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We hear a lot about fake news, but that is a very broad and misleading term. According to the Ethical Journalism Network, "fake news is information deliberately fabricated and published with the intention to deceive and mislead others into believing falsehoods or doubting verifiable facts." This term conflates three types of information disorder: misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. In the spirit of International Fact Checking Day, celebrated annually on April 2nd, we're joined by Eric Mugendi, Managing Editor of Pesacheck, to discuss fact checking in general, and within the Kenyan context. What exactly is fact checking, and why is it important, especially in this digital age? What establishes something as a “fact” vis a vis an opinion? What exactly is information disorder? And what is the difference between these three types of disorder? What kinds of challenges do misinformation, disinformation and malinformation pose to modern day journalism? What is the role of media organizations when it co

On Tuesday the 26th of March 2019, the Standard reported that a three judge bench at the Court of Appeal, constituted by Justices Roselyn Nambuye, Daniel Musinga and Patrick Kiage, proposed that the age of consent be lowered to 16 by amending the Sexual Offences Act, citing lengthy jail terms imposed on young men convicted of defilement. We’re joined by Judy Gitau, the Africa Regional Co-ordinator of Equality Now to discuss consent, the age of consent, its importance, and the potential impact of lowering it. Resources Criminal Appeal 102 of 2016 [The Ruling that proposed the lowering of the age of consent] Court proposes lowering sex consent age to 16 years Sexual Offences Act (2006) What is sexual consent? Why the age of sexual consent continues to be a worldwide challenge Close in Age Exemptions / Romeo and Juliet Laws What are the Romeo and Juliet Laws Episode 81: Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare Episode 88: Human Trafficking in Kenya Image Credit: Social Documentary Centre

Much of the conversation about global warming and climate change focuses on the Earth’s poles and the areas outside the tropics. We understand that ice caps and glaciers are melting. However, it is urgent that we understand the effects of global warming in the tropics in general, and at the equator in particular. Normal temperature ranges in the tropics fall within a narrower range than those outside them, so any change will have more significant effects. We’re joined by Jessica Mukiri, an Environmental Modeler at the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, to discuss global warming at the equator, with a focus on Kenya. Which human activities make us more vulnerable to climate change? What are its effects in this region? And, how can we mitigate it? Press play to find out! Resources Effects of global warming Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5 ºC Climate Change: Why the Tropical Poor Will Suffer Most Why Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change Vulnerability to Climate Change in Afric

According to Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and National Treasury reports in 2016, it was estimated that a third of Kenya’s national budget was lost through corrupt dealings annually. That would mean that in 2018/19, we can reasonably expect to lose KES 1 trillion, if not more, to corruption. Much of this money ends up in offshore accounts in countries that are tax havens. As at 2007, economists at the American research firm National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) estimated that about 70% of Kenya’s GDP (KES 1.83 trillion in 2007) was stashed abroad, while the think-tank Global Financial Integrity (GFI) estimated in an October 2018 report that Kenya loses about 8% of government revenues annually (above USD 907 million, or KES 78.41 billion, based on the historical exchange rate) to trade misinvoicing by multinationals. We’re joined by Will Fitzgibbon, an investigative journalist at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), who has worked on the Panama Papers, Paradise

As part of its Big Four Agenda, the Jubilee government aims to focus on the provision of affordable housing units to be bought on mortgage by formally employed Kenyans. In the 2018/2019 budget, affordable housing received a provision KES 6.5 billion. By 2022, the government aims to have constructed 500,000 affordable housing units, with four types being available. The housing projects have been divided into five lots, with one lot covered in each financial year. Each lot is then broken down into flagship projects, flagship social housing projects, counties and towns and Nairobi County projects. We're joined by Njeri Cerere, a Planning, Development and Environmental Consultant, and the co-convenor of Naipolitans, to discuss a roadmap to affordable housing in Kenya. Press play! Resources Kenya economic update : housing - unavailable and unaffordable Kenya 1999 Population and Housing Census: Analytical Report On Housing Conditions and Social Amenities - Volume X Road To Affordable Housing Agenda, Health For A

Caroline Mwatha. Sharon Otieno. Mercy Keino. Fiona Kasuya. Mary Wambui. Beryl Adhiambo. These are some of the women we have lost to Kenya's femicide crisis, wither due to their work, or men in their lives. This week, we’re joined by Rachael Mwikali, the convenor of the Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders to discuss the work of human rights defenders in Kenya, with a focus on women, as well as Kenya’s femicide crisis. Resources #TotalShutdownKE #SayHerNameKE Missing Voices Kenya Hounded to the point of exile, human rights activists now appreciated KNCHR And Human Rights Defenders Work (HRD’s) Defend Defenders: Kenya Country Profile Body of missing Dandora activist Caroline Mwatha found at City Mortuary Haki Africa demands quick probe on missing activist Caroline Mwatha Police on the spot over missing Dandora activist Police link Caroline Mwathe's death to 'botched abortion' Five horrific cases of domestic violence against women in Kenya in the past three months Man stabs girlfriend to death,

In Kenya, according to the 2018 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), diseases of the respiratory system are the leading cause of morbidity, followed by malaria. They accounted for 34% of all incidences in 2017, compared to malaria’s 18.7%. Kenya experiences 19,112 deaths annually because of air pollution, and of these, 6,672 are children. These are diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and lung cancer, among others. The 2017 survey estimated that 19.9 million Kenyans suffer from respiratory ailments that are exacerbated by poor air quality. We're joined by Dr. Kanyiva Muindi of the Africa Population Health Research Centre (APHRC) to talk about air quality in Kenya at large, and Nairobi in particular. Press play! Resources Economic Survey 2018 - Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Air Quality Regulations (2014) Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999) (Amended) Environmental Management and Coordination Act (2015) Air Pollution in Nairobi Slums: Sources, Levels a

Kenya is flagged as a source, transit, and destination country for persons subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking in East Africa by the Trafficking in Persons Report of 2018. We continue to host illegal recruiters who maintain networks in Uganda and Ethiopia. They recruit Kenyan, Rwandan, Ethiopian and Ugandan workers through fraudulent offers of employment in the Middle East and Asia. This happens despite a directive by the government to register all agencies linking Kenyans to employment opportunities overseas. This week, we're joined by Sophie Otiende of HAART Kenya (Awareness Against Human Trafficking) to talk about how human trafficking manifests in Kenya, and how to combat it. Press play! Resources Trafficking in Persons Report - June 2018 Kenya - Trafficking in Persons Report 2018 Human Trafficking in Kenya  - National Crime Research Centre Assessment Report On The Human Trafficking Situation In The Coastal Region of Kenya Why human trafficking is still rife in Kenya Human trafficking probe

Kenya is set to begin open field trials of GMO cotton in March 2019, following the approval for national performance trials by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in 2018. [In June 2018, it was reported that Kenya would start growing GMO cotton on a commercial basis in 2019.] This would make us the first in East Africa to grow GMOs in open fields, and fourth in Africa after South Africa, Burkina Faso and Sudan. BT cotton is among six crops that have been under confined field trials. The others are drought-tolerant maize, biofortified sorghum, viral resistant cassava, nutritionally enhanced cassava and gypsophila paniculata cut flowers. We’re joined by Anne Maina, co-ordinator of the Kenya Biodiversity Coalition, to discuss GMOs and food safety. Resources Kenya gears up for GMO cotton from next year Biotech maize field trials fail to get crop agency green light US seeks to push Kenya, other African countries to adopt GM crops Genetically modified Bt cotton not worth the hype Kenya soon to

After 32 years of the 8-4-4 curriculum, the new 2-6-3-3-3 curriculum rolled out early in January 2019. Its goal is to provide quality education and training policies for all. It aims to improve access, quality, relevance and equity in line with international, regional and national policies, as well as legal commitments, and move us closer towards our education for all goals. It also aims to ensure that all learners acquire competencies and qualifications capable of promoting national values, inspiring individual innovation and life-long learning; and that learners are not unnecessarily delayed at any level of education. The curriculum hopes to fix the gaps left by 8-4-4 according to the team, and put more emphasis on practical and vocational education, nurturing of talents, inclusion of critical life skills and de-emphasize the focus on the cognitive domain. We're joined by Angela Kabari, co-founder of the life skills program School Series, to discuss the curriculum and its implementation. Press play! Resourc

On 20th January 2019, we found out that while we were busy enjoying our holidays, Uhuru Kenyatta was busy passing new laws, and changes to old ones through a Miscellaneous Amendment Act. One of the most controversial amendments was the one to the Registration of Persons Act, which added new requirements for both location data (such as GPS coordinates) and biometric data (such as DNA). This comes up after the attack on 14 Riverside, and it is said that it’s for crime fighting purposes, especially now that terrorism is a key concern. We’re joined by Mercy Mutemi, an advocate of the high court who specializes in Internet law and policy advisory, to discuss the legal, human rights and ethical implications of this amendment. Press play! Resources Uhuru backs law change to start listing of Kenyans’ DNA Gov’t to collect your DNA, more personal info in new registration system Uhuru assents to seven Bills including one to revamp NYS Uhuru signs law to reform scandal-ridden youth service The Registration of Persons

In the aftermath of the attack on 14th Riverside on 15th January 2019, many citizens asked how they could help ease the situation, as well as assist the victims of the disaster. Today we’re joined by Naomi Mutua, a digital PR specialist and a citizen responder who has been at the front-lines of organizing responses to crises, to discuss this. Press play! Resources Disaster Preparedness Disaster Preparedness Plan How to prepare for emergencies Community Preparedness and Risk Reduction Institutional and Legal Readiness Response & Recovery Image Credit: Mercy Juma

The Constitution of Kenya (2010) in Article 8 states that there shall be no state religion. Yet, our national anthem, one of our national symbols (listed in Article 9), begins with “Eh Mungu Nguvu Yetu,” or “Oh God of all creation.” The preamble to the constitution states that “We, the people of Kenya – Acknowledging the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation honour..." We’re joined by Elizabeth Kabari, an advocate of the High Court and consultant, to talk about separation of church and state in Kenya, and the seeming contradictions and what they mean for us as Kenyans. Resources The Constitution of Kenya (2010) The Constitution of Kenya (2001) The Constitution of Kenya (1963) Jesse Kamau & 25 others v Attorney General [2010] The Ubiquity of Religion in Kenya It's rule of law, not religion, that protects human rights in Kenya How To Balance The Separation Of Church And State Image Credit: Tuko

This past weekend, it was reported that universities had noted a worrying trend of students dying by suicide, with at least 12 cases having been recorded since January. Many more cases go unrecorded, but the causes were depression and other mental illnesses, family problems, intimate relationship problems, examination and fees stress, drug use among others. We're joined by Anita Awuor, a clinical psychologist, to discuss mental health and well-being in Kenya, and to debunk common myths around mental health. Pres play! Resources Kenya Mental Health Policy [2015 - 2030] Worrying trend of university students committing suicide Mental health issues trigger suicides among students Kenya suicide rate hits ten-year high Health experts warn of mental illness crisis People with mental illnesses struggle to find treatment Mental health problems in Kenya and Africa and how their perception negatively impacts the provision of care The taboo of mental illness in Kenya This is how expensive it is to access mental

On November 18th 2018, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB) banned international health organization Marie Stopes from offering any form of abortion services after alleged complaints from the “public” that their radio adverts were promoting abortion. Abortion is a very emotive topic because it cuts across healthcare, sexual intercourse, religion, gender and sexuality, as well as policy. These are the lenses we will use to look not just at abortion, but reproductive healthcare as a whole. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Stellah Bosire, a physician and human rights activist, to talk about abortion and reproductive healthcare in Kenya. Press play! Resources Board orders Marie Stopes to stop offering abortion services Kenya bans Marie Stopes from offering abortion services The Reproductive Health Care Bill (2014) Kenya’s Abortion Provisions In Harm's Way: The Impact of Kenya's Restrictive Abortion Law Abortion in Kenya Women’s Lives Matter: Preventing Unsafe Abortion in Kenya Unsafe aborti

The Constitution of Kenya (2010) has multiple provisions that govern representation, but the two-thirds gender principle has been the most difficult to implement. Article 27(8) states that the State shall take legislative and other measures to implement the principle that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender. Article 81(b) states that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender. Article 175(c) also states that no more than two-thirds of the members of representative bodies in each county government shall be of the same gender. It has been 8 years now since we passed the constitution, but we have yet to enact legislation that enforces these constitutional provisions. Today, we're joined by Marilyn Kamuru, a lawyer, writer and consultant, to talk about how this refusal to enact this principle has put Kenya in a constitutional crisis. Press play! Resources Where Women Are: Gender & The 2017 Keny

In our first ever live event, we were joined by Joy Ndubai, Kwame Owino and Alex Owino to discuss how public finance and tax justice intersect with our right to food in Kenya. What is tax justice and public finance, and how do they interact with our access to affordable food? What current circumstances/challenges do we face as a country that make us food insecure? In which ways do the current policy frameworks and systems in Kenya undermine food security and the right to food and how does our public finance system alleviate or contribute to these challenges? What steps should the Kenyan state take towards achieving the food security and right to food? How can we better use our taxes and craft financial systems/frameworks to make sure that we have adequate food that is accessible and affordable for all? How about citizens? How can we get to know how public money is used, hold our government(s) accountable, and build expectations of service delivery re: clean and safe food? Press play to find out!

In our first ever live event, we were joined by Joy Ndubai, Kwame Owino and Alex Owino to discuss how public finance and tax justice intersect with our right to food in Kenya. What is tax justice and public finance, and how do they interact with our access to affordable food? What current circumstances/challenges do we face as a country that make us food insecure? In which ways do the current policy frameworks and systems in Kenya undermine food security and the right to food and how does our public finance system alleviate or contribute to these challenges? What steps should the Kenyan state take towards achieving the food security and right to food? How can we better use our taxes and craft financial systems/frameworks to make sure that we have adequate food that is accessible and affordable for all? How about citizens? How can we get to know how public money is used, hold our government(s) accountable, and build expectations of service delivery re: clean and safe food? Press play to find out!

On Monday, 12th November, 2018, commuters woke up to a matatu "strike" that saw fares rise to almost double (or even triple) what they normally are. The cause of the strike? The government’s declaration that it would once again begin enforcing the “Michuki Rules” commencing that day. Many were left stranded as matatus were pulled off the road to comply with the rules, which had never been revoked in the first place. This was the government's response to a bus accident at Fort Ternan that claimed 58 lives. Today, we're joined by Constant Cap, an urban planner, to talk about why the lack of road safety in Kenya is actually a planning issue, and what we can do to remedy the situation. Press play! Resources 10 bodies yet to be claimed after Fort Ternan road accident Matatus' mad rush to comply with Michuki rules Michuki Rules: Kenya back to square one The Traffic Act (2013) The Organization, Issues and the Future Role of the Matatu Industry in Nairobi, Kenya Nairobi County Non-Motorized Transport Policy Plan

The Blankets and Wine Festival, a pioneer in the Kenyan live music scene, turned 10 years old on 3rd November 2018. We are joined by its founder, Muthoni Drummer Queen, to talk about its journey, the growth of live music in Kenya and how it has evolved in the past decade, as well as what the future holds for Kenyan music. Press play! Image Credit: Blankets and Wine