Kenya introduces a national tree-planting day to combat climate change
In a surprising but welcome move, Kenya's government proclaimed today—Monday, 13 November 2023—a special public holiday to commemorate a national tree-planting day. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki stressed the importance of this initiative in the battle against climate change in an official Read More...
A species of East African jumping spider targets recently fed mosquitoes
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, so the saying goes. As it turns out, this applies to humans and the natural world as well. Mosquitoes are the prime movers of malaria around the world, and scientists have worked hard to eliminate mosquitoes’ spread of this deadly disease. Yet, another species Read More...
Over 1 million African children inoculated against malaria
Malaria has long been one of the deadliest diseases in Africa, and fighting it has been a long and tiring struggle. When the RTS,S vaccine came out in 2021, it raised hopes for what could be a turning point in the fight against Malaria. For now, it seems to have had a profound change on the 1 Read More...
Banana paper saves potatoes by blocking worm communication
The potato cyst nematode is a pathogenic worm and something of a global menace. When these little critters come across potato farms they infest the crops, drastically reducing yield and size. Some areas of Africa see a 60 percent decline in potato yield after infestation, negatively affecting Read More...
Kenyan sanctuary welcomes five mountain bongos
The average person hears the word “bongo” and thinks of a pair of small Afro-Cuban hand drums with which one can play fun and danceable rhythms. Bongos are also extremely rare antelopes native to Kenya that haven’t been spotted in the wild in almost 30 years. Bongos used to roam free Read More...
Upcycling your "business," 5 uses of human waste
At The Optimist Daily, we keep our ears keened for news about upcycling. It’s an impressive hack, making productive use of discarded materials and waste, turning what was trash into something new. It’s a great solution toward making sustainable products, and we’re always looking for creative Read More...
Elephant in Kenya gives birth to rare twin calves
In a celebratory moment for conservation, an elephant has given birth last week to twin calves at a national reserve in northern Kenya. The rare phenomenon came as a pleasant surprise for the tour guides who spotted the twins while out on safari at the Samburu reserve. The pair are only the second Read More...
Kenyan LGBTQ community salutes singer Chimano for coming out
Back in 2019, LGBTQ+ rights campaigners challenged the Kenyan High Court to overturn a law that bans gay sex and makes it punishable by up to 14 years in prison. While they were unsuccessful, attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community have been softening within the country itself, especially among the Read More...
This ATM helps Kenyans switch from charcoal to eco-friendly fuel
In Kenya, most people use wood or charcoal to cook in small homes without proper ventilation, and exposure to charcoal smoke causes a myriad of health problems for users and their families. On top of the grave health issues, charcoal use is also to blame for deforestation, another contributor to Read More...
Kenyan inventors craft biorobotic limb from recycled trash
David Gathu and Moses Kiuna are two young innovators from Nairobi, Kenya. Despite not being able to afford expensive university fees, their passion for science and desire to help their community has driven them to create an incredible bio robotic arm. Using any recycled materials they could get Read More...