Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Debt crisis undermining climate action as agroecology emerges as alternative for African farmers

Elveza

Local Credible Community News

Debt crisis undermining climate action as agroecology emerges as alternative for African farmers

Elveza

Local Credible Community News

Headlines

Debt crisis undermining climate action as agroecology emerges as alternative for African farmers

KPLC engages Ngong business community on power reliability, safety and customer service

Free sexual and reproductive health consultations to be offered at Kiserian expo.

Cheko properties opens Fadhili Gardens phase 1, offering affordable land ownership along Ngong to Suswa Road

Masai Cafe: Where food, culture, business and community meet in Kiserian

Rising shoplifting concerns in Kajiado North as Kiserian incident adds to reports of suspected organized theft.

Storm in Kangawa over a football viewing hall

Matasia to host free medical camp offering surgeries and health screenings

Anti-Corruption Commission arrests senior county officials over alleged procurement corruption

Immaculate Salaon installed as president of Rotary Club of Ngong Hills 

Updates

Kajiado residents urged to embrace healthy eating to curb rising non-communicable diseases

Amy Moyi04 mins

By Amy Moyi Residents of Kajiado county have been urged to embrace healthy eating habits and make informed food choices as part of efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The call was made during a World Food Day celebration organised by the Kajiado County NCDs Group in collaboration with the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance of Kenya(NCDAK) which brought together community groups, health officials, government representatives and other stakeholders to promote healthier communities. The event, held in Kiserian town under the theme “Our Food, Our Health,” was part of activities marking World Food Day, whose global theme this year was “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.” Participants were sensitised on the importance of healthy diets, food safety and nutrition with a focus on how everyday food choices can contribute to the prevention of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Patriciah Ngina, an official with the Kajiado NCDs Chapter, said the event was organised to educate residents on the importance of eating healthy and understanding the relationship between diet and non-communicable diseases. “We saw it fit to come here and educate people about the importance of eating healthy. Some of the things that we eat on a daily basis that we think are not harmful are really pushing us to NCDs,” said Ngina. She said participants were encouraged to understand what to include in their daily meals and what to look out for when purchasing food. Ngina cautioned against excessive salt and sugar consumption as well as processed foods. Public health officer Frankline Lelion said the interactive session also focused on food safety particularly the importance of ensuring that food products consumed by the public meet government certification requirements. He said participants were equipped with knowledge to help them identify certified and valid products when shopping in supermarkets and local shops. Lelion also highlighted the importance of food fortification like the addition of vitamin A to cooking oil as part of efforts to improve nutrition. He said hypertension is a major concern in Kajiado county with an estimated 29,000 or more cases while diabetes cases were also increasing. Other conditions of concern included cardiovascular diseases and anaemia particularly in rural parts of the county. “We are really trying to enlighten the population on what they need to eat to reduce these NCDs,” said Lelion. Community health promoter Jennifer Angulu said the training had reinforced the importance of traditional foods and healthier diets in preventing diabetes and high blood pressure. She noted that NCDs not only affect the health of individuals but can also deepen poverty in cases where the breadwinner requires long-term treatment and medication. Angulu said the knowledge gained during the event would help community health workers educate residents on how to prevent and manage the conditions. For some participants, the discussions were also an opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by people living with chronic illnesses. Peter Mutura, who said he had experienced eye pressure and high blood pressure, recounted being warned by a doctor that he was at risk of suffering a stroke. He said accessing treatment remained difficult because of the cost of hospital visits and the unavailability of medication. Mutura urged residents to take health awareness messages seriously and called for greater attention to the challenges faced by patients managing chronic conditions. “We need to listen to doctors and organisations creating health awareness,”said Mutura. The event brought together representatives from SHOFCO Kajiado, the Police Youth Initiative, Kiserian youths, Youth Waves, Kajiado Ma Hopes, the Kajiado County Government, the Kajiado Health Committee, the Ministry of Health, area administration and the county education office. The Kajiado County NCDs Group said the celebration was also an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between community organisations and government stakeholders in advancing public health awareness. The group, a beneficiary of a seed grant, acknowledged the support of the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance of Kenya (NCDAC), its mother organisation, for its continued guidance, mentorship and investment in community-led initiatives.

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Debt crisis undermining climate action as agroecology emerges as alternative for African farmers

Amy Moyi05 mins

Teresa Anderson, Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid By Amy Moyi African countries grappling with mounting debt are increasingly struggling to finance climate action leaving vulnerable communities exposed to extreme weather events while limiting investment in sustainable food production, climate and food systems experts have warned. Teresa Anderson, Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid, has highlighted the growing connection between the climate crisis and the debt burden facing countries in the Global South arguing that the two challenges are reinforcing each other and undermining development efforts. Anderson said debt is worsening the climate crisis in three major ways: leaving countries exposed to climate impacts, preventing governments from investing in the transition to sustainable economies and increasing pressure to expand environmentally destructive industries. She argued that addressing the debt crisis including through debt cancellation should be recognised as an important climate solution because governments cannot adequately respond to climate threats when much of their national revenue is committed to servicing loans. Anderson has illustrated the scale of the challenge through examples from across Africa. In Malawi, the government was projected to spend 70 per cent of its national annual budget on debt repayments in 2026 after successive destructive cyclones forced the country to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on recovery. Zambia also spent more than 60 per cent of its government budget and 70 per cent of its revenue on debt repayments leaving only 0.32 per cent of total government expenditure available for climate-related activities. The debt crisis further limited the country’s ability to invest in preparedness and adaptation during droughts experienced in 2024 and 2025. In Senegal, debt servicing was estimated at 600 times government spending on climate action leaving key initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience, improving food security and reducing emissions through agroecology without adequate funding. Similarly in Mozambique, successive cyclones, droughts and floods have pushed the country deeper into debt. Mozambique spent 117 times more on debt repayment than on climate action while facing pressure to exploit its gas resources to meet financial obligations. According to data from Development Finance International’s Debt Watch Database, 93.5 per cent of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries are either in debt distress or at risk of falling into it. The analysis further showed that these countries were spending an average of 65 per cent of their national revenues on debt servicing leaving only about a third for public services, development and climate action. In 2026, climate-vulnerable countries were collectively spending nearly 25 times more on debt repayments than on climate action, a situation that threatens their ability to implement even basic climate commitments. As African governments struggle to mobilise resources for climate action, agroecology is emerging as an important approach to strengthening food systems, reducing agricultural production costs and improving household productivity. Evidence presented on Kenya’s household productivity showed that agroecological practices delivered 37.8 per cent higher broad productivity per hectare driven by savings on agricultural input costs. The finding points to the potential economic benefits of farming approaches that reduce dependence on expensive external inputs while making better use of locally available resources. For smallholder farmers, particularly those operating under increasingly unpredictable weather conditions and rising production costs, reducing expenditure on farm inputs can make a significant difference to household incomes and the sustainability of agricultural production. However, agroecology’s contribution to food security goes beyond increasing agricultural productivity or the quantity of food produced. ActionAid Tanzania Country Director Bavon Christopher has called for a shift from measuring food security through calories alone to prioritising access to healthy and diverse diets. ActionAid Tanzania Country Director Bavon Christopher Christopher argued that investment in food systems should extend beyond agricultural production to support the entire food pathway including seed diversity, farmer’s knowledge, post-harvest systems, school meals and public procurement. He emphasised the need to diversify food systems and fund the different stages that determine what food reaches consumers, rather than concentrating resources primarily on increasing production. The approach recognises that food security is not simply about producing more food but also ensuring that households can access nutritious and diverse diets. Agroecology can contribute to this transformation by supporting agricultural diversity, strengthening farmer’s knowledge and reducing dependence on costly external inputs. Christopher also pointed to the gap between African governments agricultural financing commitments and actual budget allocations. Under the Maputo/Malabo Agriculture Target, African countries committed to allocating at least 10 per cent of their total public budgets to agriculture. However, most countries continue to fall short of this target with agroecology receiving only negligible fractions of available agricultural funding. This funding gap raises concerns about the extent to which governments are prioritising sustainable agricultural systems despite their potential contribution to food security, climate resilience and rural livelihoods. The challenge is compounded by debt obligations that leave governments with limited fiscal space to invest in agricultural transformation. Anderson’s highlighted this contradiction through the example of Senegal where government initiatives designed to strengthen resilience, improve food security and reduce emissions through agroecology remain unfunded amid high debt-servicing costs. Together, the findings point to the need for governments to reconsider not only how much they invest in agriculture but also where that money goes and which food systems receive priority.

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KPLC engages Ngong business community on power reliability, safety and customer service

adminelveza06 mins

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) on Friday, October 16, held a consultative forum with small and medium sized enterprise (SMEs) owners from Ngong and surrounding areas to address electricity related challenges affecting businesses and to strengthen partnership with its customers. The meeting brought together KPLC officials led Ms. Tracy Konchellah who is incharge of the customer experience in Ngong office in partnership with ABSA Bank Ngong led by the Branch Manager Henry Muteti. Some of the concerns discussed during the meeting included power interruptions, electricity bills to safety, illegal connections and electricity poles obstructing roads. Speaking during the forum, Bishop Henry Omae warned against illegal electricity connections, saying they pose a serious threat to human life and property. He also raised concerns over power rationing and interruptions, noting that businesses dealing in fresh and perishable products, particularly milk, are among those most affected by unreliable electricity supply. Omae called on Kenya Power to intensify public awareness campaigns through community “barazas” to educate residents on electricity safety and the dangers associated with illegal connections. He said community based sensitisation would help residents understand the risks of unsafe electricity practices and encourage responsible use of power. The issue of electricity poles left standing in the middle of roads was raised during the meeting, with residents seeking intervention to improve road safety and accessibility. Karen Msombi, a Customer Experience Officer at KPLC’s Karen area office, acknowledged that the company was aware of cases where electricity poles remained on roads following construction works. Msombi explained that Kenya Power works with various stakeholders involved in road construction to ensure electricity infrastructure is addressed before projects begin. “As an organisation, KPLC partners with various stakeholders who undertake road construction so that we can work together. By the time construction begins, KPLC should have engaged the stakeholders on how poles along the road are going to be moved” Msombi said. She noted that where poles had not been relocated, it could indicate that Kenya Power had not been involved in the initial consultations with the relevant stakeholders. She pledged to follow up on the electricity pole left standing in the middle of Rubis to Jua Kali road in Ngong Town. “We will go back to the office, talk to the relevant department that is concerned with that issue, together with our boss, so that action can be taken to remove the pole from the road,” Msombi said. She emphasised the importance of cooperation between the utility company and the business community, noting that their shared success depends on working together. “For KPLC to succeed and for businesses to succeed, we have to work together,” Msombi said. Konchellah highlighted infrastructure and customer service improvements undertaken over the past year to strengthen electricity supply across Ngong Sub County and neighbouring areas. According to the company, the Ngong service area, which covers Ngong, Matasia, Kiserian, parts of Rongai and Kibiko, serves approximately 70,000 customer accounts, including prepaid and postpaid domestic consumers, small businesses and large commercial customers. She further said the company replaced more than 400 ageing wooden poles with concrete poles in Matasia, Kiserian and Oloolua to help reduce outages and improve network reliability. It also installed or upgraded 15 transformers in high growth areas, including Kibiko, Merisho and Nazarene, to address low voltage and overloading. “Additionally, approximately six kilometres of low voltage lines were upgraded from single phase to three phase electricity to support growing demand, particularly from businesses. Routine maintenance, including the tightening of loose connections at more than 120 substations, was also undertaken as part of efforts to improve the stability of the electricity network.” Konchellah said On customer service, KPLC said it had rolled out self service platforms, including the *977# USSD service and MyPower App, allowing customers to report outages, check bills and purchase electricity tokens without visiting its offices. Customers mostly raise concerns over electricity bills. Access to customer services were among the other issues discussed during the forum. In response to concerns about bills that do not clearly explain individual charges, KPLC said its bills now contain itemised details showing fixed charges, energy consumption, fuel cost charges, foreign exchange adjustments, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) levies, value-added tax, arrears and advance payments, where applicable. The company encouraged customers to register for electronic bills through *977# or the MyPower App to receive detailed monthly bills and SMS breakdowns. The officials said the self service platforms were intended to make it easier for customers to access information and resolve routine service issues. Msombi also urged electricity consumers to remain vigilant against fraudsters impersonating Kenya Power employees. She encouraged customers to use the company’s “Jua for Sure” facility to verify the identity of individuals claiming to be KPLC staff before allowing them to undertake work or provide services. “All payments must be made through Kenya Power accounts and not through personal mobile numbers,” Msombi said. Customers were further advised to report electrical faults through official channels rather than attempting to handle dangerous situations themselves. KPLC provided the following customer support contacts: the national emergency and fault lines, 97771 and 0703 070 707, the *977# USSD service, the MyPower App, and the Ngong office direct line, 0721 735 290. Mr Menye, a resident of Gichagi in Ngong, urged Kenya Power to extend consultative meetings to village level, saying such engagements would help educate residents, particularly on electricity safety. He noted that taking the forums closer to communities would give more residents an opportunity to raise concerns and receive guidance directly from the utility company. The call echoed concerns raised during the meeting about the need for stronger communication between Kenya Power and electricity consumers. Konchellah said KPLC Ngong office had organised the engagement because small businesses play a critical role in the local economy. “As KPLC Ngong office, we organised this business engagement because we recognise that small businesses are the backbone of Ngong’s economy. Our aim is to strengthen the growing partnership between KPLC and the business community, while fostering greater cohesion…

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Inua Mama Mboga initiative empowers women in Ongata Rongai

adminelveza02 mins

By Teresa Magenya Forty three women took part in a sukuma wiki cutting competition targeting “mama mboga’s” at Ongata Rongai Open Air Market in Kajiado North constituency. The initiative, launched by Jubilee Party parliamentary aspirant Leiyan Roimen, seeks to empower women market traders across Kajiado North constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking during the event, Roimen said the programme would be rolled out in different markets across the constituency to give more women an opportunity to participate in similar activities and win prizes. He added that the initiative would culminate in a final competition with the overall winner set to receive 500 000 Kenya shillings which will be presented by Jubilee deputy party leader Dr. Fred Matiangi. The participants at Ongata Rongai open air market received gifts while the top three winners walked away with cash prizes to boost their vegetable stocks and strengthen their businesses. The top three winners from each market will also advance to the constituency-level final competition for a chance to win 500 000 Kenya shillings. The participants will be judged on cleanliness, packaging and presentation of their vegetables. Roimen, who is seeking the Kajiado North parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket, was accompanied by fellow aspirants from the party during the event.

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Conservationist calls for greater integration of traditional medicine into Kenya’s healthcare system

adminelveza05 mins

Conservationist and indigenous researcher Dr. Lepantas Leshore has called for greater integration of traditional and complementary medicine into Kenya’s healthcare system, saying lessons from China could help Kenya strengthen primary healthcare and preserve indigenous knowledge. Dr. Leshore, founder of the Maa Museum of Heritage, which serves communities across the Maa counties of Kajiado, Narok, Laikipia, Samburu and Marsabit, was speaking on August 25, 2026, during a Chinese herbal medicine event by Fohow, organised by Ms. Evlyne Malova at PEC House in Ngong. He said lifestyle changes, including reduced physical activity, increased time spent in vehicles and poor dietary habits, have contributed to health challenges that require greater attention to preventive and primary healthcare. Dr. Leshore argued that traditional and complementary medicine could form part of a broader healthcare approach in Kenya. “The Fohow products seem good for women’s reproductive health, including menstrual hygiene, and can enhance primary health care in Kenya,” he said. He further called for the continued development of a healthcare model that brings together conventional medicine and traditional or complementary approaches. His comments come as Kenya continues to develop frameworks around traditional, complementary and alternative medicine. However, claims about the safety or effectiveness of particular herbal products require appropriate scientific and regulatory evaluation before being treated as established medical evidence. Dr Leshore narrated his experience in China, where he travelled as part of a 25 member delegation under a China Aid programme. The two week training exposed the delegation to issues including heritage, tourism integration, conservation, culture and urban health. According to Dr. Leshore, the experience demonstrated how different sectors can be brought together in the development and preservation of cultural and natural heritage. He said Kenya could learn from China’s approach to tourism, cultural preservation, traditional medicine, heritage management and conservation. “Kenya can learn a lot from China including tourism, preservation of culture, development of traditional herbal medicine, heritage and conservation,” he said. For Dr. Leshore, the exchange was also an opportunity to consider how indigenous knowledge in Kenya could be documented and incorporated into modern development without losing its cultural foundation. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of documenting plants, minerals and other substances believed to have medicinal properties. One of the best known historical works is the Bencao Gangmu, commonly translated as the Compendium of Materia Medica. Compiled by Chinese physician and naturalist Li Shizhen during the Ming dynasty, the work brought together extensive knowledge of medicinal substances and natural history.  By the end of the 16th century, the number of drugs documented in China had reached close to 1,900. The development of traditional Chinese medicine later became intertwined with China’s modern healthcare system. During the 20th century, Chinese authorities promoted approaches that combined traditional medical practices with aspects of Western medicine, particularly in efforts to expand basic healthcare services in rural communities. The country’s experience has also generated debate. While traditional Chinese medicine remains widely used, researchers and health experts have raised questions concerning evidence, regulation, quality control and the safety of some traditional remedies. China has around 45 dedicated tertiary institutions  specializing on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), alongside over 215 other comprehensive universities that offer TCM programs or majors. Dr. Leshore’s comments reflect a wider conversation about how traditional knowledge can coexist with modern healthcare. For Kenya, this discussion is particularly relevant given the country’s diverse indigenous communities and long history of using medicinal plants and traditional healing practices. Integrating traditional medicine into the formal healthcare system, however, would require appropriate standards for training, product quality, safety, research, regulation and patient protection. Dr. Leshore said his experience in China strengthened his belief that Kenya can benefit from studying approaches used in other countries while developing solutions suited to its own cultural and healthcare environment. He also linked the discussion to his broader work in conservation and indigenous heritage, arguing that traditional knowledge, culture, tourism and environmental conservation can complement one another. The Ngong event brought together participants interested in herbal medicine and wellness, with Fohow products forming part of the discussions. Fohow is a Chinese company that markets health and wellness products based on traditional Chinese medicine. The company has operations in a number of countries, including Kenya. For Dr. Leshore, the conversation goes beyond herbal products. He sees the exchange between Kenya and China as an opportunity to examine how traditional knowledge can contribute to healthcare, cultural preservation, tourism and conservation while being assessed within appropriate modern standards. “This is why I believe in the principles of China. If you want to learn and change the new world order, this is where we are going, the new world order, we are moving to China and we can borrow good lessons,” he said. Ms. Awinja Malova who organised the successfull event last month on 25th August operates a Fohow Agency at 1st Floor, Astrol Petrol Station, Ngong Town.  Ms. Malova can be contacted through mobile number 0720944443.

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Wambui’s final days raise questions over emergency healthcare and support for vulnerable residents in Kajiado county.

adminelveza08 mins

On September 3, 2026, residents of Umoja Village, formerly known as Mathare, raised the alarm after a well known woman in the community, Wambui, was found in need of urgent medical attention. A Community Health Volunteer (CHV) who responded to the call said the condition in which she found Wambui was so severe that people were reluctant to assist her. “When I arrived there, no one wanted to touch her because of the state she was in. I believe that is why they contacted me,” the CHV said. Residents and volunteers quickly mobilised funds to facilitate her treatment. Wambui was taken to Ngong Sub County Hospital, where she received medical attention. However, according to those involved in her care, the facility could not admit her amid an ongoing nurses’ strike. The volunteers were reportedly advised to seek admission at a private facility.  Wambui was then taken to Matasia Nursing Hospital in Matasia. According to information provided to Elveza Media by the facility, a group of people brought Wambui to the hospital but later left, effectively abandoning her at the facility.  Later that night, Wambui was reportedly seen back in the Umoja Village area, in Ngong Town. The following morning, residents found her lying helplessly in an alley within the village. Some members of the community attempted to care for her, including trying to feed her porridge. Her condition, however, continued to deteriorate, and she eventually died. Her body was initially taken by police to Ngong Funeral Homes but was reportedly rejected before being transferred to the City Mortuary. A community leader who knew Wambui told Elveza Media that she was originally from Embulbul before relocating to Umoja Village in Ngong. According to the community leader, Wambui later became homeless and spent nights wherever well wishers were willing to accommodate her. Those who knew her described her as a woman who could be warm towards people she respected but could also express bitterness towards those she felt had disrespected her. Mr Clint Mbuthia, who is among those helping with arrangements following her death, described Wambui’s life as one marked by instability and hardship. “She lived a life of instability. She has suffered a lot. Alcohol was part of her daily diet. She lacked the support system which is critical,” Mbuthia said. For years, very little was known about Wambui beyond the immediate community in which she lived. Following her death, those assisting with funeral arrangements established that her ancestral home was in Ithanga, Murang’a County. Mbuthia also acknowledged the assistance Wambui received from Jesus Winner Ministry Church in Ngong. “I want to thank Jesus Winner Ministry Church in Ngong for supporting the deceased during her difficult days. After realizing she was homeless, the church rented her a place to live and regularly supported her with food donations,” he said. The support, however, was not enough to resolve the wider challenges facing Wambui, according to those who knew her. Her death has now prompted questions within Umoja Village about how vulnerable people living with homelessness, addiction, poverty and serious illness can access emergency healthcare and sustained social support. One of her sons was traced to Birika Shopping Centre in Kajiado East. He was reportedly knocked down by a vehicle in Ngong Town two days ago and sustained injuries to his foot and neck.  He is currently being hosted by a well-wisher in Umoja Village according to a CHV identified as John Mulwa. Community Health Volunteers who spoke to Elveza Media identified emergency transport as one of the challenges facing poor and vulnerable patients in Kajiado North. The CHVs called for allocation of emergency funds that could be accessed by community health volunteers to facilitate transportation of critically ill patients when an ambulance or other emergency transport is not immediately available. They argued that delays in moving critically ill patients can have serious consequences, particularly for people who lack money, family support or reliable means of transport. The concerns come as Kenya has been expanding its national emergency medical response system.  On August 5, 2026, the government announced the launch of the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, a centralised emergency medical dispatch platform intended to coordinate emergency response across all 47 counties. The system allows people in Kenya to dial 922 to report a medical emergency. According to the government’s announcement, callers do not need to prove SHA membership before emergency assistance is dispatched. The system is intended to coordinate county ambulances, private providers and faith based organisations within a national emergency response network. The government has also said that calls to 922 are free across mobile networks and that trained dispatchers can establish the location of an emergency, assess the situation and identify an available ambulance and appropriate health facility. Mbuthia has also called for revenue collected through liquor licensing to be used to support rehabilitation programmes for people struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. He further urged religious organisations and medical institutions to increase their involvement in supporting people experiencing homelessness, addiction and extreme poverty. He cited Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, which provides for economic and social rights, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health, accessible and adequate housing, freedom from hunger, social security and other basic needs.  Article 43(2) also provides that no person shall be denied emergency medical treatment. Mbuthia argued that Wambui’s experience demonstrates the gap that can exist between constitutional guarantees and the reality faced by vulnerable people. “Despite Article 43 being clear on these rights, the late Wambui is one of many others who are failed by both governments of Kenya.  Ideally anyone unable to feed themselves should walk to the chief’s office or the social services office and get petty cash or voucher to buy food,” he said. He called on organisations including the Law Society of Kenya, Katiba Institute and the Kenya Human Rights Commission to increase civic education at grassroots level so that vulnerable communities understand the rights provided under the Constitution. Wambui’s death has also reignited…

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The Borrowed Brains Series

adminelveza03 mins

By Engineer Mike Makwani Do NOT Be Confused – Wewe Kwisha?A scenario where AI consciously decides to wipe out or enslave humanity as a rival intelligence is extremely unlikely, whereas the soft “enslavement” of humanity through algorithmic control, manipulation, and economic irrelevance is highly likely. On a Scale of 1 to 10AI consciously wiping out humanity (as a rival intelligence):1–2 / 10 (Extremely Unlikely) AI “enslaving” or controlling humanity (via manipulation and digital dictatorships):8–9 / 10 (Highly Likely) Why Algorithmic Control Is Far More Likely Than Annihilation 1 / Science Fiction Confuses Intelligence with ConsciousnessHollywood thrillers like The Matrix or Terminator portray AI as developing consciousness, feeling hatred, rebelling, and attempting to exterminate its human creators. However, intelligence is the ability to solve problems, while consciousness is the ability to feel emotions like pain, joy, anger, or love. Computers solve problems in a fundamentally different way than mammals; they do not need feelings, consciousness, or organic desires to outperform human brains.Because AI will not possess consciousness, it will not experience envy, malevolence, or a desire to “rebel” against humanity as a rival species. 2/ The Real Threat Is Obedience, Not RebellionThe danger of AI and robotics is not that they will disobey humans, but that they will blindly and perfectly obey their code and their human masters. A tyrant armed with autonomous weapons or total biometric surveillance will never have to fear that their robot forces will defect, feel compassion, or suffer moral fatigue. 3/ How “Enslavement” Actually Happens:Hacking the Human Operating SystemRather than physical enslavement by killer robots, humanity faces a subtle shift in authority. As information technology merges with biotechnology, big data algorithms equipped with biometric sensors will monitor our physiological signals—such as heart rates, eye movements, and brain activity. Because human choices are biochemical algorithms rather than mystical free will, external AI will learn to predict, manipulate, and decide things for us better than we can ourselves. Authority will naturally shift from human feelings to algorithmic recommendations—deciding what we buy, where we work, whom we marry, and how we vote. 4/ Irrelevance Rather Than ExploitationIn assessing the future of AI, Karl Marx is a far better guide than Steven Spielberg. Instead of a apocalyptic “war with robots,” we face a future where AI renders billions of humans economically redundant, giving rise to a massive “useless class”. The primary political and social crisis of the 21st century will not be fighting an evil machine overlord, but preventing a small, algorithm-owning elite from concentrating all power while the majority suffers from absolute irrelevance. 5/ Borrowed Brains SeriesWelcome to the borrowed brains series season 1 (10 episodes) where we shall explore the war that we are facing today: AI + Biotech Vs You. The AuthorMike Makwani is an author, teletraffic engineer, and self-described broad generalist. He wrote Essentials of Cryptography in Network Security (https://amzn.to/2RdoCrj) to break down complex technical architectures. In this 22-week series, The Borrowed Brains , he applies systems thinking to culture and power—examining digital dictatorships, the limits of human retraining against AI, biological divides, and how foundational myths govern societal survival.

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Ongata Rongai women empowered through menstrual dignity campaign

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By Teresa Magenya Forty eight women in Ongata Rongai town, Kajiado county, have benefited from a six months supply of sanitary towels through an initiative aimed tackling period poverty among girls and women in vulnerable communities by empowering women to manage their menustration with dignity. The outreach initiative, is part of a campaign by Mkhana Collective Limited dubbed 1 Billion Pads by 2030 Project which was launched in June 2026 to expand access to menstrual products and education. Four months into the campaign, Mkhana Collective has distributed 29,204 sanitary pads, achieving 29.15 per cent of its 100,200-pad target for 2026. Mkhana Collective founder and chief executive officer Emmanuella Mudambo said the progress demonstrates what communities and partners can achieve when they work towards a common goal. The organisation’s growing footprint has spread across three counties. In Nairobi, Mkhana Collective has distributed 160 complete Mkhana Kits and received an additional 404 sanitary towels through donations. In Murang’a, 32 kits were distributed followed by 48 kits in Kajiado. Each Mkhana Kit costs 1500 Kenya shillings and contains 120 sanitary pads which is enough for an estimated six months as well as a Bloom Period Journal to encourage menstrual tracking, awareness and education. Mudambo says the approach is designed to address both the immediate need for menstrual products among girls and women in vulnerable communities as well as the information gaps that can affect menstrual health. “Our goal is to ensure that no girl or woman has to compromise her dignity, education or daily life simply because she cannot afford menstrual products,” said Mudambo. The organisation’s name, Mkhana, means “a girl” in the Luhya community which Mudambo says represents a broader belief that menstruation should not prevent girls from attending school, participating in community life or pursuing their ambitions. The campaign’s next stop will be Kiambu County where Mkhana Collective plans to distribute 100 Mkhana Kits.

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The bigger story behind Gor’s “Mr Beans” nickname

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Oloolua Ward MCA Eli Gor has earned a new political nickname “Mr Beans” after distributing beans and rice to a large group of residents in Olooua and Embulbul, but a local researcher says the controversy surrounding the nickname points to a much bigger issues of food insecurity and poverty. The food distribution initiative by MCA Gor drew both praise from beneficiaries and political criticism from his rivals, who subsequently branded him “Mr Beans.” However, Brian Mugwe, a researcher based in Ong’ata Rongai, says political nicknames are often deliberately coined by opponents as a way of teasing political leaders and potentially weakening their support. “Behind every nickname, there is a story. Gor was attempting to mitigate a hunger crisis in Oloolua. There is a population in Kenya which is struggling with food. That is the reality. The hunger crisis is the story that needs to be told,” Mugwe said. The debate comes at a time when poverty and food insecurity remain significant challenges in Kenya. An Oxfam inequality report cited by the researcher puts Kenya’s extreme poverty rate at 46 per cent, ranking the country among those with some of the highest levels of extreme poverty globally. According to the report, despite Kenya recording significant economic growth over the past decade, excluding 2020, an additional seven million Kenyans have fallen into extreme poverty since 2015. The report also highlights the concentration of wealth in the country, stating that the richest 125 Kenyans hold more wealth than 77 per cent of the population which is equivalent to about 42.6 million people. Food insecurity has also worsened. The report indicates that the number of Kenyans experiencing moderate and severe food insecurity increased by 17 million between 2014 and 2024, representing a 71 per cent rise. For residents facing food shortages, therefore, the beans and rice distributed by Gor may represent more than a political gesture. “For now, the beans and rice distributed by MCA Gor is a lifeline for many families struggling with poverty,” Mugwe said. But Mugwe argues that food donations, while providing immediate relief, cannot provide a permanent solution to poverty. He advised elected leaders, including members of the county assembly, to prioritise on policies and development programmes that can improve household incomes and create employment opportunities. “Gor and other members of the county assembly must create laws that will encourage farming and a conducive business environment that will attract quality investors who will create well paying jobs,” he said. The Oxfam report similarly recommends progressive taxation, increased investment in essential public services such as education and healthcare, creation of quality jobs and addressing land inequality as measures that could help reduce inequality. “Inequality and poverty reinforce each other. When economic resources and opportunities are concentrated in fewer hands, it worsens poverty for those at the bottom who also must pay to access essential public services due to the state’s failure to provide these services,” the report states. Mugwe says Gor should not necessarily be concerned about the nickname, but should instead use the attention to push for long term development in Oloolua. “For Oloolua residents, the debate over “Mr Beans” therefore raises a question that extends beyond political rivalry. How can leaders move from providing short term relief to creating the economic opportunities that enable families to consistently afford food?” Mugwe said.

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