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This is a backdated article I wrote on the launch of National Volunteerism Policy. The policy was launched in December 2016 by DP William Ruto . Currently all efforts are geared towards making sure the volunteerism bill is approved by parliament and the provisions in the policy are actualised A national volunteerism policy that will help set up mechanisms to measure the contribution of volunteers to development will soon be launched. An initiative of the Ministry of East African Community (EAC), Labour and Social Protection and Volunteer Involving Organizations (VIO) Society, the policy will provide guidelines for qualifying and quantifying volunteer contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is estimated that volunteerism contributes 2% to GDP. With the policy, a nationwide study will be conducted to establish the contribution of volunteerism to national development including the GDP. “For a long time, volunteers and the volunteerism sector as a whole has not been a...

African Presidents convened in Addis Ababa from 28th January to discuss the continents economic progress. The African Union (AU) has chosen 2017 to be the year of the African youth and dedicated the theme for the summit “Harnessing the Demographic Dividends through Investments in Youth” to young people. Demographic dividend according to the United Nations Population Fund is the economic growth potential that can result from a change in a population’s age structure. This happens when the share of the working-age population (15 to 64) is larger than the non-working-age population (14 and younger, as well as 65 and older). The central importance of the demographic dividend to Africa’s transformative development has been repeatedly acknowledged by African leaders at the highest level and in key ministerial platforms. If Africa is to rise, then she has to invest in the youth of her member countries . Evidence from the last ten years has shown that a demographic dividend lens is a strate...

The environmental day celebrations missed out on one critical aspect – the involvement of and acknowledgment of the role women and girls pay in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Women and girls in most Kenyan homes carry the burden of unpaid care and domestic work which increase in changing climate. The role women play needs to be supported by strong policies as research has shown that people who are socially, economically, politically or institutionally marginalized are especially vulnerable to climate change. As the world heats up, oceans shrink, sea levels rise and animal species become extinct the world environment day serves as an important day to step back and reflect on what we are doing right and what areas we can improve on. A quick glance at current climate change policies indicates that Kenya, like many other African countries is yet to mainstream gender in her climate change policies. During the 2014 Conference of Parties (COP) countries adopted the Lima Work ...

NOTE: This is reblog from a post I did for Torchlight Collective who facilitated my participation in the AU summit. You can read the original post here For Africa to be first, youth must come first. The AU has declared 2017 the year of the African Youth and dedicated the theme for the year to young people. I fell in love with this theme because it puts young people at the center of development and explores the benefits Africa can gain by investing in her most productive generation. During our pre-Summit sessions we looked at the four pillars of the demographic dividend -- health, education, governance, and economics -- and developed key asks for the Kenyan government to work on if they are to benefit from the youth who form 35% of her population. The future is bright, and Africa can come first if she puts her youth first. Managing our population structure should be done with human rights at the center. I led a team of young people from my organization in discussions on the demograph...

Volunteerism in Kenya is gaining traction and I am happy to have been part of this journey (read my story on how I began volunteering at 16 years here ) . A few days ago the President Uhuru Kenyatta invited Kenyans to offer volunteer services on December 5th as part of celebrations to mark International Volunteer Day . Very soon we will be launching the national volunteerism policy. All these developments herald a new dawn for the volunteerism sector in the country. I sat down with KBC Tv's Sam to discuss these new developments and what they mean for the country. Watch the interview and share your thoughts. Kenya is among the few African countries to come up with a homegrown volunteerism policy. The policy aims to not only recognize volunteerism and its contribution to GDP but also celebrate and protect the rights of volunteers, volunteer involving organizations and beneficiaries. A copy of the policy is available on the Ministry of Labor website http://www.labour.go.ke/reso...

In February last year, I received a call from the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) ’s Information Manager that I had been selected for the Fredskorpset (FK) Fellowship exchange program. In my new capacity as an FK Fellow I was required to move to Uganda and execute communication and research duties at FEMNET’s partner Development Research and Social Policy Analysis Center (DRASPAC). Yes to a New Life On 19th April 2015, I travelled to Uganda to begin this new exciting journey. First stop was the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe where I was to attend a 2 week preparatory course organized by FK. There, I got to meet fellows from different countries. Everybody seemed equally excited and upbeat. I met my Tanzanian colleague Samora with whom we would be working at DRASPAC and Isabella and Janet, the two Ugandan fellows with whom we were being exchanged. That day I also met my roommate Assumpta, a Ugandan lady who was a nurse by profession. Assumpta ...

Has social media helped or derailed advocacy for women's rights? What opportunities does social media present for women and youth? How can young people effectively use social media? Why do Kenyans and Ugandans on Twitter keep picking on each other? I sat down with Urban Tv's  Dan Mumbere to discuss this and more. Watch the clips below and share your thoughts: Part 1: Part 2:

THIS IS MY RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI FOR MY MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN COMMUNICATIONS IN 2014. A COMPLETE COPY OF THE THESIS IS AVAILABLE HERE . CITATION IS ALLOWED, JUST REMEMBER TO GIVE ME A HEADS UP. THANK YOU AND ENJOY!! Synopsis Kenya's economy is highly dependent on natural resources. However, these natural resources are at risk of extinction due to environmental degradation. The general perception is that environmental degradation is partly due to lack of environmental awareness. Studies have shown that many Kenyans rely on and trust the media for information. This research sought to establish the role television as one of the media channels can play in creating awareness on environmental issues. This research used the media framing theory to show how frames such as timing, audience preferences and content influence the reception of environmental messages on television by audiences. To establish this, the researcher interviewed 30 key inform...

In November this year, I was lucky to be among participants at the Understanding Risk and Finance Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The overall aim of the 1 week conference was to assess disaster preparedness in the African Context, share best practices in disaster preparedness as well as financing of disasters. Ebola Two disaster areas that stood out for me were Ebola and climate change. On Ebola I was thrilled to hear first hand experiences from doctors and nurses from Sierra Leone and Uganda on how they had helped curb the Ebola epidemic. Prior to this conference, I had only read and watched news about the Ebola epidemic. I had not had a chance to meet face to face and hear stories from the brave warriors who against all odds (poorly equipped hospitals, lack of enough personnel, propaganda that the disease was a biological missile, people seeking help from traditional doctors instead of going to hospital, being stigmatized and isolated from family and friends, watchin...

Every 5th Day of December, volunteers the world over celebrate the International Day of Volunteers. This year even though I was away from my home country Kenya, I joined fellow volunteers in Uganda in an event organised by the country's United Nations office to celebrate the day. The theme this year was:"Your World is Changing, Are You? Volunteer! What excited me most about this year's celebrations is that they paid special attention to the role volunteers can play in the achievement of the new Sustainable Development Goals. Those who know me and/or have been following my updates on social media know that volunteerism and SDGs are the two things I have been keen on this year so having the two combined was a major win for me. For the celebrations in Kampala, we had a 3km procession from the UN offices to Nakaawa market where we did a clean up. We also donated some cleaning tools to the market officials so they can use them for future cleanups. Overall it was a good day...

The discovery of oil has heralded a new economic, social, political and environmental dawn for Uganda.. According to the Petroleum Exploration and Production Department, Uganda’s oil reserves are expected to yield US 12billion a year which would put the country among the foremost of African oil producers. The country has been described as Africa’s hottest inland exploration frontier. With all these expected benefits, it is imperative that both men and women benefit equally from the proceeds of oil exploration and exploitation. Uganda’s national laws and policies recognize the need for gender equality. In addition, Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals stresses the importance of mainstreaming gender in all aspects of development. Women play a variety of crucial roles in the Extractives Industry (EI). From participating in the mineral exploration, to processing, owning mining sites and equipment to buying and selling to agents. However, at the recent regional Sharefair for Wom...

Maybe it was in-born, maybe it was a habit I picked along the way, maybe it was my calling, but for whatever reason it was I must say it has been a journey flowered with fulfillment. Service to the community through volunteering started when I was 16 years old back then in high school. I remember my parents struggling to raise my school fees. It was not easy for them, and it too wasn’t easy for me, to see how hard they ensured I stayed in school and pursue my studies. Needless to say, I could see their love through the hustle they went through and this would trigger me to volunteer in different programs in school leading to my selection to join the Junior Achievement Club. As a member of the club we pioneered a HIV/AIDS programme geared towards supporting needy children at the Carolina for Kibera Children’s home. We would make ribbons and sell them and have the proceeds go to the home. I didn’t put much thought into what I was doing back then but all I remember is that it felt r...

Africa youth must rise up and take part in participatory democracy if they are to change the continent. That was the message delivered to 500 youth in Maputo at the 2nd Africa Youth Conference on Democracy and Good Governance by former South African President H.E Thabo Mbeki. The conference which was convened by the Parlamento Juvenil du Mocambique (Mozambique Youth Parliament) had the theme ‘Africa Beyond 2015’ and focused on strategies young people across Africa can use to effectively engage in implementation and monitoring of development goals. "Being young and irreverent is not all. You need to organize yourselves so that your role can increasingly be significant in combating the ills facing Africa," said Mr Mbeki who spoke during a panel discussion on the legacy and lessons from African leaders. Citing examples of the Young African Students, the African Women's League and other groups that brought together citizens from different countries, Mr Mbeki challenged...

DRASPAC was among over 500 delegates including former Presidents, high level government officials and youth from East Africa congregated at Melia Hotel, Zanzibar for a 3 day leadership conference organnized by the Global Peace Foundation. The conference, whose theme was “ Promoting Peace, Security and Sustainable Development in East Africa – A call to Moral and Innovative Leadership” sought to bring together diverse stakeholders with an aim to advancing peace, security and sustainable development across Africa. It took place between 21st -24th July,2015. Speakers at the conference included Rt Hon Raila Odinga – former Prime Minister of Kenya, H.E Amani Karume – former President Zanzibar, H. E Rupiah Banda- former president of Zambia, H.E Ali Hassan Mwinyi – former President of Tanzania, H.E Gima Wolde Giorgis – former President of Ethiopia and H.E Olusegun Obasanjo – former President of Nigeria among other dignitaries. In his remarks, Mr Odinga noted that it was the responsibil...

In the words of Christine our host: “ Getting invited to Goodbye parties is good but very few people remember to throw welcome parties’’ We had so much fun and are thankful to the outgoing FK fellows for the thoughtful gesture.

1. Uganda truly is the Pearl of Africa - Such a beautiful country, very green, lots of fresh air in the capital city (Yes Nairobi, it is possible to have fresh air in a capital city). I stay in a very nice neighbourhood with a pleasant view and lots of friendly neighbors. 2. I have the best of friends in my FK colleagues based in Uganda. - It's been only a week but we've made an effort to visit each other and find out where each of us lives. We also have a very active whatsapp group and whenever they  don't hear from you they will make an effort to call you and find out if you're okay. Ps- The outgoing FK fellows In Uganda are throwing us a "Welcome to Uganda" party ...and no, you're not invited coz you're not cool like us 😉 3. Luganda (Language of Uganda) is very easy to learn - Thanks to my awesome tutor, I already know how to greet people, call for a taxi and even shop for basics at the local market. Webale nyoo mukwano &#12...

Unless you live under a rock, you by now have heard about the fire at the #BigBrotherAfrica house. When I saw the first update, I thought it was some nasty joke. (BBA has some crazy fans capable of anything and one has to always be careful). Scrolling through more updates, I realised it was all true...and addicts like yours truly were reacting in all sorts of ways. Below are some of their reactions: Those who the fire may have burned their brain too: Lol urgh RT @Khutz100 : Because it's on fire. Ah " @lee_pweddy : Why is the #BigBrotherAfrica house on fire?" — #Popshizzles♡ (@suiker_bumz) September 2, 2014 Humor in the midst of adversity... The roof, the roof, the roof is on faya! #BigBrotherAfrica — Ernest Bazanye (@bazanye) September 3, 2014 LOL you're funny. RT @SirLV : Kwani it's in Soweto? Fire at the #BigBrotherAfrica house pic.twitter.com/w4KpOwP10C "" — Comrade Mbasu (@ItsBuddhaBlaze) September 2, 2014 The u...

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big advice on the door on which it was written: "Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym". In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself. The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up. Everyone thought: "Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died!". One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepes...

1. They don't create back-up plans. Back-up plans can help you sleep easier at night. Back-up plans can also create an easy out when times get tough. You'll work a lot harder and a lot longer if your primary plan simply has to work because there is no other option. Total commitment--without a safety net--will spur you to work harder than you ever imagined possible. If somehow the worst does happen (and the "worst" is never as bad as you think) trust that you will find a way to rebound. As long as you keep working hard and keep learning from your mistakes, you always will. 2. They do the work... You can be good with a little effort. You can be really good with a little more effort. But you can't be great--at anything--unless you put in an incredible amount of focused effort. Scratch the surface of any person with rare skills and you'll find a person who has put thousands of hours of effort into developing those skills. There are no shortcuts. ...

You may have seen this before, but it is still awesome - I did not know this. The letters 'a', 'b', 'c' & 'd' do not appear anywhere in the spellings of numbers 1 to 99 (Letter 'd' comes for the first time in Hundred) Letters 'a', 'b' & 'c' do not appear anywhere in the spellings of 1 to 999 (Letter 'a' comes for the first time in Thousand) Letters 'b' & 'c' do not appear anywhere in the spellings of 1 to 999,999,999 (Letter 'b' comes for the first time in Billion) and Letter 'c' does not appear anywhere in the spellings of entire English Counting!