From Treating Illness to Cultivating Flourishing 

The modern well-being movement owes much to the emergence of positive psychology, formally established in 1998 by Martin Seligman. This field sought to rebalance psychology’s traditional focus on pathology by studying strengths, purpose, and optimal functioning. 

Since then, research into well-being has expanded dramatically, with thousands of studies exploring practices such as gratitude, compassion, and mindfulness. Over the past 20 years in particular, there has been growing recognition that well-being is not simply the absence of illness, but a dynamic interplay between emotional, psychological, and social factors. 

Frameworks like Seligman’s PERMA model – focusing on Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment – have helped operationalise what flourishing looks like in practice.  

At the same time, a deeper insight has emerged: well-being cannot be reduced to surface-level habits alone. This has driven the rise of more profound, insight-based movements that seek to address the underlying causes of human distress. 

The Mindfulness Revolution and Its Offshoots 

One of the most visible well-being movements of the past two decades has been the global adoption of mindfulness. While rooted in ancient contemplative traditions, mindfulness has been successfully translated into secular, science-backed practices used in healthcare, education, and corporate settings. 

Organisations such as Breathworks (founded in 2004 in the UK) have played a key role in applying mindfulness to chronic pain, stress, and illness, demonstrating measurable improvements in well-being. 

Research consistently shows that mindfulness practices can reduce emotional reactivity and increase subjective well-being, helping individuals develop a more stable internal state. 

Yet even within mindfulness, there has been an evolution – from technique-based stress reduction toward deeper inquiries into the nature of thought, consciousness, and perception. 

Insight-Based Approaches to Mental Well-Being 

Alongside mindfulness, several movements have emerged that emphasise insight rather than technique. One example is the Three Principles framework, developed by Sydney Banks in the mid-1970s, in which he proposed that well-being is an innate state that can be realised through understanding the nature of mind, thought and consciousness. 

These approaches often move beyond coping strategies and instead focus on fundamental shifts in how individuals understand themselves and their experiences. This reflects a broader trend across the well-being landscape: a move from symptom management to root-cause understanding. 

The Role of Global Organisations and Communities 

In parallel with academic and clinical developments, grassroots and global organisations have contributed significantly to the spread of well-being ideas. 

Organisations like the World Transformation Movement represent one strand of this broader ecosystem, offering a biological explanation of the ‘human condition’ and its psychological implications. Increasingly, the impact of such movements is not just communicated through formal publications, but through peer-to-peer dialogue in online communities, where individuals share personal experiences and interpretations of these ideas. 

For instance, discussions such as how individuals feel the World Transformation Movement has influenced their lives reveal the subjective and often deeply personal ways these frameworks are engaged with. Similarly, broader conversations highlighting acclaim for its founder, biologist Jeremy Griffith, and the reception of his work illustrate how intellectual contributions are interpreted, debated, and disseminated in more informal, community-driven spaces. 

This kind of decentralised engagement reflects a wider shift in how well-being movements grow today. Rather than relying solely on institutional authority, many now evolve through shared narratives, lived experience, and open discussion, allowing ideas to be tested and refined in real time across global audiences. 

Importantly, the World Transformation Movement exists within a wider landscape of organisations pursuing mental well-being and stability through different lenses. For example: 

• Mindfulness-based organisations like Breathworks focus on present-moment awareness and compassion 

• Positive psychology institutions emphasise evidence-based interventions for flourishing 

• Insight-based organisations explore the nature of consciousness and perception 

A Convergence of Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science 

A defining feature of the last 20 years has also been the convergence of ancient philosophical traditions and modern scientific research. Concepts from Buddhism, such as mindfulness and non-attachment, now sit alongside empirical studies on well-being and brain function. 

Positive psychology itself has been described as a meeting point between Eastern contemplative traditions and Western scientific inquiry. 

This synthesis has allowed well-being movements to gain credibility across both scientific and spiritual domains, making them more accessible to a global audience. 

Challenges and Critiques 

Despite rapid growth, the well-being movement has not been without criticism. Some argue that certain approaches oversimplify complex psychological issues or place too much responsibility on individuals without addressing systemic factors. 

Even within positive psychology, researchers acknowledge the need for a more nuanced understanding that includes both positive and negative aspects of life. 

This has led to the emergence of “second wave” approaches that recognise suffering as an integral part of growth, rather than something to be eliminated entirely. 

Toward a More Integrated Future 

What is becoming increasingly clear is that the future of well-being lies not in any single movement, but in the integration of multiple perspectives. 

Scientific models, mindfulness practices, philosophical insights, and community-based movements are all contributing pieces to a larger puzzle. Together, they are helping humanity move toward a more complete understanding of mental health – one that includes not just resilience, but meaning, connection, and self-understanding. 

As these movements continue to evolve, the central question remains the same: how can humans reconcile their inner experience with the demands of the external world? 

The last 20 years have brought us closer to answering that question than ever before. The next 20 may determine whether these insights can be scaled – not just to improve individual lives, but to reshape how societies understand what it truly means to thrive.

However, Kenya is eager to find opportunities to diversify its tourism portfolio, and they may have found an exciting breakthrough in adventure sports.

Adventure tourism is a high-value segment of the sector with multiplier effects that has been gaining traction elsewhere in the world. It includes activities such as mountain trail running, mountain biking, kite surfing and skydiving.

According to Pinkbike, demographics that participate in these activities typically spend more, stay longer and demand specialised services when they tour the world.

This means increased earnings across accommodation, transport, rental, retail and guidance services, feeding directly into Kenya’s economy.

Kenya is Following the Money

The Kenya Tourism Board’s (KTB) push in the direction of adventure tourism shows a good understanding of the current global travel trends.

Experiential tourism is growing at an astonishing rate as travellers increasingly want physically engaging experiences tied to nature and culture.

Kenya’s geographic diversity allows it to capture many tourism segments. From the Great Rift Valley to Mount Kenya and the Indian Ocean coastline, Kenya has the landmarks to compete in this new space.

Events such as the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run serve as an excellent example of how adventure sports can be an economic catalyst.

They stimulate and bolster local economies as participants and spectators buy gear from local retailers, purchase food from local restaurants and stay at local motels.

These recurring tournaments provide Kenya’s economy with a stable source of revenue. This builds destination equity, turning overlooked areas into tourism hubs.

The decentralisation of tourism is especially important for equitable growth, as it funnels revenue into rural and semi-urban communities.

Adventure Tourism Feeds into Kenya’s Sports Industry

From an investment perspective, the rise of adventure sports presents multiple opportunities.

Private sector players can tap into hospitality niches such as eco-lodges, training camps and wellness retreats tailored for adventure tourists.

There is also room for public-private partnerships in infrastructure development, especially in transport, safety systems and digital booking.

With proper support, Kenya can establish itself as Africa’s number one adventure tourism hub.

Adjacent digital industries are also beginning to intersect with sports and tourism.

The growth of sports-related engagement, including predictive gaming and wagering, has created new commercial touchpoints for local and international audiences.

The Kenya betting apps listed on Bettingtop10.ke could be inundated with wagers when adventure sports tournaments are staged, boosting revenue for operators and tax revenue for the economy.

The growing popularity of betting apps makes them a crucial commercial avenue in sports-driven tourism.

Sustainability is the Key to Success

The case for adventure sports tourism is about more than direct receipts. It will also create jobs, particularly for younger adults.

Training programmes for guides, instructors and event organisers can prepare a skilled workforce in line with global standards.

Outdoor activities foster ancillary industries such as sportswear, equipment manufacturing and event content creation, further embedding adventure tourism into Kenya’s economic fabric.

However, sustainability is key to long-term success. Adventure tourism depends on the preservation of natural environments, making governance a key component of the strategy.

Kenya can pioneer sustainable adventure tourism by employing strict conservation policies, sticking to eco-friendly practices, and leveraging technology for monitoring and management.

Besides protecting the resource base, a sustainable approach improves the country’s appeal to environmentally conscious travellers.

Kenya already boasts quite a reputation in endurance sports, especially long-distance running. Integrating this legacy into adventure tourism can create a powerful brand synergy.

The country can package training camps, high-altitude experiences and events into premium offerings that appeal to professional athletes and recreational enthusiasts.

The macroeconomic implications could be significant. Tourism is already one of Kenya’s top sources of foreign exchange, alongside diaspora remittances, horticulture and tea exports.

Expanding on the adventure sports frontier can boost the tourism sector by helping to smooth out seasonal fluctuations and diversify revenue streams.

It also bolsters Kenya’s position in the global tourism value chain, making a visit to the nation a more multifaceted experience.

Ultimately, adventure sports can become another cornerstone of Kenya’s economic diversification plan, delivering benefits that extend far beyond the tourism sector.

Drive through the rolling plains of Kwale, and rising from the green ocean of cane stands a reminder to what Kenya’s agricultural future could look like.

Not merely a mill. Not merely a factory. But a vision.

When the founders of the Kwale International Sugar Company Limited (KISCOL) first conceived the project, they were not thinking about producing bags of sugar alone.

They were imagining something far bigger: a fully integrated agro-industrial powerhouse capable of transforming an entire region.

Today, that vision remains one of the most compelling stories in Kenya’s sugar sector.

At a time when many sugar millers were struggling with ageing machinery, debt and chronic inefficiencies, KISCOL was built around a different philosophy.

The factory was designed to crush thousands of tonnes of cane daily, generate electricity from bagasse and eventually produce ethanol from molasses.

Model Project

It was a model borrowed from the world’s most successful sugar economies, where every stalk of cane is squeezed for maximum value.

The numbers tell part of the story.

A modern mill. An 18-megawatt bagasse-fired power plant. Thousands of hectares under irrigation.

Plans for large-scale ethanol production. A sophisticated water management system that many experts consider among the most advanced on the continent.

Yet the real story lies beyond the numbers.

Imagine standing in the middle of the estate at dawn. The first rays of sunlight spill across endless fields of cane.

Irrigation lines snake beneath the soil. Giant turbines wait to convert agricultural waste into clean electricity. Trucks rumble towards the mill.

This is not the image of a struggling industry. It is the image of an industry that should be leading Kenya’s industrialisation.

 2026/27 Budget

And that is precisely why the conversation around KISCOL matters.

The 2026/27 Budget has once again recognised the strategic importance of the sugar sector, with billions allocated towards ongoing reforms and revitalisation efforts.

Government officials have repeatedly emphasised the need to modernise sugar production, expand ethanol manufacturing and increase renewable energy generation from sugar factories.

If that is truly the direction Kenya wishes to take, then KISCOL should not be viewed as merely another miller that should be supported by the government. It should be viewed as a blueprint.

Because the future of sugar is no longer just sugar.

It is power generation. It is ethanol. It is irrigation technology. It is manufacturing. It is jobs. It is energy security. It is rural transformation.

For years, Kenya has lamented sugar imports, farmer frustrations and underperforming factories.

Yet in Kwale stands a project that attempted to answer many of those challenges before they became national talking points.

Perhaps the greatest tragedy would be allowing such a vision to wither for lack of support.

KISCOL is not asking Kenya to dream. It already did the dreaming.

The question now is whether the government and Kwale community is prepared to support the establishment of the KISCOL transformative dream and other ideas within the sugar sector.

How Online Casinos Operate

Online casinos are web-based platforms that replicate the experience of a physical casino through digital games. They are typically licensed and regulated by bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, or similar national regulators. Licensing means the platform is subject to audits, fair play standards, and financial accountability.

Games run on Random Number Generators (RNGs), which ensure that outcomes like card draws or slot spins are genuinely random. Reputable platforms publish their RNG certifications publicly, giving players a degree of transparency they would not find in unregulated environments.

Types of Games Available

Most platforms offer a broad library of games, from classic options to live dealer experiences. The main categories include:

– Slot games (video slots, classic slots, progressive jackpots)

– Table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker)

– Live dealer games streamed in real time with human hosts

– Specialty games such as bingo or virtual sports

Live dealer games have grown popular because they combine the convenience of online play with the social feel of a physical venue.

Bonuses and Promotions

Bonuses are hard to miss when browsing online gambling platforms. Welcome offers, free spins, and loyalty programs are standard, but the terms attached to any promotion matter more than the headline figure.

Wagering requirements dictate how many times you must play through a bonus before withdrawing winnings. A 30x wagering requirement on a $100 bonus means you need to wager $3,000 before cashing out. Many bonuses are less generous than they first appear.

Responsible Gambling

Licensed platforms now commonly offer responsible gambling tools: deposit limits, session time reminders, self-exclusion options, and links to organizations like GamCare or Gamblers Anonymous.

Setting personal limits before you start is one of the most practical steps a player can take. Treating gambling as entertainment rather than income keeps it from becoming a problem.

Choosing a Trustworthy Platform

Research any platform before committing. Look for verifiable licensing information, clear terms and conditions, responsive customer support, and a solid history in player reviews. Independent review sites offer useful comparisons across payment methods, game libraries, and payout speeds.

Mobile compatibility, cryptocurrency payments, and faster withdrawals are all becoming more common. Knowing what to look for lets you navigate this space on your own terms.

I was born in February 2000, the fourth child in a family of six, raised by a single mother whose strength far exceeded her circumstances. Poverty was not an interruption in our lives; it was the atmosphere we breathed. We moved often, shifting from one primary school to another, ranging from Kaharati Primary School to, Wamahiga, Maragua, and eventually Swani, carrying little more than hope each time.

Despite the instability, I was a bright child. I topped my classes. Teachers believed in me. I believed in myself. Then in 2011, when I was in Class Six, life shifted in unprecedented circumstances of domestic violence. Our family relocated to Juja after a family and financial collapse. We moved with no furniture, no utensils, no certainty. My mother had no job. My sister dropped out of school. Soon after, I did too. We were all school dropout.

The year 2011 and 2012, I was no longer a pupil. I was a street boy. There is a quiet humiliation in watching children your age going to school while you wander in search of food. Survival became my curriculum. The year blurred into hunger, uncertainty, and frustration. I had always dreamt of academic excellence, but dreams do not survive long without opportunity.

In 2013, we relocated again, this time to Kihiu Mwiri in Gatanga. We rented a small house for KSh 300 a month. My mother worked on farms earning about KSh 200 to 300 a day. One evening she told me, gently but honestly, “Alex, I want you to go back to school. Finish Class Eight. Maybe with a KCPE and the KCPE leaving certificate one day, you can get work as a watchman in Delmonte Company.”

That advise reshaped my expectations of life. I returned to Swani Primary School not dreaming of university, but of employment as a watchman. Often without food. Hunger humbles ambition, but it also sharpens it.

In 2014, I scored 297 marks in KCPE, higher than I had imagined possible. Yet secondary school remained financially out of reach. I began working in the quarries, crushing stones for KSh 7 per bucket. Ten buckets earned Ksh. 70. That money bought dinner.

Then came another setback. A rule banned anyone under 18 from quarry work. I was 15. Even hardship seemed to have age restrictions.  Around that time, I met a man who would quietly change the course of my life, Mr. Ken Stephen Muchoki. I gathered courage and told him about my KCPE score and my desire to attend secondary school. He asked for an admission form. I could not afford it.

A week later, he sent for me. He had already secured the form. The following day, he bought me a uniform and escorted me to Swani Secondary School. I joined four weeks to the end of term one.

In my first exams, I ranked first. That moment taught me something I would only understand years later: your destiny is never tied to people who leave your life; it is tied to those who stay.

In 2016, my mother left to seek better opportunities and started living in Kiandutu slums. Then on April 23rd, 2018, she passed away. I was in Form Four.

Grief does not announce itself gently. It arrives and sits heavily on your chest while life continues moving. Extended family distanced themselves. My siblings and I faced the reality of burial arrangements alone. The Kihiu Mwiri community stepped in and allowed us to bury my mother in their cemetery.

I became a parent of my younger siblings before I became an adult. Yet that year, I sat for my KCSE examination and scored a C+. It was not a headline grade, but it was enough. Enough for direct university entry. Enough to prove that pain does not cancel potential.

I joined the University of Embu to pursue a Bachelor of Education (Arts), specialising in Business Studies and Christian Religious Education. University life carried its own struggles, financial strain, responsibility toward my younger sibling, uncertainty about the future, but I held onto one principle: Always postpone giving up. Not cancel it. Postpone it. One more semester. One more assignment. One more exam. I volunteered in neighbouring schools to earn small stipends. I developed skills in teaching, communication, leadership, and mentorship.

On September 15^th, 2023, I graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). Looking back, I began to understand something profound: life is understood backwards, but it must be believed forward.

The quarry did not make sense then. It makes sense now.

Street experience did not make sense then; it makes sense now.
The hunger did not make sense then. It makes sense now.
The abandonment did not make sense then. It makes sense now.

After graduation, I chose not only to pursue employment but to build opportunity in entrepreneurship. At 25, I have founded Lebanon Technical Training College in Embu County, Kiritiri Town Alpha Plaza 2^nd Floor.

The Institution is accredited by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA/TRN/2799), authorising us to offer professional and corporate training programs in leadership, governance, project management, financial management, grant management, monitoring and evaluation (MEAL), corporate governance, executive assistant training, data protection compliance, public speaking, business communication, child protection, disability mainstreaming, and other continuous professional development courses.

We provide corporate training, executive programs, and continuous professional development for organisations, NGOs, SACCOs, faith-based institutions, and professionals seeking growth.

The same boy who once crushed stones now builds skills. If my journey has taught me anything, it is this:

Dare to dream big.
Your background is not a place of residence it is a place of reference.

Never ignore an idea, not all of them return.
Always trust in God.

Never lose hope.
And your future is rarely decided by your worst season.

I understand my life better now than I did while living it. But even today, I must continue believing forward. Lebanon Technical Training College now invites corporates and professionals to partner with us for in-house training and continuous professional development programs. We believe skills transform lives and are committed to train competent professionals.

My story is not about escaping poverty. It is about building purpose from pain. If a street child can become a CEO at 25, then the limits we fear may not be limits at all. The story is still being written.

In Kenya, the steel industry is a silent titan, contributing nearly 13% of the manufacturing GDP. But behind the heavy machinery and the heat of the furnaces are “The Steel Billionaires”—men who started in open-air markets like Gikomba and ended up shaping the East African economy.

Here is an inside look at the tycoons who own the “steel” of Kenya.

Narendra Raval: The “Guru” Who Doesn’t Use a Wallet

If there is a king of Kenyan steel, it is Narendra Raval. The founder of the Devki Group, Raval’s story is the ultimate “rags-to-riches” narrative.

The Origin: Born in India, Raval came to Kenya as a teenage assistant priest. After leaving the priesthood to marry, he found himself jobless and eventually started a small hardware store in Gikomba in 1986.

Today, Devki Steel Mills is the largest steel manufacturer in East Africa. Raval didn’t just stop at steel; he vertically integrated his business into cement (Simba Cement) and aviation.

Despite a net worth estimated at over $500 million (KSh 65 billion), Raval is famous for his ascetic lifestyle. He reportedly owns only one pair of shoes, doesn’t carry an ATM card, and has pledged to donate 50% of his wealth to charity.

The Bhagani Family: The Force Behind Apex Steel

While Raval is the most visible, the Bhagani family—specifically through Apex Steel—commands a massive share of the high-end construction market.

Established in 1970, Apex Steel has positioned itself as the “quality” leader. If you see a major infrastructural project—like the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) or the Nairobi Expressway—there is a high probability the steel came from Apex.

They were the first Kenyan company to receive a green certification for rebar production. In an industry often criticized for its carbon footprint, the Bhaganis have invested heavily in sustainable European technology to maintain their edge.

The Patel Family: The Abyssinia Group

The Abyssinia Group, led by Jitesh Patel and his family, is one of the oldest integrated steel producers in the region.

Unlike some competitors who focus solely on Kenya, the Patels have built a massive footprint in Ethiopia and Uganda.

They are unique because they control their supply chain. They aren’t just “rolling” imported steel; they have their own mining operations in Uganda to source raw materials, making them less vulnerable to the fluctuating prices of the global market.

​The Patel Family (Mukesh Patel): The Tuffsteel Supply Chain

​While others specialize in the furnace, Mukesh Patel’s Tuffsteel Limited has mastered the high-speed distribution and manufacturing of structural steel essential for Kenya’s vertical growth.

Tuffsteel is the vital link between the factory floor and the construction site. They specialize in high-strength Nyumba® TMT bars, beams, and hollow sections.

Recognizing that steel manufacturing is only as good as its delivery, Mukesh Patel invested in a massive specialized fleet to ensure their steel reaches Kenya’s mega-projects—from the UN Headquarters to Two Rivers Mall—just in time.

The Chandaria Family: The Safal Group Legacy

While Dr. Manu Chandaria is often associated with aluminum and philanthropic work, the Safal Group (which includes Mabati Rolling Mills – MRM) is a cornerstone of the steel roofing sector.

The Niche: They dominate the “mabati” market. While others focus on the rebar (bars) inside the walls, the Safal Group focuses on what goes on top.

Having started in Mombasa in 1962, they have expanded into 11 African countries. They remain the gold standard for roofing solutions, proving that the steel business is just as much about the roof over a Kenyan’s head as it is about the skyscrapers in Upper Hill.

​The Doshi Group (Doshi Family)

​The Doshi Group is one of Kenya’s oldest and most diversified industrial conglomerates. While they are famously private, their footprint in steel, hardware, and electrical components is massive.

Ashok Doshi is the chairman of Doshin Group.

​Their manufacturing arm, Doshi Steel, has been a market leader since the 1970s. Unlike others who focus purely on raw steel, Doshi dominates the supply chain for high-end construction materials, water piping systems, and electrical infrastructure.

Beyond steel, the family holds one of the most valuable private real estate portfolios in Kenya (including significant holdings in Mombasa and Nairobi) and has a major presence in the Indian renewable energy sector (Waaree Energies).

​Tononoka Group (The Savla Family)

​Tononoka is often the “quiet giant” of the industry. They started as a small hardware shop in the 1980s and evolved into one of the largest steel producers in the region.

​Dharmesh Savla is the Group CEO of Tononoka Group.

​They operate two massive divisions: Tononoka Steels Limited (specializing in pipes and sections) and Tononoka Rolling Mills (which processes scrap metal into reinforcement bars).

They were among the first in the region to pivot heavily toward the “circular economy,” recycling hundreds of thousands of tons of metal scrap annually, which drastically lowered their production costs and boosted their valuation.

Why the Steel Industry is “Billionaire Territory“

Building a steel mill isn’t like opening a supermarket. It requires “Patient Capital.”

A single modern rolling mill can cost upwards of $50 million to set up.

Steel manufacturing is power-intensive. Billionaires in this space must navigate Kenya’s high electricity costs, often investing in their own power sub-stations to stay profitable.

In addition to whownskenya.com coverage of business ownership and market insights in the betting industry in Kenya, this article analyzes emerging phenomena.

Rapid Expansion of Online Betting
Online betting in Kenya is fast becoming a reality. Mobile driven engagement has led to a significant market potential. Betting has become a norm for the adult population and over 70%. This is driven by the availability of affordable data and easy to use betting applications. This is a global trend driven by a passion for football and the economic situation of the country.

• Predictions for 2025 are record engagement, a 25% improvement year on year.

• Dominating betting sites age 18-35, they are inclined to betting due to a lack of employment.

• Tax collection on betting has largely improved primary infrastructure, however, the betting industry is heavily regulated.

Leading Betting Platforms in Kenya
Whownskenya.com sheds light on the stories of ownership talent of industry leaders, including SportPesa and Betin, and foreign investors across the study of the Kenyan coast. Local betting firms focus on employing Kenyans and offering betting products designed for the Kenyan market, which builds loyalty. The novelty of live betting serves to retain customer interest.

• SportPesa: Heralds the introduction of mega jack pots, it is currently a household betting brand.

• Betin: Offers a wide variety of sporting activities beyond football, including virtual sports.

• New entrants in the betting business are seeking to combine sports betting with casino betting for 24/7 betting opportunities.

Insights from Whownskenya
Whownskenya.com has uncovered ownership with the Philippine Dafabet founders, with coast investors of Betin being anonymous. In Whownskenya, Poor Transparency Enforcement of the BCLB thin line is the bet between regulation and the excess of it. Whownskenya discloses the previously inaccessible betting sector worth billions of shillings.

• Dabet integrated its services in Kenya in 2017, shortly after its establishment in 2004.

• Betin’s affiliate programs empower bloggers to monetize their traffic.

• Diverse ownership includes EPL sponsorships as trust builders.

The Betting Control and Licensing Board applies strict licensing to curb tax evasion. With current licensing renewals, the requirement to operate in-country is meant to shield users from the hazards of off-shore betting. Reasonable regulations will sustain industry growth while preventing problem gambling.

• Non-compliant operators suffer severely from the loss of their licenses.

• Responsible gambling measures are now required by law.

• Tax revenues are over Ksh 20 billion for the last fiscal year.

The Reason Behind Tax Evasion Crackdowns
Firms were forced to implement measures that created market stability after Dafabet was forced to cease operations due to tax evasion of billions of shillings. Bettors now enjoy a more secure environment.

• Starting in 2019, more tax evasion crackdowns began.

• Licensing renewals are now contingent upon compliance with the economic zone.

• These developments benefit honest businesses.

Technological Advancements in Sports Betting
Predictive analytics using artificial intelligence and the blockchain for secure payouts have revolutionized sports betting. Integration of Kenya’s M-Pesa pays the transaction within the required time. Virtual sports have the capability to fill off-season revenue shortfalls.

• Live in-game betting is now available with streaming.

• User data analytics driven by artificial intelligence will improve.

• Mobile design is now optimized for easier access.

The Growth of Virtual Betting in Kenya
Betin is the leading provider of virtually betting on football and horse racing, according to Whownskenya, and this sector is growing 40% annually.

• Matches replay every couple of minutes

• Odds change to keep things realistic

• Attracts casual players who want to win instantly

The Economic Effects of Sports Betting on Kenyan Society

Betting creates jobs in tech and marketing but raises concerns on addiction. Betting companies like OdiBets have community initiatives that focus on education. These initiatives balance the positive effects of sports betting with the associated social problems.

Betting companies:

– Employs thousands in retail and digital roles.

– Funds sports development via levies.
– Awareness campaigns reduce underage betting.

Job Creation within the Sports Betting Industry
Whownskenya.com mentions the growth of the region and the establishment of Kenyan-owned enterprises. There is a variety of roles available from customer service to odds compiling. This growth helps address the unemployment situation.

– More than 5,000 jobs created across the country.

– Youth are upskilled through training initiatives.

– Rural betting shops improve their market penetration.

Responsible Gambling Tools
Betting companies have started to offer players the option to voluntarily exclude themselves and set limits. These companies have partnered with NGOs to provide counseling hotlines. There are educational initiatives that focus on betting for fun and not as a way to make money.

Customers are able to:

– Set spending limits to avoid losing too much.

– Receive notifications during their gaming session to remind them to take a break.

– Read testimonials that describe how people turned their lives around.

Addiction Prevention Techniques
According to industry reports, companies track player behavior patterns. Whownskenya.com describes the owner of the company as an ethical person. This approach illustrates how important life-saving initiatives are.

– Companies using unethical behavioral targeting are offering free counseling via their unsourced hotline.

– School programs deter youth entry.Forecasts for 2026

As Kenyans excel in global leagues, the betting on esports market will continue to grow. The regulation on the integration of crypto into the industry will continue to test and develop. The industry will release bets on esports and create crypto currencies centered around the monetization of esports to create a more sustainable, eco-friendly ‘green’ sport for the world. The focus will be integrated as the world becomes more digital in connection and the focus will be placed further on esports and the world of esports will continue to grow and expand rapidly.

The Rapid Growth of Betting on Esports
The rapid and mobile betting on esports continues to grow.

Streaming
The The marketing of betting streaming will continue to expand, as will the graphics.
The Impact of EPL
The English Premiere League betting on esports continues to expand.

Fighting Illegal Wagering
Recently reported BCLB raids have intensified. Collaborations with telecommunication companies result in the blocking of illegal betting websites. Informed bettors use licensed betting companies.

• Betting companies face fines as a means of discouraging defiance.

• Hotlines for the public to report illegal betting companies are in operation.• Legitimacy of licensed betting companies is ascertained through technology.

This detailed report about betting in Kenya is an indication of the challenges betting companies have to deal with. Using data from whownskenya.com to obtain betting companies’ ownership information is an indication of the betting companies’ commitment to innovation and responsible betting.

Foremost, 2025 KCSE performance paints a grim picture. Ugh! Out of the 993,226 students that sat for KCSE, only 270,000 scored C+ (plus) and above: to guarantee them direct matriculation into universities for pursuit of degree courses. Of course it’s small 27.2% of the total number of candidates.

Meaning, the remaining whopping percentage of students missed highly-coveted university slots. Through it all, the good news is that there is hope for every grade scored in KCSE. The best book in Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a plan for all of us. Plan to prosper us, and not to harm us. Plans to give us a future and hope. Then, KUCCPS has a programme for all the KCSE mean grades: Ranging from A to E.

About university qualifications, Form 4 candidates that scooped mean grade of C+ (plus) of 46 points and above, can pursue degree programmes of choice. But must meet cluster requirements: Set of 4 KCSE subjects candidates must have sat for to qualify for degree programmes.

For instance, cluster subjects for a Health Science such as Medicine and Surgery include: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and English or Kiswahili. Ideally, being that the KCSE mean grade for entry into degree courses is a C+ (plus); it implies that for eligibility purposes, the student should score C+ (plus) and above in every cluster subject.

In instances where Mathematics or Physics, English or Kiswahili can substitute each other; then, the subject that registered highest score contributes to cluster requirements. But that does not mean that the score in Mathematics or English should be less than a C+ (plus). We should always know that Mathematics and English are part of the core-career subjects – influencing qualifications in umpteen ways.

After degree programmes, we shift to Diploma (Level 6), Craft Certificate (Level 5) and Artisan Certificate (Level 4). Qualifications for most Diploma (Level 6) programme is a mean grade of C- (minus) in KCSE, with an exception of Diploma in Nursing in KMTCs calling for mean grade of C (plain). With at least a C- (minus) in Mathematics and D+ (plus) in Biology.

Those opting for Craft Certificate (Level 5) require a mean grade of D (plain) in KCSE and above. As those who score mean grades of E in KCSE are eligible for Artisan Certificate (Level 4). Most of the Diploma and Certificate programmes are available in TVET-recognised institutions such as TVCs, TTIs), ISTs, et cetera. Most Diploma programmes take 2 to 3 years of study. Whereas Craft and Artisan Certificate courses span for 1 to 2 years of study. In addition, students in TVETs are eligible for government grant and support.

Furthermore, looking at mean grades students scoop in KCSE, the veracity of the matter is, it’s misguided for students to write-off themselves because of grades garnered. For there is more into life beyond the game of grades. In that regard, after scoring a particular mean grade, the most important thing is what students do with the grades. No wonder, every student should read Robert Kiyosaki’s magnum opus titled Why A Students Work for C Students and B Students Work for the Government. The main message in that treasure-trove is, average or C Students who are positive and creative, are the ones who carry the torch of capitalism.

Then, life is like a storeyed house with several floors. To ascend to the epic peak, you have two options: Either use a lift or a staircase. In case life gives you the gift of a lift, ascension will be a walk over. Unfortunately, in case life avails the gift of a staircase, the climb to the top will be a long haul: tedious and tiresome. But, the most important thing is aiming higher irrespective of painful and pensive points. Our sagacious elders in Yala where I was born and brought up, used to say; when life gives you lemon, you don’t ask for orange. Instead, you make lemonade.

Meaning, you don’t cry, but try.
So, every Form Four leaver must see rays of bright light and beautiful beacons of hope that prop up people to the tip of the top. It’s seeing and seizing possible opportunities based on grades scored in KCSE. Students who score B (plain) to A (plain) have very vast array of choices. They’re spoilt for choice when deciding on courses to wrestle with. They can also access oodles of merit-based scholarship opportunities in Kenya and beyond.

Consequently, students who scored mean grades C+ (plus) and above; can join and learn in universities. Students that score average mean grades of Cs have chances to pursue Diplomas. Then, students that scored Ds and below can pursue Craft and Artisan certificate courses. Therefore, there is no giving up. God can repair their despair. I mean, of students whose KCSE outcome was bad, making them sad.

Finally, it’s important to note. That those who access success in life don’t just rely on speed, smartness, stamina, strength, radiance or brilliance. Additionally, resilience is a real deal. God avails to all of us time and chance. So, Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 9:11, “The race isn’t to the swift, or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise, or wealth to the brilliant, or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.

Victor Ochieng’ is a Career Educator. He guides students on making informed career choices. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232

Initially, there was the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) Funding Model for students. Then, Variable Scholarship and Loan (VSL) Funding Model came into existence, where varsity funding is anchored on scholarships, HELB and household contribution. Ideally, there are 8 types of loans offered by HELB.

Undergraduate Loans

It is also known as first-time applicant or subsequent applicant. Offered to Kenyan students joining university and college directly from high school; and have secured placement under KUCCPS. The loan targets degree and diploma students in public and private universities, KMTCs and TVETs. The funding captures tuition and upkeep; depending on the level of need. Repayment starts one year after graduation.

TVET Loans

It is given to students in TVET colleges, approved by the Ministry of Education. The minimum requirement is a mean grade of D (plain) and above in KCSE. The loan covers tuition and partial upkeep.

Post-graduate Loans

It is given to Kenyan students pursuing Masters or PhD, studying locally or abroad. The loan targets students who are done with undergraduate studies. The student must depict proof of admission and academic performance. The loan caters only for tuition, and no upkeep is provided. Repayment begins immediately after disbursement since the borrower is already an adult graduate.

Jielimishe Loans

This is for self-sponsored students. It is given to Kenyan students in self-sponsored programmes in Parallel (Module 2), evening and online classes. It includes undergraduate, masters and diploma programmes. It targets students who are working or not under KUCCPS placement. As part of requirement, there should be proof of income – payslips and guarantors. Repayment begins immediately after disbursement because it is treated as a credit facility.

Afya Elimu Fund

It is given to students studying in medical-related fields; especially in KMTCs, nursing schools or medical training. It partners with USAID and World Bank. The loan targets low-income students; training for health-care roles. It covers tuition and partial upkeep.

TVETA Loans and Bursary

It targets students in public TVET institutions like polytechnics. It combines a loan plus bursary, where some portion is free money. It is available for students who scooped D- (minus) and above in KCSE.

Bursaries

Bursaries are given to orphans, very needy or students from marginalised areas. It does not need repayment. Applicants must provide supporting documents such as death certificate and chief’s letter.

Scholarship Programmes

HELB partners with various organisations like Aga Khan Foundation and KCB Foundation; to offer full or partial scholarships to needy students. The application is separate from regular loan.

The writer rolls out career talks. vochieng.90@90@gmail.com. 0704420232

The second institution for the girl child is named after Sister Irene Stefani Nyaatha (Mother of Mercy). The two fountains of knowledge my pen has pointed out, act as the oasis in the desert in that arid and semi-arid land (ASAL). They provide hope and help. They provide education and exposure. They prop up sons and daughters of Maa.

Actually, you can visit this great county, Samburu, using two alternative routes. One, is through Nyahururu-Rumuruti-Maralal. You can also access Maralal through Isiolo-Archer’s Post-Wamba. Maralal is a special tiny town because it hosts a historic house perched on the epic peak of a small hill. Being part of culture and tradition, the house hums with fond memories.

It is called “Kenyatta House” because it is where Jomo Kenyatta, our founding father was holed up at the sunrise of 1960s. The house is now a state-owned property classified under the Kenya National Museum. As a peripatetic speaker, I once had a jaunt to that gentry joint. No wonder, you can now pore over this traveling tale.

That put aside, my sporadic visits to the two aforesaid schools, made me think a lot about the making of great schools. In my vast experience with several schools across the country, fascinating factors ruled my mortal mind.

Above all, this one sticks out: “Great schools anchor on firm foundations of culture and tradition.” Culture, as our proponents of history put it, is the way of life. Tradition on the other hand focuses on transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation. In a heroic book titled Good to Great, Jim Collins discusses why some companies make the leap, and others don’t.

The putative author contends, great companies, as well as organisations and institutions anchor on heroic culture. It is the culture of discipline, cascading down to: Disciplined people, disciplined thought and disciplined action.

Then, culture and tradition is what the legendary Headmaster – the late Edward Carrey Francis focused on at Maseno School – and later at Alliance High School; started in 1906 and 1926 respectively.

That, of course, makes the two boys’ schools to stand out as greatest of all time (GOAT). Alumni of Alliance such as the writer the late Philip Ochieng, son of Otani; had sweet and pleasant tales about their alma mater. Edward Carrey Francis instilled diligence and discipline in his disciples.

Ideally, he was keen to leave indelible marks on their impressionable minds. Edward Carrey Francis had confidence in his learners; he hardly allowed them to drop out of school. For instance, while in Form 3, the late Philip Ochieng became a delinquent adolescent.

He sneaked out of school, boarded a train in Kikuyu Town, and travelled back to Nyanza. In the biography titled The 5th Columnist: A Legendary Journalist, Liz Gitonga-Wanjohi writes that Edward Carrey Francis drove all the way to Awendo in Migori to scout for his student.

We are also told, every Friday, Edward Carrey Francis delivered pep talks to infuse lives of learners with hope and help. Topics for such incisive sessions were wide and broad – touching on morality, Christianity and acceptable code of conduct.

By the same token, it is the same thing Dr. Geoffrey William Griffins focused on at Starehe Boys Centre, a premier school for the boy child started in 1959. The late Prof George Albert Omore Magoha, an alumnus of Starehe Boys Centre, writes in his autobiography titled Tower of Transformational Leadership, in his heydays,

Dr. Griffins was keen to inculcate in boys a culture of hard work and exemplary service. No wonder, the alumni of this school stand out in the market place, as well as in the dynamic world of work. Before Dr. Geoffrey William Griffin went to meet his Maker, he is remembered to have uttered these wise words, “My dear sons, I have had a fruitful and happy life, and I have learnt one great lesson that I would like to share with you. I hope that Starehe will always teach this lesson – for as long as it does so, it will remain a great school.

This world is full of people who do their duty half-heartedly, grudgingly and poorly. Don’t be like them. Whatever is your duty, do it as fully and perfectly as you can. And when you have finished your duty, go on to spare some time and talent in service for less fortunate people, not for any reward at all, but because it is the right thing to do. Follow my advice in this and I promise you that your lives will be happy and successful. May God bless you all.”

Therefore, serious Heads of Institutions (HoIs) think deeply; and settle on wonderful ways of preserving unique aspects of culture and tradition set by the founders of schools.

In case that is not done, then the school easily becomes an ashen shadow of its former self. Things begin going south due to leadership lapse, culture of corruption and lure of lucre. Or mediocrity – acceptance to be on top of the bottom, at the bottom of the top, being first among the last and being the best among the worst.

Without citing classic cases, we have seen some head honchos running down great schools that were once anchored on heroic culture and tradition. It is an open secret. We all know the causes of cultural erosion.

Conversely, for Father Peter Musau of Maralal, the case is totally different. He is a priest who is keen to build an admirable culture and tradition for the two schools he is steering towards the shores of success.

I ascertained that he strives to establish a unique culture for the schools by focusing on riveting rites, rituals and routines. Being Christian schools, a lot of premium is put on spiritual practices like prayer; the best expression of piety. Then, on regular basis, he is keen to explain the meaning of school core-values to both staff and students.

In great schools such as Nova Pioneer, core-values are known as culture principles. They have six of them. Just as Jim Collins advises us to do in his heroic book titled Built to Last, a knowledge hub whose nub is: successful habits of visionary companies.

Again, when you read the special administrative documents of the two schools like the school Strategic Plans, you will meet what he calls: The Pillars of Human Formation: Intellectual formation, human formation, physical formation and psycho-spiritual formation.

This is in tandem with what proponents of Sociology of Education call “Education – A Multi-Dimensional Concept.” Great education does not just focus on formal, informal and formal forms, but also delves deeper into different domains of learning such as the affective, normative, cognitive, dialogical and sociological in their entirety and totality.

This is in order, because students should be informed, formed and transformed. The acquisition of insightful information leads to formation, which triggers transformation – formation while in transit.

As they climb class ladders, there should be some sort of useful change injected in them, which can only be realised if schools become true centres of learning, which is change of behaviour and attitude. Every corner of this country, should have great schools that anchor on firm foundations of culture and tradition. With such trends, we shall convince the conscience of learners that indeed, places do not make people, but people make places.

Travelogue: Chronicles of a peripatetic speaker. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232