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Keeping Up with the Discourse: Kenya’s Endless Cycle of Political Repressing Anti Regime Politicians

On Sunday May 18 the Karen and Wamunyoro homes of Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua were surrounded. By armed officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), backed by General Service Unit (GSU) and National Intelligence Service (NIS) operatives who descended after a week in which the former Mathira MP dominated headlines with the launch of his party and a viral interview on the Oga Obinna show. […]

May 21, 2025 18 1

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What Is The Point of This Big Brains We Have?

We all have a brain. You might have never seen it in your life, but you know it is there or at least you hope it is. Despite having brains, many of us still do not know how to effectively use our minds, myself included. When you are born, you are not told your occupation, passion, partner or even what to study in university. When you are born, you are […]

May 20, 2025 11 1

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When Collaboration Breaks Down: What the Kethan–LAC Dispute Reveals About Kenya’s Creative Industry

In an age where influencer culture constantly intersects with art, activism, and advertising, the dispute between Kenyan musician Kethan and creative agency Light Art Club (LAC) resonates far beyond its initial entertainment value. What may appear as a simple fallout between an artist and a brand has evolved into a complex commentary on artist treatment, brand ethics, and the public performance of accountability in Kenya’s growing creative economy. The conflict […]

May 19, 2025 24

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New Music on the Radar MAY 16 (We are Nubia, Nviiri, Clark Keeng, Dufla & Femi One)

Dear reader, welcome to this week’s edition of New Music on the Radar, MAY 16. This week, we highlight the turn to vernacular lyricism: a complete one by dancehall star Dufla Diligon in Adok Ebei and a partial one by Nviiri the storyteller in Mwana wa Mubi. The Jinja born artist has spent much of his adult life in Kenya and shaped its urban culture so much that few fans […]

May 16, 2025 74

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Nikita Kering Speaks Up for Kenyan Artists at African Union Conference in Addis Ababa

Kenyan singer-songwriter Nikita Kering stepped beyond the stage and into policy advocacy on May 13, 2025, as she represented Kenyan musicians at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Stakeholders’ Conference held at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The 23-year-old artist, known for her soulful fusion of R&B and Afro-pop, joined artists and policymakers from across the continent to spotlight the growing concern over the exploitation of […]

May 15, 2025 23

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New Afropop Star TheMumbua is the Face of Ogopa Deejays Comeback

The giant stirs again. After years of near silence, Ogopa Deejays—the once-unstoppable force that defined Kenya’s urban sound in the early 2000s—has officially announced its return. The news has lit up Kenyan timelines, with nostalgic fans and younger music lovers alike buzzing with anticipation. On X, voices like @TNXAfrica have hailed their comeback as the rightful return of “the unrivalled kings of East Africa’s pop and urban music.” And leading […]

May 14, 2025 21

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Breaking Down Kenya’s Proposed Finance Bill 2025

As Kenya steps into the second half of the 2020s, the government faces the daunting task of navigating a turbulent economic landscape marked by high public debt, rising living costs, and simmering political discontent. The draft Finance Bill 2025, approved by Cabinet in April but yet to be tabled in Parliament, is the first full attempt by the Kenya Kwanza administration to reset fiscal policy after the seismic upheaval […]

May 13, 2025 193

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New Music on the Radar May 12th 2025

Dear reader, welcome to this week’s edition of New Music on the Radar dated MAY 9. Explore the joys of coming out of a dark season in life with Jason Sibi-Okumu’s introspective This is My Life and Modest Chabari’s rather lighthearted No Balance. Sabi Wu and 4MR Frank White keep it gritty in their hustle anthem Dim My Shine, a theme V-BE also explore in their new number, For […]

May 12, 2025 20 1 2

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Keeping Up with the Discourse: Blood Parliament and Kenya’s Reckoning

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Keeping Up with the Discourse, a recurring column dedicated to unpacking the stories, debates, and undercurrents shaping our country. This week, we dive into Blood Parliament, the latest BBC Africa Eye documentary that has reignited Kenya’s collective grief and outrage over the violent crackdown on anti-tax protesters in June 2024. The film, released on April 28, 2025, exposes the lethal actions of security forces […]

May 8, 2025 17

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Exploring the Matata Hipster Aesthetic

Recently, Matata re-released their single Mpishi featuring Bien, a track that had initially been flagged down due to copyright claims. Since its re-upload, Mpishi has soared past 1.3 million views on YouTube in just eight days—an impressive feat that underscores both the group's magnetic appeal and the public’s anticipation of their audiovisual artistry. With this renewed momentum, Matata is once again affirming their place as one of Kenya’s most visually […]

May 7, 2025 49 2