The Common Pulse

  By   Mutunga Tobbias / The Common Pulse/latest news /US/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Financial discipline is a curious beast. When life is tight, when every shilling or dollar counts, we often develop a level of mindfulness around money that borders on the obsessive. We track expenses with meticulous care, prioritize needs over wants, negotiate relentlessly, and make difficult choices that prioritize long-term stability over immediate gratification. These habits, forged in the crucible of financial constraint, are often powerful and enduring. Yet, paradoxically, when income rises and financial pressures ease, many of us abandon these very habits, trading frugality for indulgence, prudence for impulsiveness, and mindfulness for carelessness. Understanding this phenomenon requires a dive into human psychology, societal pressures, and the subtle mechanics of wealth management. At the heart of this paradox is a phenomenon economists and psychologists alike refer to a...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Qatar /Israel/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025 The India Mobile Congress 2025 is not just another technology event, it is a resounding declaration of India’s unstoppable march into the digital future. As the country positions itself as a global hub of innovation, connectivity, and technological inclusivity, the IMC serves as both a mirror and a megaphone of that progress. From its inception, this annual gathering has been a meeting point for innovators, policy makers, business leaders, and visionaries who share one goal, transforming India into a digitally empowered society. The 2025 edition of the India Mobile Congress stands as a landmark, reflecting how far the nation has come in harnessing technology to empower people and industries across every level. The Spirit of Digital India At the heart of the India Mobile Congress is the vision of Digital India, a campaign launched to connect the unconnected, empower ...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias| The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Qatar /Israel/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / OCTOBER2025. Every month, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) releases its bulletin, a critical snapshot of the nation’s financial health, policy directions, and the larger regional and global economic context. The October 2025 edition of the CBK Bulletin comes at a particularly sensitive time for Kenya, with shifting global dynamics, fluctuating commodity markets, and mounting domestic pressures on inflation, fiscal balance, and currency performance. Beyond mere statistics, the bulletin provides a story of resilience, struggle, and forward-looking policy designed to stabilize the Kenyan economy while preparing for uncertain external shocks.  Kenya’s Economy in Late 2025 The Kenyan economy in October 2025 reflects a mixed picture. On one hand, growth remains positive, supported by strong performance in agriculture, services, and remittance inflows. On the other, challenges such a...

By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa / October 2025 Kenya has once again demonstrated strategic financial management by successfully raising USD 1.5 billion (Sh193.8 billion) from international markets to pay off part of the 2028 Eurobond ahead of schedule. This timely decision not only strengthens investor confidence but also cushions taxpayers from looming repayment pressure while creating breathing room to finance development priorities. In a period where global markets remain volatile and debt pressures weigh heavily on developing nations, Kenya’s proactive approach marks a significant milestone in its economic.  Early Repayment Matters Eurobonds have long been a double-edged sword for African economies. On one hand, they provide access to much-needed capital for infrastructure and development; on the other, they pose repayment risks due to currency depreciation, high interest rates, and global market shocks. For Kenya, the ...

   By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 For decades, the idea of retirement in Kenya was simple, almost predictable. When salaried professionals or entrepreneurs hung up their boots, they often turned to livestock, especially the prized Fresian cow, as a retirement plan. The milk would pay bills, the calves would multiply into wealth, and the homestead would thrive. Owning a Fresian was more than just farming; it was a badge of success, a symbol that one had worked hard in Nairobi or Mombasa and was now ready to live out their golden years in dignity. But the Kenya of today is no longer the Kenya of twenty or thirty years ago. The generational shift, combined with economic realities, urbanization, and exposure to global trends, has pushed retirees and those planning for retirement to rethink their strategies. Beyond Fresians, Kenyans are rewriting their retirement playbook, embracing unconventional investments,...

By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 A Story Born on the Waves Surf culture has always carried with it an air of freedom, rebellion, and a refusal to be boxed into the structures of traditional careers. For many, the ocean is a place to escape from the pressures of business, finance, and competition. But for one Australian surfer, the very spirit of the waves became the foundation of a business philosophy that would eventually propel him into one of the largest corporate deals in modern history, an eye-watering $55 billion arrangement that stunned global markets. His journey from riding boards in the swells of the Pacific to sitting in boardrooms where the world’s most powerful financiers meet is nothing short of cinematic. From Saltwater Dreams to Strategic Partnerships Australia’s coastline has bred thousands of surfers who live for the rhythm of the tide. But unlike his peers who remained tethered to that lifestyle...

  By   Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/ Kenya/United States/Africa /October 2025 When Keir Starmer walked through the black door of Number 10 Downing Street last year, it marked not just a political transition in Britain but also a profound global experiment. After more than a decade of Conservative rule, the United Kingdom chose a leader who promised not fireworks, not sweeping ideology, but sober pragmatism. Starmer’s Labour had secured a commanding majority, the kind of parliamentary dominance that allows a government to set the agenda with relatively little obstruction. And yet, rather than promise revolutions or dramatic ruptures, Starmer framed his leadership as a corrective to a political age that had become drunk on populism. He promised steadiness in a world addicted to chaos, moderation in an era obsessed with extremes, and the restoration of trust in a political system that many voters had long abandoned as broken. This victory did not happen in ...

  By   Justin Kirangacha  | The Common Pulse/latest news/US/Iran/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025. Scandal at the NTSA A storm has erupted after revelations that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has been allegedly selling driving licenses to unqualified individuals without proper training or testing. This shocking expose has left Kenyans questioning the integrity of the agency tasked with ensuring road safety across the country. The Dangerous Shortcut: Licenses for Sale According to whistleblowers, unscrupulous NTSA officials have been issuing genuine driving licenses for a fee to individuals who never attended training schools or passed driving tests. This illegal practice not only undermines trust in NTSA but also puts untrained drivers on public roads , endangering the lives of millions of Kenyans every day. Road Safety Association Raises Alarm The Road Safety Association of Kenya has condemned the malpractice, warning that it is on...