Hustle and Scribble

 There are days when motherhood feels like a gift I don’t deserve. And then there are days it feels like a weight I’m not strong enough to carry. No one really tells you that both can be true. Some mornings, I wake up ready, grateful, patient, full of love. But on the hard days? The days when I’ve barely slept, when money is tight, when work is demanding, and everything feels one step behind… it hits differently. I look at this little human I love with everything I’ve got, and still wonder if I’m giving her enough. If I am enough. And the guilt sneaks in quietly. For snapping. For being tired. For wanting a break. For thinking, even for a second, that I just want to disappear into silence. I think about all the things I want to provide: security, joy, structure, freedom. And then I open the fridge, do the mental math, count what’s left for school fees, for rent, for tomorrow. And my heart breaks a little more, because I know love alone doesn’t fill bowls. I don’t always...

If you’ve ever watched Manifest , there’s a moment that might catch you off guard, not the callings or the plane returning from nowhere, but when someone refers to God as “She.” It’s subtle. One word. But it lingers. We’re so used to hearing “He” when people speak about God. It’s been ingrained in scriptures, sermons, and everyday language for generations. So when a character says “She,” it doesn’t just shift the sentence; it shifts your frame of reference. I paused. Rewound. Listened again. And then I sat with it. It’s not just for effect. It’s an invitation. A quiet one. Across so many traditions, even the ones that rarely speak of it, there’s always been room for the divine feminine. The nurturing force. The intuitive whisper. The fierce protector. In parts of the Bible, God is described as a mother hen, gathering her chicks. In African spirituality, divinity doesn’t come in a single image, it flows through balance. And for anyone who’s ever felt held by something unseen, there’s...

Let me be honest with you motherhood is the wildest ride I’ve ever been on. And I’ve taken a motorbike across rural roads with no idea where the brakes were and a bad back. But nothing, nothing, prepares you for the full-blown, soul-spinning, eye-bag-deep experience of raising a toddler. My daughter is 3. She’s sweet. Loud. Hilarious. Terrifyingly smart. And deeply committed to watching Grey’s Anatomy like it’s her moral compass. Other kids her age are obsessed with cartoons. Mine? She walks around quoting Miranda Bailey and calls scalpels “scapuls.” She is fully invested. I’m just along for the ride. Every evening, it’s, “Mummy, doctor movie!” There’s no debate. You’d think she’s got surgery scheduled. And as she binge-watches medical drama, I’m busy playing my own real-life role, chief of snacks, director of emotions, crisis manager, accidental hairdresser, and bedtime negotiator. Sometimes all at once. There are days I get through only because I’ve learned the sacred motherly arts o...

Ah, the sweet, sweet sound of corporate buzzwords. “We value diversity.” “We pay based on merit, not gender.” “Equality is a top priority.”Isn't that adorable? You can almost hear the CEO patting themselves on the back after putting a woman on their marketing materials for International Women’s Day. You know the drill. The company’s newest campaign featuring the "empowered women" who get empowered paychecks… or maybe not, but who’s counting? Definitely not the HR department. Let’s get one thing straight. If you're a woman in engineering, your skills are, apparently, worth a little less than your male counterparts. How? Well, the math is simple, equal work, unequal pay. But don't worry, you’re probably “too emotional” or “not aggressive enough” to ask for more cash. It’s probably your fault. But don’t sweat it; at least you can enjoy your free coffee while working on a team of men who totally listen to your ideas, especially when it’s time to talk about your new pr...

Let me tell you the story of how I nearly lost my will to live... over poop. Yeah, you read that right. Not heartbreak, not poverty, not existential dread, just plain ol’ constipation. Or as I like to call it now, poop peeping- when the poop comes to the door, peeks out, then slams the door in your face like, “Not today, ma’am.” It started innocently enough. A few missed meals here and there, a little dehydration (I was busy, okay?), and then boom everything stopped. My digestive system clocked out like a casual intern who only came for the free lunch. I didn’t think much of it at first. I mean, it’s just a skipped meal or two, right? Hours later, I’m bloated, gassy, and already regretting every life choice I’ve ever made, including that time I ghosted someone who just wanted to talk about my bad eating habits. Poop was teasing me now. I could feel it chilling somewhere in the hallway of my intestines, humming like it had nowhere to be. I’d sit on the toilet and feel hope. Just a littl...

Solar energy, one of the most powerful and abundant natural resources, has been harnessed by humanity for thousands of years. Long before the modern-day photovoltaic solar panels that line rooftops across the globe, ancient civilizations had already discovered ways to make the most of the sun’s rays. From heating homes to creating sustainable architectural designs, ancient people understood the sun’s power and used it to improve their quality of life. Although they didn’t have the technology we now rely on, their ingenuity in utilizing solar energy laid the groundwork for the modern solar revolution. Before the industrial revolution, many societies relied heavily on the natural environment to meet their energy needs. Ancient civilizations found that the sun could be a reliable source of warmth and light. The most obvious applications of solar energy involved heating spaces, drying crops, and even providing light. However, there were also sophisticated architectural strategies that too...

If you’ve never interacted with a Luo man, let me save you the trouble. A Luo man is a vibe, a whole personality, a LinkedIn bio in human form. Everything he does, says, or even implies will remind you that he is living his best soft life and somehow, you should be impressed. I have had the...pleasure?...of “dating” two Luo men. I say "dating" in quotes because, in hindsight, I may have just been a spectator in a one-man performance. The first time was in high school. Let me tell you, I was catfished before catfishing was a thing. His photos had me believing he was built like a rugby player. I showed up, and this man was...well. Worse still, he had a mountain of laundry waiting for me. As if I had signed up for a domestic internship. When I politely declined (read: absolutely refused), he had the audacity to be angry. Imagine lying to my mother to see a man who wanted me to wash his socks. Tragic. The second one was worse. I never realized that a man could talk about himsel...

Let me tell you, raising a human being in this economy is ghetto. Absolute ghetto. Some mornings I wake up feeling like I have it all figured out, I mean, how hard can it be? I’ve watched enough YouTube, read enough X threads, and even skimmed through a parenting book once (okay, twice). But by 9 a.m., I’m sweating, my patience is hanging by a thread, and I’m negotiating with a toddler over why we can’t eat yogurt straight from the cup with a fork. And don’t get me started on those “perfect parents” online the ones with color-coded toy bins, kids in matching outfits, and packed lunches with faces made of carrots and cucumbers. Me? I’m just out here wondering if it’s bad parenting to serve ugali and sukuma twice in one day. Honestly, is there a chapter somewhere that tells you when you officially qualify as a bad mum or are we all just vibing?   You see, they sell us this dream of gentle parenting. “Speak softly.” “Use positive affirmations.” Meanwhile, I’m over here saying “Ka...

When managing a project like SOLAR THRIVE, where every detail from production logistics to customer satisfaction needs to be tracked, you start to see life differently. Deadlines, bottlenecks, unexpected crises. Sound familiar? Turns out, the same principles that keep a renewable energy project on track can also help manage the chaos of everyday life.   Here’s what I’ve learned about project managing my life from working on SOLAR THRIVE:   Planning Is Everything (But Plans Will Change) At work, we have production schedules, delivery timelines, and KPIs to meet. In life? Well, things don’t always go as planned either. I’ve learned to structure my goals while staying flexible. Instead of rigid to-do lists, I now break tasks into sprints, short, manageable chunks, so that even when life throws curveballs, I still make progress.   Lesson: Plan like an engineer, adapt like a survivor. Data Tracking Keeps You Honest Solar Thrive’s success depends on measurable in...

Have you ever met someone and felt like you already knew them? Like your souls had been in sync long before your physical paths crossed? Science might call it coincidence, but some theories, and a whole lot of personal experiences, suggest something deeper. There’s an idea that we are subconsciously connected to the people meant to be in our lives before we even meet them. It sounds poetic, almost magical, but even science has some breadcrumbs that hint at this possibility. Quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where particles remain connected regardless of distance, suggests that at the most fundamental level, connection is not bound by time or space. So, what if human connections work the same way? Think about it. Have you ever met someone and immediately felt safe, understood, or inexplicably drawn to them? As if the universe had been weaving your stories together long before you turned the page to each other? It’s the kind of connection that doesn’t need logic or explanation,it just i...

In today's digitally driven world, screens are an integral part of daily life, especially for children. From educational tools to entertainment, the exposure is constant. This ubiquity raises a pressing question, how does screen time influence children's cognitive development and intelligence? Research presents a nuanced view of screen time's impact on children's intelligence. A study published in Nature indicates mixed outcomes, with effect sizes typically ranging from -0.20, suggesting that the relationship between screen time and cognitive abilities is complex and not entirely negative. Conversely, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that children born extremely preterm who engaged in more than two hours of daily screen time exhibited lower IQ scores and increased behavioral problems. This suggests that excessive screen exposure may exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in certain populations.  The formative years are critical for brain development. Studie...

Before I became a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, an engineer, before I took on any of these roles, I was, and still am, a woman. That’s not just a biological fact. It’s the foundation of everything I am. It’s the lens through which I experience the world, the reason I fight a little harder, prove myself a little more, and carry the weight of expectations I never signed up for. I exist in a world that often tries to define me by my relationships to others. “You’re such a good sister.” “You’re a great mom.” “You’re a strong woman in STEM.” And while all of that is true, I can’t help but wonder, would I still be enough if I was just… me? I juggle logistics, deadlines, and quality control at work. I coordinate, nurture, and problem-solve at home. I am expected to do it all, effortlessly, as if I were built for multitasking on expert mode. I’ve mastered the art of switching from technical reports to bedtime stories, from factory floors to family dinners, from professional to perso...

Africa, a continent endowed with approximately 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land, paradoxically finds itself grappling with escalating food insecurity. Despite this vast agricultural potential, the continent imports food worth billions annually. This contradiction raises a pressing question: Why is a land so fertile facing such profound hunger challenges? Recent reports paint a grim picture over 140 million Africans face acute food insecurity, with one in five going to bed hungry each night. This crisis is not merely a statistic; it's a daily struggle for survival for millions. Factors such as conflict, climate change, and economic instability exacerbate the situation, leading to widespread malnutrition and loss of life. For instance, in West and Central Africa, over 40 million people are currently struggling with food insecurity, with numbers projected to increase to 52 million by mid-next year.  Unpacking the Paradox Several interwoven factors contribute to this ...

The HVAC industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by environmental imperatives and regulatory changes. The phase-out of high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, notably R-410A, marks a pivotal shift towards more sustainable alternatives. This transition, while essential for environmental stewardship, presents a series of trends and challenges that stakeholders must adeptly navigate. Central to this transition is the adoption of refrigerants with lower GWP. Replacements such as R-454B and R-32 have emerged as front-runners, offering reduced environmental impact. R-454B, for instance, boasts a GWP that is 78% lower than that of R-410A, making it a compelling alternative for new HVAC systems. These refrigerants align with global efforts to mitigate climate change by minimizing the ecological footprint of cooling systems. The regulatory framework governing refrigerants has become increasingly stringent. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency ...

In the quiet moments of motherhood, I often find myself reflecting on the world my toddler is growing up in, a world where vibrant screens and catchy tunes from shows like Cocomelon dominate the landscape of childhood entertainment. As a mother deeply passionate about nurturing a love for reading, I grapple with the challenge of fostering this passion in an era where digital media holds such sway over young minds. The omnipresence of digital content is undeniable. Shows like Cocomelon captivates toddlers with their bright visuals and repetitive melodies, offering parents a momentary respite. However, concerns arise when screen time begins to encroach upon activities that are crucial for cognitive and linguistic development. Excessive exposure to screens has been linked to potential delays in language acquisition and a decline in attention spans, making it imperative to find a balance. The Irreplaceable Value of Reading Reading offers a unique, immersive experience that screens often...

Imagine a continent where the journey of food from the fertile fields to our dining tables is efficient, transparent, and equitable. Africa, blessed with vast agricultural resources, has the potential to not only feed itself but also contribute significantly to global food security. However, realizing this potential requires addressing several challenges that hinder the seamless flow of produce along the food value chain. Challenges in the Current Food Value Chain Despite its abundant resources, Africa faces obstacles that disrupt the field-to-fork continuum: Fragmented Supply Chains : Smallholder farmers often operate in isolation, lacking the networks and infrastructure to reach broader markets. Inadequate Infrastructure : Poor transportation and storage facilities lead to significant post-harvest losses, with perishable goods spoiling before they reach consumers. Limited Market Access : Farmers frequently struggle to access both local and international markets due to a la...

Africa's agricultural sector stands at a pivotal crossroads, holding immense potential to drive economic growth and food security. Yet, two of its most valuable resources, youth and women, remain underutilized, leading to a paradox that hinders progress. The Paradox of Underutilized Potential Youth Unemployment : Despite a burgeoning youth population eager to contribute, many young Africans view agriculture as a last resort, associating it with their parents' struggles and seeking opportunities in urban centers. This mindset contributes to high youth unemployment rates across the continent.  Women's Unrecognized Contributions : Women are the backbone of African agriculture, responsible for a significant portion of food production. However, they often lack access to land rights, financing, and decision-making platforms, limiting their potential to enhance agricultural productivity.  The Cost of Inaction By overlooking the contributions of youth and women, Africa f...

We’re all just waiting for the next thing to happen. It’s like we’re all sitting in some giant waiting room, checking our watches, tapping our feet, waiting for life to start. The next job, the next trip, the next relationship, the next milestone, there’s always something just ahead that we think will finally give us purpose, finally make us feel like we’ve “arrived.” But what if the next thing isn’t coming? What if we’re just meant to exist in this endless in-between, caught in the perpetual loop of “waiting for something”? We convince ourselves that the best is always just around the corner. But when we get there, it’s never as great as we imagined, and we find ourselves back in the same space, looking ahead again. This cycle of waiting for “the next thing” becomes our default setting, and suddenly, we're living for a future that might never actually materialize in the way we picture it. The most bizarre part? We often don’t even know why we’re waiting. We just do. We’re waiti...

What if we’re all just avatars in someone else’s dream? A vast, cosmic dream, where each of us is nothing more than a character on a screen, created and controlled by a force far beyond our comprehension. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? But let’s dig into it for a moment. Are we real, or are we just playing out scripted lives in a massive, intricate simulation? In this scenario, reality becomes a murky concept. If everything around us, the people, the places, the events, is part of a larger dream or a simulation, does that make us less real? Or maybe the better question is: Does it even matter? After all, if we’re not the ones pulling the strings, if we’re just the players in a cosmic video game or the fleeting figments of someone else’s imagination, does anything we do have any true weight? Think about how much effort we put into defining ourselves, our careers, our goals, our relationships. We chase meaning, trying to build legacies and live lives full of pur...

Time doesn’t exist, but here we are completely enslaved by it. It’s this invisible force that governs every part of our lives, dictating when we wake up, when we work, when we rest, and when we even get to do the things we enjoy. But what if time isn’t actually real? What if it’s just a concept, a social construct we created to give our chaotic, unpredictable lives some sense of order? Think about it: clocks, calendars, schedules we’ve built an entire system around the idea that time is linear, that it moves forward in neat little increments. We’ve been taught to treat every minute like it matters, like every hour spent is a resource we need to manage carefully. Yet, we’re constantly chasing it, feeling like there’s never enough time, always rushing against an invisible force that we’ve convinced ourselves is inevitable. But what if it’s all an illusion? What if the only reason time feels like it’s slipping away from us is because we’ve created the framework to believe it’s slipping...

The fear of being forgotten of fading into the abyss of time, where our accomplishments, relationships, and memories are lost to history haunts many of us. We live in a world where the achievements of those who came before us are often reduced to footnotes in textbooks or just names on a tombstone. It's unsettling to think that, despite all the effort we put into carving out a legacy, one day, in the grand span of time, no one may even remember we existed. This fear can drive us in ways we don’t even realize. It pushes us to seek validation, to chase achievements, to accumulate wealth or accolades, all in the hope that our lives will have meaning and that someone, somewhere, will remember our name. We might try to create something that will outlive us an invention, a piece of art, a monumental achievement. But even that raises the question: Is it really worth it? Does immortality hold any true value if we can never experience it? The irony, of course, is that immortality itself m...

In the realm of governance, the journey from policy formulation to tangible outcomes is often fraught with challenges. While well-crafted policies set the stage for progress, their successful implementation remains a persistent hurdle. This disconnect between policy and practice is not merely a bureaucratic inconvenience; it has profound implications for societal advancement. The Anatomy of the Implementation Gap The "implementation gap" refers to the disparity between the objectives outlined in policy documents and the realities observed on the ground. Several factors contribute to this divide: Resource Constraints : Ambitious policies frequently falter due to inadequate funding, limited human resources, or insufficient infrastructure. Without the necessary support, even the most well-intentioned initiatives struggle to take off. Political Dynamics : The political landscape can significantly influence policy execution. Shifts in leadership, competing interests, and lack of p...

Valentine’s Day in a long-distance relationship is a lesson in patience, love, and the art of keeping your phone within arm’s reach at all times. While other couples are out for candlelit dinners, I’m here refreshing my messages like a stock trader watching the market. Because when your person is working two shifts in a whole different time zone, romance is measured in text bubbles. With our busy schedules, our conversations are a mix of my rambling audio messages and his short but solid texts, proof that love doesn’t need paragraphs, it just needs presence. He’ll be half-asleep between shifts, sending me a simple "Nakumiss" or "How are you gal" just to remind me he’s still there. And I? I overcompensate with a ten-minute voice note about how my day was mildly chaotic, how I saw a dead dog, or how I’ve decided we will go camping when we finally live in the same city.   Meanwhile, Nairobi is out here doing the most, couples holding hands, overpriced flowers, and hear...

I met my younger self for coffee this morning. She was already at the table when I arrived, impatiently stirring sugar into her cup like it owed her money. Typical. She looked up, eyes sharp, scanning me like a pop quiz I hadn’t studied for. “So… this is it?” she asked, gesturing vaguely at me. I sipped my coffee. “Wow, no hello? Just straight to judgment?” She smirked. “I’m you, remember?” Fair. Younger Me, let’s call her Mini-Me, leaned forward. “Okay, let’s get to it. Do I have my own house yet?” I coughed into my cup. “Haha, let’s circle back to that.” She frowned. “Okay, do we at least have money?” “Define ‘money.’” Mini-Me groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “Fine. Do we still live in chaos?” I shrugged. “Less chaos, more, project management. I track everything now, money, work, learning. It’s my version of adulting.” She blinked. “That is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.” “Excuse you, it’s called being responsible.” “Sounds exhausting.” I sighed. “Yeah, bu...

Have you ever had one of those days where everything feels fragile, like it’s all just slipping away? The constant ebb and flow of time, the passing moments that seem so full yet vanish into thin air, can sometimes make life feel utterly temporary. In a world where nothing seems to last forever, relationships, accomplishments, even our very existence, what’s the point of chasing dreams, building legacies, or working tirelessly for a future that might never come? It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that nothing truly matters because everything is fleeting. We’re born, we live, and eventually, we die. Our successes, failures, and relationships are all just brief blips in the vast expanse of time. When we zoom out and think about the grand scale of history, it can feel like what we do today will be forgotten tomorrow, just another piece of dust in the wind. That very transience is what gives life its meaning. The fact that life is temporary means it’s precious. If we had forever to f...