Hustle and Scribble

In Africa, the glaring energy access gap is not just a statistic; it’s a daily reality for over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa who still lack reliable electricity. Even in areas where the grid reaches, access is often unreliable or too expensive for many households, creating a deep divide between those who can access energy and those who cannot. While urban areas may boast better access to the energy grid, rural regions ,  which are home to a large portion of Africa’s population, continue to be underserved. This divide isn’t just about geography; it’s about opportunity . Without reliable energy, economic activities are stifled. Farmers struggle to preserve their produce, local businesses can’t function efficiently, and basic needs like lighting or communication become challenges. The lack of energy is like a roadblock to development that many rural areas can’t seem to get past. The consequences of energy poverty are felt in every aspect of life. Health is a critical ...

The thing about having studied in a near-perfect high school is that it automatically makes you the weirdo in every “high school stories” conversation. Trust me, I’ve tried. But every time someone mentions “Hamkumaliza syllabus?” or “Waaah, tulikula githeri kila siku ”, I find myself wondering: Did I go to school in heaven? We even had occasional chapatis and buffets,I mean.  Let’s start with the syllabus thing. I genuinely can’t relate. At Kisima , everything ran like a well-oiled machine. Teachers knew their work, students knew their goals, and there wasn’t a single corner to cut. Discipline? Sorted. Academics? On point. Even our math teacher would walk into class smiling, and by the end of the term, he’d still be smiling—because we’d covered everything without having to skip PE.   And don’t get me started on the punishments. People say they were spanked or chased around with sticks, and I’m sitting there like, excuse me, that’s legal? At Kisima, discipline wasn’t some ...

We’ve all felt it, that overwhelming moment when you look at your to-do list, and it feels more like a never-ending scroll of doom. Between work deadlines, personal errands, self-care (because apparently, we’re supposed to schedule that now), and family responsibilities, it can seem like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Life is short. We’re told to savor every moment, pursue our passions, and spend time with loved ones. But how are we supposed to do all that when we’re drowning in a sea of tasks?   Somewhere along the way, we equated busyness with success . The fuller our schedules, the more accomplished we think we are. But let’s be honest,how often do we reach the end of the day and feel genuinely fulfilled?   Studies, like one from the University of Melbourne , show that constantly chasing productivity leads to stress, burnout, and even reduced efficiency over time. Our to-do lists were meant to guide us, not own us. Yet here we are, treating them like ...

You’re scrolling through your favorite online store. You see a deal too good to pass up, a gadget, a trendy shirt, maybe a sleek kitchen appliance. You click “buy,” and just like that, you’ve added another item to your collection. Fast forward a few months, and that once-exciting purchase is gathering dust, waiting to be tossed. Sound familiar?   We’ve built a culture of convenience, buy fast, use quickly, and throw away without a second thought. It’s a lifestyle we’ve normalized, but it’s also one that’s quietly wreaking havoc on the planet.   We’re drowning in stuff. The United Nations reports that global waste is expected to hit 3.4 billion tons by 2050. Less than 20% of it is recycled. The rest? It ends up in landfills , polluting oceans, or is burned, releasing harmful toxins into the air.   The cycle is simple and destructive:  Buy: We’re bombarded with pressure to keep up with trends or own the latest gadgets. Companies churn out products desi...

We’ve all been there, scrolling through LinkedIn and seeing someone our age who just bagged a promotion, started their dream business, or hit some career milestone that makes our own path feel like it’s running in circles. It’s normal to want more for ourselves, but when does ambition become a ticking time bomb of stress and burnout ?   Career goals are supposed to be motivating. They give us direction, a sense of purpose, and something to strive for. Whether it’s landing that dream job, starting your own company, or just becoming really good at what you do, goals push us forward. But sometimes, they stop feeling like goals and start feeling like deadlines. Instead of excitement, they bring anxiety. Instead of clarity, they leave us panicking about falling behind.   So, where do we draw the line between healthy ambition and unhealthy stress?   Pressure to Perform vs. Drive to Improve Ambition is about self-improvement, wanting to be better than you were y...

Ah, money and friends a mix as unpredictable as the weather. One moment you're basking in the warmth of good vibes and hearty laughter, and the next, you're dodging the dark clouds of unpaid debt. If you’ve ever lent money to a friend in Kenya , chances are you've asked yourself: Is this a loan, an investment, or an unplanned act of charity?   Your pal texts you late one night, throwing in all the classic hits: " Niaje, ni save " and "Niko kwa shida sis." You know the vibe. Their M-Pesa is as dry as a maize field in January . So, you send them cash, sometimes even without asking too many questions. Because that's what friends do, right? Only, weeks later, the same friend posts a plate of nyama choma on Instagram, captioned: “Living my best life.” And there you are, scrolling with one eye twitching. Best life? Who funded this feast?   For some reason, friendships in Kenya often include unofficial banking services. You might find yourself in the role...

For decades, the rallying cry has been loud and clear: "Save the planet!" From climate strikes to global summits, we’ve painted a picture of Earth as a fragile, dying entity desperately clinging to life. But let’s step back for a moment. Is the planet really dying, or is it simply asking us to get smarter about how we live?   Here’s the truth: Earth doesn’t need saving. It’s been through worse. The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs ? The ice ages? Massive volcanic eruptions? Earth weathered all that. The planet is resilient—it evolves, adapts, and regenerates. What’s really at risk is our way of life. Our ecosystems, economies, and communities are in danger because of the choices we’ve made. The planet isn’t dying—it’s calling us out.   And it has every reason to. Our over-reliance on fossil fuels has led to unprecedented carbon emissions , with CO2 levels now at their highest in 800,000 years ( NASA , 2023). Plastic waste is choking our oceans, with an estima...

There are books that leave a mark, and then there’s A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara , a novel that doesn’t just leave a mark but burrows into your soul, sits there, and refuses to leave. This isn’t the kind of book you pick up lightly or forget quickly. It’s relentless, gut-wrenching, and devastatingly beautiful, all while being a 720-page emotional rollercoaster that will have you questioning the meaning of friendship, love, and endurance.   The story follows four friends, Jude , Willem , Malcolm , and JB , navigating adulthood in New York City . What begins as a tale of ambition and camaraderie quickly evolves into a deep and haunting exploration of trauma , identity , and human resilience . And let me warn you now, A Little Life does not pull its punches. If you’re looking for a hopeful, breezy read, this is not it. But if you’re prepared to be utterly wrecked in the best way possible, then dive in.   The real core of the novel is Jude St. Francis , whose life ...

Moving on is no joke. Not just in the crying quietly on the sofa while staring at old WhatsApp conversations way, but in the how do I start building a new life with someone who doesn’t even know the plot of my life kind of way. And I mean that literally because half the time, moving on means leaving behind someone who understood why calling a random boda guy " Kamau wa Delivery " sent you into fits of laughter. Now you're supposed to build all those new inside jokes with someone else? Honestly, it feels like trying to explain why mũtura tastes better in the dark: some things just can’t be recreated.  Let’s talk about the most underrated part of moving on, the inside jokes. You know how it is when you’ve been with someone who just got it. You don’t realize how much of your daily humor depends on shared context until someone new asks why you laugh every time you hear the phrase "Si ni ya maharagwe tu?" How do you explain that it’s not just about beans. They don...

When you're a kid, making friends is as simple as sharing a bag of crisps or being the only two people in class who like the same toy. By the time you hit adulthood, though, friendships start feeling like one of those group projects in school where you're the only one doing the work. It's exhausting, it’s confusing, and sometimes, you wonder if it’s even worth the effort.   For most of us, adult friendships get their first big test after school. You're no longer seeing your people daily in the cafeteria, the lecture hall, or in the hostels. Instead, you’re tossed into different cities, jobs, and time zones, all trying to keep up with a life that seems to be moving faster than a matatu in the wrong lane. Suddenly, you're texting, “We should meet up soon,” while secretly wondering if it’s been too long to even count them as a close friend.   The truth is, adult friendships are misunderstood because we don’t talk about how much work they need. It’s not just about cal...

When people think about innovation, cooling systems don’t exactly jump to mind. Yet, cold chain solutions are quickly becoming one of the most important developments of our time. It’s not just about keeping milk cold or vaccines effective,these systems are transforming how we handle food, medicine, and economic challenges, especially in developing regions.   Let’s look at food first. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about a third of all food globally goes to waste. In Kenya and other developing countries, most of this loss happens after harvest because of poor storage and transport. Farmers grow enough food, but without proper cooling systems, fruits, vegetables, milk, and fish spoil before they can be sold. Cold chain solutions are changing this.   With proper cooling, farmers can store their goods for longer, sell them at better prices, and access bigger markets. For example, a small-scale dairy farmer can store milk in a solar-powered c...

Sustainability has become a buzzword, woven into almost every industry, product, and campaign. From bamboo toothbrushes to electric vehicles , every innovation claims to be saving the planet. It’s tempting to believe that each eco-friendly purchase is a step toward reversing climate change. But behind the glossy marketing and green labels lies a crucial question, are these innovations truly impactful, or are we simply falling for well-packaged hype? Take biodegradable packaging , for instance. The concept sounds revolutionary. Packaging that breaks down naturally instead of clogging landfills. However, the reality is far more complex. Most biodegradable materials require industrial composting facilities to decompose properly. Without these, they end up in the same landfills as regular plastic, where they may sit for decades, barely degrading. For many countries, including Kenya , the infrastructure to support such systems is limited. So, while the packaging feels like a responsible ...

Life isn’t perfect, and neither am I, but that’s exactly why I’ve learned to love myself. Not just the filtered, polished moments, but the messy, chaotic, “What even is this life?” parts too. Loving me isn’t about perfection; it’s about choosing to embrace the full package, the good, the bad, and the "seriously, what just happened?" I love the bright, shiny pieces of me. The confidence that sneaks in when I least expect it, the way a random song can instantly lift my mood, or how much I adore my freedom. But I also love the quirks that make me, me. The mumbling when I’m tired, the way I can switch from deep introspection to loud, hyped energy, and even the times my life feels like a balancing act gone wrong. My days swing between Netflix-worthy drama and the boredom of reheated leftovers. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way. The chaos reminds me that I’m alive. The quiet moments? They remind me that being alive doesn’t always have to be exhausting. But here’s the ...