Reflections: The Commonwealth through the years

The Commonwealth Day has sentimental value and is symbolic of continuing conflicting ideals.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Nato, West in dilemma over Ukraine due lack of grand strategy

Ukrainians have fought the Russians hard, are suffering and crying for real military help rather than symbolic statements of toughness and sanctions.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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Why the other ‘horses’ could still upset Raila and Ruto calculations

Internal Azimio and Kenya Kwanza points of disconnect open doors for alternative groupings.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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President gave best explanation so far on why he fell out with Ruto

During Sagana III, expectations were high that Uhuru would end rumours over the source of his quarrel with Ruto.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Little Ukraine lonely in proxy war between big powers of US, Russia

The happenings in Ukraine, in which Russian has taken over the country, isnt about Ukraine, it is about global power dynamics involving US and Russia

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Russia and West won't go to war; Putin is merely testing the waters

Russia's fear of attacks tends to override other logics and it is not alone in believing that survival trashes any other reason.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Britain is still reluctant to hand Chalgos islands back to Mauritius

It had, for instance, evicted people in colonial Kenya’s Tigoni area in order to give ‘unoccupied’ land to white settlers.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Seven decades since she became queen, Elizabeth has soft spot for Kenya

Queen Elizabeth symbolises continuity between Kenya’s colonial past and its post-colonial attachment to Britain.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Poor, weak countries must unite in face of major global realignments

The intended expansion violated a geopolitical MoU between George HW Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not threaten Russia by expanding.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Oginde's article on cremation failed to address some critical issues

Expecting afterlife judgment is a governance issue for people to be good on earth lest they be judged harshly in the world beyond.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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'Black white man (Njonjo) and white black man (Leakey)': The passing of bossom buddies

The two families represent elite inter-racial interactions, sons of chiefs and missionaries in Kenya, with the whites having the upper hand.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

'Eating Christmas' and 'jumping the Year' Kenyan style

Of the two celebrations, ‘Eating Christmas’ is more exciting and carefree than ‘Jumping the Year’.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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How political hopefuls use fear to win votes in Mount Kenya region

Towards elections or times of transitions, the suppliers of fear tend to increase in tandem to the number of would be ‘leaders’ seeking people to rule

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Independence heroes, heroines deserve place in Mashujaa Museum

With trickery and betrayal dominating colonial contacts, there emerged African challengers to the new governance order.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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How Raila has redefined the rules of political game to his advantage

The Kasarani rally will be memorable as the launching pad for Raila’s fifth attempt at acquiring official power.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

There is nothing unusual with military officers doing civilian jobs

Military operators taking on civilian assignment is a 21st Century reality that intertwines national development with national security.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Uhuru will leave behind rich legacy of being a great pan-Africanist

Uhuru’s presidency has been unique. Having survived challenges to his elections in 2013 and 2017, he grew into the presidency.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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Raila and Ruto's campaign strategies have put them ahead of the pack

Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have managed to penetrate political ‘bedrooms’ outside their homestead.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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Why presidential aspirants are ascending the Mountain from Githurai

Githurai straddles Nairobi and Kiambu counties and hosts most of Kenyan communities.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Home-grown solutions critical to reviving our flagging education sector

There are worrying trends that commoditise education instead of making it an instrument of advancement and protection of national interests.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Why Ethiopia-Tigray crisis must be seen as a continental tragedy

Ethiopia is among states that are synonymous with natural and man-made tragedies.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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There is more to political campaigns and statecraft than meets the eye

Issue of judges striking arose from Executive differences with the Judiciary whether the president is primarily a rubber-stamp to accede to everything

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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Border disputes with neighbours have exposed Kenya to aggression

Kenya has had to confront machinations by continental and extra-continental powers. Tiff with Somalia is Euro-aggression on Kenya’s maritime interests

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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Kenya is a republic, we don't need 'kingpins' and other 'kingly' titles

Kenya’s interest is in quashing ‘royal’ proclivities while defending and promoting the spirit of republicanism.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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What heroes are we celebrating when Kiburi House remains neglected?

Kiburi House has direct linkage to the Mau Mau war overturning global thinking on the practice of racially-based international relations.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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Mt Kenya elite group has proved to be a force, now the hard part starts

MKF praises for Raila ruffled OKA principals who expressed displeasure by cancelling their luncheon.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Post-independence elections have perfected art of political bargaining

The ability to make un-governability part of national election political process is inherent in the loser’s campaign strategy.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Why Kirinyaga County has captured public attention

While this shift in governing thought is everywhere, it is pronounced in Kirinyaga where women lead in competing for the governor’s seat.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Seats of political and spiritual power are close to each other by design

Since not all leaders want to reduce ties with power players, politicians still have ‘pulpits’.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Why Mount Kenya region is the darling of 2022 presidential aspirants

The mountain people appear confused, dazzled by many external suitors and are at the same time worried they might be left hanging; used and dumped.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Matiang’i report delivered a big blow to the ‘hustler’ narrative

uto is politically resilient, admitted that 70 per cent of Matiangi’s revelations were correct, and pointed out factual errors.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Current geographical configuration comes from European standpoint

Imperialist success comes when the conquered accept the conqueror’s language, definitions, and histories.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

Just like in Vietnam, US Afghanistan mission has ended in ignominy

Unfortunately for Biden, those images reappeared in Afghanistan where, as in Vietnam, the US had ‘crusaded’ to reshape Afghans in the American image.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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Puzzle of what draws Ruto and UDA into orbit with Museveni

New closeness between Uhuru and Raila probably pulled Museveni closer to Ruto.

By Macharia Munene 3 years ago

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Of Wilson Airport incident and why Ruto could be his own worst enemy

As Kenyans approach 2022, they should brace for mini rises and drama episodes designed to propel or derail certain candidates or even change the rules

By Macharia Munene 4 years ago

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President Samia Suluhu wields big stick as she charts her own path at the helm

Insisting that constitutional reforms should wait for her to stabilise the country, she locks up perceived critics.

By Macharia Munene 4 years ago

Kenya has interesting but challenging work at the UN Security Council

This would imply taking into account available resources and limitations, both domestic and international.

By Macharia Munene 4 years ago

Coalition dances pick up tempo ahead of upcoming general election

One of the signs that elections are in the offing is the frantic movement towards political mergers and coalitions.

By Macharia Munene 4 years ago

Kiambaa by-election a Jubilee contest that showed democratic maturity

Despite minor incidents like the youth demanding that Kimunya should leave a voting station, there was evidence of democratic maturity.

By Macharia Munene 4 years ago

Many countries commemorate their revolutionary struggles in July

July stands out as a ‘revolutionary’ month as different countries remember struggles, heroic events, and sacrifices in pursuit of ideals.

By Macharia Munene 4 years ago