The Cost Of Living In Kibera
Many have moved to Nairobi in search of greener pastures but all they find is a greater amount of financial difficulty and constraint. Mr. Johnston Kamau, once a coffee farmer moved to Nairobi in the early 1980’s when the international coffee prices had hit an extreme low. He expected things…
The Self-employed And The Unsteady Paycheck
Once upon a cup of coffee, a friend wondered what this ‘entrepreneurship’ rush was all about. Everyone is currently quitting their job and ‘going solo.’ Some are well prepared, and others, well, just like it happens with other fads, they are letting the tide carry them to whatever bank. Those…
Thika Super-Highway Robbed Me Of My Livelihood
Photo: Patience Nyange's Blog Alex Mbithi stands at a bus stop on Thika road on a drizzling April morning. In his hands is small box with sweets in it. The face he wears is that of a man who has given up in life, on such an early morning.
Of Flying Cars And Feeding An Entire County
The Americans are at it. Flying cars aren’t just science fiction anymore. A Massachusetts-based company, Terrafugia Inc. on Monday announced that its prototype flying car has completed its first flight, bringing the company closer to its goal of selling the flying car within the next year. The roadcraft, dubbed…
One Investor, Two Million Shares
2 million Marshalls East Africa Limited shares were traded in today’s trading session. The shares had a turnover of Kshs. 24,100,000 and the share price remained at the opening price of Kshs. 12.05. The shares were traded by one investor. Marshalls has franchises in KIA motors, Force motors and…
Shakespeare On Money, Friendships and Debts
William Shakespeare gave some sound money advice in one of his works, Hamlet. In the book, a father, Polonius, advices his son on how to conduct himself in the world. He speaks about life in general, but we are particularly interested in the friendship and borrowing part: Neither…
GO Tv Hikes Monthly Charges But Lowers Installation Fees
GOtv, the latest entrant in the Kenya pay TV market, recently revived its rates, increasing the monthly subscription fees and lowering installation fees. The monthly subscription fees increased by KES 135, from KES 585 to KES 720, this coming amidst numerous complaints from GOtv subscribers. The installation fees…
Why do we feel the need to give to Charity?
When you are walking down the street and a beggar stretches his bowl for a shilling, do you ever wonder why you are so pushed to help? And if you pass him by, do you also wonder why there is a sudden rush of guilt? Is it because we naturally…
Why Money makes you unhappy
(Article from wired.com) Money is surprisingly bad at making us happy. Once we escape the trap of poverty, levels of wealth have an extremely modest impact on levels of happiness, especially in developed countries. Even worse, it appears that the richest nation in history – 21st century America – is slowly…
What determines choice of Matatus on your Route?
Kenya has had a blessing in terms of public transport thanks to the Matatu phenomena. However, in the recent past, reckless driving by Matatu drivers has gone into books as having killed more Kenyans than some seriously known chronic diseases. The Nairobi Matatu system has it that there…
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