The Kenyan Kakistocracy The Kenyan Kakistocracy
What are we supposed to do when the electoral system consistently yields terrible candidates?
Aug 17, 2022 / Nanjala Nyabola
Vaccine Nationalism Is Patently Unjust Vaccine Nationalism Is Patently Unjust
Poor countries are paying more for the doses that remain after rich countries have had their fill.
Mar 22, 2021 / Editorial / Nanjala Nyabola
Without Trust, Politics Is Reduced to Spectacle Without Trust, Politics Is Reduced to Spectacle
People must believe in public institutions in order to believe in the promises of democracy. Take a Kenyan’s word on this.
Aug 26, 2020 / Nanjala Nyabola
Brexit Gives Its Former Colonies a Whiff of Schadenfreude Brexit Gives Its Former Colonies a Whiff of Schadenfreude
Britain is learning what many of its former colonies already know: Democracy requires constant vigilance.
Aug 30, 2019 / Nanjala Nyabola
In a Painful Setback, Kenya’s High Court Upholds Antigay Laws In a Painful Setback, Kenya’s High Court Upholds Antigay Laws
LGBT activists say they will continue their campaign to dismantle the colonial-era legislation, inside and outside the courtroom.
May 28, 2019 / Robbie Corey-Boulet
Kenya’s Growth Doesn’t Help All Kenyans Kenya’s Growth Doesn’t Help All Kenyans
Despite government aims to make the country Africa’s “digital hub,” the economy remains unequal and unproductive.
Dec 4, 2018 / Between Us, We Cover the World / Sabine Cessou
In Kenya, Election Manipulation Is a Matter of Life and Death In Kenya, Election Manipulation Is a Matter of Life and Death
Social media amplify the threat posed by Cambridge Analytica and the rest of Africa’s secretive political-consulting industry.
Mar 28, 2018 / Nanjala Nyabola
Is Kenya Sliding Toward Dictatorship? Is Kenya Sliding Toward Dictatorship?
Like Daniel arap Moi in 1982, Uhuru Kenyatta has embarked on a course of action that threatens hard-won democratic gains.
Feb 16, 2018 / Karen Rothmyer
Kenya’s Rescheduled Elections Are a Triumph of Constitutionalism—but How Much Has Really Changed? Kenya’s Rescheduled Elections Are a Triumph of Constitutionalism—but How Much Has Really Changed?
The country is now a tinderbox, in which supporters of the rival factions believe they can lose only if the other side rigs the results.
Sep 12, 2017 / Macharia Gaitho