OF RAINS, MATATU MADNESS AND SLEEPING IN THE COLD

It’s a few minutes to 6pm in Nairobi. The last drops of the stormy deluge that has been pounding the city centre from late afternoon can be seen cutting through the tired, receding sun rays.

The three hour downpour has managed to out-stage the early morning scorching sun but seemingly can’t let go until total darkness engulfs the capital.

Down town Ronald Ngala Street, right opposite the post office, is flooded with racing rainwater and restless passengers. Bone-chilling cold wind accompanied by choking exhaust gases blows in all directions.

The tired, stranded commuters can be heard cursing the unprecedented bad weather in low tones amid deafening hoots and shouts from Matatu operators.

“Wee! Githurai soo mbili, Allsops soo moja,” A jubilant, but shabbily-dressed, tout calls for passengers.

Like the proverbial moths desperately in need of light, the cold-ravaged commuters beastly push and shove for warmth and space in the smoke-belching bus. It is the city’s rush hour and the infamous rule of the jungle, survival for the fittest, applies with both physical and financial muscle being at play.

PROTEST AGAINST DOWRY

I have finally decided to set the record straight. Everywhere I go people don’t seem to hide their concerns as to why I remain unmarried even as I approach the prime age of 40. I have tried to dodge this question for long but this has further heightened speculations. Some people think I have a serious health problem while others attribute my status to an apparent deep-rooted mental and emotional problem.

Concerted efforts by my family ,relatives and friends to have me walk down the isle have bore no fruits; high powered delegations have paid  me courtesy calls and tried to drive sense into my head as to why I should marry but to no avail. 

SHOCK IN TIME OF CELEBRATION

The long wait was finally over; Jimmy had passed his K.C.S.E examinations in a manner that his former teachers could describe as 'with flying colours'. The good news had reached his mother and so, it was celebration time in the house. 

Mama Jimmy was with her long-time friend, Kezia, in the living room. This was one of those rare occasions when the duo opened a bottle of champagne and cheered in praise of Jimmy. Unbeknown to them, Jimmy was in his room writing poetry. This was his way of expressing his feelings about something - be it good or bad. 

After a few sips, the two ladies in the living room were now talking about anything and everything under the blue sky. Jimmy could clearly get what they were saying. Amid the drinks, the giggles and claps, Jimmy overheard his mother say something that could later change his entire perception of life. The erstwhile well kept secret was now in the open - atleast according Jimmy.

         

THE WEEK OF A MJENGO SUPERVISOR

MONDAY

I arrive at my work place late but find out that my men are not yet there. Apparently they are nursing the weekend hangover. They start arriving one by one and most of the day is spent on arguing . We  end up not accomplishing our target for the day. Call it Monday blues if you like.

TUESDAY
My men seem not to be in a good mood today. Clearly some sense of coordination is lacking and I seem to be losing control. They demand for lunch from me and I manage to buy them a plate of githeri and a cup of uji each. The working day ends on a bad note when one of the workers falls from the roof and is rushed to the nearby dispensary.

INTERMARRIAGES AND LEGISLATIONS WONT ERADICATE TRIBALISM

Three years ago,while attending the wedding of BishopMagarrette Wanjiru’s son, Prime Minister Raila Odinga urged the youth to intermarry in order to eradicate tribalism. Further more, the parliment is set to introduce a bill that seeks to criminalize discrimination along ethnic lines by banning use of mother tongue in government offices. On face value, these concepts may seem noble, but how practical are they?

Intermarriage is not a new phenomenon in Kenya as historians attribute it to the emergence of some cultures. The Swahili, for instance, is said to be a hybrid community brought about by the intermarriage between the Bantu and the Arabs. Most African societies practised endogamy but exogamy was also permitted. Despite all this tribalism still continues to thrive.

Picture this, a man born of a Kisii mother and a Luo father marries a daughter of a Kikuyu mother and Kalenjin father. What do their offspring become? Kenyans. Cool. But where does this leave our culture, our languages and or diversity which we so highly value? If this goes on for some time one can’t tell your tribe from your name, home district or physical features. In fact the current tribes shall cease to exist.

Dedicated to the one I love

They say true love bears all,
 and endures all alike.
A day without you,
had never crossed my mind.
Meaningless is life without you,
 for you are my inspiration and consolation.

A DAY WITH A DIFFERENCE

I wake up in the morning feeling energized and rejuvenated. It is not my birthday, anniversary , Christmas, and neither is it new year's day. All the same it feels and looks like a special day.I promise myself that , today I will make a difference.

I will prepare for the worst , anticipate the best and work with what will come .I promise to keep my heart full of good thoughts so that bad ones will find no way to enter.I will go an extra mile to offer a word of prayer in the morning, meal times and just before I retire to bed.

Today is the day for dropping all those unhealthy and irritating habits, and embrace morally acceptable traits.I will take a well-deserved cold shower, wear clean and well ironed clothes, and comb my hair neatly.I will make my bed,clean my room thoroughly and have it neatly arranged. I will also remember to leave my muddy shoes at the door ,brush my teeth after every meal,eat lots of fruits and vegetables and make sure I drink at least eight glasses of water.

No matter what...

Its not by design,

but by default.
A deep sense of care,

concern and affection

Those on the periphery,
for our modest progress,
 they may be amused not.
 Their say they may have,
 but lose their way .
That naive you aren't,
 for their  every word,
to be the gospel truth.
Lest you be deceived,
 to the marrow of your bones

Rest assured that,
 I will always be their for you,
 no matter what it takes.

The Gift

Many gifts in life,
 have I received.
But then came one special gift.
It wasn't wrapped,
 and neither was it sent,
it just walked into my life.

With flashy infectious smile on the face,
beautiful and glowing eyes,
smooth chocolate-coloured skin,
a body generated by grace
 and a heart overflowing with love
All this by my side I will require no other gift

Concert Family, Moi University

What is Concert? Moi university was  established in 1984 from the ground, and went into history as the first university built by Kenyans for her people. In the beginning, the students fraternity was naive and innocent. This was because they were enrolled in a fresh institution in a rural locality instead of an place in an urban centre like Nairobi University . They were products of secondary schools run in a military manner, coupled with the compulsory years in the National Youth Service, and were thus disciplined. They were soon struck by the reality that the discipline that they were used to was not practical in campus. Many thus broke the veil and chose to indulge in the pleasures of life. Some retained their relationship with God whereas the majority chose alcoholism and sexual immorality as a way of life.