Author: winnie mabel

Kenyan social media recently lit up with outrage after Betty Kyallo’s boyfriend, Charlie Jones, made remarks that many perceived as dismissive and condescending toward Mathare slums. His shock at the realities of one of Nairobi’s most well-known informal settlements reignited discussions about class privilege, ignorance and the disconnect between affluent Kenyans and the struggles of the urban poor. “Mathare, I appreciate the favor, but I’m NEVER coming back,” said Charlie Jones in part as he also described the area as having an unbearable stench, noting, “even the air stinks.” While some saw his reaction as proof of how out-of-touch certain…

Polygamy has long been woven into the cultural fabric of Kenya, often framed as a male privilege where one man takes multiple wives, building an empire of lineage and legacy. From political leaders to village elders, many men have embraced the practice, citing tradition, wealth and social status as justification. But as society evolves and gender roles shift, a bold question might emerge- what if the script was flipped? What if women, too, could openly take multiple husbands, dictating the terms of the relationship with the same authority that men have enjoyed for generations? Men-led polygamy, as commonly practiced, is…

Puntland’s recent success in combatting the Islamic State (IS) has drawn increasing international attention, shifting the focus from Somalia’s federal government to regional administrations that have demonstrated stronger governance and security measures. Puntland, a semi-autonomous State of Somalia, is currently led by President Saed Abdullahi Deni who is praised for showing strong political will and being proactive in engaging local communities to fight against extremism. While the Somali government, under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has long received substantial foreign aid, its struggles with internal conflicts and militant threats have raised doubts about its effectiveness. Puntland, on the other hand, has…

For centuries, Kenyan men have proudly embraced polygamy, building homes with multiple wives under the banner of tradition. But what if the script was flipped? What if a woman, like a queen with many thrones, had two, three or even four husbands? Picture this: Mama Njoroge, Mama Otieno and Mama Kiptoo… except, it’s the same woman. Would society cheer her on or would it suddenly become “immoral” and “unnatural”? Would our Kenyan Parliament be up in uproar considering how male dominated it is and are known for shooting down subjects favorable to women especially when it comes to matters relationships…

Life has taught us that older people tend to have more wisdom nuggets to share based on their age, lifetime experiences and lessons learnt. For Ms Adelle Onyango, one of Kenya’s renowned media personalities who is also a published author and film maker, her latest life lesson came from an interaction with her 3-year-old niece- an interaction that left a great impact on her and her healing journey. “So I’m a professional aunt. I have two nieces and a nephew and I love hanging out with them because it’s refreshing to see things from their lens. They see things in…

TikTok unveiled its 2025 Global Discover List, and among them were six African creators “to watch”. Top on the List is Kenya’s Roy Kanyi, a tech enthusiast who made the Educator’s List. “These creators educate their community and entertain along the way. Whether they’re teaching languages, exploring new technology, or highlighting ancient history, educators encourage people to discover something new and to learn more about the world,” said Ms Boniswa Sidwaba, the Head of TikTok’s Content Operations in Sub Saharan Africa. “We carefully consider all content creators on our platform, selecting finalists based on their impact both on TikTok and…

Have you noticed the boldness younger men, comrades if you will, have been displaying lately in approaching older women and shooting their shots? Yes, I have too. Once upon a time, dating was simple- age gaps mattered and younger men respectfully kept their distance from older women, unless they were family friends or mentors. But in today’s Kenyan dating scene, something has shifted. Gen Z (in and out of university) and younger millennials, all known as comrades, are approaching older women with the kind of confidence that can only be described as audacious. They slide into DMs, flirt shamelessly in…

Love and liquor- two intoxicating highs that can feel impossible to quit, and many a song about ‘pombe, pesa na wanawake/wanaume’ (alcohol, money, women/men) have been made about these three pursuits. Some people aren’t just looking for love; they’re hooked on it- the late-night texts, the butterflies, the thrill of being wanted. And when romance isn’t enough? A glass (or three) of their favorite drink fills the void. It starts off as fun weekend cocktails with a “situationship,” long drives with cheap wine in the cupholder, but before they know it, love and alcohol become twin addictions, each numbing the…

It always starts small. A harmless Sh 10 bet on a midweek Premier League match, a tiny thrill of guessing right and boom- you’re hooked. Suddenly, every game is a “sure bet” and every weekend, you’re hoping for that one big win that will change your life. As far as you are concerned, you told yourself it was just for fun. Small bets here and there on a weekend- a means of spicing up those game nights where you attend watch parties with friends…the thrill of guessing if you will win or lose. No big deal, right? But now, it’s…

It starts with an unexpected text, a late-night call, or worse, a bold DM request. Your heart races, your stomach drops and in that moment, you have two choices: react or respond. Most people choose the former. Some explode in rage, crafting paragraphs upon paragraphs of insults as they plan how they will go on a scorched earth policy, demanding answers their partner should have given in the first place. Others spiral into heartbreak, refreshing messages, overanalyzing screenshots and questioning every moment in their relationship. And then there are the detectives. The ones who dig, stalk and gather receipts, determined…