax strike? We're joined by Joy Ndubai, a tax justice advocate, to answer all these questions. Press play! 

Jul 26, 2018

7th July in Kenya is Saba Saba Day, a historic day on which Kenyans protested successfully for multiparty democracy in 1990, with many losing their lives and getting beaten and tortured by the police. This year, there was the Saba Saba March for Our Lives, organized by the Social Justice Centres Working Group, which consists groups from Mathare, Dandora, Kayole, Mukuru, Kibra, Kamukunji and Githurai. The demand? An end to extrajudicial killings, investigations into the ones that have occurred, and most importantly, justice. We're joined by Wangui Kimari, Urban Anthropologist and Participatory Action Research Coordinator, Mathare Social Justice Centre, to discuss this. Press play!

Jul 19, 2018

This episode is dedicated to everyone who lives and loves in Nairobi, as well as everyone who’s been in the city. We’re joined by Mutheu Mbondo, one of the organizers of Nai Ni Who?, a festival which explores of Nairobi, celebrating the good, the bad & the possibilities. This year, the festival is from July 3rd to August 8th, and the neighbourhoods include the Jua Kali area and Burma Market, which are both in Kamukunji; Kibra, Eastleigh, Mukuru and Huruma; there are inter-neighbourhood games in Lang’ata, a crafts tour as well as a game tour in Karen; a city parade in the Nairobi Central Business District, as well as walking tours of Kenyatta Avenue and River Road. 

What is the motivation for the festival? What informs the selection of the places the tour will take place? Why these areas/neighbourhoods and not others? Why a walking tour? What unique flavour do they add to Nairobi? Press play to find out! 

Jul 12, 2018

Rafiki, a film by Wanuri Kahiu, is a story about two young women who fall in love, despite their families being on opposing sides of the Kenyan political divide. It is adapted from the 2007 Caine Prize-winning short story, Jambula Tree, by Ugandan writer Monica Arac de Nyeko. On 12th April 2018, it was announced that it would debut at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category in May 2018. This made it the first Kenyan feature film to achieve this feat.

On 27th April 2018, the head of Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), Ezekiel Mutua, announced that the film had been banned from screening and distribution in Kenya because of “its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya contrary to the law.” We are joined by Wanuri Kahiu to discuss the film, the story it tells, and what it mean whens stories that are made primarily for a Kenyan audience are denied this audience. Press play!

Jul 5, 2018

On 16th May 2018, Uhuru Kenyatta signed into law the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, despite critiques from multiple parties, including the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), Article 19, and the Kenyan Union of Journalists, among others. As a result, BAKE moved to court to challenge this law, and 26 out of 46 sections were suspended, and this was upheld earlier this week until a later hearing in October 2018.

While some people think it does the important work of protecting our country against cybercrime and protecting the digital economy, others rightfully believe it is an attack on internet freedoms, constitutional rights to privacy, freedom of expression and to access information. We are joined by Grace Mutungu, a lawyer and associate at KICTANET, to discuss the Act. Press play!

Resources

The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (2017)

Kenya: Computer and Cybercrimes Bill 2017

Kenya: Passage of flawed Computer and Cybercrimes Act threatens free expression

Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Bill Signed into Law

Review on the New Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act – Kenya

The Computer and Cybercrimes Bill of 2017

New cybercrime law ‘is not too bad’, says CS Mucheru

Cybercrime law changes too harsh, lobbies say

High Court suspends portions of cybercrime law

Privacy, security and legality are not the only serious problems with Aadhaar. Here are four more

Aadhaar Isn't Just About Privacy. There Are 30 Challenges the Govt Is Facing in Supreme Court

The odd reality of life under China's all-seeing credit score system

Life Inside China’s Social Credit Laboratory

Image Credit: Barefoot Law

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