Pasha 44: Gender inequality in Kenyan and South African education systems: shutterstock South Africa and Kenya have progressive legal frameworks when it comes to higher education policies. But women are still missing from higher education institutions. This is attributed to the difficult social conditions they face. In today’s episode of Pasha Beatrice Akala, a post …
Explainer: what’s at stake in Kenyan court case on gay rights: Churchgoers in Nairobi who support gay rights lit candles ahead of the court ruling. EPA-EFE/Dai Kurokawa The much-awaited court ruling on a petition seeking to decriminalise homosexuality in Kenya has been delayed for at least a further two months. The petition currently before the …
Kenyan approach holds promise for boosting early childhood education: Early childhood education can equip kids for later learning. karelnoppe/Shutterstock There has been a big push by countries in sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade to improve early childhood education. This refers to pre-primary schools, which usually caters to children aged between 4 and 5. Research …
Domestic violence and social status: a Kenyan case study: Over 47% of women in Kenya have experienced physical or sexual violence by their partner Chaiyapong/Shutterstock The rate of domestic violence in sub-Saharan Africa is among the highest in the world. Over 47% of women in Kenya have experienced physical or sexual violence. This is higher …
Why fewer Kenyan women are choosing or completing STEM courses: Kenya needs policies that aim to draw women into STEM and retain them. Pablo Calvog/Shutterstock Globally, the percentage of women pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is small. In Africa, the numbers are even more dismal. The greatest imbalance is in engineering. …
Why Kenyan students are cheating in their exams and what can be done: Cheating has risen significantly over the past 30 years in Kenya. David Trotman-Wilkins/Flickr In an attempt to curb cheating during national examinations, Kenya’s Ministry of Education has banned parents, and others, from visiting students at boarding school. The Conversation Africa’s Moina Spooner …
Politics, populism and the law: who really speaks for the Kenyan people?: Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta waves as he leaves a campaign rally in the capital. Baz Ratner/Reuters There is no doubt that Kenya’s Supreme Court made a historic decision in annulling the country’s August 8th presidential election. But it’s been met with different reactions. …
How 50 medical experts separated Kenyan conjoined twins in 23-hour surgery: Former conjoined twins, Blessing and Favour, after a successful surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital. Kenyatta National Hospital The successful separation of two year old conjoined twins at Kenyatta National Hospital marked a medical milestone in Kenya. Other than South Africa, very few successful separations …
Four ways the Kenyan elections could be rigged – and how to stop it: Kenya experienced technological failures during the 2013 election. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya The race for State House in Kenya is heating up. After a long period during which President Uhuru Kenyatta looked a shoo-in for re-election, the presidential race is looking increasingly competitive. …
Kenyan voters need to resist the allure of voting for the usual suspects: Kenyan voters queue to cast their ballots during the 2013 general election. Thomas Mukoya/Reuters Fledgling democracies in Africa tend to experience cyclical radical shifts between democratic booms and the doldrums. This suggests that the democratisation process in some parts of the continent …
Kenyan court forces the country to review its options on Dadaab refugee camp: An aerial picture of a section of the Hagadera camp in the Dadaab complex near the Kenya-Somalia border Thomas Mukoya/Reuters The hundreds of thousands of people living in Kenya’s sprawling Dadaab refugee camp have been spared eviction – for now. Early in …
How striking Kenyan medical workers are using social media to tell their stories: A Kenyan nurse blows a horn outside the Ministry of Health headquarters during their strike. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya The ongoing health workers strike in Kenya has taken a new dimension with medics adopting social networking sites to air their grievances. In the process …
Why Kenyan health workers are on strike and what can be done about it: A Kenyan nurse participates in a march during their strike following failed negotiations between health unions and the government. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya Doctors and nurses in Kenya’s public hospitals downed their tools in the latest round of strikes to press for higher …
A burning question: why are Kenyan students setting fire to their schools?: Dormitories are commonly targeted in school burnings Elizabeth Cooper Over the past few years, students have set fire to hundreds of secondary schools across Kenya. The tally includes more than 120 cases in 2016 alone. Why students are setting fire to their schools …
South Africa in the news: “Women need options when a man says no to a condom”: An interview with Kenyan HIV activist Jacque Wambui: Head scarves or “the doek” have evolved into statement pieces for any chic African-inspired outfit. Since the advent of democracy in South Africa, nothing has tested the country’s institutions as the …
Kenyan schools reform is a unique chance to rethink life-skills teaching: Are schools the best place to teach life skills? Noor Khamis/Reuters Research has established that school-going children with a positive attitude are more likely to achieve better results in school and in life. They’re also more likely to be goal-oriented and committed to their …