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Irungu Thairu

News Writer

Irungu Thairu is a news writer at Mwakilishi, covering Kenyan, diaspora and international news. He joined Mwakilishi in 2009, which makes him one of the site's longest-serving writers.

He writes on the stories shaping Kenya and its diaspora, from politics and current affairs at home to immigration, the green card lottery and community life abroad. His reporting aims to keep Kenyans everywhere connected to the news that affects them, wherever they are.

When he is not working, Irungu likes to spend time with his family, travel and play golf.

3,452 articles

Blog

The Challenges of Raising Children in America

In Kenya and perhaps in most of Africa, it is not very challenging, raising a child or children as it is in a foreign land. Back in our home countries, a child belongs to the society, and everybody takes responsibilit…

Sep 28, 2016

Immigration

Canada Postpones Enforcement of New Travel Requirement to November 10th

The Canadian government has postponed the date travelers to Canada will need to comply with new requirements. The new requirement, which had been scheduled to take effect September 30th but has now been pushed to Nove…

Sep 28, 2016

Diaspora

HELB Offers 80% Penalty Waiver to Loan Defaulters Living in the USA - Offer Expires October 31st

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is reaching out to Kenyans resident in the USA by offering an 80% penalty waiver for those with outstanding student loans from the board. By law, a penalty of Sh5,000 is levied…

Sep 26, 2016

Diaspora

Firm that Provides Remittance Services to Kenya Banned from Operating in Massachusetts, Fined $200,000

Money transmitting firm PoaPay, LLC has been banned from engaging in foreign transmittal business in the state of Massachusetts for a period of 10 years and fined $200,000 for violating the commonwealth’s money transm…

Sep 21, 2016

Classifieds

Kenyan in Fredericksburg, Virginia Looking for a Roommate

A Kenyan in Fredericksburg/Stafford area of Virginia (50 miles south of Washington, DC) is looking for a responsible and clean Kenyan to share her apartment with. The apartment contains 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and…

Sep 20, 2016

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Diaspora

Kenyan-Owned Home Health Agency in Massachusetts Accused of Overbilling the State by $3.8 Million

Century Homecare, a Kenyan-owned home health agency based in Worcester, MA that does business with Massachusetts’ Medicaid program has been accused of overbilling the state by $3.8 million. The agency, owned by James…

Sep 19, 2016

Blog

Inflows from Kenyan Diaspora Deserve Greater Attention

One asks: “Can an election that structurally and deliberately disenfranchises 15 per cent of eligible voters be ‘free and fair’ under any circumstance?” Over the past two months, this question has elicited a resoundin…

Sep 18, 2016

Diaspora

Go for International Jobs and Support One Another, Ambassador Githae Tells Kenyan Diaspora

The 2016 annual Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA) conference at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel in Atlanta, GA, USA has ended. The conference, which was held last weekend from Thursday-Saturday, Septem…

Sep 17, 2016

Obituaries

Kenny Munyiri Memorial Committee in Baltimore, MD Appeals for Financial Assistance

The Kenny Munyiri Memorial Fund & Organizing Committee needs your help to cover the cost of the Funeral and Burial Services. Please join family, friends and the community by offering condolences, prayer and donations…

Sep 13, 2016

Classifieds

Kirui Law Firm: Provides Professional Immigration Services in All U.S. States

Kirui Law Firm provides professional immigration and international law strategies and solutions to individuals, businesses and religious organizations. We do this throughout the United States and on a worldwide basis…

Sep 13, 2016

Obituaries

Death Announcement for Kenny Munyiri of Baltimore, Maryland

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth Munyiri of Baltimore, Maryland which occurred on September 6, 2016. Known to family and friends as Kenny, he was son to Rosemary Wachira and Stephe…

Sep 9, 2016

Sports

Kenya Native Rees Odhiambo Makes the Cut to Play for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks - Second Kenyan in History to Achieve Such Fete

Kenyan native Rees Odhiambo on Saturday made the cut of the 53-man active roster of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. The 6'4", 314-lb Odhiambo, a former standout at Boise State drafted in the thir…

Sep 6, 2016

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Diaspora

Cytonn Discusses Investment Options in Kenya for the Diaspora

Hetal Nathwani, the Cytonn Diaspora Coordinator, recently spoke on investment options available in Kenya for the Diaspora, the investment options available through Cytonn Diaspora, as well as the ongoing Cytonn Diaspo…

Sep 6, 2016

Blog

The Confidence That Comes with Attaining Goals and Success Through Hard Work

Two images that “went viral” in Kenya’s media this past week are at the center of this piece. Both images featured the founder and CEO of the social media behemoth Facebook Mark Zuckerberg and Kenya’s Information and…

Sep 5, 2016

Blog

Why Kenyans in Diaspora are the Third Force in National Politics

In the article on Sunday, August 28, on the rise of the Third Force in Kenyan politics, the writer ignored the potent power of the Kenyan diaspora. While Kenya has 47 legally recognised counties, the diaspora represen…

Sep 4, 2016

Blog

How to Avoid Customs Headache When Moving Back to Kenya from the Diaspora

Over the past 15 years, Christine Asiko has moved from Kenya to the UK to South Africa and back. The career moves to foreign countries have spanned much of her children’s lives who are now teenagers. It is not easy, s…

Aug 28, 2016

Blog

Am I Eligible to Naturalize? Avoiding the Pitfalls to Becoming a US Citizen

Applying for naturalization (citizenship) is the final step in the immigration process for many immigrants. While the general requirements to establish eligibility for naturalization appear straight-forward, they oft…

Aug 23, 2016

Blog

Announcing Wealth on Social Media and What "They" Say about Satire and Jokes

Kenya’s social media was recently aflame because a known blogger and provocateur of the “City Girl” column in the publication “Nairobi News” unloaded on an unnamed individual because the “unnamed” but obviously known…

Aug 22, 2016

Blog

Just How Will Kenyan Single Men in the Diaspora Find Love?

Kenyan men in diaspora, as many people refer to it, are a vilified lot. They are missing out on love from their fellow Kenyan single ladies in diaspora as they have been accused of remaining in their old ways. Kenyan…

Aug 22, 2016

Blog

On Lord Delamere Heir Thomas Cholmondeley's Death

Some Kenyans online did not waste a minute insulting Lord Delamere heir Thomas Cholmondeley - ‘Karma got his ass’, 'Murderer’, 'the dead came for him’. Back when he was accused of murdering a Maasai herder, I wished h…

Aug 20, 2016