Dan Kauna

Veteran journalist Linus Kaikai was <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/articles/entertainment/celebrities/landmark-cases-that-inspired-rms-director-linus-kaikai-to-study-law-2025112109151954296">admitted to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court </a>of Kenya on November 20, 2025.

For the Royal Media Services Group Editorial Director, this achievement is not merely an addition to his academic portfolio but the fulfilment of an ambition ignited during the golden age of Kenyan litigation.

Kaikai cites two high-stakes legal battles from his youth as the primary catalysts for his pursuit of law: the S.M. Otieno burial dispute and the Ouko Commission of Inquiry.

<h3>The clash of customs: Wambui Otieno vs. Umira Kager</h3>

The first case that captivated Kaikai was the saga surrounding the burial of criminal lawyer Silvano Melea (S.M.) Otieno.

The Late Silvano Melea (S.M.) Otieno, the primary subject of the Wambui Otieno v. Umira Kager landmark case, sparked after his death

Following Otieno’s death in December 1986, a fierce legal battle ensued between his widow, Wambui Otieno, and his younger brother, Joash Ochieng’ Ougo, representing the Umira Kager clan, of which S.M was a member.

The dispute dominated national headlines for months, pitting statutory law against African customary law.

Kaikai observed the intellectual combat between two legal titans: John Khaminwa, representing the widow, and Richard Otieno Kwach, representing the clan.

The case moved from the High Court to the Court of Appeal, creating a theatre of legal philosophy that gripped the nation.

For a young Kaikai, the fascination lay in the power of legal argument.

He watched as Kwach eloquently argued for the primacy of Luo customs regarding burial rites, while Khaminwa countered with the Common Law principle that the widow should have the right to bury her husband at their matrimonial home in Ngong.

The Court of Appeal eventually ruled in favour of the clan in May 1987, allowing S.M. Otieno to be buried in Nyalgunga, Siaya.

The intricacy of the arguments and the sheer command of law displayed by the counsel left an indelible mark on Kaikai.

<h3>The search for truth: The Ouko Commission of Inquiry</h3>

If the S.M. Otieno case showcased the intellectual allure of the law, the Ouko Commission of Inquiry demonstrated its power to challenge authority.

Established in October 1990 following the murder of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Robert Ouko, the commission became a rare platform for truth-seeking in a repressive political era.

1991: Justice Evans Gicheru, Chairman of the Ouko Murder Commission of Inquiry, examines the spot on the foot of Got Alila hill in Kisumu where remains of former Foreign Affairs Minister Robert Ouko were found

Kaikai was drawn to the courage displayed by the lawyers involved, particularly George Oraro, who represented the Ouko family.

In a time when challenging the state was perilous, the commission saw lawyers fearlessly cross-examining powerful government figures and security chiefs.

Presiding Judges at the 1991 Ouko Commission of Inquiry (left to right): Justice Richard Kwach, Justice Evans Gicheru and Justice Akilano Akiwumi. Justice Evans Gicheru later went on to become Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya.

The proceedings revealed the capacity of the legal profession to demand accountability and dissect complex factual matrices to expose inconsistencies.

The Gicheru Commission, as it was known, highlighted the lawyer’s role not just as a litigator but as a guardian of public interest.

This alignment of law with the pursuit of truth resonated with Kaikai, drawing parallels with the core mission of journalism.

These two landmark events convinced Kaikai that law was a critical instrument for social engineering and justice.

Linus Kaikai dons the advocate's gown and wig after admission to the Bar as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya

While his career path first led him to the top echelons of Kenyan media, the seed planted by the courtroom dramas of 1987 and 1990 remained.

His admission to the Roll of Advocates cements a journey that began with observing history in the making.

Linus Kaikai now joins the legal fraternity, bringing with him the investigative rigour of a journalist and the inspiration of the legal giants who first drew him to the profession.

RMS Editorial Director Linus Kaikai, dressed in an advocate's gown and wig shortly after his admission to the Bar on November 2, 2025

Veteran journalist credits childhood fascination with high-stakes litigation and courageous counsel for fueling his recent admission to High Court.

2 cases that sparked Linus Kaikai's interest in studying law

For many Kenyan smartphone users, a device's true value is measured not in weeks, but in years.

Beyond the initial specifications, the critical concerns are long-term battery health and physical resilience against daily wear.

The <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/articles/business/domestic/capture-your-best-travel-moments-vivo-v60-lite-now-available-2025111109010433522">vivo V60 Lite is engineered specifically to address these demands </a>through a combination of intelligent software and structural fortifications.

<h3>vivo V60 Lite redefines smart charging</h3>

The device’s power system is managed by software designed to preserve the battery's lifespan, a key feature being Bypass Charging.

When activated during intensive tasks like gaming, this mode allows the power adapter to supply electricity directly to the phone's hardware, bypassing the battery.

This significantly reduces heat buildup, a primary factor in battery degradation, thereby protecting its long-term health while maintaining performance.

For overnight charging, Sleep Standby Optimisation identifies the user's sleep patterns.

It then freezes non-essential idle applications and limits network activity, reducing power drain and unnecessary charging cycles.

READ: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/articles/business/domestic/smartphone-that-finally-solves-2-big-headaches-set-for-launch-in-kenya-2025110513310243097">Smartphone that finally solves 2 big headaches set for launch in Kenya</a>

Safety during the rapid charging process is managed by a 24-Dimension Security Protection system.

This integrated hardware and software solution monitors voltage, current, and temperature to prevent overheating or short-circuiting.

In critical situations, the software provides a final safeguard.

The Battery Life Extender feature is an emergency function that activates when the battery is nearly depleted, ensuring just enough power remains available for several minutes of essential or emergency calls.

The V60 Lite's endurance extends to its physical construction. The device has earned an SGS Five-Star Drop Resistance certification, a third-party validation of its resilience.

This certification signifies a verified, high level of protection against the most common type of smartphone damage.

It is engineered to have a much higher survival rate from everyday falls compared to a device without this rating, reducing the likelihood of a cracked screen or internal component damage.

This is achieved through an internal Comprehensive Cushioning Structure that absorbs and disperses impact forces, protecting critical components from falls.

The display itself is protected by reinforced shield glass. This focus on durability is also validated by MIL-STD-810H testing.

<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/articles/business/domestic/v60-lite-promises-travel-ready-photography-and-power-early-look-2025110305535336131">vivo V60 Lite has passed a series of rigorous tests</a> designed to simulate harsh environmental conditions, including drops and shocks.

The build is designed to withstand 180 seconds of direct water jet exposure and simulated rain resistance for 12 hours.

This multi-layered approach to both battery management and physical construction ensures the V60 Lite is built not just for performance, but for long-term reliability.

#FeatureByvivoMobile

#FeatureByvivoMobile

Tech improvement that protects your phone battery, even if you use while charging

The Rastafari Society of Kenya appeared before the High Court today, November 19, 2025, to renew their battle for the legalisation of marijuana.

In a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, the Society argues that the current prohibition violates their freedom of worship and right to privacy.

They contend that for the Rastafari faith, cannabis, referred to as a 'sacrament' in their petition, is not a narcotic for recreational abuse, but a tool for spiritual connection.

Kenyan law classifies the plant alongside hard drugs, treating possession as a criminal offence, carrying a fine of not less than Sh20 million or a prison term of at least 15 years.&nbsp;

However, across the globe, several governments have moved beyond debate to enact full legalisation, replacing criminal penalties with regulated systems for adult use.

These are the countries that have successfully legalised marijuana.

Uruguay became the first country in the world to fully legalise the recreational use, sale, and cultivation of marijuana on a national level.

The government passed the legislation on December 10, 2013, aiming to wrest the market from illegal cartels.

Under this system, citizens and permanent residents aged 18 and older must register with the government to access cannabis through one of three mutually exclusive methods.

A picture displaying various marijuana products with the Uruguay flag in the background

First, individuals can purchase up to 40 grams per month from licensed pharmacies. The price was originally set by the government at approximately $1 (Sh129) per gram to undercut the black market.

Second, individuals may join a cannabis club, which can have up to 45 members and cultivate up to 99 plants annually.

Third, registered households are permitted to grow up to six plants for personal consumption, with a harvest cap of 480 grams per year.

Public consumption is generally treated similarly to tobacco smoking.

Canada became the first G7 nation to legalise cannabis federally with the enactment of the Cannabis Act on October 17, 2018.

The legislation allows adults aged 18 or 19 (depending on the province) to purchase, possess, and cultivate cannabis.

Adults are legally permitted to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis in public.

The law allows households to grow up to four plants for personal use, although some provinces like Quebec and Manitoba have enforced stricter bans on home cultivation.

Sales are conducted through a mix of government-run retail stores and licensed private dispensaries.

The industry is strictly regulated by Health Canada, with stringent requirements for packaging and labelling to deter youth access.

Since legalisation, the illegal market share has significantly declined, and the sector has contributed billions to the national economy.

South Africa stands as the primary African nation to codify the legalisation of cannabis for private use.

The Constitutional Court ruled in 2018 that banning private consumption was unconstitutional.

This ruling was formally solidified when President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act into law on May 28, 2024.

This legislation permits adults to cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis in private settings.

It establishes limits for personal possession, allowing up to 600 grams of dried cannabis per person or 1,200 grams per household with two or more adults.

However, the law strictly prohibits the buying and selling of cannabis.

Consequently, while a Kenyan visiting South Africa could legally be gifted cannabis for private use, purchasing it remains a criminal offence.

Public consumption is also illegal.

Germany enacted the Cannabis Act on April 1, 2024, representing a significant shift in European drug policy.

The law legalises possession and home cultivation for adults aged 18 and over but stops short of establishing a full commercial market like Canada or Uruguay.

Germany's Cannabis Act legalizes possession by adults of up to 25 grams (nearly 1 ounce) of marijuana and allows individuals to grow up to three plants on their own

Adults in Germany can legally possess up to 25 grams of cannabis in public spaces and up to 50 grams in their private residences.

Home cultivation is limited to three live plants per household.

Rather than commercial shops, the government introduced ‘Cannabis Social Clubs’.

German 'Cannabis Social Clubs' grow and distribute marijuana to their members

These non-profit associations, capped at 500 members, can collectively grow and distribute cannabis to their members for a fee.

Public consumption is banned near schools, playgrounds, and sports facilities.

Malta became the first member of the European Union to legalise recreational cannabis on December 14, 2021.

The legislation focuses on harm reduction and curbing the illegal market without creating a commercial industry.

Malta legalised recreational cannabis for personal use, allowing formation of cannabis clubs, monitored by the Authority for Responsible Use of Cannabis

Adults aged 18 and over can legally carry up to seven grams of cannabis in public.

Possession of between seven and 28 grams is not a criminal offence but is subject to an administrative penalty of up to €100 (Sh13,600).

Households are permitted to grow up to four plants, provided they are not visible to the public, and store up to 50 grams of dried product.

Distribution occurs through non-profit organisations approved by the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis, rather than retail outlets.

Smoking in public remains illegal and carries a fine of €235 (Sh32,000).

Luxembourg legalised the private cultivation and consumption of cannabis on July 21, 2023.

The government adopted a cautious approach, permitting adults to grow up to four plants per household, regardless of the number of residents.

Luxembourg legalised the private cultivation and consumption of cannabis on July 21, 2023

The cultivation must take place at the individual's place of residence, and the plants must not be visible from the public street.

While consumption at home is legal, possessing, transporting, or purchasing cannabis in public remains prohibited.

However, the law decriminalised public possession of small amounts; carrying under three grams now attracts a reduced fine of €145 (Sh19,700), replacing previous criminal proceedings.

The state has indicated plans to introduce a regulated sales and distribution chain in the future, but currently, no legal mechanism exists for purchasing the drug.

Countries that have fully legalised marijuana use - and the systems that govern them

Rastafari Society of Kenya returned to High Court today to challenge constitutionality of marijuana prohibition, arguing current laws violate religious freedom. While Kenya enforces fines of Sh20 million for possession under 2022 amendment, nations like Uruguay, Canada and Germany have established regulatory frameworks for its use.

The apparel and footwear industries are undergoing a transformation.

The newest materials are not passive, but reactive.

These textiles and components sense changes in the environment or the wearer’s body, instantly adjusting their function for better comfort, performance, or safety.

These fabrics, known as smart or active textiles, bring dynamic technology directly to everyday clothing and athletic gear.

<h3>Clothes that turn liquid in heat, and solid when cold</h3>

The main job of this reactive clothing is managing heat - keeping the wearer's temperature steady.

This is done using Phase Change Materials (PCMs), tiny capsules often holding organic waxes, woven into the fabric, which control the temperature between your skin and the fabric.

Phase Change Materials, tiny capsules woven into the fabric, turn liquid during high temperatures and solid during cool temperatures to regulate the wearer's bocy temperature

When your body heat rises during activity, the material changes from a solid to a liquid, soaking up the extra heat.

This keeps your temperature stable, stopping overheating.

When your body cools down (like during a rest or in the cold), the material turns back to a solid, releasing the stored heat to warm you up.

This constant solid-to-liquid shift acts as a heat buffer, actively managing sweat and removing the feeling of getting too hot or too cold.

<h2>Shoes that push the wearer forward</h2>

Reactive materials in performance shoes give dynamic support by controlling impact.

Reactive textiles in shoes help the wearer move faster

This function is achieved through specialised foam in the midsole which acts like a spring to absorb ground force and push the wearer forward.

Traditional shoe foam absorbs impact, but newer reactive foams are designed to compress and snap back quickly.

When your foot hits the ground, the foam squashes down.

Instead of wasting that kinetic energy as heat, the reactive material stores a high amount and releases it when your foot pushes off.

<ul><li>Reduces fatigue: Less energy is wasted, meaning muscles work less to maintain pace.</li><li>Improves efficiency: It helps support faster, longer running and walking.</li><li>Enhances cushioning: The material manages heavy ground forces better than traditional shoe materials.</li></ul>

Chromo-reactive materials change colour when exposed to UV light (photochromic) or heat (thermochromic).

This allows instant, real-time customisation, letting a single garment shift its look based on ambient temperature or exposure to the sun.

Chromo-reactive materials change colour when exposed to heat, making them great workout companions

Designers use this technology to create interactive clothing, serving as a medium for spontaneous personal expression and offering something new beyond traditional static colour.

Furthermore, Electro-conductive fibres are integrated into garments, turning clothing into wearable electronics.

These fibres, often silver or carbon, transmit signals to monitor vital signs such as heart rate, muscle activity, and breathing.

In fashion, this integration is increasingly seamless, allowing users to wear high-tech monitoring devices that look and feel like normal athletic gear.

Self-healing materials also shape the future of sustainable fashion.

These polymers are currently under development to automatically close small tears or punctures when triggered by water or friction.

For the consumer, this promises significantly longer garment life and reduced textile waste, pushing the industry towards more durable, long-term investments rather than disposable items.

Are reactive textiles the future of fashion?

Smart materials are transforming how clothes and shoes function. Shoes that change colour when the sun is out, clothes that keep you cool by turning liquid and shoes that push you forward are among the few wonders discovered in the world of reactive textiles.

Clothing that thinks: Are reactive textiles the future of fashion?

Nairobi County Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, known for his catchphrase 'Katibu Mkuu wa Mazingira, eneo gatuzi la Nairobi,' has been reassigned from the Environment docket to the Department of Citizen Engagement and Customer Service.

The shift is part of a broader administrative reorganisation affecting ten Chief Officers, effective immediately, announced by Governor Johnson Sakaja.

The change, formalised in a circular dated November 18, 2025, is executed under Section 45(5) of the County Government Act, 2012, which legally empowers the Governor to re-assign Chief Officers.

<h3>Mosiria’s tenure at Environment</h3>

Mr Mosiria was previously the Chief Officer for the Environment, Green Nairobi Sector.

Former Nairobi Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria

His tenure was characterised by a notably proactive and visible approach to urban management.

He gained public attention for his hands-on engagement in enforcement activities, including:

<ul><li>Sanitation and Waste Management: Leading clean-up efforts and cracking down on illegal dumping.</li><li>Noise Pollution: Conducting high-profile raids and operations against entertainment venues and places of worship violating noise by-laws.</li><li>By-law Enforcement: Vigorously enforcing regulations against unauthorised activities, such as the recent warning against keeping livestock in residential estates.</li></ul>

Mr Mosiria has been replaced in the Environment docket by Ibrahim Otieno, who previously served as the Chief Officer for Medical Facilities.

This marks the second reassignment for Mr Mosiria, who previously headed the Health Facilities docket before his transfer to Environment.

The new role places Mr Mosiria at the heart of the County's commitment to improving its interaction and accountability with Nairobi residents.

The Department of Citizen Engagement and Customer Service is tasked with being the primary bridge between the public and the county government.

Former Nairobi County's Environment Chief Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria

<ul><li>Customer Service Standards: Establishing and enforcing clear service delivery standards across all county services.</li><li>Grievance Redress: Streamlining mechanisms for citizens to submit complaints and ensuring timely, effective resolution by relevant departments.</li><li>Public Participation: Enhancing the involvement of residents in the county’s planning, budgeting, and policy-making processes, as mandated by devolution laws.</li></ul>

The reassignment aligns with the Governor’s simultaneous announcement on the creation of six new administrative Boroughs—Western, Northern, Southern, Eastern, South Eastern, and Central.

Governor Sakaja cited the changes as a necessary action to optimise talent and enhance operational efficiency across the county executive structure.

The reshuffle by Governor Sakaja involved nine other Chief Officers, beyond Geoffrey Mosiria's move.

<ol><li>Godfrey Akumali, who had been serving as the Acting County Secretary, was transferred from the Business and Hustler Opportunities docket to Housing and Urban Renewal.</li><li>Lydia Mathia moved from Housing and Urban Renewal to head the Business and Hustler Opportunity docket, effectively trading places with Akumali.</li><li>Hibrahim Otieno vacated the Medical Facilities docket to replace Mosiria in Environment.</li><li>Sande Oyolo left Digital Economy and Start-ups to take charge of Medical Facilities.</li><li>Wilson Gakuya was moved from Smart Nairobi to head Digital Economy and Start-ups.</li><li>Clement Rapudo (popularly known as Clemo) exited the City Culture, Arts, and Tourism docket to lead Smart Nairobi.</li><li>Zipporah Mwangi replaced Rapudo in the City Culture, Arts, and Tourism docket.</li><li>Dr. Machel Waikenda retained his Mobility docket but was given the additional portfolio of ICT Infrastructure in an acting capacity.</li><li>Tony Michael Kimani's docket of Social Services was renamed and had its mandate expanded to Social Services and Estate Management.</li></ol>

Nairobi County's Former Environment Chief Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria

Nairobi County Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, known for his hands-on approach to environmental enforcement, has been reassigned to the Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Department. The move is part of a wider cabinet reshuffle by Governor Johnson Sakaja, affecting ten Chief Officers.

Nairobi County reorganisation: Geoffrey Mosiria moved from Environment to new docket

If you struggled to access major websites or local e-commerce platforms today, it was not your data bundles or your fibre connection.

A critical piece of the global internet infrastructure, Cloudflare, experienced a major outage, rendering thousands of websites worldwide (including key Kenyan services) inaccessible.

When Cloudflare goes offline, it does not simply stop working in isolation; it pulls a vast portion of the internet down with it.

To understand why a single company’s failure triggers a '502 Bad Gateway' error on your screen, one must understand the architecture of the modern web.

Cloudflare is often described as the 'plumbing' of the internet, but a more accurate analogy is a digital bouncer and traffic controller.

Technically, it acts as a Content Delivery Network (CDN) and a Reverse Proxy.

<ul><li>As a CDN: It stores copies of websites on servers in over 300 cities globally, including Nairobi and Mombasa. When you open a site like Jumia or a news outlet, you are usually loading it from a local Cloudflare server, not the website's main computer in Europe or the US. This makes the web faster for Kenyan users.</li><li>As a Security Shield: It sits between a website and the open internet. It filters traffic, blocking hackers and "Distributed Denial of Service" (DDoS) attacks before they reach the website’s origin server.</li></ul>

Because of this utility, millions of websites route their traffic through Cloudflare’s network.

Cloudflare handles approximately 20% of all web traffic.

The error message most users saw today, 502 Bad Gateway, is the key to understanding the failure.

In a normal scenario, your request goes from your phone to Cloudflare, and Cloudflare forwards it to the website.

When Cloudflare fails, that bridge collapses, rendering everything on one side invisible to the other.

The message displayed during Cloudflare's outage

Since websites hide their true 'original' IP addresses behind Cloudflare for security, your browser has no other way to reach them.

There is no alternative route linking the browser to the website.

Your browser attempts to connect, but the Cloudflare server is unresponsive or disconnected from the origin.

The 'Gateway' (Cloudflare) cannot get a response from the 'Upstream' (the website), resulting in the 502 error.

This is the paradox of the modern internet: Centralising services improves speed and security, but it creates a Single Point of Failure.

When the central node breaks, every client relying on it disappears from the web simultaneously.

<h3>Cloudflare Speaks: The Official Cause</h3>

Cloudflare officially acknowledged the widespread failure and provided an explanation for the downtime.

Cloudflare CTO Dane Knecht apologized for a major outage, admitting they "failed customers." A hidden software bug caused the disruption, which is being addressed to prevent future incidents.

The company confirmed a significant outage that began in the afternoon and was fully resolved by approximately 5:30 PM EAT.

Cloudflare also clarified that the failure was not the result of a cyberattack.

The root cause was identified as a latent software bug within a service that manages bot mitigation.

A routine configuration deployment inadvertently triggered a crash in this system.

Dane Knecht, the Chief Technology Officer, publicly issued an apology, noting that the company 'failed our customers and the broader Internet.'

The disruption is not limited to global giants like X, Facebook or Spotify.

Cloudflare’s infrastructure is deeply embedded in Kenya’s digital economy.

<ul><li>E-commerce: Major platforms use Cloudflare to ensure fast loading times for shoppers during high-traffic events like Black Friday. An outage effectively closes the shop floor.</li><li>Government and Infrastructure: Several critical public utility portals and parastatal websites utilise Cloudflare for DDoS protection.</li><li>Banking and Fintech: While transaction cores often have dedicated lines, the web interfaces and apps users interact with rely on CDNs for static content delivery.</li></ul>

Restoring service after such an event is complex.

Engineers must reroute global traffic, flush corrupted data from caches, and ensure that bringing the system back online does not overwhelm the network with a backlog of requests.

For the average Kenyan user, there is no troubleshooting step to fix this.

Dan Kauna

Articles written by the author

2 cases that sparked Linus Kaikai's interest in studying law

Tech improvement that protects your phone battery, even if you use while charging

Countries that have fully legalised marijuana use - and the systems that govern them

Clothing that thinks: Are reactive textiles the future of fashion?

Nairobi County reorganisation: Geoffrey Mosiria moved from Environment to new docket

Why Cloudflare, the internet's 'digital bouncer', went offline

'Kenya's first bedroom general' - Fake 'Brigadier' tickles netizens

Countries that have had less than 5 Heads of State

Why everyone’s profile picture is purple - and what will happen on November 21

Breaking down Raymond Kahuma's Sh1 million world's largest chapati attempt

Chinese man caught assaulting Kenyan worker facing 'further disciplinary action' after sacking

8 children of African Presidents who have been in trouble with the law

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Kenyan jurist Phoebe Okowa secures global judicial position

Tributes pour in for Isiolo South MP upon death at Nairobi Hospital

Why Burkina Faso cancelled 'King of Squats' show

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Naivas hits Sh114.45B revenue under first non-family CEO

'I didn't really mean he's fired': Oga Obinna clarifies viral on-set dismissal

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