Tick tock, Tick tock...

The Grand Prize is Unveiled

Time seemed to whirl

Only seven minutes remained on the clock. The twelve men, eleven on each side drawn from Argentina and Germany toiled towards glory. Christ the Redeemer; the iconic statue in Rio de Janeiro stood amicably as it has done over many years. Almost as if watching with a knowing smile on the proceedings down below. The game had begun while the sun shone. But now darkness had enveloped the Brazilian skyline while a set of over a billion eyes the world over waited in anticipation for the end of the 32 long day bonanza. The world cup was about to end.

Copacabana Beach staging the Match

Seven minutes remained on the clock. And Facebook was getting updates numbering millions, tweets too were aplenty while short prayers to diverse deities were being made. There were heartbeats racing. Hyperventilation was a global phenomenon and even the most hardened of souls trembled a bit. As no one knew of the outcome. Cities stood still and TV commentators rose to the occasion with frenzied passion.

Argentine fans in Anticipation

Seven minutes remained on the clock. Drama was now ensuring. The lunges and sinister tackles from both the South Americans and the Europeans were now at full throttle. Messi made his tricky runs. Neuer smothered out smoldering shots on goal. Mascherano defended for his life and country while Schweinsteiger acquired a bloodied face. Aguero recalled encouraging words he had gotten earlier that morning from Maradona, his father in law while Ozil prodded towards goal like an Indian flute that charms a cobra out of its dwelling pot.

Ecstatic German fans in Berlin

Seven minutes remained on the clock. The tension in the stadium was now palpable. The over 70,000 fans in the Maracana stadium were going through extreme emotions, even those higher than the annual diurnal temperatures of the Atacama Desert. Those on Copacabana beach forgot of the beauty that Rio offered. Their eyes transfixed on the giant screens, as if held by the charm of a master wizard. The waves breaking ashore from the Atlantic Ocean were now an unwelcome distraction. More beer was poured for the streetside pubs of Berlin to the shanty clubs of Buornes Aires. Bets were placed from the high-rise financial offices of Guangzhou to the neighbourhoods of Nairobi’s eastlands. Cursing words and religious words were on a tremendous rise in usage.

Then Götze happened

Seven minutes remained on the clock. And history was made. For the first time ever in a World Cup Final, two substitutes combined to score the winning goal. That goal here was a solo goal. That goal here equalled the record set at France ’98 when 171 was the final tally of the number of goals scored in the tournament. That goal won Germany the World Cup, 2014 edition. That goal broke the hearts of hundreds of millions. That goal brought indescribable joy to a different set of hundreds of millions. That goal made Mario Gotze the most talked about person the whole world over. That goal was a goal to never be forgotten.

Seven minutes remained and Germany was on its way to a fourth time World Cup triumph. And it did.  "G" is the 7th letter of alphabet, and Germany starts with "G" -The name Germany contains 7 letters -Germany was in Group "G" or Group "7" -Germany ended group stage with 7pts -Germany scored 7 goals in group stages-4 vs Portugal, 2 vs Ghana and 1 vs U.S.A -Germany scored 7 goals vs Brazil -And obviously, we are in 7th month of year and winning goal was scored 7 minutes to end of extra time...what a world cup! 

The Best team in the Tournament Won

Out of the Blue

No Balo, it happens to us all

Today started a lovely day. Though the July chilly weather is still making Nairobi seem like Siberia, I was excited for I was going to see someone special in the morning on the way to work. I did see them and headed into town to pick the bus that drops me at work, but then all hell broke loose. Well, not quite so for I believe hell is like nothing anyone ever imagines but still a place to not be scared about if you have a relationship with Jesus…but that’s a story for another day.

Yes, I need some tailoring classes

So, my trouser riiiiiiiped. Yea, it ripped on a major scale! Walking briskly, trying to dodge the oncoming traffic of people, I felt a ‘rrrrrrrr’ sound, like the one Mbusi and Bonoko repeatedly make on Ghetto Radio. Kumbe my very new trouser got hooked to a nail on a nearby kibanda and the seam just ripped apart from the waist down all the way to below my left knee. Boom! Disaster had befallen me though I must admit the breeze felt nice.

So I just stood still, if I wasn’t an African and thank God for this excess melanin that nullified sunscreen from my budget, I would have turned as red as a ripe tomato from Githunguri. To say I felt embarrassed would be an understatement. I contemplated three things. Either, go to work feeling like a boss while evoking all sorts of reactions and actions.  Secondly, looking all over town for a tailor who was open at that time (0630hrs) and the last one, looking for a new trouser to buy while I knew the cash on me wouldn’t be all sufficient. Was so confused that I didn't remember I had plastic money with me. The fourth and unmentioned choice was to will time and chance to rewind the whole situation, live in denial and hope all shall be well.

Well, I had to act and seeing the most sensible thing was to have the seam sewn (sounds like a tongue twister meant for our Luopean friends) back together, I set off, purchasing two safety pins on my way to look for the elusive tailor. The breeze felt better as I walked J

Woo Hoo! Getting sorted...

My feet took me all the way towards Gikomba, where the option of getting myself a new pair of pants would be executed. Frankly, my mind was quite blank. I just knew that I needed help, was desperate for help and I was literally clutching at straws. To cut the long story short before you get bored, dear reader, I found a dingy building where as if by chance, a tailor was just opening his clad laden store. I did not even care that it was dimly lit or the corridors even up the stairs were lined with bales of mtumba clothes. In a few minutes, my trouser was fixed as I stood there reflecting with just my boxers on. Eventually, I was able to get to work on time and it actually turned out to be quite a lovely day.

Where I found my Hope

Sometimes life will just surprise us. When the unexpected happens, most of us opt to live in denial. Some act, but albeit too late. And the course of life is an unpredictable adventure. A course into the unknown. Daily. It’s not always with bad occurrences. Scripture says in the latter part of Ecclesiastes 9:11 that “… time and chance happen to them all.” Sometimes, we miss the mark by a very small margin…like that Switzerland player, Blerim Dzemaili  who hit the post in the last minute of their World Cup game against Argentina yester-night. The ball ricocheted back, but he could only direct it wide thus confirming elimination of the European nation from the football bonanza.

 Take the chances that come your way, avoid standing on the same spot as life moves by. Ultimately, I think we should be frantic to determine our ultimate destiny. Life on Earth isn’t eternal. Accept Jesus and love Him, for this is by faaaaaaaaar, the greatest decision you can ever make. Heaven won’t be your destination by chance. Choices have consequences.

And yea, when you rip your pants on a nail, you might wanna enjoy the breeze a bit more than I did. Maybe for the rest of the day.

Mama Africa

Mama Africa...

Whenever she was with the rest, she would stand out. Her high cheekbones, deep ebony skin tone and elegance truly was magnificent.  All who stole at least a glance at her marvelled, but remained frugal in their admiration. Bright colours were her signature sense of style but no one knew of her inner struggles of self-acceptance. Though despised by the pale lady with a corset around her waist and sneered at by the short woman with a stout figure, her head was ever held high. She was neither shy nor self pitiful, as it wasn’t her fault that she looked and acted different. The others thought her ways were primitive. Yes, primitive was the word thrown around most to describe her. Fantasy tales were told about her household. It was said beyond her gates, killer diseases like malaria and cholera killed without a whim. It was said her pets were majestic big cats, the mightiest a lion. Even when the rest wore thick coats and exposed most of their flesh during various seasons of the year, she remained modest, stylish and ever colourful.

And her smile, that big beautiful and bright smile. It was a sad smile. It was a happy smile. It was a smile holding a thousand tales. It was a smile that spoke of resignation; but not resentment. It was an honest smile, amidst her inner pain. Like the sun ever high over her territories, that smile never fades.

Africa was almost robbed naked... (Nas, 2003)

She was different. She knew so since a tender age. She was picked upon by the muscular boys from the North. They robbed her off almost all the natural wealth she was blessed with. And among this bullies, she found herself in a weird bond with one. It was like marriage but one where the terms and conditions were signed by the lad as the lass had no say. This man captured her in slavery, using one of her relatives as bait. He was a smooth talker. Told her of tales from the high seas. She was fascinated and dwelt under his strong muscular arms. The same arms would later on strangle her almost robbing her life. Their union was rocky and unbalanced. The man left for some time and never returned the same. His energy was sapped off fighting a global war. The lady of this story was left derelict but with dignity intact. She decided not to stand it anymore, she fought, it was bloody, it was long but she endured. She won.

After her triumph, the joy was not to last for long, she gave birth and during her labour she wept. But alas! They were tears of joy. She had finally redeemed herself. She would walk proudly at the market-place. She was as dignified as the other women.

As her son developed, he acquired queer ways and the other kids in the village murmured that his selfishness would be his downfall. As the first born, he inherited the family property. His self-centredness wouldn’t allow him to share anything with his siblings and the squabbles in the family would remain perpetual to this day. As he grew up, with his foolishness now well documented, the newer generation of his mum’s first husband came with beaming smiles from ridges far and wide. He was enchanted. He felt important. He adopted their ways and gullibly fell into their trap. Little did he know that he was dealing with a smooth criminal. A criminal after the wealth in his homestead. The story goes on to this day...

U.S.A-frica

Oh Africa, where doth thou redemption lie?

One Day at a Time

In every darkness, there's light at the end

Growing up, we used to watch Family TV a great deal. I got to absolutely look forward to experiencing the big crusades the world over by Benny Hinn. On Saturday mornings though, it was always a tussle between me and small sister who couldn’t afford to miss the Colby Kids’ Clubhouse show while I would prefer the likes of Powerpuff Girls and Courage 60 on Nation TV, before it was rebranded to NTV.  The trick on which station to watch was to entice small brother to be on your side. Democracy was instilled years ago. Our mother-who had veto power, would insist we watch Family TV though. She used to love a show that was hosted by an old but friendly looking woman who would sing amidst nuggets of wisdom and encouragements. Her best tune was titled ‘One Day at a Time’. For some reason, I have never gotten the tune nor the lyrics out of my head. Later on, I learnt her name is Cristy Lane.

One day at a time, sweet Jesus

That's all I'm asking from You

Just give me the strength to do everyday

What I have to do

Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine

Lord, help me today, show me the way

One day at a time…

The Pursuit of Happiness is a Journey

It’s easy to sing a song, recall a great quote or even memorize a Bible verse. But most times, it’s harder to apply them in our day to day life. The storms that we face from time to time can almost shatter us. Earlier this year, it was a bleak time for me. I remember at church on New Year’s eve, I couldn’t even pray for the situation I found myself in seemed hopeless. But as it’s said, a testimony is preceded by a test and so the days wore on. In moments like those, it’s easy to despair, rebel or wallow in pity. Thankfully, God’s ways aren’t like ours and all along, He had a great plan for me.

Sometimes, we find ourselves on the brink of giving up. That’s why suicide is such a rude reality. But what if we decided to live a day at a time; trusting God to see us through to a better day. Because eventually, we will die. And when that happens, our titles will automatically change to ‘body’. They will say our bodies are preserved in a particular place, our bodies will be ferried to our eventual place of burial and our bodies will be lowered down back into the earth. Soil to soil. Silence.

Before that happens though, why can’t we all accept and embrace life! The world is just but a big stage, we are the characters of a play called life. It’s true that we never chose what place to be born in, but still, we have the ability to make an impact.  There will never be another time on Earth for anyone, so don’t hold back living to the fullest, just do it! A time will come, when our teeth are gone and what we will cherish most are memories. So, what will your memories be? Live it today, and smile tomorrow. I watched an Emirates Airlines ad featuring two football greats-Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé who dazzled the world four decades ago and Cristiano Ronaldo, a modern day legend. In the ad, some two guys are speaking behind the latter’s back and he has a big smirk written all over his face but gets a tad embarrassed to realize that they are in awe of the former as he approaches. Then, another guy asks Pele to take a photo as he poses with Ronaldo. The guy doesn’t even know how highly esteemed Pele is held by those who bore testament to his exploits. And it ends with the two legends in an embrace, the hourglass is at par. Life really is a cycle and there’s nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Everyone has what they consider success. Whether it is personal, corporate, social or even as a nation. We really need to come to terms with what true success is. It would be foolhardy to chase life for the ultimate glory and collapse right at the very end. Each day should be lived such that regrets and disillusionment don’t cloud our happiness. But if having fun will last a day, and happiness last for a season, what is eternal is the joy of the Lord. Seek it and you’ll never be caught up in the viciousness and vanity of this life. As some friends of mine summed up the life of man in a song titled ‘Vanity’,

Maisha haya yatoweka,

Mchangani tutakuweka

Mali yako, hautabeba,

Itakwishia dunia...

Indeed, as Jesus said in various accounts of the Gospel, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, Mark 13:31). Let us trust In Him, but also remember this: You only have one life, so live it right. Do what your heart desires and go for that one thing in the world that will truly make you happy.

I did. And I’m loving it J

Wild & Free

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.

Life is just a Game

We are One

In late 2011, I remember watching a football match in Greece featuring the most decorated and successful Greek team, Olympiacos F.C versus the finest European team of our age, Arsenal F.C in the formers’ home ground, the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. It was a typical Champions League night and the game might have been but a far-fetched memory had not a moment of brilliance occurred as the game wore on. Arsenal scored through Yossi Benayoun with the assist coming from a certain Marouane Chamakh. Neither of them is a household name even though coincidentally Chamakh wore the number 29 shirt while the goal scorer wore number 30 on his back. But the significance of that moment of magic hit me on how football can be a unifying factor. You see, ladies and gents, Chamakh is a Moroccan international and was then the captain of his national team. Yossi on the other hand, you guessed it right is the captain of the national team of Israel from where he hails. A Muslim and a Jew linking up to inflict damage on the Greek champions. Such is the magic and power of football.

Gor and Ingwe fans United

Since time immemorial, sports and football by far has been used as a tool to bring warring communities together, preach peace and campaign for moral values and their practise. At times, sports has also served to divide people especially where competing teams and their loyal hordes of fans just can’t stand the sight of each other. Amidst all this, more positive than harm can be attributed to football and sports at large.

We all know the simmering tension and warfare experienced in many parts of the world but in the world of sports, there is no black and white, Christian, Hindu, Muslim or Jew. It’s an avenue where humanity’s greatest traits are exposed, where the simplicity of a unified world is demonstrated whether on a pitch, stage or even a swimming pool.

A great act of Kindness

Needless to say, it’s not always nice and smooth. Sometimes racism rears its ugly head and nationalism exceeds human value. But also in such a stage is where we can watch citizens of the most secluded nation on Earth, the North Koreans take on a football giant in Brazil, as it happened in the last world cup in South Africa. It’s also in sports that a Kenyan lady relinquished her sprint to victory in a marathon to help an Oriental man without arms to drink a bottle of water.

There are many other wonderful things and traits that are nurtured through sports. Ranging from team work, hard work, unity and respect both for self and others but that’s a point of discussion for another time. Until then keep it sporty and live out the values of the game, especially the gentleman’s game; football.

Till next time, I remain Njabia, the 3rd.

No need for Caption