Heart to Heart

Like an avalanche that has slowly but steadily grown to a humongous size, the Kenyan society seems to be at an almost breaking point. I might be a bit pessimistic but recent events point at a disaster waiting to happen. Social injustice has been the order of the day since time immemorial but recent occurrences especially violence against women should serve as a wake-up call.

I will not dwell on the specific cases that have truly and well been documented but rather a diagnosis of what is ailing us. This is just an opinion and I might be wrong but I’ll let my voice be heard.

 “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. So said Mahatma Gandhi. What is the one thing that you and I can change to stop the rot in our lives, our society and our nation? As a Christian, I’m reminded by Jesus that I need not point out the speck in the eye of another before removing the log in mine. I see the issue at hand as being three-faceted; spiritual, social and economic.

In the Bible book of Isaiah 6:5, it states “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” In the previous chapter of the book, Prophet Isaiah had been pronouncing words of woe to the corrupt society in which he lived. The King now had died and when the Prophet went into the temple, he saw a vision. It was that of God’s throne in a very vivid manner until Isaiah no longer pronounced woes on others but did so on himself. In the holiness of the Most High, he saw his sin and Isaiah declared ruin upon himself. It reminds me of the evil times we live in and the general rebellion we have communally established against God and his ways. Ways that are just and pure. What have we become?

How many ladies marvel at being referred to as ‘bi***es’ by men and only complain after being treated like female dogs? What sin are we hiding in ourselves that is now getting manifest through the sickening occurrences? You might argue that women are dressing provocatively and thus ‘asking for it’. I beg to differ. I once spent three weeks in Lokichoggio where women walk topless and no one throws snide remarks their way nor strips them off the covering of the nether regions. We seem to suffer from a collective problem engraved in our mind that is now being manifest in deeds.

Of course the moral decay around us has a socio-economic aspect to it. Listening to Judge Ian Mbugua on Sunday as he was being hosted on the Churchill Show, I couldn’t help but nod in agreement that real men are dwindling in numbers at an alarming rate. Instead, we have an ever-increasing number of inward weaklings masquerading as men. It’s a sad state, one that no one in particular is to blame but that needs urgent addressing. Kudos to this platform that is speaking out for men to arise. The elevation and massive attention given to the ‘girl child’, as many have pointed out led to years of neglect to their male counterparts. And like a receding wave, we now face a tsunami.

Something has to change. I choose to change. I choose to play my part as a man. Every woman out there has a father, a son, a brother, a spouse, a male friend or colleague. We have to stand for them. Not that they are weak but because it is our mandate. The government won’t do that for us since there’s even a cop who was arrested for stripping a lady. But fair enough that even the President just addressed this issue by launching the 16 Days of Activism. Religious institutions would be a safe haven but we know that’s not always the case.

Some men (and women) are of the opinion that indecency is the cause of all the tribulation we find ourselves facing. The same men who glorify scantily dressed women as ‘socialites’, feast eyes on raunchy music videos and ears on the same and have accelerated the porn penetration of Kenya to among the highest in the world. We could argue all day concerning moral standards and it is valid but action matters more. Statistics over a long time remind us of the grim reality we face. A woman in Kenya is abused sexually every thirty minutes. The chilling statistics, however, do not tell the full story of the emotional devastation of individual rape victims. From toddlers to grannies, in their homes, open places and now even matatus. Something has got to give. I won’t stay silent. Social media campaigns won’t do much either. It’s gonna be a long journey of restoration. A restoration of sanity in society. A journey I am willing to take. Will you join me?

Majestic Mara

I had the privilege of going to Maasai Mara sometime back courtesy of the Mara Wildebeest Resort, an idyllic lodge of its kind tucked at the banks of River Mara that is on a transition path to its former glory when it was under different ownership and name. As promised, it was possible from the porch of the cottages to spy on crocodiles and hippos going about their business in the river unperturbed.The style is rustic, the setting is wild, but the experience is, to say the least, thrilling!

Vava-Voom!

We met in Nairobi on the planned Saturday morning and set off at exactly 8 o’clock in the morning in a procession of three safari vans. Carrying forth from the abnormally freezing temperatures of the capital city, I hoped in my mind that the weather in the Mara would be less harsh. Travelling with professionals from the tourism industry always brings with it stories to no end. Thus the company I had were brilliant. Being approximately 300 kilometres from Nairobi, the journey there was expected to last around four hours with arrival slated in time for lunch. We had a brief stop in Narok town, the epicentre of Maasai country in Kenya. After having a brief stop, we proceeded on towards Bomet and branched from the very smooth tarmac road and onto a laterite road while maintaining the high speed. This I learnt later from our driver guide that it helps cushion the vehicle from all the physical shock of moving on a rough road.

Gradually, the vegetation changed and the weather was pleasant for a safari in the world’s best nature conservancy. The name ‘Mara’ is Maasai for scattered thicket. Maasai on the other hand are a unique people found in Kenya and Tanzania who are proud of their unique culture that they have not let go off even with the advent of modernization. Maa is their language and they are truly the face of Kenya abroad.

The outside dining area

Even before making it to the Sekenani Gate that serves as one of the official entry points, we could see wild game in the vicinity. Herds of zebra grazed alongside their herbivorous friends in wildebeests gazelles, antelopes and a couple of the unique looking eland. Being a National Reserve and not quite a park, the Mara is thus not fenced. This ensures that the local community can access and enjoy the natural resources. This includes pasture for their herds of animals, water and even the collection of firewood is allowed. It is especially a mutually beneficial relationship between the Maasai and the Mara since the former don’t hunt down game for its meat since it is abhorred by their custom. The same scenario is reminiscent of the National Reserves in Samburu.

Safari time

We checked into the lodge, ushered in by the kind of smiles I have only seen in Kenya. A wet medicated face towel in hand as we were led to our rooms designed in a spectacular manner. The lodge-formerly known as the Mara Buffalo Camp is built adjacent to the Mara River that hosts many hippos and crocs as well as being the stage on which the dramatic annual wildebeest migration occurs. Lunch was sumptuous and we were taken round the lodge by, Mr. Frank Neugebauer our German host who is also the General Manager. As the sun prepared to set behind the hills to the Western side of the Mara, we set out on a game drive. As the animals head to the water-holes and the nocturnal ones prepare for the night ahead, there is no better time to view them than in the evening. It was eventful and we got to see all the big five-bar rhinos among others.

Back at the lodge and dinner was served in true African style. Above our heads were countless stars being replicated below by a huge bonfire. The background music was the constant bellowing of hippos half submerged in the Mara River waters that went on overnight. Sadly, we could only experience the magic of Mara for one night and it was time to return back to the city.

It was truly a remarkable weekend. The Mara is a gift that every Kenyan at one point in their lives should experience. The wild is untamed, the undulating topography to behold, the wild animals are in high numbers and accommodation is of various kinds, from high range luxury lodges like the Mahali Mzuri owned by Sir Richard Branson, various categories of hotels and even camping sites for the tourist that is  truly adventurous. 

The entourage

Tembea Kenya

Dear Poacher...

Former President Moi torches ivory haul. October '89

It is said men don’t cry which is rather unfounded. It is believed that men should never show their tears, which I agree with apart from those intense moments one is interacting with The Lord. More so, it is a widespread belief that African men in particular should never cry and if they really really reaaaaaally have to, then this can only happen  in the confines of privacy that would make Guantanamo Bay look as welcoming as the Teletubbies. Therefore, seeing an African adult, male, crying, in front of TV cameras, in broad daylight over a dead elephant was a news item a few weeks back that generated a lot of discussions among the Kenyan public.

The said scenario happened in the expansive Ol Pejeta Conservancy located in Laikipia County where a lot of effort and resources have been channeled over the years to protect, nurture and foster wildlife of diverse kinds. Many African wild animals over the years have been subjected to intense brutality as the population of the continent has grown. Killing them for fun and as sport was done since the turn of the last century until this was outlawed. But what has been most sad is the poaching of these beasts by man. Therefore, Ol Pejeta and its similar conservancies would be considered a safe haven especially for the biggest land mammal on the planet; the elephant and the unique horned member of the Big 5, the rhino.

There's blood diamond, these must be living diamond

These animals take many years to mature into adulthood; their gestation period is equally long. 670 and 500 days approximately for the elephant and rhino respectively. Not only this, but their significance in our nation and continent...even the world at large cannot be underestimated in any way. Wildlife, a core component of Kenya’s tourism which has long been a top income and foreign exchange earner yet we seem to not care about the madness and mayhem that our very heritage has been subjected to for far too long. And events at home are being noticed by the International Community; making among others for tourists especially to shun Kenya.

Now, the game ranger who was crying over the carcass of the tusk-less elephant might have done so as he well put it that ‘his pay-slip was at risk of disappearing’ but raw emotions aside, the situation we find ourselves in with relation to poaching should warrant a long and  nonchalant look from all of us. Yes, there are bodies mandated to ensure the safety of our animals, legislature is in place too for the same purpose but progress on this front seems nonexistent. This something needs to happen. Not soon, but now.

Unmanned drones that help survey wildlife

I stand to be corrected but I feel our tactics to curb this menace will continue failing as we seem not to nip the problem at the bud. A poor man somewhere is willing to do anything including carrying a firearm and shooting down the next rhino or elephant he comes across to improve his economic status. Nipping it at the bud will involve the said core number of 20-30 individuals who are ring leaders of the trade being apprehended and facing the full force of the law. This also involves the Far East nations notably China making it difficult to own ivory and rhino horn in their country. Ultimately, the market for such precious items need, mostly wealthy individuals too bored to care what the repercussions of this illegal trade bring to countries such as Kenya should rethink of other ways to showcase aestheticism. It’s silly that people as advanced as some of them still believe that rhino horns improve libido yet it’s no space science that it’s all keratin in that grey matter.

Let's protect them

I’d have declared the senseless slaying of our animals a national disaster if I had the power because this is exactly what it is. National parks like the Tsavo have lost as high as 1,500 elephants in since the turn of the decade with a recent census leading to the discovery of 800 elephant carcasses. It’s no longer something that we can ignore. We need to stand up for the beasts of our land. NOW. Or as my buddy Bihembo once wrote on Facebook, we will soon only have the sculptured elephants in Nakumatt stores as the remnants of what we allowed to disappear under our gaze.

the ELEPHANT in the room

Not here. Not now. Not ever.

Africa. Christened the Dark Continent over the ages. Ironical term considering we get exclusive sunlight than any other continent and have such a rich wonderful tan till we can bask in the sun without an ounce of sunscreen. Sometimes it’s too good being African but that’s a story for another day. Some of the leading Economic publications are pointing out that Africa’s significance on the global scene is on an upward rise, there’s a feeling that something new and wonderful is happening in this Afro-land. There’s a rising generation of brilliant minds, not dejected by failures of the past amidst the perennial problems we have had to deal with as a people. While still we have to grapple with poverty, corruption, wars, poor governance and killer diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, there’s a very bright ray of light at the end of the tunnel and more than a mere straw to clutch at in drowning conditions.

But I feel we need to pause and take a hard, frank look at ourselves lest we move too fast and leave behind what has mattered most to us since the days of our forefathers. This is not a call to reinstate some of the primitive practices we have foregone. But to actually re-instill the valuable ones that seem to erode with each passing day.

I logged onto twitter the other day and was astonished that ‘Uganda’ was the highest trending topic among Kenyans on Twitter. Curious on why, I was to find out that the cyber-explosion was as a result of the impending signing into law of a bill crafted by the nation’s Parliament that will outlaw homosexuality with severe penalties including death. This got me thinking long and hard about the elephant in the room. It’s been a long time coming but we now seem caught up in the eye of the storm. Ignoring the whole issue, seemingly easier will just delay what needs to be addressed. Living in denial is no longer an option.

Courtesy: AP

Coming back home, we’re in a society that would rather discuss such ‘controversial matters’ in hushed tones while maintaining hard stances. In Kenya, we happen to actually harbor a man that is now considered a marshal for the LGBT movement in this part of the world, a certain Mr. Binyavanga. Bold in his quest but loathed and admired with the same intensity. Coloured hair, like a crown for a clown. His fantastic literature contributions and bravery aside, I see an angry man lost in the journey of life. And there is no rage as harmful as that towards God, this I know through experience. I am a Christian and so I find fault with the whole gay rights movement. I also object to the oppression of any person because of their sexual preferences but still it doesn’t augur well with that which is natural. But I’m not attacking this son of the soil, just think bedroom matters should remain there.

Must bite harder than Siberian cold up in Russia to be gay

Granted, there are a lot of grey areas concerning this issue. So many arguments that will probably never end. South Africa legalized same-sex marriages but stigma still exists. Nigeria seems another hot spot where sympathizers portray harsh anti-homosexuality laws as a unifying factor in the political landscape of a nation deeply in religious acrimony. 38 nations in Africa still outlaw gay rights, a few are neutral but in the real sense, it’s NOT only an African thing. Russia in its current debacle as it hosts the Winter Olympics games in Sochi and Turkey, both in Eurasia find themselves in the mix. Death is what’s served in most of the Islamic nations. The Western world is not a haven as proponents of LGBT rights may try to portray. There’s not a single known footballer in the English Premier League who’s had the courage to come out as they’d be risking their lives doing so.

Caption not needed

In contrast, we have Obama’s administration expressing irk towards African nations taking a hardline stand, Chimamanda Adichie, such a renowned African writer based in the US has explicitly condemned her nation’s stance on all this, business mogul Branson is in line to make Virgin Airlines cease operations in Uganda while Facebook has even gone ahead to introduce a ‘neutral’ sexual orientation among its 1.2B users. Choices have consequences but we seem unprepared to how the future will pan out in regards to LGBT issues.

I don’t know the best way forward; this is not an incitement to argue, but rather ponder. But I do know, like any other sin, that homosexuality is wrong. Some will retort that Christianity is also a white man’s movement and un-African which I find utterly ridiculous. Things are getting out of hand people. What with the entertainment business as a whole trying to make it all look cool and glamorous. ‘Gay is the new black’ and other such slogans seem in vogue. Makes we wanna say, “N***a please!”

May God help us.

TRIBE ALL

I absolutely love football. I play it less often now, realized sometime back I’ll never make it to play for the Arsenal but that hasn't reduced my passion for the beautiful game. I watch football on TV more than anything else, talk about it almost every day whether with friends in college, at home but mostly online. My favourite team Arsenal happens to have the best blog writes who also are many covering many aspects of the North London club. Well, constant winning of awards makes me so say by the aforementioned writers. Sometime I was reading an article about ‘tribalism’ in football. Actually, it was the headline that caught my attention. It was a moment of reality of just how uncontrolled passion, while good and care-free fun, can result in disaster occurring.

The ugly side of football

The article was written after St. Petersburg club in Russia, considered to have the most violent and aggressive of fans (read racists) had attacked those of a rival team and maimed several. The writer was repeating a story that happens when most rival fans collide and blood is shed. He called it tribalism and that made me think deep of our local situation. See, in football, it’s part of the

experience to have a feeling of belonging with fans of the same team while making mockery of those of rivals especially after beating their team. Also, a lot of unbiased and negative feelings and enmity develop against any other team, more so that of rivals. To many fans, that’s just part of the experience, I included but psychos exist and so do they even in society.

Unity in diversity

There are more important aspects in life than football. And more serious issues that need addressing like tribalism. No one chose what race, nationality or tribe to be born in unlike football where one chooses. No one should gloat over the tribe they belong to but that’s acceptable in football. Growing up, the truth is it’d never hit me of my differences with friends I grew up with. All that changed in 2007. We all know what happened then and how worse it has become. I log onto Facebook and the posts I see in relation to the same make my stomach turn with ire. I heard some kids outside the barbershop I go to turn violent and abuses were hurled between them. Besides the usual ‘mbwa’ and ‘jinga’ words, the name of the other kid’s tribe was used to pull him down.

What have we become, Kenyans? Considered the most optimistic people in the planet, 10 years later we’re probably among the polarized of people. United we may seem but that’s because we choose to speak in hushed tones and now more behind out keyboards, spitting hatred against each other on social platforms. We can blame the leaders but the buck stops with us at the individual level. It starts with you, and me. Ball’s in our courts now.

One Kenya

Like footballers who earn mind-blowing amounts of money, we cheer them on and hate on them when they prove disloyal by moving to better paying clubs. Like politicians who seem ever agitating for more pay, we get duped more often than not. Their utterances make us hate each other, and unfortunately even kill each other. Makes me wish we’d live by the rap line sang by a popular hip-hop musician; WE’RE ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.

Yesterday, I attended a match between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Nigeria’s Super Eagles. We did lose at home from a freak sole goal but I also learnt something at Kasarani. All of us were draped in the national colours cheering on our team. I couldn't tell whether the people around me were Luo, Kikuyu or any other Kenyan tribe. We joined together, singing, jeering and having a good time; as Kenyans. How I hope this would flood over in other aspects of our lives as Kenyans. I choose to act. Hope you do the same and as incense spreads a sweet smelling aroma of peace, love and unity. For this three need to define us as a nation.

Until another time, I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.

OBAMA - (not) MADE IN KENYA

Happy New Year, dear reader.

In awe of politician's shallow talks

Back in 2004, I’d just joined high school and this almost unknown guy by the name of Barrack was making his name heard over our airwaves as the son of a Kenyan immigrant to the United States and who was seeking to be the Senate representative for the state of Illinois.  Like a snow ball picks speed and increases in size, so did his popularity grow. Even a now extinct beer brand, ‘Senator’ was christened to ‘Obama’. We all know how history played itself out, if you do not, you might want to check who’s currently the most powerful individual in the world.

At that time, The Standard newspaper publication on Sundays had a pull out called Society and in which one caricaturist aptly drew a comparison of political campaign styles of Kenya and the U.S of A. Sleeves folded, a keen crowd and smiling faces portrayed Obama while a pot-bellied guy was addressing a rather rowdy crowd to exemplify the typical Kenyan counterpart. Perhaps the greatest contrast laid in the words being uttered. Michelle’s dad was speaking of democracy, healthcare and such matters of sobriety. The other dude was literally talking of nothing sensible but quite evoking with a guy in the crowd wondering out loud when a teargas canister will be lobbed to disperse the crowd, or a rival crowd shows up armed with stones and machetes.

Violence that killed 1,300 people

9 years later and a lot has happened in Kenya’s political scene. The hate speeches in campaign rallies have gone down; lest one finds themselves live on CNN, al-Jazeera et al facing international crimes. But I wonder if the hearts of the ruling class have been transformed or it is fear thet they are operating from.  One of the men I look up to, a guy by the name of Anyangu Yohana once said ‘Freedom is not worth having if it doesn’t include the freedom to make mistakes’ and I concur with him. Listening to political banter makes one realize that nothing much has changed in accordance to our attitudes. Sadly, tribalism seems to be so deeply rooted, not even the death of 1,300 people after the controversial last general election seems to have made us sober up a bit as Kenyans.

Looking at the six almost ten presidential aspirants, I personally see no better or ‘Obamasque’ one among them like Peter Kenneth. Not only with his cultured mannerisms, coherence of speech and a good track record with the people he has represented before, but even in his demeanour and sound policies he’d like to implemented if he was elected the CEO of this great nation. Sadly, we all know he’ll not even be among the top three for the majority will vote for ‘our people’. Truth be told, that guy was spot on in that cartoon publication in ’04. We seem to be a nation dazzled and almost held in a trance by the political heavyweights. It’s like when they hold a microphone, they instantly become entertainers who enchant us with their shallow speeches, funny dancing styles and belittling the other aspirans. This needs to stop. Now.

The caption says it all!

I have a theory. Hearing of so many people who use their money to fund their campaigns then lose out and eventually get sick, miserable and deep in debts, I wonder what if corruption is a never ending cycle due to such circumstances. I mean, upon gaining a political seat after spending your millions that you’d previously worked hard for, you’d want to get it back, right? Yet the buck stops with us, as former US president Truman put it aptly. We are the voters. We are the people who determine which fellas we want. We employ them. We are the bosses. Unfortunately, it’s the other way round it seems. Branded helicopters hover over and about our skies as they seek our votes but the same effort is rarely seen when the electorate are in trouble like famine, floods and war.

It’s approximately a month to the forthcoming general elections. I see no much change according to how things seem to be spiraling to another imminent disaster like we had five years ago. It seems like a 50-50 race of two men but referred to as horses now. Sadly, the race seems to be based not on differing policies as the ideal situation would call for but rather political clamour for leverage. As you decide to cast your ballot, reflect deeply. And as many of us already have our minds made up, let us resolve that as close as the election will be, we’ll accept the outcome. At the end of the day, we are a democratic nation.

 I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.

Beautiful Republic

At 'Kona Baridi' i.e Cold Corner, near Ngong

I am a Travel and Tourism student. I love my course because it adequately covers what I am almost most passionate about. God’s grace enabled me join the best institute that offers Hospitality and Tourism learning in Africa. That not only means I occasionally interact with foreign students (that sounds discriminatory), but also offers a chance to travel far and wide mostly for research, familiarization and fun! This is a post about a recent trip to the Kenyan Rift Valley, a natural phenomenon of exquisite beauty and a geological masterpiece produced by millions of years of intense volcanic, tectonic and faulting processes. This we capped by paying a 3 day visit to the world renowned Maasai Mara Game reserve; host to the 7^th natural wonder in the world, the annual cycle of wildebeest’s migration to and from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Menu: Kenya...spoilt for choice

With colleagues after going through the gorge

Day 1 saw us travel to The Bogoria Spa Resort. Enroute we visited the flamingos’ paradise that is Lake Nakuru and got an aerial view of the Rift Valley near Kijabe. An elegant establishment owned by Kenya’s second president and less than quarter of an hour’s drive to the famous Lake it’s named after. It also prides itself for having the only natural spa in the entire world that constantly bubbles out water at 37°C, the human body temperature and as such, a pool has been built that offers not only the warm water but also healing properties for the skin. That was fun, trust me; swimming at 0200HRS in that water is unrivalled. Next day, we got the chance to visit the nearby Lake Baringo with its 7 islands including one which is dwelt by one man, his 5 wives and 27 children! Lake Bogoria is marvellous with its characteristic long and slender outline but more so the thousands of flamingos on its shores and geysers that spring over 20 metres high. Boiling eggs in its hot springs was also massively fun, and so was the partaking of themJ

Hell's gate and the spa's swimming pool

After two nights, we departed for the other lake town of Naivasha passing the Equator as we travelled South not to forget the spectacular Lake Elementaita just past Kenya’s most famous ‘nyamchom’ (grilled meat) location, Kikopey. The night was an eventful one and energy levels high as we planned an early hike in the absolutely fascinating Hell’s Gate National Park. This was to be followed by the two hundred kms journey to the Mara. For any man that hopes to propose marriage to a lucky damsel soon, I would suggest you do it at the gorge in the H.G.N.P…it began as a crack. This then developed and the erosion processes over millions of years has made the gorge a site to behold. We had a local Maasai guide and the hike through various spots took our breath away; from visible volcanic plugs, to rocks bearing hot water and steep descents and ascents coupled with the eerie feeling of being totally surrounded by wild animals is unrivalled. Let us just say it’s a smaller version of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Lakes Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru and Magadi

Heading to Mara along the very straight Maii Mahiu-Narok Road, you’d be mistaken to think a ruler was used all through. We passed in between two volcanic mountains. Suswa on the left is extinct but the more spectacular Longonot is dormant; meaning it may just blow up anytime with no prior warning! The drive was long but we got to relax for two nights at Sarova Mara, a marvellous hotel built right inside the game reserve.

Locomotion; our tour bus in various locations

The drives in Mara are to die for and unique. Early morning we went to witness the unique Balloon Safaris. Basically, you pay 420 US$ (35,000 KSH) for an unforgettable experience composed of an hour in the air watching either animals, the African sun rise from far in the horizon or taking awesome aerial pictures. I give up. My words cannot describe just how amazing it is. It has to be done at dawn because then the sun has yet to make the air hot which would prevent the hot air rising up. The Mara River swarms with crocodiles and hippos and is a site to behold as thousands of animals cross for greener pastures, literally. After visiting more hotels and sites, our cameras were now full of pictures holding immense memories and it was time to drive back home.

One of the seven wonders of the World

Dear reader, Kenia ist schön  (Kenya is beautiful, German). Plan and get away from the city sometime. Explore the nation that is surely a Beautiful Republic. I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.

DOWNING THE TOOLS

From teachers, doctors, students to journalists

I remember like yesterday though it happened 11 years ago. While still proceeding with my elementary education at Dandora Primary school, in the heart of Nairobi’s Eastlands, or Eastlando if you may, noise just erupted from outside as classes went on. I was in class eagerly awaiting the lunch break to commence. Hungry and bored, it was around noon when all hell seemed to break loose. I’m not trying to be dramatic but you can imagine the horrifying feeling a 12 year gets on seeing the teachers and staff run around in confusion and the rooftop undergoing massive pelting from stones of all sizes.

MAYHEM! Destruction is normally a result

It was a fateful Monday that will forever remain etched in my mind. Events leading to the mini Armageddon were that a young pupil from James Gichuru Primary School, also in Dandora had passed away after being hit by a matatu (Public Service Vehicle) while crossing the road, just a few metres from the school. His fellow schoolmates in anger had burnt the vehicle down to a shell and resolved to get all pupils from the estate into protest against reckless driving. And boy did they succeed.

Money is almost always a matter of contention

This course of action bore fruit but at a cost. The simple chant of ‘No bumps, no school!’ not only resulted in the creation of road bumps along the estate’s roads, but it also taught me the power of action in numbers. Nevertheless, it was a day of unprecedented chaos with looting and confusion marring the image of Dandora. After really the melee had subsided, did I come to terms with what it really meant to participate in a strike.

All the Kenyan students want is to learn

For some strange reason, I tend to believe that the culture of taking industrial action by striking is deeply rooted in the Kenyan psyche and the aforementioned incident is just to show that it’s not only the doctors and as the current situation, teachers who duly opt to do so in order to be heard. We also have university students who amidst chants of ‘Comrade Power!’ make their voice heard and stomachs filled in such strikes. Woe unto you if you own a restaurant on their path. We even had their lecturers copy-pasting this style of airing their grievances sometime back and as I type are also starting on another strike. The Vice president then had to intervene when prison warders threatened to take the same course of action and that was not long before many innocent lives were lost due to doctors opting to use a strike to twist the government into hearing their pleas. As a matter of fact, it’s just a few days since Kenyatta National Hospital, the biggest hospital in this part of the world duly fired 400 intern doctors who had also borrowed a leaf from their seniors and downed their tools. And don’t get me started on the section of women who wanted to deny their men conjugal rights in protest…

Normally, a 'ring leader' will gather the masses

As a college student, I have at times felt that only a strike would make the administration of my institution come into terms with some of the student needs. Yet I know deep down that a better way exists. I think when the gap is too large or the concerns too grave, then two parties might find great loss once a strike is called. The Government promising 300% increase of salary, albeit 15 years ago to teachers has come to hunt it now. The issue must be addressed because time wasted can never be recovered. The ball is in the teacher’s union and state representatives to chart a way forward.

The First family; Probably the children are in the best private schools

 I do not support the teacher’s strike but maybe, just like that sunny day in Dandora, back in 2001, a lasting solution will be found. Till then, I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.

DEATH OF 'ART ON A MAT'

Art on a mat...

Brain-Child, Ferrari, Kichimbi, Liquid, Ruffcuts, S.W.A.T, Lugz…the names were catchy and diverse just as their various colours, graffiti and shapes but all of them rocked. For those of you wondering what I am talking about, it’s the trendy matatus that had become synonymous with most of the urban areas in Kenya; Nairobi especially leading the pack.  They were not only a mode of transport but also offered commuters a chance to experience a wild and adrenaline-filled ride whether to or from town.

Diversity is beauty!

As a Nairobian myself, I can only detail the mathreez that used to ply our city routes with both nostalgia and immortal memories. The battle between mathreez on each route was always amazing with the result being ever increasing creativity with the graffiti and accessories, louder music, wider L.C.D screens and faster speed on our roads. I recall in the early 2000’s when I first took a ride on one of the trending ridez that plied the Outering route and immediately got hooked to the thrill. ‘Liquid’ was its name, metallic blue the colour and savouring the moment I did!

As time wore on, I became aware that some routes seemed to have the very best rides with Buruburu, Eastleigh and Outering leading the pack by a mile. Getting to high school and having to commute daily gave me the chance to sample the best that Nairobi’s flashest had to offer. As I became more enlightened, I realized that not only did the flashy matatus offer unbridled ecstasy by riding in one but that many people relied on them for their daily livelihoods.

Best of them all...BRAINCHILD

What many never knew was that apart from the drivers and kanges (Turn-boys), the matatus also allowed gifted people with an artistic inclination to earn a living as they painted the mathrees in all sorts of colours, designs, graffiti and images that would especially concur with the hip-hop culture of most young people. Only when I got into college and start studying tourism did I appreciate the fact that also they were a part of Kenya’s tourism attractions! You see dear reader, nowhere else in the world has such unique public transportation vehicles. When other cities have walls subjected to paint, ours are mobile on wheels.

I may seem to have nothing but delight in these ‘tyrants’ of the road but there was also a downside to them. The madness on the roads was a constant cause of accidents, manhandling of passengers and other ills including disruption of learning to schools along the roads because of the extremely loud music at times. And I guess we began seeing the death of the urban mathree culture once the transport reforms were put in place in 2004.

Enacting laws that brought sanity to the roads system was a great thing but banning of especially graffiti was in my opinion not worthwhile. We may never know how many people and creative minds were deemed jobless and maybe how many among them turned to crime and other vices. Probably, the government will never know the significance that the matatus had to the urban youth nor to the tourism industry.

Chillin with Ronga's former finest...Tattoo

So as we reminisce the good old days,Rest in peace, Art on a Mat…till next time wonderful reader, I remain Njabia the 3^rd.

SANE POLITICS (Part 2)

Together, we can fly the flag high once more...

Déjà vu. That is exactly the feeling that filled me when during the funeral of a fallen statesman, our former head of state declared, rather subtly of his desire that we elect the son of our first president into the highest office of the land. A decade earlier, such an event had occurred with very little success when Moi had endorsed Uhuru to inherit him as Kenya’s president.

As we well know, our current and outgoing president was catapulted into the helm with popularity across the land and the endorsement of many leaders who rode along the ‘Rainbow’ wave and occupied senior positions in the coalition government that was formed. Since that ’02 election, it has been a decade of political betrayals, bickering and ‘break ups’ if such an expression exists. On a positive note, we’ve experienced increased freedom of expression, reduced bureaucracy in government operations and as data reflects, but not in everyday situations, economic growth.

The ugliest blot and one that will remain etched on our minds is of course the unprecedented chaos, violence and bloodshed that we experienced across the land after the 2007 General Elections.

As we stand now, the boat that is Kenya is now rocked by waves that are growing in intensity as we countdown to the election that’s just around the corner. I think that as a nation, we’ve run around the same circle like a headless chicken for far too long and it’s time we seized the moment and altered the status quo.

I am not a radical asking that we storm the streets and make our voices be heard, neither am I going to watch the unfolding of events without having my voice being heard. I love my country too much and it pains me, as it should to you that years have passed with the political elite fattening their payslip as our fellow people wallow in I.DP camps. I am not asking that you vote for a particular candidate neither, no, not at all.

All I ask is that you take time. Reflect. Then, decide. Do some soul searching and ask yourself what role you can play, either small; such as refusing to carry out that corrupt deal or in a big way; like letting those close to you know that tribalism is a Goliath that can only be felled by those courageous enough to face it. The destiny of Kenya lies in your hand; will you seize the moment or let it slip away …one more time?

God bless Kenya, as He blesses you wonderful reader. I remain Njabia the 3^rd.

SANE POLITICS (Part 1)

Kenya is me & you!

At the beginning of the year, CNN or The Time Magazine, I do not recall which one really christened this year 2012 as “The Year of Elections”. This is because 59 national elections worldwide are to be held, that is like a 3^rd of the world electing new or maintaining the status quo of their ruling class. A substantial number of them have taken place already with the Western African state of Senegal in turmoil over the result.

As a Kenyan, the political arena in my beloved country borders on both the ridiculous and maybe revolutionary. This year should be an election year but then again, it may well not be. According to our new constitution, August should be when we go to the polls yet many people still seem to favour elections in December. Funny enough, the courts ruled that we may have to wait until March next year!

Inasmuch as we are faced with uncertainty on when we get to elect our nation’s leaders, one thing that ought to remain clear is that we detest from the ignorant and Neanderthal attitudes and actions that saw us butcher one another and fragment according to ethnic lines. Much has been said and documented but it would be a shame if as a nation we fail to learn from the past.

Growing up in Nairobi, our cosmopolitan capital city made me see friends as they were, not from what tribe they belonged, and we never even teased each other along the same attribute. Hoping that a country of 40 million people exhibit such traits may be wishful thinking but it does begin with me and you. Because that is what Kenya is.

As I wind up on this first part I leave you with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt, “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

Have a lovely weekend you wonderful people, I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.

On your marks, get set...GO!

First picture after my birth..23 years later...

In my mind, I had so many thoughts and ideas on what would be the first letter of my blog, even the first sentence...oh, what about the heading...? So many ideas not knowing which one to choose but we had to start at some point you know?

I am in a classroom in our school. Alone. The reason is that while here, I can be able to access the web that is world-wide if you know what I mean. I still can’t comprehend I am writing my first blog post because of mostly two reasons; I am an avid reader of many a blog with brilliant writers; from my mentor’s ‘TONY OUMA’ that is always like a spiritual seminar that is ever growing brilliant with each post to the hilarious but awesome ‘NAIROBIAN’ that reminds me that Kenyans are just the most queer people you’ll ever come across. As anyone who knows me would guess right my favourite actually are football blogs! They make the beautiful game turn into a sort of soap-opera that only testosterone-filled humans like me would find of interest.

Thus the first is a feeling of inadequacy though that should not be confused for inferiority! The second reason is that since I first had the idea of putting my experiences, opinions, feelings and anything worth being put on the internet for all and sundry to read, I really did not know what exactly it was I wanted to share with you dear reader. 

Oh no…maybe I should have introduced myself. (Coughing a bit to relieve the awkwardness) My name is David and I love the name to bits. Maybe because Jesus was also called ‘The son of David’, maybe because Jerusalem is referred to as ‘The city of David’, maybe because King David was such an amazing  leader killing a giant while still in his youth especially and killing a lion and a bear while a teenager, maybe it’s because it is not as hard to write or pronounce or write like the second name of French footballer who failed to score a penalty in World Cup final of 2006, a certain Mr. David Trezeguet…actually, I am probably wrong with that 2^nd name! I think I like the name due to what it means…’BELOVED OF THE LORD’. But my real name is Njabia, or what you would say my ‘African name’. And a rare one it is! I am somewhere in my early twenties, a college student pursuing Travel and Tourism Management and I think it’s a good idea I share seven things I love most in the world.

The reason I would like to do this is that they will form a large chunk of what I will be sharing and writing about most. So, ladies and gentlemen, let’s do this, shall we?!

Oh Sweet Jesus and the beauty that is Kenyan

I do not want to really say God is at the top…hey, wait, do not throw stones as of yet! I am a Christian. Period. People all over have a ‘god’ in some sense but the one I worship is the true God of the Heavens and the Earth and I believe in Jesus as His Son and redeemer of mankind and He’ll soon come for me and all who believeth in Him! 

Now, yes I love God more than any other being or thing but placing Him at number one would mean that He is replaceable which is not the case. So, I allow Him to be number one in everything that I do though I fail in this at some points.

I hope that is sorted! The next  things I love and cherish most are my family, my education, my friends, my country, Arsenal Football Club and avocadoes (Yes, the tropical fruits with a head shaped seed) in that order.

I hope that will be a good place to start as we get to share and interact on this blog or in other avenues.

Oh Nairobi and avocadoes; you make my heart glow....

Baraka beautiful people…I remain Njabia the 3^rd!