A man with a familiar silhouette, a hairstyle fans will recognize, and a production that looks anything but local. Pepeta has just dropped the tiniest breadcrumb: a ‘coming soon’ stamp and a promise of a short film.
The global superstar, regarded as the GOAT in football, has hit headlines again, this time as Pepeta hints at a siiuunematic reveal.
Chances are high that you are among the thousands of Kenyans who carry packed food either to work or usually pack your food in plastic containers for later consumption.
But have you ever stopped and wondered how safe the practice is, especially when you leave those hot meals in plastic containers over time?
Well, this everyday habit could be silently harming your health.
Behind the convenience of plastic containers lies a growing concern among experts: harmful chemicals may be getting into your food and slowly affecting your body's health.
According to experts, most plastics contain compounds like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These are known as endocrine disruptors because they mimic hormones in the body.
When food is stored in plastic, especially under heat or prolonged storage, small amounts of these substances can get into the food.
According to the U.S. National Toxicology Program Centre for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction report, BPA has potentially harmful effects on the brain, behaviour, and prostate glands of foetuses and infants.
Additionally, these compounds cause hormonal imbalances, fertility issues, certain cancers, and developmental problems in children.
Although some manufacturers now label products as ‘BPA-free,’ studies have shown that alternative chemicals may also have harmful effects.
Reheating food in plastic containers in the microwave or pouring hot soup or tea into them accelerates the release of the chemicals.
While freezing food in plastic could be slowing the chemical release, the expansion of frozen food can cause microcracks in containers, making them prone to the leaching of the compounds into your food.
Experts advise switching to glass, ceramics, or stainless steel containers for food storage, especially for hot meals.
However, the use of plastic is also not strictly a bad practice. If you have to use plastic, check the manufacturer's recycling codes.
In Kenya, though not all manufacturers have adopted the insertion of the codes that show the type of plastic used to make the containers.
For many Kenyans, borehole water has become the go-to solution as piped water grows scarce in cities like Nairobi and rural households alike.
The assumption is that groundwater, drawn from deep beneath the earth, is naturally cleaner and safer than surface water. But experts warn that untreated borehole water can carry serious health risks that often go unnoticed until it is too late.
Here are some of the reasons you need to consider before getting too comfortable with the consumption of borehole water.
According to experts, in volcanic regions such as Nairobi and the Rift Valley, borehole water naturally contains high levels of fluoride. While small amounts protect teeth, excess fluoride causes dental fluorosis, leaving children with brown-stained teeth. Over time, it may even harden bones abnormally, leading to skeletal fluorosis, a painful and disabling condition.
According to Geoconsultants and health experts, poorly drilled or shallow boreholes located near pit latrines, septic tanks, or leaking sewers can allow bacteria like E. coli to seep in. Consumption of such water leads to outbreaks of diarrhoea, typhoid, and cholera, especially in densely populated estates where many residents rely on shared boreholes.
Beyond microbes, nitrate pollution from fertilisers and agricultural runoff is another silent threat. Experts say high nitrate levels in drinking water can cause “blue baby syndrome” in infants, a condition that reduces oxygen in the blood and can be fatal if untreated. This often happens in farming regions where boreholes are located near farmlands.
According to research published by the Texas A&M University System on Extension of Water Resources and Minerals, borehole water often contains high concentrations of iron, manganese, and salts.
These minerals do not just cause unsightly stains on laundry and bathroom fixtures; in excessive amounts, they can contribute to high blood pressure, kidney strain, and other long-term health concerns.
The geology of a location also determines whether borehole water contains dangerous trace metals such as lead and arsenic.
Though less common, exposure to these heavy metals has been linked to liver and kidney damage and even cancer. Unlike bacteria, these elements cannot be boiled away, meaning only proper treatment systems like reverse osmosis can make the water safe.
Health concerns aside, the boom in private boreholes poses environmental risks. Nairobi, for example, now has thousands of unregulated boreholes, leading to a rapid drop in groundwater tables. Experts warn that over-pumping could cause the ground to sink or boreholes to dry up, leaving households and estates scrambling for alternatives.
The problem is worsened by the fact that most Kenyans do not test their borehole water regularly. Many assume that clear, odourless water is safe. Yet laboratory testing has repeatedly shown contamination in samples across Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, and other towns. Experts recommend testing at least once a year, but most borehole owners never do so after drilling.
Treatment is possible but often overlooked. Depending on the results of testing, borehole water can be purified using chlorine, UV treatment, activated carbon filters, or advanced methods like reverse osmosis. “The first step is always a water quality test. Without it, you are drinking blind,” warns Innercore Geoconsultants, a firm that advises on borehole safety.
Ultimately, borehole water is not inherently bad; it remains a lifeline for millions of households and businesses. But without regulation, regular testing, and treatment, what looks like a solution could become a hidden health crisis.
When it comes to buying a car in Kenya today, aspiring motorists are faced with more choices than ever before. Beyond the traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, hybrids and fully electric cars are steadily entering the market, each promising unique benefits.
With rising fuel prices, expanding infrastructure, and evolving government policies, the question of which option to buy has never been more relevant.
Before we get started, let us buckle up and look at how petrol and diesel engines work. A petrol engine mixes air and fuel, compresses it lightly, and then uses a spark plug to ignite the mixture, giving smooth but less efficient power. A diesel engine, on the other hand, compresses only air to very high pressure, making it hot enough to ignite fuel when it is injected, which gives better fuel efficiency and stronger torque but makes the engine heavier, noisier, and more polluting.
Petrol-powered vehicles remain the most common on Kenyan roads. They are generally cheaper to purchase upfront, easy to repair, and have widely available spare parts. For many families and individuals, the simplicity and accessibility of petrol cars make them a dependable option.
However, with volatile fuel prices, petrol cars can become expensive to run over time, and their lower fuel efficiency compared to other options means motorists often spend more at the pump.
Diesel cars, on the other hand, have long been the preferred choice for heavy-duty users. Their engines offer more torque (a greater amount of power an engine can produce) and better fuel efficiency, particularly for long-distance travel and transporting heavy loads.
Truck drivers, matatu operators, and long-haul transporters often rely on diesel for its durability. The downside is that diesel cars tend to be more expensive upfront and release more harmful emissions, which could attract stricter regulations in the future. Maintenance is also more complex, especially as modern diesel engines come with advanced emission control systems.
Hybrid vehicles have emerged as a middle ground between petrol and electric. By combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, they deliver better fuel economy, especially in stop-and-go city traffic.
For Nairobi commuters stuck in daily jams, hybrids can significantly reduce fuel costs while offering a smoother driving experience. Although hybrids come at a higher purchase price and their batteries can be expensive to replace, they offer long-term savings in fuel and maintenance. They also align with Kenya’s push towards greener mobility without fully relying on an electric grid that is still developing.
Electric vehicles (EVs) represent the future of motoring. They are cheaper to run per kilometer, require less maintenance, and produce zero tailpipe emissions. For environmentally conscious buyers, EVs are a clear winner.
However, the infrastructure to support EVs is still in its infancy. While Kenya Power has announced plans to install additional charging stations across several counties, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Mombasa, range anxiety remains a concern for those travelling outside major towns. EVs also carry the highest upfront cost, putting them out of reach for many average motorists.
Choosing between these options depends heavily on how and where one drives. For city dwellers who rarely leave urban areas, a hybrid or EV could be the most practical and cost-effective choice.
The hybrid provides flexibility without fully depending on charging stations, while the EV saves even more on running costs if reliable charging is available at home or work. For those who frequently travel across counties or handle heavy loads, diesel still offers unmatched reliability and efficiency on long journeys.
Budget also plays a significant role in decision-making. Petrol cars remain the easiest to acquire because of their affordability. Yet, over time, the higher fuel consumption can make them costlier to maintain. Hybrids and EVs have higher upfront costs but can offer substantial savings in the long run, especially as the government considers more incentives and policies to promote green transport.
Government policy will also shape the future of these choices. Already, Kenya has reduced import duties on EVs and hybrids to encourage adoption. Plans for charging stations every 25 kilometres on major highways signal a future where electric mobility will be mainstream.
Ultimately, the choice between diesel, petrol, hybrid, or electric comes down to lifestyle, budget, and long-term priorities. A young professional commuting in Nairobi may find a hybrid most practical, while a long-distance transporter may still depend on diesel. Families seeking a balance may stick with petrol, while early adopters and eco-conscious buyers embrace EVs despite current challenges.
As a Kenyan, your ability to acquire loans is highly determined by your credit score. A high credit score will enable you to access loans easily compared to having a low credit score, which paints you as one who can easily default on a loan.
Appearing on NTV on Tuesday, September 16, Metropol Corporation Credit Reference Bureau Managing Director Sam Omukoko listed repayment of loans taken and the amount of debt that you have as some of the factors that determine your credit score.
Aside from the two, Omukoko listed three other factors, including the length/period one has been borrowing, one’s mix of credit taken, such as instalment credit, revolving, and open-account, as well as other stability factors such as one’s physical address and proof of income.
On the mix of credit taken, Omukoko noted that it determines the flexibility that one brings during repayment. This is because the three different types of credit in the mix offer different payment rules, providing lenders with knowledge of one’s preferred credit.
“If it is instalment credit, you will pay monthly; if it is revolving, then you will have a limit, perhaps on your credit card; and if it is open credit, it operates on bullet payments. For instance, after 30 days, you are required to pay the full amount,” he noted.
Omukoko noted that the five factors combined enable lenders to calculate one’s credit score. He further detailed that each factor carried its own weight when calculating the credit score.
“When you look at the repayment, it could be about 30 per cent. The total debt that you have is 40 per cent. The credit mix could be about ten per cent. So the weighting of these components in your credit profile is the one that will ultimately determine your credit score,” he informed.
As for whether one can calculate their own credit score, Omukoko noted that it was not possible, but added that a system was in the works to aid individuals in doing so.
“We would like a dashboard to be created somewhere where you can actually input your own data and calculate your own credit score. We are working on that, where you can actually build your score using a delta function, which can tell you the factors that are contributing to your good score and what is pulling you down,” he explained.
Currently, the credit score is calculated by a preset formula in the system of most CRBs. However, all this is not possible without data submitted to CRBs by those seeking loans.
In 2024, the Digital Financial Services Association of Kenya (DFSAK) noted that digital lenders were dispensing over Ksh10 billion monthly in loans to support businesses and cover immediate needs.
A significant percentage of these loans were taken out for daily expenses like food and medical bills, driven by the increased cost of living.
Signal jammers have become a powerful tool in modern crime, capable of disabling communication systems by blocking radio frequencies despite their use being unlawful in Kenya.
These handheld or portable devices work by transmitting stronger signals on the same frequencies used by mobile phones, GPS trackers, or Wi-Fi routers. When activated, they overwhelm legitimate signals, leaving phones unable to connect, navigation systems useless, and trackers blind.
While originally developed for military or security purposes, their misuse has expanded into civilian crime, particularly in vehicle theft.
In the car industry, jammers have become a headache for tracking and security firms and motorists alike. Vehicle tracking systems, built on GPS and GSM networks, have become standard for securing cars, motorcycles, and even cargo trucks.
Insurance companies and fleet managers depend on them for real-time monitoring. However, thieves equipped with jammers can easily block these systems. Once the jammer is switched on, the vehicle’s tracker loses its ability to communicate with satellites or networks, giving criminals a critical window to move the car undetected.
Beyond jamming, criminals also tamper physically with trackers. Many devices are mounted under dashboards or near engines, making them vulnerable to removal or disconnection. In more advanced cases, they deploy GPS spoofers, which feed false coordinates to tracking systems.
This act fools owners into believing their car is parked safely in one location while it is actually driven elsewhere. With cheap spoofing kits now available online, the threat is spreading faster than before in Kenya.
In Kenya, some tracking companies have been accused of colluding with the burglars to disable the trackers, according to comments from motorists we sampled feedback from.
Despite these risks, experts note that motorists can outpace criminals by upgrading their vehicle security strategies. One option is to invest in trackers with anti-jamming sensors.
These devices detect interference and immediately send alerts to owners or monitoring centers before losing signal. In some cases, they allow remote immobilisation of the car, frustrating thieves mid-operation.
Another safeguard is redundancy. Instead of depending on a single GSM connection, you can opt to use advanced trackers that now support dual SIM cards, satellite links, or alternative radio channels. Even if one communication pathway is jammed, others may remain open, ensuring the vehicle does not vanish entirely from the grid.
Some systems also include inertial navigation features. These rely on motion sensors to record a car’s movement even when GPS is unavailable. Once the jammer is turned off, the system updates the journey, making it easier for investigators to trace the stolen vehicle.
Data buffering offers another layer of protection. In case of sudden signal loss, the tracker continues to log activity internally, only transmitting it later when the connection resumes. This prevents thieves from erasing a car’s trail completely.
Experts further recommend installing multiple hidden trackers. In the event that criminals succeed in disabling one, a concealed, battery-powered backup increases the chances of recovery of your car. This layered defense is proving effective in high-theft regions such as some residential areas in Nairobi.
Finally, your personal vigilance remains crucial. Fleet managers and private owners should pay attention to unusual alerts, such as sudden signal loss in theft-prone areas, according to experts. Tracking companies and the police can then act on time, either by immobilising the car remotely or dispatching ground support.
If you have ever visited stadiums like Kasarani, which is currently hosting the ongoing CHAN games, or observed others around the world, you might have noticed a common feature. From the outside, most stadiums appear circular or oval in shape, creating an impression of a rounded interior.
Yet, once inside, it is a different picture. At the heart of these massive structures lies a rectangular field, whether it is for football, athletics, or rugby. This contrast is not a design error but a result of careful architectural planning and purpose.
In this piece, Kenyans.co.ke explores the science, strategy, and aesthetics behind the familiar stadium shape and why it works so well for sports, fans, and broadcasting.
A circular or oval outer structure ensures that seats can be arranged in a continuous bowl around the pitch. This way, spectators from every angle get a clearer line of sight without sharp corners blocking views.
Curved designs distribute weight more evenly than boxy shapes. For massive structures like stadiums, round or oval forms make it easier to handle stress, wind pressure, and vibrations caused by tens of thousands of cheering fans. That is why massive venues like Kasarani can safely hold over 45,000 supporters.
Many stadiums are multipurpose. While a football pitch is rectangular, athletics tracks are oval. Designing the outer shell as circular or oval allows both layouts to fit comfortably within the same structure.
This is a key reason why most stadiums in Kenya serve as go-to venues for everything from football finals to athletics championships.
When 50,000 fans pour out after a Harambee Stars match or a local concert, crowd control matters. Round and oval designs allow for more symmetrical entrances and exits, making it easier to manage large crowds safely and prevent congestion.
From the Colosseum in Rome to modern arenas like Wembley Stadium (London, UK) and the Allianz Arena (Munich, Germany), round forms have long been associated with grand public venues. The shape gives stadiums a monumental and iconic presence in city skylines.
The pitch remains rectangular because most field sports like football, rugby, and hockey require that shape for fairness and standardised rules. The outer “roundness” is therefore a functional shell that makes the viewing and structural experience better, while the inside serves the game.
So, while the stadium may look circular from outside, the rectangle at its heart is what keeps the game fair. The round outer form is simply the smartest way to house it, balancing engineering, safety, and the spectator experience.
Despite Kenya's Constitution granting citizens the right to recall their Members of Parliament, a legal vacuum and a previous High Court ruling have rendered the process virtually impossible.
This became a burning issue following the public's angry reaction to the passing of the Finance Bill 2024 on June 25 last year, when demonstrations across the country ended in violence and loss of lives.
The events highlighted a profound sense of betrayal among sections of Kenyans, prompting a nationwide discussion on how to hold their elected leaders accountable.
The constitutional provision for recalling MPs, found in Article 104, states that Parliament must enact legislation to define the grounds and procedures for such a recall.
Parliament attempted to do this with the Elections Act of 2011, which outlined a rigorous process.
To remove an MP from office, a High Court must first confirm their guilt for specific reasons, such as mismanagement of public funds, violations of the Elections Act, or breaches of Chapter Six of the Constitution. After this, a recall petition must be signed by at least 30 per cent of registered voters in the constituency, and all signatures need to be collected within 30 days.
However, in 2017, a High Court ruling in the case of Katiba Institute and another vs the Attorney General declared these provisions unconstitutional.
A three-judge bench found that the law was deliberately designed to be unworkable and discriminatory, effectively making the constitutional right to recall a symbolic gesture rather than a practical tool for accountability.
The court declared sections of the Elections Act and the County Governments Act "meaningless and superfluous", ordering Parliament to create a fair and accessible recall mechanism.
Years later, Parliament has yet to rewrite the law, leaving a critical gap in the legal framework.
Even with the reconstitution of a new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and a surge of citizen petitions, the electoral body's hands are tied.
The IEBC has explicitly stated that it cannot process recall petitions because there is currently no "enabling legislation defining the grounds and procedures for recall."
While the right to recall an MP exists in the Kenyan Constitution, it remains a dormant power. The lack of political will to create a functional legal framework has left citizens with a constitutional right they cannot exactly exercise.
Co-op Bank’s half-year profits have risen by Ksh1.5 billion in profit before tax for the first six months of 2025, compared to the same period last year.
In accounts announced on Thursday, the bank recorded a Profit Before Tax of Ksh19.7 billion, up from Ksh18.2 billion in 2024. Profit after tax stood at Ksh14.1 billion, an increase of Ksh1.1 billion from last year.
Have you ever wondered why the weather seems colder or chillier when there is a full moon?
People often notice that the air is cooler on nights when the moon is full. Although it may appear that the moon is somehow cooling the planet, scientists claim that the cold is caused by the weather that allows for the viewing of a full moon.
Meteorologists explain that full moons are best seen on clear, cloudless nights. These conditions allow more heat to escape from the Earth’s surface into space — a process known as radiative cooling. Without clouds to trap the heat, the ground and the air above it cool down much faster than on cloudy nights.
The phenomenon becomes more noticeable in rural areas, where there are fewer buildings and paved surfaces to retain heat. Cities tend to remain warmer because of the urban heat island effect, where concrete, asphalt and dense infrastructure absorb heat during the day and slowly release it at night.
Clear nights with a full moon often have lower humidity, which reduces the amount of water vapour in the air. Since water vapour acts as a natural insulator, less of it means faster cooling and a bigger drop in nighttime temperatures.
On still nights, cold air settles close to the ground, creating a layer of colder temperatures near the surface. If there is wind, the air mixes more evenly, reducing the sharp temperature drop.
It is important to note that the full moon itself does not cause the temperature to fall. The moon’s light is simply reflected sunlight and does not carry enough energy to warm or cool the atmosphere. The colder feeling is a result of the same clear, dry and calm conditions that give us a bright view of the moon.
In rural and open areas, this effect is even more pronounced because vegetation and open ground release heat faster than man-made surfaces. This is why farmers, campers and travellers often notice a sharper chill under a bright moon in the countryside.
Interestingly, even in deserts, where daytime temperatures can be extremely high, clear full-moon nights can see temperatures plummet rapidly once the sun sets. This is a direct result of heat loss into space without the insulating layer of clouds.
Historical weather records support this link between cloudless skies and lower night temperatures. The occurrence of a full moon coincides with these clear conditions simply because both require the absence of clouds for visibility.
The moon’s brightness creates strong contrasts and shadows at night, making the environment appear colder and emptier. Scientists say the brain often associates such stark lighting with chilliness, which can amplify the sensation of cold even if the actual temperature has not dropped significantly, according to NASA Earth Observatory.
So, next time you find yourself shivering under a bright full moon, remember that it is not the moon’s light making you cold. It is nature’s combination of clear skies, dry air and still winds — perfect for moon-gazing, but also perfect for a chilly night.
In short, the full moon acts more like a signpost for the kind of weather that makes nights feel colder, rather than being the cause of the drop in temperature.
