Author: Lilian Mutinda
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The Lifesavers of Kibra
During crises, people prefer stories of good news: miraculous rescues and escapes, acts of heroism and bravery, selfless first responders, and survivors being treated, fed, and clothed—all exemplifying an ideal disaster response. Rarely does anyone focus on the grim, monotonous, and challenging aspects of the process, such as coordinating recovery efforts or making attempts to…
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HIV/AIDS. A Kenyan Short Story
On 15 January 1985, the front page of The Standard newspaper carried the headline: ‘Killer sex disease in Kenya.’ That headline referenced the story of the first HIV-related death in Kenya. Cited in the East African Medical Journal, the story went that the deceased was a 34-year-old Ugandan journalist who had been hospitalised at the…
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A Brief History of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in Africa
In the last few years, there has been a growing trend in the revival of anti-homosexuality legislation and increasing enforcement of sodomy laws, including clampdowns on members of the LGBTQ community. An argument used in support of this and other measures targeting LGBTQ persons is that non-conforming sexual orientations and gender identities are imports from…
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Current State of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in Africa
In 1993, Guinea Bissau repealed its Penal Code and decriminalised consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults. Since then, the number of African countries that have legalised same sex relations has grown to 22. Of these 22 nations, South Africa is the only country that has legalized same-sex marriage as well as allows for same sex…
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A Relentless Wave of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation Is Here
For the third time now — 2014 being the first time a version of it was passed — Ugandan lawmakers have passed the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill. The bill in its 2023 form was first tabled in the country’s parliament on 9 March, and was passed nearly-unanimously (387 out of 389 MPs) on 22 March and…
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The One Thing You Should Read About Grace Onyango (1924-2023)
Had Grace Monica Akech Onyango never joined politics, her contribution to society would already have been immense. Onyango was a teacher; the first woman assistant commissioner of the Girl Guide Association; and chairperson of the Child Welfare Society’s Kisumu branch. But when she sauntered into politics, her impact became immeasurable. Reckoning with the magnitude of…
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I Used To Loathe Book Clubs. But Now I’m Hooked.
If two years ago you’d have asked me whether I’d join a book club, your ears would likely be met with an endless rant about the pretentious nature of the reading clubs, the dreariness of the literature class-esque discussions therein, or how not every book needs deconstruction, that one can simply read for the sheer…
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Digital card of Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo commenting on President Ruto fake
A digital card bearing the logo and social media template of Kamba Insights —a news blog—and quoting Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr is fake. The card which was shared on Saturday, 11 February 2022 via Twitter and made rounds on various Twitter accounts, purported that Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr had said the following words:…
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My Hustler Fund Experience
Long before the launch of the Hustler Fund on 30 November 2022, I already knew I wanted to test the Fund out. I was particularly drawn to the experiment for two reasons; the Fund had been making headlines during the campaigns and after the August 9 polls. The Fund (not loan) that served as an…
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How Inflation Has Affected Brand Loyalty
A running joke in Kenya today is that if you have a one thousand shilling note you should not bother picking up a shopping cart, what you can afford can fit snugly in your hands. Fun as it is to crack such jokes, this is a painful reality and an education on how inflation has…