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For the next 21 days, schools and parents will be tasked with helping Grade 9 students with selecting their career pathways ahead of their transition to Grade 10, set to start next year.

Under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the roughly 1.2 million students will be the first to enter Senior School and choose between three career pathways: STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), arts and sports, and social sciences. Math, English, Kiswahili, and community service are still required, though.

The Ministry of Education has published subject combinations that are arranged according to five main pathways: STEM (Applied Sciences), STEM (Pure Sciences), Arts & Sports, and STEM (Technical Studies).

Here is the full review of subject combinations. 

A photo of students enjoying learning in a classroom

Photo

KNA

The Arts & Sports pathway allows students to specialise in theatre, film, and fine arts. If you choose Arts & Sports with a focus on Fine Arts, Theatre & Film, you can add either Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sports & Recreation.

Combining music and dance with fine arts is an additional choice within this pathway. Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sports & Recreation are all options if you choose Arts & Sports with a focus on Music & Dance or Fine Arts.

Students may also decide to study dance and music in addition to theatre and film. If you choose Arts & Sports with a focus on Theatre & Film, Music & Dance, you can add either Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English Literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Sports & Recreation.

Sports & Recreation is another option on the pathway for those who are interested in physical education. You can add Arabic, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English literature, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics, or Media Technology if you choose Arts & Sports with a focus on Sports & Recreation.

Under the Social Sciences pathway, students can choose to study business and humanities. Adding Arabic, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, Geography, German, English literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics is an option if you choose to study Social Sciences with a focus on Business Studies and History & Citizenship.

Grade 3 pupils from Kiangungi Primary School in Embu County during a CBC assignment

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MARTIN FUNDI

Another route combines CRE/IRE/HRE with Business Studies. You can choose to add Arabic, Computer Studies, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, English literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics if you choose to study Social Sciences with a focus on CRE/IRE/HRE and Business Studies.

Learners can also explore CRE/IRE/HRE and Geography. If you choose to study Social Sciences with a focus on CRE/IRE/HRE and Geography, you can add Arabic, Computer Studies, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, German, English literature, Mandarin, or Advanced Mathematics.

Other combinations include History & Citizenship and Geography. If you opt for Social Sciences with an emphasis on History & Citizenship and Geography, you can add either Arabic, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, German, Literature in English, Mandarin or Advanced Mathematics.

Within the Languages & Literature track, students may take Arabic and French. If you opt for Social Sciences with an emphasis on Arabic and French, you can add either Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, General Science, Geography, History & Citizenship, Mandarin or Advanced Mathematics.

For students choosing Fasihi ya Kiswahili and Sign Language, the third subject could be Arabic, Business Studies, Chinese, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, French, General Science, Geography, History & Citizenship or Advanced Mathematics.

Another combination includes Indigenous Language and Literature in English. If you opt for Social Sciences with an emphasis on Indigenous Language and Literature in English, you can add either Arabic, Business Studies, Computer Studies, CRE/IRE/HRE, Fasihi ya Kiswahili, French, General Science, Geography, German, History & Citizenship, Mandarin, Advanced Mathematics or Sign Language.

Students participate in a chicken-preparation practical under CBC

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Under the STEM, Applied Sciences pathway, students interested in Agriculture and Business Studies can add either Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Electricity, General Science, Geography, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics or Woodwork.

Alternatively, students may choose Agriculture and Computer Studies. If you opt for STEM, Applied Sciences with an emphasis on Agriculture and Computer Studies, you can add either Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Business Studies, Chemistry, Electricity, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics or Woodwork.

Students may also pair Agriculture and Geography. If you opt for STEM - Applied Sciences with an emphasis on Agriculture and Geography, you can add either Aviation, Biology, Building Construction, Computer Science, Electricity, General Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics or Woodwork.

In STEM, Pure Sciences, combinations are science-intensive. If you opt for STEM, Pure Sciences with an emphasis on Advanced Mathematics and Biology, you can add either Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Physics, Power Mechanics or Woodwork.

Another rigorous track is Biology and Chemistry. If you opt for STEM, Pure Sciences with an emphasis on Biology and Chemistry, you can add either Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Power Mechanics or Woodwork.

Students may also opt for Chemistry and Physics. If you opt for STEM, Pure Sciences with an emphasis on Chemistry and Physics, you can add either Agriculture, Aviation, Building Construction, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Electricity, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Metal Work, Power Mechanics or Woodwork.

The STEM, Technical Studies pathway offers a vocational angle. If you opt for STEM, Technical Studies with an emphasis on Aviation and Business Studies, you can add either Biology, Chemistry, Computer Studies, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Media Technology or Physics.

Another vocational combination includes Building Construction and Business Studies. If you opt for STEM, Technical Studies with an emphasis on Building Construction and Business Studies, you can add either Biology, Chemistry, Computer Studies, General Science, Geography, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics, Media Technology or Physics.

Students may also pair Electricity and General Science. If you opt for STEM, Technical Studies with an emphasis on Electricity and General Science, you can add either Computer Studies, Home Science, Marine & Fisheries, Advanced Mathematics or Media Technology.

The process of selecting the subject combinations is set to close on June 30, according to Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok.

President William Ruto with school students. PHOTO/ Courtesy.

You might accuse me of lying if I told you that a driver in Nairobi is earning over Ksh100,000 per month. Well, I am not.

Meet Allan Macharia, the father of four consistently brings home more than Ksh100,000 every month and sometimes even hits Ksh150,000 during festivities.

We caught up with him in Nairobi’s Riverside Estate, where he’d paused for a short break. Calm, reflective, and clearly proud of his journey, Macharia described how his life changed when he signed up to drive with Bolt three years ago.

“I start my day like most people with a regular job. I don’t wake up that early, but I treat every day as official. After dropping my kids at school, I boot the app and start working,” he tells Kenyans.co.ke.

Macharia drives an average of 8 to 12 hours daily, working all seven days of the week. His daily take-home, he says, averages around Ksh3,800.

According to the seasoned driver, discipline is his biggest asset. Macharia says he treats his work as a professional.

Macharia revealed that he operates with a target in mind. This habit, which he developed during his 15 years in the transport sector, stems from his previous work before being deemed surplus to requirements following the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.

The driver says he has to make Ksh6,500 daily to meet his target of Ksh3,800. “My target is around Ksh3,800 daily. To get that, I have to make Ksh6,500 in total, with one part going to the car and the rest being my take-home,” he says.

“In a month working full days, I make more than Ksh 100,000. Even when you do Ksh3,000 a day, that's Ksh90,000,” he asserts.

Beyond discipline, Macharia has learnt a few trade secrets. The driver says that when he notices the day has become slow, he opts to drive to another place, maybe one or two kilometres, to find a new market.

“You'd better waste Ksh100 or Ksh200 moving your vehicle rather than waiting at the same spot for hours and then getting a Ksh200 trip. Is it worth the wait?” he narrates.

Though he doesn’t favour specific zones, Macharia has developed an instinct for knowing when and where to shift. “Some places where drivers say it’s slow can suddenly be the best for business. I don’t dismiss any area,” he notes.

According to Macharia, avoiding places where there are many cabs also helps keep a driver active. He says he has learnt that visibility on the Bolt app improves when he stays active.

Macharia credits Bolt’s platform for offering consistent demand and opportunities. “When I started, the platform didn’t have as many customers. Now, the rides are more frequent, and the work is more reliable,” he observes.

That reliability has allowed him to focus entirely on one platform. “I don’t have any other app,” he says proudly. “I specialise, and that has worked for me.”

According to Bolt Kenya, drivers who actively use the app and maintain high ratings are more likely to receive increased ride requests, giving them a competitive advantage and greater earning potential on the platform.

The father of four says he has seen the fruits of his labour. He is comfortably paying off the loan on his car and paying for high school for his kin. “I don’t have to borrow. When you see that you are able to pay your bills and school fees and live well. That makes you feel good,” he says.

Although operating a taxi has its difficulties, Macharia claims that his training in customer service helps him deal with the various clients who hail his car.

Macharia says he has learnt to trust Bolt Kenya to deal with any challenges, including when customers underpay or refuse to pay, which has made his work easier.

“Some read out your name, thinking they are sending you money. When checking your messages later, you discover they did not pay or paid you less. In that case, I put in a complaint to Bolt and they refunded my money,” he narrated.

For Macharia, Bolt Kenya has been a partner, and he insists he is reaping the rewards from the company's growing footprint in Kenya. “My goal is to buy two more cars so that I can be an employer,” he says.

Bolt driver Allan Macharia posing for a photo in Nairobi, June 2025.

Kenyans.co.ke

On Wednesday, the county government of Nairobi shut down the Grand Lodge of East Africa’s Freemasons’ Hall over alleged land rates arrears mounting up to Ksh19 million, eliciting a heated debate on what freemasonry is all about.

The move by the county opened discussion surrounding Freemasonry, often perceived as secretive, leading to speculation about its activities and influence.

Some Kenyans see it as a fraternal group focused on charity and personal development, while others associate it with mystery, conspiracy theories surrounding devil worshipping and ritualistic practices, and religious concerns.

"I feel like we have been very misinformed a lot about Freemasonry. Just like we have been misinformed about nutrition, education, medicine, religion, and governance. All the things that we were told were bad are not bad, as we have realised. We have always been given the opposite info," a Kenyan told Maina Kageni on Thursday.

The Grand Lodge of East Africa’s Freemasons’ Hall in Nairobi, May 14, 2025.

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District Grand Lodge of East Africa, Freemasons’ Hall, Nairobi - Kenya

In this piece, we look at what Freemasonry is all about. According to its official website, Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies, which originated in Scotland.

It is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas. 

The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfil this essential qualification and who are of good reputation.

The organisation, however, has clarified that it is neither a religious organisation nor is it a substitute for such.

"Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. The one essential qualification means that Freemasonry is open to men of many religions, and it expects and encourages them to continue to follow their faith. It is not permitted for Freemasons to discuss religion at Masonic meetings," the organisation explains on its official site.

The organisation is involved in several charity projects. Some charities benefiting from it are hospitals, schools, community centres, the elderly, the terminally ill, and many more needy members of society. 

The brotherhood is driven by three major values, which are brotherly love, relief, and truth. Members are graded in four categories, which are life member, patron, grand patron, and Lodge/Chapter Grand Patron.

It has a significant presence across Africa, with numerous lodges operating under different Grand Lodges, including the District Grand Lodge of East Africa, that covers Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Seychelles.

Freemasons' Hall in Johannesburg, South Africa, serves as a key centre for Masonic activities. Sharook Riviera Grand Lodge in Zanzibar, Tanzania, is part of the broader Grand Lodge of Africa.

Stone Laying Ceremony in Kampala, November 16, 2024.

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Grand Lodge of Africa

You have likely noticed that most petrol stations in major towns—both locally and abroad—feature flat-roofed structures.

Interestingly, it is not just the canopies covering fuel pumps; nearby facilities like cafes, supermarkets, toilets, and garages within the station compounds also share the same design.

But have you ever paused to wonder why this is the case? Kenyans.co.ke explores the practical reasons behind the widespread use of flat roofs at petrol stations.

Flat roofs have long been a staple in commercial architecture, as they offer a range of benefits that make them an ideal choice for many businesses.

Emergency Response

According to experts, in the event of emergencies such as blazes, the use of flat roofs makes it easier for blaze rescue teams to extinguish an inferno. Pitched roofs make it hard for emergency responders to effectively band and easily put out blazes.

Additionally, the spread of a blaze on flat roofs is slower compared to pitched-roof structures.

Motorists queuing for petroleum products at a petrol station in Nyahururu, overlooking is the flat roof design.

Photo

Inooro TV

Flammability 

Some petroleum products are highly flammable. As such, the petrol stations should be designed such that the temperatures are regulated; thus, the roof is built as flat and raised slightly higher than any other roofs within the vicinity. 

Flat roofs are also ideal for installing reflective coatings and green roofing systems, which help regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy consumption. 

Reflective, such as the white coatings applied on the roofs, minimise heat absorption, keeping the building cooler during hot seasons.

Versatility

Flat roofs offer flexibility in design and functionality as they can accommodate various mechanical and electrical systems without disrupting the building’s aesthetic. 

This versatility allows architects and builders to create innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of petrol stations, from additional workspace to roofs that improve air quality and reduce urban heat.

Additionally, flat roofs can be utilised for recreational spaces or solar panel installations, maximising the utility of the rooftop area. Their design simplicity also translates to easier and more cost-effective maintenance and repair.

Space Maximisation

Flat roofs offer an efficient way to maximise usable space, often serving as ideal locations for housing HVAC systems. These systems—responsible for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—help maintain indoor comfort by warming spaces using furnaces or heat pumps, circulating fresh air while removing pollutants and moisture, and cooling interiors while regulating humidity.

A random petrol station, March 12, 2025.

Photo

GROK

Maintenance 

Flat roofs are typically more economical to install and maintain than pitched roofs. Their straightforward design necessitates fewer materials and less labour, leading to lower initial installation expenses for petrol stations.

Additionally, the straightforward maintenance reduces long-term expenses, making flat roofs a budget-friendly option for commercial properties.

Water Drainage 

Despite being referred to as flat roofs, they are slightly sloped in their design to facilitate water drainage. Flat roofs use advanced materials and drainage systems to prevent water accumulation, reducing the risk of leaks and structural damage. 

This effective water management is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the petrol station.

Building Codes and Aesthetic Considerations

Across the world, major cities have building codes that impose certain limits and restrictions on building heights due to a number of reasons, among them aviation safety. 

Flat roofs help in adhering to these regulations so that petrol stations do not have to undergo constant readjustments that might compromise safety while providing a modern and streamlined appearance that aligns with contemporary architectural trends. 

A petrol station shelling under construction in Kenya.

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SBF Interiors