There is need to rethink how protests are conducted

In Zambia, 10,000 villagers were once under the watch of a single police officer. When a government official arrived in the region, the villagers had to walk 10 KM to meet the official.

By Leonard Khafafa 1 month ago

Gen Z must channel grievances through constitutional means

Gen Z is acutely aware of social injustice and unafraid to challenge authority. Their passion is commendable. But it must be guided by principle.

By Leonard Khafafa 1 month ago

Don't demonise entire police service because of a few rogue elements

To demonise the entire police force because of a few rogue elements is not only intellectually lazy but dangerous

By Leonard Khafafa 1 month ago

Why 2025 airline financial results may not be as rosy as last year's

The aviation industry often reflects the broader state of the global economy. As such, it can serve as a bellwether; signaling either an impending upswing or forewarning of economic headwinds.

By Leonard Khafafa 2 months ago

This year's Finance Bill should not lead to loss of lives

The Finance Bill 2025 risks becoming yet another flashpoint in the increasingly fractious relationship between the government and sections of the public.

By Leonard Khafafa 2 months ago

Proponents of 'no country for old men' should have second thoughts

Gen Z need to realise that leadership must be earned meritoriously; not wrested from those they imagine are old men and women who have outlived their sell-by dates

By Leonard Khafafa 2 months ago

Four things Kenya and Africa should do to improve aviation sector

Kenya hosted the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Ground Handling Conference (IGHC). This conference was the first of its kind on the continent.

By Leonard Khafafa 2 months ago

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How current political ongoings might affect various 'kingpins'

The Court of Appeal has quashed DCJ October 18, 2024 orders. These orders assigned three petitions, challenging the ouster of Rigathi Gachagua as deputy president (DP), to three judges.

By Leonard Khafafa 2 months ago

Huge infrastructure projects might boost Ruto's re-election bid

Huge infrastructure projects might boost Ruto's re-election bid.

By Leonard Khafafa 3 months ago

US, China should seek a consensus to avoid further economic damage

The US and China should seek consensus to avoid damaging their economies.

By Leonard Khafafa 3 months ago

Pan-African airline group solution to regional aviation challenges

Air Tanzania and Air Uganda, working together with Kenya Airways and South African Airways (SAA), could benefit from a consolidation of their operations.

By Leonard Khafafa 3 months ago

America has sneezed and the rest of the world has caught a cold

Trump's form of economic irredentism does not come as a surprise. He has for years called for retaliatory tariffs against the US' trading partners.

By Leonard Khafafa 4 months ago

Military chief gagged no one from speaking against government

A section of politicians have castigated Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri for allegedly dabbling in politics over his warning against "Ruto must go chants."

By Leonard Khafafa 4 months ago

Giving Middle East carriers unfettered access to Kenyan skies bad for local aviation industry

An open skies policy operates on the principle of reciprocity. Countries that granted frequencies to others must also allow others the same number of frequencies.

By Leonard Khafafa 4 months ago

Kenyan domestic workers are not children of a lesser god

Those flying out of Kenya, transiting through the Middle East, may have seen scores of young, naive-looking women.

By Leonard Khafafa 4 months ago

Why deal between President and Raila is a blow to ex-DP

The MoU between Ruto and Raila defangs Gachagua by removing Raila's populous support base from the former's ethnic calculus.

By Leonard Khafafa 5 months ago

With Raila by his side, the next election is Ruto's to lose

With luminaries from the Raila Odinga's party now in the government, the next presidential election is Ruto's to lose.

By Leonard Khafafa 5 months ago

Ignore threats and come up with laws to regulate boda boda

Many boda boda riders have little regard for road and safety rules treating them as mere suggestions. They seldom stop at traffic lights.

By Leonard Khafafa 5 months ago

Consult national carrier while streamlining airport operations

KQ should be given preferential treatment because transfer of passengers and luggage connecting from the spokes through the hub has to be done in under an hour.

By Leonard Khafafa 5 months ago

Kenyans should start relearning to celebrate small wins

Kenyans are not natural complainers. They are stoic people whose reliance has seen them overcome past difficult economic times.

By Leonard Khafafa 6 months ago

Public debt burden still a powder keg in Kenya

A report from Africa News reveals Kenya, at USD 3.02 billion, to be the second most indebted African country to the International Monetary Fund.

By Leonard Khafafa 7 months ago

Four things Kenyans expect of the President in 2025

President William Ruto was elected for his ability to make the tough decisions needed to get the country out of its parlous financial and economic straits.

By Leonard Khafafa 7 months ago

Ruto's rejigged government good for all Kenyans

Unwarranted criticism of the government's efforts has abated. Even die-hard critics are giving the government credit where it is due.

By Leonard Khafafa 7 months ago

A holistic approach is needed for JKIA to thrive

With the Adani proposal to expand and develop Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) off the table, Kenya Airports Authority is back to the drawing board.

By Leonard Khafafa 7 months ago

Kenya is a great country but we can make it even better

Kenya is arguably the most cosmopolitan country in Africa. People from all over the world are found within her borders.

By Leonard Khafafa 8 months ago

Now that Adani is out, let a Kenyan company develop JKIA

Following last week's pronouncement by President William Ruto, Indian conglomerate Adani's proposal to develop Kenya's premier airport Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is off the table.

By Leonard Khafafa 8 months ago

Bishops' criticism of State wasn't grounded in facts entirely

No doubt, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops means well. Its excoriation of President William Ruto's administration is done with good intentions.

By Leonard Khafafa 8 months ago

Reconsider proposed VAT on aviation services

Mbadi's sober approach to discussions on tax matters is refreshing. He has chosen to publicly rationalise the need for tax adjustments hitherto considered contentious.

By Leonard Khafafa 8 months ago

Lessons for Kindiki as he settles into his role as deputy president

Kindiki should avoid the temptation of fashioning himself as kingpin of the Mountain. Unlike Nyanza which has had one leader for decades, the Mountain changes leaders every 10 years.

By Leonard Khafafa 9 months ago

Kenya needs a quiet but effective deputy president

The DP is not a co-president. He is the principal assistant to the President. Political power is vested in the Head of State

By Leonard Khafafa 9 months ago

Why it's unwise for Kenya to rely heavily on foreign freighters

Whereas Kenya Airways has four freighters and also takes up a lot of cargo in the belly of its passenger planes, the bulk upliftment of cargo from the airport is largely by foreign freighters

By Eliud Owalo, Leonard Khafafa 10 months ago

Rights to our airspace should not be doled out without benefits

Airspace is a resource. And like any other precious resource, it must be protected by countries.

By Leonard Khafafa 10 months ago

Investing in public day schools will remove need for boarding ones

The number of public schools built over the last couple of decades is woefully inadequate in meeting the needs of a country with a fast-growing population.

By Leonard Khafafa 11 months ago

Adani should leave JKIA alone, build a new airport

JKIA should be left to domestic and cargo traffic and developed to its maximum potential from own-source revenues and loans obtained using its land assets as collateral.

By Leonard Khafafa 11 months ago

Kenyans are capable, give them the chance to run JKIA

Adani's proposal to run JKIA has generated more heat than light. It has been subjected to post-truth narratives that have little substance by way of fact.

By Leonard Khafafa 11 months ago

Kenyans enjoy more freedoms and rights than elsewhere in Africa

Kenyans are the envy of the continent in that they can not only freely express themselves on all issues, but also stand up to the State where it trammels on the rights of citizens.

By Leonard Khafafa 11 months ago

Adani, airport upgrade company must meet regulatory requirements

JKIA may benefit immensely from a PPP but to be awarded a contract, Adani must first pass the smell test by meeting all regulatory requirements and satisfying all stakeholders.

By Leonard Khafafa 1 year ago

Ruto's communication team should now control his narrative

It does not come as a surprise that the recent Gen Z push for public accountability has placed Ruto at its centre.

By Leonard Khafafa 1 year ago

Gen Z should have known right to protest is not absolute

The right to demonstrate is protected by Kenya's Constitution. Even then, interminable protests are counterproductive to Kenyans, both at a personal level and as a country.

By Leonard Khafafa 1 year ago

Premium

Public anger gives Ruto opportunity to rid himself of political baggage

What Gen Z, and the rest of the country want, is enhanced accountability at every level of government.

By Leonard Khafafa 1 year ago