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.