Brian Otieno

Mombasa

Correspondent at The Star (Kenya)

A correspondent with The Star, the fastest growing newspaper in Kenya.

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Articles

Public universities must operate like firms to survive debt crisis - PS

6 days ago | the-star.co.ke | Brian Otieno

Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala in Mombasa / BRIAN OTIENOStructural reforms in public universities are needed to restore financial stability in the institutions, a Principal Secretary has said. Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala on Wednesday said public universities are drowning in debt because of poor management that has been exacerbated by rigid structures that are neither effective nor efficient. “Most of our universities are in crisis. The time to change our future is now.
Inside state’s plan to churn out market-ready graduates

1 week ago | the-star.co.ke | Brian Otieno

Education CS Julius Ogamba in Chandaria Hall at the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic on Wednesday /BRIAN OTIENOAfter hue and cry from employers over half-baked graduates, the government is keen to better prepare students for the job market. This, Education CS Julius Ogamba said, will be starting as early as Grade 1 to Grade 12.
It’s Parliament vs Treasury on the battle over zero-rated essentials.

1 week ago | thesharpdaily.com | Brian Otieno

Kenya’s fiscal landscape is at a pivotal moment as the National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee rejected the National Treasury’s proposal to raise KES 30.0 billion through the Finance Bill 2025 by erasing tax benefits for some key products. This decision by the committee will now preserve the zero-rated status of locally assembled goods such as mobile phones, electric bicycles and motorcycles, reflecting a cautious approach to taxation.
The real price of Israel - Iran Conflict for Kenya.

1 week ago | thesharpdaily.com | Brian Otieno

As the we watch the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Kenya might feel distant from the Middle East battle ground, though in reality, we are far from immune. While diplomatic and security concerns dominate international headlines, one major area where this conflict threatens Kenya directly is energy and fuel prices, a sector already making Kenyans feel the pinch and is also sensitive to external shocks.
Resilient but strained: Kenyan firms speak out in May 2025 CEO survey.

1 week ago | thesharpdaily.com | Brian Otieno

According to the May CEO survey from the Central bank, business leaders across sectors in agriculture, finance, ICT and services anticipate improved prospects over the next 12 months. The declining bank lending rates, enhanced liquidity and favorable weather conditions have fostered optimism. Many firms are now investing in expansion, automation, and customer-focused strategies. Yet, this confidence is tempered by significant concerns.
Invest more in saccos for guaranteed returns, Kenyans urged

1 week ago | the-star.co.ke | Brian Otieno

Harambee Sacco member Charles Mwathe, CEO George Ochiri and vice chair Millicent Simiyu in Mombasa on Wednesday/ BRIAN OTIENOHarambee Sacco CEO George Ochiri has urged Kenyans to invest in saccos, where they are guaranteed maximum returns. He said the strength of saccos lies in members' savings. “We have a share drive and we are telling members there is no way a sacco can borrow from external financial institutions and give good returns given the current turbulence," Ochiri said.
Kenya’s T-bill frenzy a red flag

1 week ago | thesharpdaily.com | Brian Otieno

The continued oversubscription of Kenya’s Treasury bills (T-bills), particularly the 91-day paper, has become a defining feature of the domestic debt market in recent months. The latest figures from June 12, 2025, show an overall subscription rate of 237.4%, with the 91-day T-bill attracting a staggering 364.9% subscription up from 197.9% the previous week. On one hand, the surge in appetite for T-bills reflects a vote of confidence in government securities.
350 families in Kadzandani face eviction in 13-acre land dispute

1 week ago | the-star.co.ke | Brian Otieno

Uwanja wa Pandya village elder Granton Mwang’ombe points out the land in dispute /BRIAN OTIENOAmina Mwinyi stares into oblivion on her veranda, pondering where she will go should they be evicted from the place she has called home since 1970. The elderly woman, who said she has little strength now and cannot move around much, explains they were welcomed by an elderly man – now deceased – who lived on the land. “We had asked for a place to farm and Mzee Baya welcomed us and gave us a piece of land.
Lunga Lunga Sh38 million sports centre lies in ruins

1 week ago | the-star.co.ke | Brian Otieno

Locals at the stalled sports field, which now has a gulley running through /BRIAN OTIENOResidents of Kichukwa village in Lunga Lunga subcounty are up in arms after donating nine acres of land for the construction of a Sh38 million sports field, only for it to stall. Six years down the line, the grounds, meant to nurture local sporting talent and perhaps produce the next Vinicius Junior in football, are just an empty plot full of wild shrubs and weeds.
Opinion: Flashy handouts not empowerment, we need real solutions.

1 week ago | thesharpdaily.com | Brian Otieno

Last weekend, a clique of politicians made headlines at a “women empowerment” event in Bungoma, dishing out millions in donations. The crowd cheer with praise for their generosity. Interestingly, this event happened despite the government’s ban on such fundraisers. Even more puzzling, this comes at a time when the government keeps saying it’s strapped for cash, justifying higher taxes that are squeezing ordinary Kenyans.