Author: David Onjili

Airbus has a backlog of some 6000 orders despite being able to produce 700 jets annually. The fact that the backlog of orders runs into around 2029 means they remain unattractive to airlines that may need to switch from Boeing BY DAVID ONJILI For the first time since 1997, Boeing Company announced losses in her 2019 financial reports amounting to some $636m. Not surprising at all, especially, on the back of the current storm at the airplane manufacturer. As at end of 2019, Airbus Aviation was able to deliver 863 airplanes compared to 345 by Boeing as collated by Forbes.…

BY DAVID OnJILI The route for African teams’ qualification for the 2020 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been revealed. on Tuesday 21 January. The draw January 21 at The Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo, Egypt, saw 14 teams that had won the first round of qualifiers join the 26 highest ranked nations on the continent drawn in ten groups of four each. Some mouthwatering clashes are in the cards as, for instance, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire find themselves in the same group meaning that one of these African soccer giants won’t be in Qatar. This second round of fixtures will…

BY DAVID ONJILI A twitter user recently lamented Kenya Airways (KQ)’s high-ticket prices wondering how a flight to and from Spain on Egyptair from Nairobi would cost nearly the same. As at the time of going to press, the tweet had over 1500 retweets and over 5000 likes, not to mention some hilarious responses on the thread. Of concern however is the level of ignorance, both in the tweet and the responses on matters flight ticketing and route and airplane selection in specific and matters aviation in general. Airlines have ingenious means of coming up with ticket prices, which reflect…

BY DAVID OJILI A ring of extortion exists on Kenyan roads and especially public transport. It starts from criminal gangs manning matatu terminals, to rogue traffic cops collecting bribes and turning a blind eye to public transport users flouting traffic offenses. This goes all the way to matatu saccos that are a law unto themselves. Insanity reigns as ordinary commuters bear the brunt in the form of road carnage, unregulated bus fares and unroadworthy vehicles. It is total madness In the 2019 World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report, Kenya ranked 56 among the listed 190 economies. This ranking bases…

BY DAVID ONJILI The Ethiopia Airlines (ET) 302 flight that left 157 passengers and crew dead leading to all airlines operating Boeing 737 (B737) Max planes to be grounded has resulted in increased scrutiny of Boeing as it is now becoming evident that the manufacturers were negligent; already there are court cases by the victims alongside those of Lion Air seeking compensation for the loss of lives of their loved ones.Boeing had released this variant of planes to fight off the stiff competition it was receiving from Airbus especially the A320 Neo. This plane had made record orders and remains…

BY DAVID WANJALA AND DAVID ONJILI The 120.49km Phase 2A of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extending from Nairobi to Naivasha was officially launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on October 16, 2019. Financed by the Chinese government at an estimated cost of Sh150 billion, it will include both cargo and passenger transportation with four stations; Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Maai Mahiu and Suswa already in operation. “A train to nowhere,” the country’s blogosphere exploded on the launch day after the sensational headline by a leading daily, as social media users made a feast mocking the project. The President, probably reacting to…

BY DAVID ONJILI Kenya Airways has, in a concerted effort, embarked on a strategy that will not only turn around its fortunes in the wake of back to back losses, but that will also ensure the media industry is enabled to report on the same adequately. As such, the Airline organised a brief training session early in the week for the business reporters of leading media entities in Nairobi for what they termed a start point of a series of similar engagements going forward. The session, held at the airline’s Pride Centre covered, in brief, every aspect that affects aviation,…

It is not rare to walk into an office and find several members of staff buried in their work but with their ear (head) phones on. To some organizations, such practices are not allowed. To others, it is not a big deal. Most of the workers who use earphones simply want to isolate themselves from the office environment and focus on the task at hand since the open office plan environment they work in is a major distraction to their work. When the tech companies like Google and Apple showed how relaxed the work environment for their staff was; it…

BY DAVID ONJILI Linnet Achieng Okoth lost her parents to ailments at the tender age of 13. A first-born in a female family of three, the onus was on her to sustain the family. For two gruelsome months in the sprawling Soweto area of Kibra slums, she managed, paying monthly rent of Sh800 and providing food for her siblings from the proceeds she got after hawking confectioneries. It was tough as she asked God many questions on why life could be this cruel. As fate would have it, her aunt stepped in during the third month and a guardian angel…

By David Onjili The choice for organizations to stay relevant to the needs of its business existence and true to its founding values remains a challenge. In a fast-changing environment disrupted by technology and a workforce whose needs are dynamic breeds interesting propositions for its managers and founders. Interestingly, organizations that have continued to be at the very top in terms of profit and growth have exemplified certain core values worth emulating. Game Theory is a branch of mathematics that uses elements of economics and sociology to better understand rational decision-making in competitive situations. Organizations by their existence are in…