Salavage Kenya

The paper traces the political and legal challenges of the presidential repeat polls and their consequences to the social, economic and social lives of Kenyans

The article traces the problem of unemployment from the global arena and grounds it to the youth with special focus on Kenya. The article also demonstrates how the youth can work out their way out of poverty by providing a clear framework for wealth creation. The article emphasizes understanding and believe in the framework for a transformation from poverty to riches.

The Arabuko Sokoke dryland coastal forest along the East African coastline provides a unique habitat for many endangered endemic animal and plant species. High demographic pressure with subsequent land-splitting, soil depletion in combination with erratic rainfalls and the collapse of the tourism industry are negatively affecting food security and human livelihood quality in this region. Food crops were originally produced by subsistence farming, but have now to be purchased at local- and super-markets, constituting a major financial burden for the local people. In consequence, overexploitation of natural resources from Arabuko Sokoke forest (illegal logging, charcoal burning, poaching of wild animals) increased during the past years. In this commentary we document ecosystem heterogeneity leading to high species richness. We discuss direct and indirect drivers of habitat degradation of the Arabuko Sokoke forest, and critically reflect current and future solutions. Key drivers of habitat destruction and biodiversity loss are (i) illegal timber logging and removal of woody biomass, (ii) poaching of bush-meat, (iii) exceeding of the carrying capacity by the local elephant population, restricted to Arabuko Sokoke by an electric fence, and (iv) weak governance structures and institutional confusion exacerbating illegal exploitation of natural resources. Potential solutions might be: Provisioning of additional income sources; reforestation of the surrounding areas in the framework of REDD+ activities to create a buffer around the remaining primary forest; improving governance structures that formulates clear guidelines on future usage and protection of natural resources within the Arabuko Sokoke forest; and family planning to counteract human demographic pressure and the exploitation of natural resources.

The article is an attempt to raise voter awareness, especially on the value of the vote and what it can buy as Kenyans prepare for the General election 2017. The idea is to sensitize the public into electing democratic leaders: Government of the people for the people by the people and not demon-crazic leaders: Government of friends for friends by friends possessed by the demons of power and control over state resources. The artcile is a follow up to the one on Democracy or Demon-crazy? The Fate of the Kenyas 2017 General Elections available here.

The article on Doctors Strike: From hope of holy smoke to political fireworks, highlights the developments of the now over 90 days doctors strike in Kenya. Precisely, the article makes an attempt to provide advise that real focus should be addressed to the root cause of the problem. In as much as it is okay to resolve the current impasse amicably, there a more dire need to re-look into the entire pay structure of public servants and be able to avert ongoing and pending strikes by public servants through major reforms. The article pushes for an overhaul of the unjust and un-comensurate award of salaries and annulments to public servants, especially politicians vs other public servants. The articles also warns against anger in conflict resolution, especially among leaders whom the powerless public rely on their guidance in such situations of crisis. The article singles out only one thing standing away from ending the strikes by doctors, which is signing. Precisely, all was agreed by the doctors, clergy, COG and H.E the president as reported in the media; only signing of the recognition agreement, signing of revised CBA and signing of the return to work formula is keeping away the sick and poor from accessing health care services and doctors from resuming their duties. Lets the parties see the wisdom and conclude this painful process to the rest of Kenyans who are and have been sick and suffering.

Coastal unity has been illusive for over five decades. Efforts to get the region out of marginalization and historical injustices have been futile. There is need for a methodical approach to galvanize the region using a common agenda. the agenda must proceed from understanding where the community came from, where it is and where it wants to go. The way forward is to have a paradigm shift to get the community out of the defeatist mindset and set the path to real development based on social capital. it can work through collective community consciousness and action.

Kenya is experiencing a myriad of strikes by public servants as a result of non implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA). The public is not receiving some essential services including health care and higher education. Article examines the genesis of the problem, highlighting the interventions so far tried and failed and those going on with the hope of yielding some holy smoke as religious leaders get entangled in finding an amicable solution to the quagmire. The article recommends the best way to end the increasing agitation for better salaries and emoluments through bold reforms that will see an overhaul of the public salary structure based on an objective and just criteria hinged on meritocracy.

Happy New Year 2017 Kenyan national examinations system has suffered a myriad of challenges over the years. In fact, succeeding administrations have tried to rectify the situation in vain. One of the most obvious and depressing crisis of the education sector has been cheating in examinations. This meant that unqualified candidates infiltrated our universities and worse the most " prestigious courses " , including medicine, engineering, architecture, actuarial sciences etc. The consequences of such infiltration are catastrophic for the development of the country. Though no studies have been done to link this state of affairs and the current happenings in the various sectors that absorb these " manufactured " professionals in the country, recent collapse of buildings, poor provision of health services, poor state of engineering work for our roads, buildings and erection of unmarked and standardised bumps have ended many lives of innocent Kenyans. The UhuruRuto administration realised this crisis and had to act fast by changing the Cabinet Secretary (CS) in charge of the education docket from Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi to Dr. Fred Matiangi. The idea was to sanitize and streamline the education sector, especially examinations to ensure credibility of the national examinations and certification process at various levels of the Kenyan education system. The changes spread to the National Examination Council and even in higher institutions of learning as marked by the changes from Joint Admission Board to Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service (KUCPS) and the newly universities quality assurance officer, Commission for University Education (CUE). These changes were supposed to signal to the education cartels that the Kenyan Education system is headed for a major transformation. A transformation aimed at restoring the integrity and credibility of the entire education system, including examination and certification. The entry of CS Matiangi saw energy and zeal in spearheading these reforms in the education sector. Discussions were rife in changing the system of education from the current 8-4-4 to the 2-2-6-3-3, changes were also made in the setting, processing, securing and administering both national examinations, Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and KCSE. These reforms were done under strict supervision of the CS Matiangi, including his personal presence in all the major steps of the examination process. This made him acquire accolades from all those

Kenya is a beautiful country with diverse and wonderful people. However, the country is in the hands of political agents, Jubilee and CORD. Bottom line, Kenya belongs to all Kenyans and leaving to politicians alone is not fair for the country, especially when the polity has disagreed to disagree with regard to many things including now the electoral laws. the middle class is silenet and is the hope for liberation of the country. the present paper is aimed at sharing thoughts and ideas to resolve the myriad of challenges facing Kenya, especially the stale mate on the electoral laws.