This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
Kenya's obsession with university degrees has led to a shortage of skilled workers, according to Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha. In his home village in Siaya County, he lamented the lack of plumbers and other handy technicians, attributing this to the increased craze for university degrees among Kenyans.
Magoha believes that enabling more Kenyans to enroll for technical degree courses by lowering the minimum admission grade could drastically reduce the obsession with papers. However, most graduates struggle to find employment unless they are well-connected or use dubious means.
Meanwhile, National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) members are entitled to full disclosure on their benefits, says Sam Vohya. He accuses the agency of withholding vital information, citing an instance where he was told he could get dental services using his card in listed hospitals but was later asked to pay.
United States-based Kenyan Sam Chege observed a peculiar habit in Kenya: when a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday. He quipped that this may be another of Kenya's unique customs.
The jailing of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman Loera, aka el Chapo, is a significant blow to his network and a warning to other kingpins and traffickers, says Misheck Wambu. He wishes the Kenyan Judiciary could take a leaf from its American counterpart on how to fight the merchants of death.
Some Kenyans have expressed frustration with government inefficiency. Ros Hechle's husband encountered difficulties when trying to license their dogs at the Dog Pound in Nairobi, and was later asked to collect a staff member who had no vehicle.
Labour Principal Secretary Nelson Marwa's whereabouts are unknown, prompting Joe Ngige Mungai to ask if he is still serving in an office or if he should be back in the field, where he made his name as the Coast regional co-ordinator.
