By Ghost Writer
Why Trump spared Kenya (Nation, January 16). Overline: Experts say Kenya is essential to several US priorities. Intro: The United States under President Trump keeps releasing lists of countries prohibited from one thing or another, and Kenya somehow dodges them. Why? You don’t get the answer until para, er, let’s count, 1,2,3…26. And who are the “experts” Nation relied on for the story? Just one Ms Irina Tsukerman, a US lawyer and president of some nondescript “geopolitical think-tank” – where she’s probably also the only staff. Cheki her website. Under Competency Based Education, Nation would score Below Expectation for this story.
The government has intensified its push for irrigation-led, large-scale agriculture backed by scientific, technology-driven and digital farming systems to increase productivity and end over-reliance on food imports (MyGov, January 13, p.7). What has the government done here, mtu nguyaz? Hard to tell because “intensified its push” is abstract, tells you nothing specific. Write concretely, buana.
Ministry launches Kenya’s first post-mining land use advisory report (MyGov, January 13, p.12). Great. What does the report say? Intro: The government has launched Kenya’s first ever post-mining land use and closure advisory report, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to promote responsible mining, environmental rehabilitation and sustainable development of host communities. Next: The report was unveiled in Kwale County… What does it say? Next: Speaking at the event at Kenya School of Government Matuga, Joho said…The CS emphasized…What does the report say? Not a word on that.
Affordable housing projects spurs economic growth in Tharaka Nithi County (MyGov, January 13, p.13). Wee msee, projects spur, not “spurs”.
The upcoming 2027 election is emerging as the ultimate political test for President William Ruto, even as he gears up to defend his seat for a second term (Star, January 13, p.6). Ruto is gearing up to defend his seat, full stop; “for a second term” is unnecessary.
The prospect of competing candidates in ODM and UDA camps is emerging as one of the biggest headaches for coalition strategists…(Star, January 13, p.7). In the previous page we read that “The upcoming 2027 election is emerging as the ultimate political test for President William Ruto.” Now we read that, “The prospect of competing candidates in ODM and UDA camps is emerging as…” The scribes at Lion Place seem to be seeing a lot of things “emerging as”, don’t you think?
In Ukambani, poor performance of long rains compounded by near 80 per cent crop failure in most parts of the region have signaled bad times for food security in 2026 (Standard, January 15, p.2). What is the sense here? Poor rains “compounded by” crop failure means crop failure worsened poor rains, which is illogical.
Here is the correct use of that word: Though reporting continues throughout the week, parents whose children have been admitted to schools far from their home counties say high transport costs compound the financial train…(Nation, January 15, p.2).
The crisis has been triggered by prolonged drought and the failure of two consecutive rainy seasons, including the October-December and March-May rains (Standard, January 15, p.2). The crisis has been triggered by two causes: 1) prolonged drought and 2) failure of two consecutive rainy seasons. Boss, don’t these two mean the same thing?
For nearly a half-century, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has spent most of his life walking toward power and then refusing to relinquish it (Standard, January 15, p.9). Manze, ati M7 has spent most of his life “walking toward power”? Aje sasa?
