Author: Journalist Benedict

Credit counseling, also called debt counseling, is a service designed to help people understand and manage their finances better. It gives you expert advice on how to deal with money problems, especially if you’re struggling with debt. Finding the right kind of counseling can be a big step toward achieving your financial goals. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by bills, loan payments, or financial stress, know that you’re not alone. Many people face these challenges, and credit counseling is available to guide you. With the right support, you can set priorities, explore your options, and build a budget that works for…

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) programs are rapidly gaining popularity as a convenient alternative to traditional credit. These services allow shoppers to purchase products and pay for them over time, often with no interest. While credit cards still hold a strong presence, layaway is becoming outdated, and BNPL solutions are stepping in as the modern answer. A recent survey revealed that around 25% of Americans have already used BNPL options. Retailers are charged a fee for offering BNPL, but the increase in sales volume typically compensates for this expense. Businesses that offer BNPL see more completed purchases and fewer abandoned…

Even in the midst of a prolonged crypto bear market, innovation within the NFT (non-fungible token) space hasn’t slowed down. The era when NFTs were mainly used as online profile pictures or digital bragging rights is quickly evolving. Today, NFTs are expanding their footprint beyond Ethereum—which initially brought them mainstream thanks to its smart contract capabilities—and onto the Bitcoin blockchain through technologies like Ordinals. While these advancements include innovations in NFT gaming, updated ERC standards, and new utilities, one of the most intriguing developments is NFT-based lending. This article is Part I of a two-part series on NFT lending. In…

Today’s lending institutions heavily rely on risk scoring to operate efficiently, approve more loans safely, and minimize defaults and fraudulent activity. Without reliable risk assessment systems, it would be nearly impossible to make smart lending decisions at scale. But what exactly is risk scoring, how does it work, and what makes it more effective in today’s complex financial environment? Let’s explore everything you need to know about this crucial tool for modern lenders. What Is Risk Scoring in Lending? Risk scoring is a method used by lenders to evaluate a borrower’s likelihood of defaulting on a loan or engaging in…

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has strongly criticized President William Ruto over his recent directive to police officers to shoot violent protesters in the leg. In a public statement released on Friday, July 11, Raila denounced the remarks, describing them as dangerous, unconstitutional, and a threat to civil liberties. Raila emphasized that any directive encouraging police officers to shoot, injure, or intimidate civilians—regardless of the situation—is unacceptable. He firmly maintained that Kenya must remain a country governed by the rule of law, not fear or violence. “Whether in protests or any situation requiring law enforcement, instructions such as ‘shoot to…

Chief Justice Martha Koome has called on the newly reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) team to act with urgency in addressing the backlog of constitutional and administrative duties, especially with the 2027 General Election drawing closer. Speaking on Friday, July 11, CJ Koome expressed concern over the lengthy and delayed process of forming the new IEBC leadership, which is now headed by Erastus Edung Ethekon. She noted that the delay had left a leadership gap at a critical institution, preventing it from effectively performing its constitutional functions for more than two years. “The process of recruiting the new…

Erastus Edung Ethekon has officially taken office as the new Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), following the tenure and subsequent passing of former chair Wafula Chebukati. The swearing-in ceremony was held on Friday, July 11, at the Supreme Court, and was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome. Ethekon was sworn in together with six newly appointed IEBC commissioners — Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah — in a formal ceremony attended by judiciary officials, legal stakeholders, and dignitaries. Ethekon’s Pledge to Kenyans…

The Kenyan government, under President William Ruto’s leadership, has officially cancelled a Ksh337 billion contract with an international company for the development of the High Grand Falls Dam. This ambitious infrastructure project was planned for the border region between Kitui and Tharaka Nithi Counties and was expected to significantly enhance the country’s electricity supply and agricultural irrigation systems. The project, which was to be implemented through a Privately Initiated Investment Proposal (PIIP) by a UK-based infrastructure investment firm, has now been terminated, according to the National Treasury’s latest Project Progress and Status Report released on July 5, 2025. The decision…

A family in Nanyuki is grieving the tragic loss of their loved one, Julie Njoki, who allegedly died after being assaulted while in police custody. The heartbreaking incident occurred following her arrest during the Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7. Njoki was detained at Nanyuki Police Station, and according to her family, she never made it out alive. In a detailed and emotional social media post, her aunt accused police officers of violently beating Julie during her time in custody, leaving her unconscious. “Julie was arrested in Nanyuki, a place I once believed was peaceful. The following day, she…

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has released important guidance for students who applied for HELB loans or scholarships as minors before obtaining their National Identification Cards. The announcement, made on Friday, July 11, provides step-by-step instructions on how to update personal details on the HELB portal once a student receives their National ID. According to HELB, students should not create a new HELB account after getting their ID cards. Instead, they are advised to log in to the same account they created earlier using their KCSE index number and simply update the personal details with their new ID information.…