@alkags.me
I have blogged since 2006. My blog has evolved to a place of deep thought and long reads, rather than regular enjoyment. I'm really happy you nudged me to getting on substack and I am starting to sharing some thoughtful Fridays with you. Please subscribe.
akags.substack.com/p/hello-subs...
akags.substack.com/p/hello-subs...
Hello, Substack. I'm here.
Having blogged since 2006, I'm now on Substack also to keep the engagement flowing.
akags.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:31 PM
I have blogged since 2006. My blog has evolved to a place of deep thought and long reads, rather than regular enjoyment. I'm really happy you nudged me to getting on substack and I am starting to sharing some thoughtful Fridays with you. Please subscribe.
akags.substack.com/p/hello-subs...
akags.substack.com/p/hello-subs...
AI could free Africans from the grind—giving us time to play, create, dance, pray, build. The real danger isn’t lost jobs, it’s lost wealth. If AI’s gains drain like our minerals & data, we lose. If we keep them here, we win a chance to truly live.
September 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM
AI could free Africans from the grind—giving us time to play, create, dance, pray, build. The real danger isn’t lost jobs, it’s lost wealth. If AI’s gains drain like our minerals & data, we lose. If we keep them here, we win a chance to truly live.
Yesterday in Malindi, I welcomed Mr Qimiao Fan, World Bank Division Director. We spoke on farming value-addition, extension services, and how CBOs drive change & hold govts to account with data. The future of governance is local, data-driven, citizen-powered.
September 8, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Yesterday in Malindi, I welcomed Mr Qimiao Fan, World Bank Division Director. We spoke on farming value-addition, extension services, and how CBOs drive change & hold govts to account with data. The future of governance is local, data-driven, citizen-powered.
Does Brand Kenya still exist?
April 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Does Brand Kenya still exist?
𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 “𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿” 𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 “𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲”
In my latest blog, 𝗜 draw a line from the Berlin Conference in 1884 to today’s boardrooms and donor agencies. 𝗜 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱.
alkags.me/empower/
In my latest blog, 𝗜 draw a line from the Berlin Conference in 1884 to today’s boardrooms and donor agencies. 𝗜 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱.
alkags.me/empower/
Today's "Empower is the same as yesterday's "Civilize"
Al Kags makes the argument that the widely used word in development circles is as bad as the colonial word "civilise"
alkags.me
April 1, 2025 at 12:38 AM
𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 “𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿” 𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 “𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲”
In my latest blog, 𝗜 draw a line from the Berlin Conference in 1884 to today’s boardrooms and donor agencies. 𝗜 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱.
alkags.me/empower/
In my latest blog, 𝗜 draw a line from the Berlin Conference in 1884 to today’s boardrooms and donor agencies. 𝗜 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱.
alkags.me/empower/
In Leonard Mambo Mbotela, Kenya has lost a legend. As a journalist during defining moments in Kenyan history, as a national teacher of values, as a mentor of literally hundreds. This man deserves a state funeral of sincere gratitude from the nation for his service till the end.
February 7, 2025 at 9:17 PM
In Leonard Mambo Mbotela, Kenya has lost a legend. As a journalist during defining moments in Kenyan history, as a national teacher of values, as a mentor of literally hundreds. This man deserves a state funeral of sincere gratitude from the nation for his service till the end.
So Tiktok took the ban that the Biden admin said they would not enforce and raise Americans a “Poof!” before the date.
January 19, 2025 at 12:21 PM
So Tiktok took the ban that the Biden admin said they would not enforce and raise Americans a “Poof!” before the date.
There’s no two words more loaded than when a man says, “i’m okay.”
January 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
There’s no two words more loaded than when a man says, “i’m okay.”
We cannot criminalise protests, nor can the police respond to all protests with the same blanket violence. This disregard for human rights is unacceptable. Kenyans demand better. Read my full thoughts here: alkags.me/silencing-ju...
#EndFemicideKE #StopPoliceBrutality #HumanRights
#EndFemicideKE #StopPoliceBrutality #HumanRights
Silencing Justice: The Misstep of Criminalising Protests in Kenya #EndFemicideKe
We must decry strongly the silencing of justice and criminalising protests! What we saw at the #EndFemicideKe protest was deplorable.
alkags.me
December 11, 2024 at 11:41 AM
We cannot criminalise protests, nor can the police respond to all protests with the same blanket violence. This disregard for human rights is unacceptable. Kenyans demand better. Read my full thoughts here: alkags.me/silencing-ju...
#EndFemicideKE #StopPoliceBrutality #HumanRights
#EndFemicideKE #StopPoliceBrutality #HumanRights
December 10, 2024 at 11:01 AM
Kenyan Farmers are really getting character development. I’m told in Laikipia onions are going for 7-10 shillings per acre. That cabbages are selling for 1-2 kshs each!!!!
December 10, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Kenyan Farmers are really getting character development. I’m told in Laikipia onions are going for 7-10 shillings per acre. That cabbages are selling for 1-2 kshs each!!!!
Reposted
What if the data we already have could solve our biggest challenges—climate, resilience, sustainability—but the real gap isn’t in the numbers, it’s in our action?
How do we close the divide between insight and impact? Let’s build solutions that don’t just analyze the world but change it.
How do we close the divide between insight and impact? Let’s build solutions that don’t just analyze the world but change it.
December 5, 2024 at 3:39 PM
What if the data we already have could solve our biggest challenges—climate, resilience, sustainability—but the real gap isn’t in the numbers, it’s in our action?
How do we close the divide between insight and impact? Let’s build solutions that don’t just analyze the world but change it.
How do we close the divide between insight and impact? Let’s build solutions that don’t just analyze the world but change it.
I have worked on subnational #development projects for the past 12 years, and every time I describe our work, I am asked this question – usually by #donors and international organisations.
Localisation: "How does this initiative tie up to national policy?"
Everytime I describe a subnational project, I am asked this question by well meaning large organisations and funders. It's an unfair question.
alkags.me
December 4, 2024 at 10:17 AM
I have worked on subnational #development projects for the past 12 years, and every time I describe our work, I am asked this question – usually by #donors and international organisations.
Equiry.
(Noun)
Inquiry via private or direct message online.
New word? Love it.
@wambuijl.bsky.social
(Noun)
Inquiry via private or direct message online.
New word? Love it.
@wambuijl.bsky.social
December 2, 2024 at 8:19 AM
Equiry.
(Noun)
Inquiry via private or direct message online.
New word? Love it.
@wambuijl.bsky.social
(Noun)
Inquiry via private or direct message online.
New word? Love it.
@wambuijl.bsky.social
There’s something we need to reframe.
We keep talking about involving the youth or improving the country for the youth. They are 70% of the country. It is them who need to accommodate us, the 30%.
They are the country because they are the majority.
We keep talking about involving the youth or improving the country for the youth. They are 70% of the country. It is them who need to accommodate us, the 30%.
They are the country because they are the majority.
November 30, 2024 at 8:54 AM
There’s something we need to reframe.
We keep talking about involving the youth or improving the country for the youth. They are 70% of the country. It is them who need to accommodate us, the 30%.
They are the country because they are the majority.
We keep talking about involving the youth or improving the country for the youth. They are 70% of the country. It is them who need to accommodate us, the 30%.
They are the country because they are the majority.
One of the reasons I love Mariah Carey is how sing-along-able her earlier songs are.
November 29, 2024 at 1:03 AM
One of the reasons I love Mariah Carey is how sing-along-able her earlier songs are.
“Is AI the next frontier of cultural erasure? As it favours global languages, African tongues like Gikuyu & Shona risk extinction. But through education, tech, & resistance, we can preserve identity & heritage. Let’s fight for inclusive AI. 🌍 #AI #IndigenousLanguages
alkags.me/ai-and-langu...
alkags.me/ai-and-langu...
AI: Are We Witnessing the Final Frontier of Cultural Homogenisation?
Al considers how AI might play a role in language erosion, I cannot help but ask: is this the final chapter of a digital completion of the cultural erasure begun centuries ago?
alkags.me
November 26, 2024 at 12:40 AM
“Is AI the next frontier of cultural erasure? As it favours global languages, African tongues like Gikuyu & Shona risk extinction. But through education, tech, & resistance, we can preserve identity & heritage. Let’s fight for inclusive AI. 🌍 #AI #IndigenousLanguages
alkags.me/ai-and-langu...
alkags.me/ai-and-langu...
Reposted
My other hot take is, instead of spending 10 billion to terraform Mars they could undo the damage from deforestation and clean the oceans here on Earth
a woman walking down a hallway with yellow lockers and a sign on the wall that says ' e '
ALT: a woman walking down a hallway with yellow lockers and a sign on the wall that says ' e '
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2024 at 7:32 AM
My other hot take is, instead of spending 10 billion to terraform Mars they could undo the damage from deforestation and clean the oceans here on Earth
Reposted
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
November 22, 2024 at 12:35 PM
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
Audiobooks count as reading.
In Kenya there are words that now we expect to be used together (always). For example Pending Bill.
November 21, 2024 at 5:28 AM
In Kenya there are words that now we expect to be used together (always). For example Pending Bill.
Reposted
I’ve officially started subconsciously opening blue sky instead of Twitter
November 17, 2024 at 1:03 PM
I’ve officially started subconsciously opening blue sky instead of Twitter
Reposted
How high living costs and unemployment have pushed many Kenyans into poverty nation.africa/kenya/busine...
How high living costs and unemployment have pushed many Kenyans into poverty
Turkana County had the highest proportion of its population living in absolute poverty
nation.africa
November 18, 2024 at 10:07 AM
How high living costs and unemployment have pushed many Kenyans into poverty nation.africa/kenya/busine...
Guy sitting next to me raised himself off the seat when the plane was touching down, gasping at the armrests to raise himself.
I don’t know the thinking.
I don’t know the thinking.
November 18, 2024 at 12:12 AM
Guy sitting next to me raised himself off the seat when the plane was touching down, gasping at the armrests to raise himself.
I don’t know the thinking.
I don’t know the thinking.
Something tragic is happening to me. Every so often, ai take pictures of tiny words so that I can read them.
November 18, 2024 at 12:05 AM
Something tragic is happening to me. Every so often, ai take pictures of tiny words so that I can read them.