The last Friday was heavy with anticipation. Lots of things were happening on the weekend and when my good nephew called me to find out how I would schedule the weekend, I decided to outsource the decision to him. He decided that the star's game would be a must watch since we would be beating Tunisia, then the Kenyans also had to be watched taking the Hong Kong series as well as the cross country. All that was then to be celebrated with Osogo Winyo live that evening!
The day started well as anticipated. It was cool and even had drizzles. but then at the time of the game I went to do job rounds instead of the match. The coca cola stadium was really packed judging from the cars outside. But had duty called so I just passed by. Then after I got called for a fund raiser at garden square which ended kinda late. By which time I already understood that Kenya had gone down 2-1 at home. I also missed the rugby match and the other one but decided that the last leg of Saturday would not go unchallenged so I went to osogo winyos concert. I had never seen the guy but had heard so much of him so I was excited. The place was already packed but I managed to get a seat. curiously most patrons today were rather young with hanging jeans, funny canvas shoes and strange tops. They were in such a mood. a number had rugby shirts on. I thought one of us were in the wrong place. osogo=ohangla=elderly peoples music! disappointingly, it was Musa Juma who started with rhumba and he hogged the stage for almost 4 hours. towards the end of those he was actually being booed by the young crowd who were shouting 'Osogo!' Well finally his team started setting up the stage but he was no where to be seen. The crowd shouted louder then he finally appeared. He did not look the part. In fact had he come for one of those Kenyan reality tv shows, I would have told him to try another career other than music even before he opened his mouth. He is very short and was even putting on a funny kaunda suit and sports shoes!
But when he really did open his mouth, he brought the house down! The young people poured onto the dance floor in ecstasy, every one was up as Osogo went through the numbers. and I realized one why people love heroes. somehow they bring out the hero in us since at that point several people tried to join him on stage to show us how well they could dance or just to to be seen with him. others converted their mobile phones into cameras. For sure I will never judge a book by the way he is dressed! Another thing I realized was why young people love the guy. Somehow his kind of modern ohangla is novel. its faster, vigorous and has many different sounds. In fact its quite close to the original ohangla sound mostly found in Ugenya and Siaya. I got tired after a short while and went back to the seat to watch the young show us how 'our' music should be danced.
But soberly though, our harambee stars team did me proud. They went down alright but they played quite well judging from the replays. What we need now is patience with the coach, put our management in order and wait for results. Even the rugby sevens has come a long way.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Of Education and Social Responsibility
I was watching 'Making of a Nation' program on NTV the other day. This time they focused a lot on the development of education in Kenya and one man called Carey Francis was richly featured. Carey Francis was the legendary maths teacher who also penned several text books that were used in East Africa for a long time in the early years of our nation. Also featured prominently was Alliance High School where Mr. Francis was teaching.
It was a very good program. Quite uplifting and also humbling. One thing that I found quite humbling was that at one time, Kenya had about 1600 students finishing form four and seeking places in high school. That was a crisis at the time!
On the other side though, I could not help but wonder what the real success of Alliance has been. Yes the commentator went on mentioning the who is who in Kenya as having been educated at Alliance. The few names I could remember were Kanyotu, Amos Wako, Njonjo, Festus Olang etc. For each big name dropped by the commentator, I could not find any great achievement or contribution to the Kenyan republic apart from corruption and planting seeds of tribalism in our nation. And it got me worried. That these big names came from such a prestigious institution, went on to study at Makerere and then came back to destroy our nation through mismanagement, sleaze and tribalism. It made me ask myself the same question Kodhek my good friend used to bother me with. What is the real raison d'etre of a school. Is it supposed to only make you a good scientist or doctor or nurse or leader? Or should the school also shape you into a socially and morally responsible adult? Shouldn't there be a difference that when you are trained in a certain institution, that you have certain enduring principles, qualities and temperament other than the school leaving certificate and alumni membership? And when the school has an alumni, shouldn't members have a way of striking you off the register and disowning you for soiling the name of the institution? From the list that was being read by the commentator last Sunday, it was as if one of the traits taught at Alliance was corruption, tribalism and social mediocrity.
Be that as it may. When is the rain planning to fall on our beloved country? It has become unbearably hot, food is scarce, taps are dry and dust threatens to cover us on the streets. Aren't there some good lawyers out there somewhere to sue someone for sleeping on the job and not sending the rain on time? You can even throw in breach of contract
It was a very good program. Quite uplifting and also humbling. One thing that I found quite humbling was that at one time, Kenya had about 1600 students finishing form four and seeking places in high school. That was a crisis at the time!
On the other side though, I could not help but wonder what the real success of Alliance has been. Yes the commentator went on mentioning the who is who in Kenya as having been educated at Alliance. The few names I could remember were Kanyotu, Amos Wako, Njonjo, Festus Olang etc. For each big name dropped by the commentator, I could not find any great achievement or contribution to the Kenyan republic apart from corruption and planting seeds of tribalism in our nation. And it got me worried. That these big names came from such a prestigious institution, went on to study at Makerere and then came back to destroy our nation through mismanagement, sleaze and tribalism. It made me ask myself the same question Kodhek my good friend used to bother me with. What is the real raison d'etre of a school. Is it supposed to only make you a good scientist or doctor or nurse or leader? Or should the school also shape you into a socially and morally responsible adult? Shouldn't there be a difference that when you are trained in a certain institution, that you have certain enduring principles, qualities and temperament other than the school leaving certificate and alumni membership? And when the school has an alumni, shouldn't members have a way of striking you off the register and disowning you for soiling the name of the institution? From the list that was being read by the commentator last Sunday, it was as if one of the traits taught at Alliance was corruption, tribalism and social mediocrity.
Be that as it may. When is the rain planning to fall on our beloved country? It has become unbearably hot, food is scarce, taps are dry and dust threatens to cover us on the streets. Aren't there some good lawyers out there somewhere to sue someone for sleeping on the job and not sending the rain on time? You can even throw in breach of contract
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Success
I have been thinking lately about defining success. What qaulisfies one as successful. In the short of it it should just be said that success is the attainment of ones goals and aspirations. thats simple and some 19th century prime minister said once that success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
My thinking in my student days was that success was like calculus where they say dy/dx and for this case the dy/dx need to be positive. By that I thought that you could not talk of success if your situation remained largely the same. Or if it came down. So if you were 100/= rich and became 1000 richer you would be more successful that Bill gates this year ( he lost 40 % of his wealth though is still a multi billionaire!)
Lately though I have been thinkning that for one to be thougt of as successful, he must do at least better than his parents. If your dad was a high school teacher, at least try and become a mid level college lecturer. If he bought one car maybe you could do with two or a higher capacity one etc. So for me I think that if Uhuru Kenyatta does not become the Lincoln of Kenya and doesnt unite the country, heal the wounds inflicted by his dad or even return all that stolen land , he would have failed as a politician even if he gets to succeed Kibaki.
But the other day I was being told of the school fees paid at St. Austins Turi or at Pembroke or even Brookhouse school. Others are hillcrest and so on. and I asked my friend ; where will those guys work? Will they compete for the same job with Mr. Odhianja Biru who went to Okolo Kudho mixed secondary school? If they competed for the same job and both were employed as accountants in a leading bank in Kenya, who among them will have counted as successful. Seriously if you are going to invest 300,000 shillings a term for a kid who then goes on to compete with another who invested 10,000 shillings a year then you cant talk of him being successful.
Last week I celebrated the win of one Edith Kimani at the conclusion of the KTN show The Presenter until I learnt that she was schooled at Hilcrest, I immediately pitied her. To me getting a job as a presenter in KTN is not a good return on investment of schooling at hilcrest.
Thats another reason why I seldom celebrate the likes of Starehe boys centre, Allinace, Mangu etc when they top the countrys exam. What else should they do apart from topping? They take the best kids in the country and they get allocated the best resources as the top most secondary schools in the nation hence the term national schools.
On another note, am thinking seriously that our collective failure in Kenya is not that we havent been able to democratise our institutions but rather that we have been unable to create a nation. Its sad that we still refer to each other as if they were aliens or strangers. The major thing to do is make ourselves a people after all we have too many common enemies namely lack of water (which is worsening by the decade), lack of forest cover, lack of visionary leaders, poverty diseases, coruption, traffic chaos etc.
My thinking in my student days was that success was like calculus where they say dy/dx and for this case the dy/dx need to be positive. By that I thought that you could not talk of success if your situation remained largely the same. Or if it came down. So if you were 100/= rich and became 1000 richer you would be more successful that Bill gates this year ( he lost 40 % of his wealth though is still a multi billionaire!)
Lately though I have been thinkning that for one to be thougt of as successful, he must do at least better than his parents. If your dad was a high school teacher, at least try and become a mid level college lecturer. If he bought one car maybe you could do with two or a higher capacity one etc. So for me I think that if Uhuru Kenyatta does not become the Lincoln of Kenya and doesnt unite the country, heal the wounds inflicted by his dad or even return all that stolen land , he would have failed as a politician even if he gets to succeed Kibaki.
But the other day I was being told of the school fees paid at St. Austins Turi or at Pembroke or even Brookhouse school. Others are hillcrest and so on. and I asked my friend ; where will those guys work? Will they compete for the same job with Mr. Odhianja Biru who went to Okolo Kudho mixed secondary school? If they competed for the same job and both were employed as accountants in a leading bank in Kenya, who among them will have counted as successful. Seriously if you are going to invest 300,000 shillings a term for a kid who then goes on to compete with another who invested 10,000 shillings a year then you cant talk of him being successful.
Last week I celebrated the win of one Edith Kimani at the conclusion of the KTN show The Presenter until I learnt that she was schooled at Hilcrest, I immediately pitied her. To me getting a job as a presenter in KTN is not a good return on investment of schooling at hilcrest.
Thats another reason why I seldom celebrate the likes of Starehe boys centre, Allinace, Mangu etc when they top the countrys exam. What else should they do apart from topping? They take the best kids in the country and they get allocated the best resources as the top most secondary schools in the nation hence the term national schools.
On another note, am thinking seriously that our collective failure in Kenya is not that we havent been able to democratise our institutions but rather that we have been unable to create a nation. Its sad that we still refer to each other as if they were aliens or strangers. The major thing to do is make ourselves a people after all we have too many common enemies namely lack of water (which is worsening by the decade), lack of forest cover, lack of visionary leaders, poverty diseases, coruption, traffic chaos etc.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Olepolos
What is in a name, what is in a place really? have been hearing so much of a heavenly place called olepolos. Every Ouma, Wanyonyi and Rajwayi who have visited the place has indicated to me that am not worth my salt if i hadn't. Well I have never felt bad not being worth my salt for not visiting olepolos but this last week, a friend of mine offered together with his wife to treat me to lunch at the the place. It was a spontaneous and wild idea but it sounded the best in the month. So we set off to the south of the city. Passed through ongata rongai, and kiserian. and i saw for the first time the place which in the late '90s was the place to buy land if you were a Kenyan man whose balls had filled his palm. I don't know the criteria women used to buy land there. But somehow everyone I knew was talking of settling in Kiserian.
I thought olepolos would be near there but we still had quite a drive, nice hills, beautiful open lands basically bare and uninhabited save for a few huts here and there. My friend said the land belonged to maasai but the dotted settlements and farm lands belonged to bright Kikuyu men (I wonder why not women). We passed some beautiful looking young people trekking, they were a sharp contrast to the area and my friend offered that they most probably were university students on an excursion or sponsored walk. This guy is sharp and had an explanation for everything we met upto why they were the way they were.
After a few more twists and turns we got to a place with more thorn shrubs than the mara. But the soil was black clay like my neighborhood in Nairobi. The friends wife said that Karen used to look like that. In fact she offered that Karen which people these days struggle to get to was actually maasai land before they were driven out by white men and a few bright, you guessed it Kikuyu men. Two more winds and we turn into olepolos. Am getting excited that finally I would be worth my salt. As we drive in am getting a feeling of lost since there are just a few shades and lots of smoke. what is surprising is that several 'strong' cars with powerful plates in colors of power are parked around. I ask my two 'guides' if they think there is a function. No its just normal traffic at olepolos. In the middle of nowhere there are many people roasting meat here drinking and chatting merrily. There is actually nothing much and thats what makes the place outstanding. Nothingness, openness, bare land with no confines, no buildings just open skies and unforgiving heat.
We ordered lamb and chicken which took about an hour to be ready while we had a good chat and laugh and drank lots of novida. its actually not bad after all. However the chicken and meat were disappointing, it wasn't roasted that well but when I saw everyone around me enjoying the feast, I played along. funny thing people were still streaming in even at 5PM some with their kids!
Way back we decide to go see Titus Naikuni's house on the way to isinya. The guys house is actually an attraction. My friend said Naikuni stays there and travels all this way everyday to go to work at KQ headquarters in Nairobi. the house is to say the least a masterpiece. we saw it from afar but it was clear that a lot of thought, money and man hours went into putting it up. It actually looks like an hotel or an institution. (kuna watu na viatu! )
He is in a very big compound and a lot of free open land all around him. I was reminded again that Karen used to be like that before John Keen subdivided it and sold it off. Apparently John Keen owned most of Karen if not all.
After that we pushed the road-master hard to get to Nairobi before dusk and then counted myself as a been-to.
As a by the way though ,on passing, am I the only one disturbed that all the catholic bishops, archbishops and even a cardinal who are great close friends of our president are not advising him or even telling him that rejecting your family and child in public is not only shameful but also sinful. I know in the catholic teaching having a child outside marriage is considered adulterous and sinful but what is the difference between what Kibaki did on Tuesday and abortion? Catholics reject abortion, right?
I thought olepolos would be near there but we still had quite a drive, nice hills, beautiful open lands basically bare and uninhabited save for a few huts here and there. My friend said the land belonged to maasai but the dotted settlements and farm lands belonged to bright Kikuyu men (I wonder why not women). We passed some beautiful looking young people trekking, they were a sharp contrast to the area and my friend offered that they most probably were university students on an excursion or sponsored walk. This guy is sharp and had an explanation for everything we met upto why they were the way they were.
After a few more twists and turns we got to a place with more thorn shrubs than the mara. But the soil was black clay like my neighborhood in Nairobi. The friends wife said that Karen used to look like that. In fact she offered that Karen which people these days struggle to get to was actually maasai land before they were driven out by white men and a few bright, you guessed it Kikuyu men. Two more winds and we turn into olepolos. Am getting excited that finally I would be worth my salt. As we drive in am getting a feeling of lost since there are just a few shades and lots of smoke. what is surprising is that several 'strong' cars with powerful plates in colors of power are parked around. I ask my two 'guides' if they think there is a function. No its just normal traffic at olepolos. In the middle of nowhere there are many people roasting meat here drinking and chatting merrily. There is actually nothing much and thats what makes the place outstanding. Nothingness, openness, bare land with no confines, no buildings just open skies and unforgiving heat.
We ordered lamb and chicken which took about an hour to be ready while we had a good chat and laugh and drank lots of novida. its actually not bad after all. However the chicken and meat were disappointing, it wasn't roasted that well but when I saw everyone around me enjoying the feast, I played along. funny thing people were still streaming in even at 5PM some with their kids!
Way back we decide to go see Titus Naikuni's house on the way to isinya. The guys house is actually an attraction. My friend said Naikuni stays there and travels all this way everyday to go to work at KQ headquarters in Nairobi. the house is to say the least a masterpiece. we saw it from afar but it was clear that a lot of thought, money and man hours went into putting it up. It actually looks like an hotel or an institution. (kuna watu na viatu! )
He is in a very big compound and a lot of free open land all around him. I was reminded again that Karen used to be like that before John Keen subdivided it and sold it off. Apparently John Keen owned most of Karen if not all.
After that we pushed the road-master hard to get to Nairobi before dusk and then counted myself as a been-to.
As a by the way though ,on passing, am I the only one disturbed that all the catholic bishops, archbishops and even a cardinal who are great close friends of our president are not advising him or even telling him that rejecting your family and child in public is not only shameful but also sinful. I know in the catholic teaching having a child outside marriage is considered adulterous and sinful but what is the difference between what Kibaki did on Tuesday and abortion? Catholics reject abortion, right?
Monday, February 23, 2009
A tale of two ghetos
A visit last week to Nairobi's South lands Kijiji over the weekend was very good. It was a stark reminder of Nyalenda in one way but in another way, it was a strong indicator yet that the slum situation in Nairobi may have no comparison in Kenya. The Kisumu area is much better. It reminds me of the first time I visited mukuru. I told myself that nyalenda should never ever be referred to as slum unless we get another definition for mukuru. be that as it may, the basic issues are pretty much the same. issues of lack of water, no toilets, drainage or even roads. In case you have an emergency situation, the ambulance would have no place to pass. The other commonality with Nyalenda is the lack of privacy. normally the 'walls' of the houses are so thin, you can hear the neighbors turning in bed. It is always worse when the turnings are man-made!
But yet one more thing that makes all slums equal is the micro-one-day economy. In nyalenda those days, you could survive on 10 bob each day. and your budget would be very simple:
Kimbo ya kukatwa (the paper wraped Kimbo was
cut into several pieces) 2/=
Unga ya kupima 2 /=
mafuta ya taa (also for cooking) 3 /=
omena bluband ndogo (measured in a used bb tin 2 /=
maji kibuyu moja 1 /=
The 10/= budget was important since you did not need to keep any leftovers as the following day you would be at work (mjengo mostly) during lunch and by evening it would have been spoilt.
In southland's, most house rents are between 1200 and 2500 for the ones with electricity (of course illegal connections) What is very different is that some people living here actually drive and in the evening they park quite good cars in the nearby school or shoping centre. They also take their children to very good schools outside the slum. The slum therefore is only for cheap accommodation.
Another reminder and commonality for all shanties is the presence of hope and despair living side by side like siemese twins. you see the hope in the eager faces of young chilren playing without any inhibition or monitoring. if you buy OMO's marketing rider then only kids in the slum truly learn. on the other side, you see the disillusioned faces of young adults resigning to fate and hopelessness including those already in the tight grip of changaa and other cheap drugs
But yet one more thing that makes all slums equal is the micro-one-day economy. In nyalenda those days, you could survive on 10 bob each day. and your budget would be very simple:
Kimbo ya kukatwa (the paper wraped Kimbo was
cut into several pieces) 2/=
Unga ya kupima 2 /=
mafuta ya taa (also for cooking) 3 /=
omena bluband ndogo (measured in a used bb tin 2 /=
maji kibuyu moja 1 /=
The 10/= budget was important since you did not need to keep any leftovers as the following day you would be at work (mjengo mostly) during lunch and by evening it would have been spoilt.
In southland's, most house rents are between 1200 and 2500 for the ones with electricity (of course illegal connections) What is very different is that some people living here actually drive and in the evening they park quite good cars in the nearby school or shoping centre. They also take their children to very good schools outside the slum. The slum therefore is only for cheap accommodation.
Another reminder and commonality for all shanties is the presence of hope and despair living side by side like siemese twins. you see the hope in the eager faces of young chilren playing without any inhibition or monitoring. if you buy OMO's marketing rider then only kids in the slum truly learn. on the other side, you see the disillusioned faces of young adults resigning to fate and hopelessness including those already in the tight grip of changaa and other cheap drugs
Monday, February 16, 2009
Of Human Rights and Home Truths
In the '90s when there was great civil conscience, debate and activity , my good friend Kodhek kept on reminding me that injustice anywhere was a great threat to justice everywhere. Because of that, that he kept on saying that it was the responsibility of the whole world to make sure that the inhuman treatments, rights abuses and life threatening corruption happening in Kenya were dealt with and eliminated. That was well and true. But what if those injustices were happening in those places too? Kodhek held that those other places were too developed and civilized to allow such things to happen. Well that was true until we saw shocking pictures from one notorious camp called gitmo. suddenly the saviors became the tormentors just like the civil rights crusaders of Moi years became the dictators of Narc error. My eyes were rudely opened wide. I did not have time or opportunity to make Kodhek eat his words and indeed I never even had the energy nor the interest. I was learning rather fast.
Indeed they say that there is a thin line between good and evil and that the greatest of solutions are always also the greatest sources of problems. just like capitalism was the greatest and most successful formula to end feudalism and perpetual damnation to poverty and hopelessness, it became the greatest challenge to the world and is singly responsible for all current evils including exam leakages, teenage pregnancies, moral decay, global warming, corruption and even the increase of human rights violation all over the world. I hope Mr. Obama will not go the route of Kibaki. and that he will respect the world enough to deliver on the promises he so eloquently made. I know its a tough call but then again no one said it was going to be easy.
And this day, I remember in a special way, my former MP for Kisumu one Robert Ouko, a brilliant foreign affairs minister whose body was found burnt in Got Alila near Koru. I remember him because in 1988, when I was a pupil in Shauri Moyo primary school in Kisumu, my friend and I recited a poem to entertain him during a councilor's home coming party in our school. The poem was in praise of President Moi. In those days all entertainment pieces were in praise of president Moi whether he was present or not. Hon Ouko really liked our poem. He looked rather a small man compared to my dad who was a giant of a man but he left quite an impression on me.
His death was condemned far and wide but today, I wonder if it was any different from the senseless deaths of the many civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Indeed they say that there is a thin line between good and evil and that the greatest of solutions are always also the greatest sources of problems. just like capitalism was the greatest and most successful formula to end feudalism and perpetual damnation to poverty and hopelessness, it became the greatest challenge to the world and is singly responsible for all current evils including exam leakages, teenage pregnancies, moral decay, global warming, corruption and even the increase of human rights violation all over the world. I hope Mr. Obama will not go the route of Kibaki. and that he will respect the world enough to deliver on the promises he so eloquently made. I know its a tough call but then again no one said it was going to be easy.
And this day, I remember in a special way, my former MP for Kisumu one Robert Ouko, a brilliant foreign affairs minister whose body was found burnt in Got Alila near Koru. I remember him because in 1988, when I was a pupil in Shauri Moyo primary school in Kisumu, my friend and I recited a poem to entertain him during a councilor's home coming party in our school. The poem was in praise of President Moi. In those days all entertainment pieces were in praise of president Moi whether he was present or not. Hon Ouko really liked our poem. He looked rather a small man compared to my dad who was a giant of a man but he left quite an impression on me.
His death was condemned far and wide but today, I wonder if it was any different from the senseless deaths of the many civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Cashing in
It was during one of my many one-on-one sessions with my boss that we talked about the concept of cashing in. According to him, career development like investing should be run like a marathon. You can choose to cash in while at the head of the pack but the question is would you be happy in the long run. If you bolted like Bolt after the sound of the gun, would the likes of Wanjiru and Paul Target look at you worried? Maybe not. Sometimes its good to cool it off and wait for your wine to mature before serving.
But I have in mind many people who could have cashed in pretty early. For one even though he won, Obama in my secret subdued view could have jumped the gun. In fact i still have a feeling that winning is one thing but not the only thing. Its just like the examples my Boss was giving me of people who climb the corporate ladder pretty fast, then notice the glass ceiling and then opt out and go to climb in another place. In the long run they may not be happy. Get the job they would but perform or survive?
The other person I think is cashing in too early is one Eric Omondi. A very comical and likeable character in the Churchil Live show every Thursday. The media house has given him his own show, actually a rather prime time slot on saturday. My wonder is will he be able to hold us the way Churchil holds us glued to the screens? Will he make us want to go back and watch. Will people pack the carnivore for him the way they do for churchil live? Would it have been more prudent to stay on with Churchil just a little longer to get his endearment to the people.
Yet another guy in fact whome I pitty so much now is one Ababu Namwamba. In one short year, the young man has gone full circle of a Kenyan politician. from a nobody, to a bootlicker (for Raila) to a hero, to a heckler , villain and back to a nobody. At least after the shameful admision that he had lied to the republic about mama Lucy. By the way his allegations may hold some water and he could have been forced to 'apologise', but the fact that he did not have balls to stand by them and humbly ate his words is very telling indeed. You wonder who will take him seriously now. In fact rumours have started flying that he was part of the maize cartel!
But I pitty him becuase someone could actually be using him. One clever politician could have identified his raw youthful ambition and decided to use, abuse and dump him. Just like one Danston Mungatana. What happened to him by the way? He was the star of the nineth parliament having made a name for himself as the one who could insult Raila anywhere and anytime. Now there is no need to insult Raila and no one needs the poor little fellow anymore.
Even companies sometimes cash in too soon. And that was probably one of Uchumis greatest undoing. Even GTV. Deciding to sprint even before learning how to crawl was a dumb idea to say the least
But I have in mind many people who could have cashed in pretty early. For one even though he won, Obama in my secret subdued view could have jumped the gun. In fact i still have a feeling that winning is one thing but not the only thing. Its just like the examples my Boss was giving me of people who climb the corporate ladder pretty fast, then notice the glass ceiling and then opt out and go to climb in another place. In the long run they may not be happy. Get the job they would but perform or survive?
The other person I think is cashing in too early is one Eric Omondi. A very comical and likeable character in the Churchil Live show every Thursday. The media house has given him his own show, actually a rather prime time slot on saturday. My wonder is will he be able to hold us the way Churchil holds us glued to the screens? Will he make us want to go back and watch. Will people pack the carnivore for him the way they do for churchil live? Would it have been more prudent to stay on with Churchil just a little longer to get his endearment to the people.
Yet another guy in fact whome I pitty so much now is one Ababu Namwamba. In one short year, the young man has gone full circle of a Kenyan politician. from a nobody, to a bootlicker (for Raila) to a hero, to a heckler , villain and back to a nobody. At least after the shameful admision that he had lied to the republic about mama Lucy. By the way his allegations may hold some water and he could have been forced to 'apologise', but the fact that he did not have balls to stand by them and humbly ate his words is very telling indeed. You wonder who will take him seriously now. In fact rumours have started flying that he was part of the maize cartel!
But I pitty him becuase someone could actually be using him. One clever politician could have identified his raw youthful ambition and decided to use, abuse and dump him. Just like one Danston Mungatana. What happened to him by the way? He was the star of the nineth parliament having made a name for himself as the one who could insult Raila anywhere and anytime. Now there is no need to insult Raila and no one needs the poor little fellow anymore.
Even companies sometimes cash in too soon. And that was probably one of Uchumis greatest undoing. Even GTV. Deciding to sprint even before learning how to crawl was a dumb idea to say the least
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Superlative Service
Have you ever gone to buy a service and felt that you were underpaying for it or that there was a catch someone up the chain? Well I did when I went to see a doctor at the AAR clinic in Sarit centre. the ambiance was strangely different. After registering at the reception, I looked around for a suitable old, torn magazine that would help me pass time as I waited my turn with the doctor. Instead, I got an AAR newsletter which was also very recent. But before I could get to page two of the newsletter, I heard my name being called. wow that was fast. I went in to see a very friendly doctor who made me open up rather easily as he was very comfortable with me and did not contradict anything I told him even engaging me on a chit-chat on things completely unrelated to medicine or being sick. He seemed like he had known me for very long which actually prompted me to ask if he had ever worked in Kisumu where I lived most of my early life. From the doctor all the way to the lab and the pharmacy every one was rather welcoming and friendly and at each point I kept on asking myself whether I would be charged extra for the 'special service'. No they did not in any case the consultation was cheaper than the place I visit most of the times.
That kind of treatment is hard to come by in these parts of the world apart from at Standard Chartered West lands Branch where everyone normally seems to know me and what I would be looking for. Whats more, their seats for waiting are very comfy and they have newspapers for the day everyday. I have been with them for long and I know they are not charging me anything extra for their superlative service. Oh and another place I get that kind of treatment is carnivore. But then carnivore seems to have created their own customer service style and its expected theat they would treat you that well. I wonder where they get the energy to sing so enthusiastically for every patron celebrating a birthday, anniversary or first visit to Kenya. Only that they need to learn a new song to add onto the 'jambo bwana' gig.
By the way, they are about to export their model to Egypt. In fact, I met the guys who are going to be the manager and chief chef. They were in the country to learn the job first hand. Some Carnivore waiters will also be taken to Egypt briefly. This I guess would be the second export after the one in South Africa.
That kind of treatment is hard to come by in these parts of the world apart from at Standard Chartered West lands Branch where everyone normally seems to know me and what I would be looking for. Whats more, their seats for waiting are very comfy and they have newspapers for the day everyday. I have been with them for long and I know they are not charging me anything extra for their superlative service. Oh and another place I get that kind of treatment is carnivore. But then carnivore seems to have created their own customer service style and its expected theat they would treat you that well. I wonder where they get the energy to sing so enthusiastically for every patron celebrating a birthday, anniversary or first visit to Kenya. Only that they need to learn a new song to add onto the 'jambo bwana' gig.
By the way, they are about to export their model to Egypt. In fact, I met the guys who are going to be the manager and chief chef. They were in the country to learn the job first hand. Some Carnivore waiters will also be taken to Egypt briefly. This I guess would be the second export after the one in South Africa.
Monday, February 02, 2009
'I Take Responsibility'
Those 3 magic words are what I would like to hear more from my countrymen and women. Its time to take responsibility over our actions and basically give those guys we call leaders a small break. The fire was tragic but death could have been avoided. Our people need to know that their life is their responsibility period. I actually got angry that even after so many people had died before in similar conditions, more had to perish out of sheer acts of irresponsibility and after the fire Many people went on a blaming spree saying the govt should do A or B. what about the citizens!
Even after that tragedy, when driving around town, people kept on jumping in front of the car and running across the road. They basically were leaving their lives in my hands or let me say in my breaks and my feat. They trusted that my breaks would not fail, that I would have seen them on time, that my personal reflexes were good etc
After the Nakumatt fire, the ministers and the city council treated us to an exchange of blame about who did not do his job. Even the COO of Nakumatt came out and put blame on someone else. I expected him at least to say the fire was my fault or it accidentally started but it was in my business premises and I take responsibility that we locked the only door when fire started, that we do not have smoke or fire detectors, that we did not have emergency exits. That I did not train my people on emergency management etc.
Two years ago, I talked to people against pyramid schemes until my mouth went dry . They couldn't listen instead they kept on asking me which ones were most lucrative. when they lost their money they looked for someone to blame and the government came in handy. Some even vowed to sue the government. Please just take responsibility for your actions.
Even the food crisis calls for some responsibility. Drought visits Kenya every 5 or so years. Every citizen should take it upon himself or herself to ensure their families food security. It does not have to be left to those people called leaders all the time. take charge of your life it is your responsibility.
On another note, I wonder why Kenyans have this obsession to reap where they did not sow and rejoice at their neighbors misfortune. That a tanker rolled with so many litres of fuel was already tragedy to the poor businessman who was transporting it. Why do people look at that as manna from heaven. It is the same mentality that makes people rob accident victims or even people who have passed out in crowded places. I suppose its the same mentality which creates those mega scandals once they reach a national scale.
By the way how come we are still transporting fuel on the road while we already have Kenya Pipeline from Mombasa to Kisumu and even Eldoret?
Even after that tragedy, when driving around town, people kept on jumping in front of the car and running across the road. They basically were leaving their lives in my hands or let me say in my breaks and my feat. They trusted that my breaks would not fail, that I would have seen them on time, that my personal reflexes were good etc
After the Nakumatt fire, the ministers and the city council treated us to an exchange of blame about who did not do his job. Even the COO of Nakumatt came out and put blame on someone else. I expected him at least to say the fire was my fault or it accidentally started but it was in my business premises and I take responsibility that we locked the only door when fire started, that we do not have smoke or fire detectors, that we did not have emergency exits. That I did not train my people on emergency management etc.
Two years ago, I talked to people against pyramid schemes until my mouth went dry . They couldn't listen instead they kept on asking me which ones were most lucrative. when they lost their money they looked for someone to blame and the government came in handy. Some even vowed to sue the government. Please just take responsibility for your actions.
Even the food crisis calls for some responsibility. Drought visits Kenya every 5 or so years. Every citizen should take it upon himself or herself to ensure their families food security. It does not have to be left to those people called leaders all the time. take charge of your life it is your responsibility.
On another note, I wonder why Kenyans have this obsession to reap where they did not sow and rejoice at their neighbors misfortune. That a tanker rolled with so many litres of fuel was already tragedy to the poor businessman who was transporting it. Why do people look at that as manna from heaven. It is the same mentality that makes people rob accident victims or even people who have passed out in crowded places. I suppose its the same mentality which creates those mega scandals once they reach a national scale.
By the way how come we are still transporting fuel on the road while we already have Kenya Pipeline from Mombasa to Kisumu and even Eldoret?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Economic Recovery
An interesting discussion ensued the other day. Who should be leading the economic recovery and who will benefit immediately? Should the stimulation be left entirely to the government and its operatives or should the business community take an active role in the same? Should it be bloggers or the media to renew confidence in the Kenyan economy? And who stands to benefit the most from the kind of boom we enjoyed shortly in the middle of this decade? The boom which resulted in ponzi schemes, speculation, manipulation and eventual collapse of the dreams of many? I hold that while the government maintains its oversight role, its upon all of us and especially the business and investor community to renew confidence in the economy and revive. Its upon the business community and trained economists to stir debate on the best stimulus to take us back to that free and enjoyable ride. Bloggers also need to keep alive the dialogue and lessons learnt be kept at heart for continued prosperity and achievement of the Kenyan dream. Finally I think that Kenya is more beautiful when all of us are enjoying and only sadists (who are actually sick) can claim to enjoy their wealth when everyone else is crying.
on another note, its clear that our staple maize is actually abundantly available in the Rift Valley and Western Provinces. The farmers are reportedly holding the commodity until the govt agrees to buy it at 'better' prices. An argument almost the same as that of the teachers. What I wonder is why the farmers would like to sell their grain to serikali in the first place. Why cant they form a cooperative to mill the grain and sell the floor. that way they can get better prices and also the whole value.
And I was reminded that the teachers strike may abort after all since the government did not care when, during the doctors strike, it watched hundreds of Kenyans die as the doctors stayed away. I thought that was a different govt which was heartless and insane until I was told that the forest could be been replaced but not the monkeys!
on another note, its clear that our staple maize is actually abundantly available in the Rift Valley and Western Provinces. The farmers are reportedly holding the commodity until the govt agrees to buy it at 'better' prices. An argument almost the same as that of the teachers. What I wonder is why the farmers would like to sell their grain to serikali in the first place. Why cant they form a cooperative to mill the grain and sell the floor. that way they can get better prices and also the whole value.
And I was reminded that the teachers strike may abort after all since the government did not care when, during the doctors strike, it watched hundreds of Kenyans die as the doctors stayed away. I thought that was a different govt which was heartless and insane until I was told that the forest could be been replaced but not the monkeys!
Monday, January 26, 2009
From an Italian Magazine (Dweb)
I have recently received an email from an Italian publication to answer some questions about Africa. These were my quick answers but i know i left out many other things:
I will try to answer your questions now:
- What does pan-africanism mean nowadays? Does it still have any meaning for young african bloggers, the so-called "Cheetah Generation"? If right, are there any new issues and targets? What's about new media and strategies on it?
Pan- Africanism is a very old term used by our founding fathers during the fight for emancipation in the 1960s. I have not heard this term being used today by young people and even young bloggers. There is however a lot of interaction among Africans in Africa at various levels.
- How is the cheetah generation is changing way of doing information in africa?
What you call the cheetah generation are basically not focused on only Africa as the sphere of influence. Young people in Africa realize that they are citizens of the world and are going out to make a mark in every sphere of life. The blogshere has helped in bringing people closer together and getting to know what goes on in various parts of the world
- What don't we (western) know about africa?
May be we should ask whether you in the west know anything at all about africa?
1. Africa is a continent just like Europe or South America and the rest. Its not one country
2. Africa is home to very many races of people with a very varied cultural heritage as well as traditions. We have nilotes, cushites, Bantus and even Caucasians.
3. The societal groupings in Africa popularly referred to as tribes by the west are actually nations with very elaborate political and leadership structures albeit at an non-official level. They also have varied value systems, history and heritage
4. Africa is much more developed than you guys think
5. Africans are hard working and smart
- what should we know about your country?
1. The current President or USA traces his routes to my country (smiles)
2. Our athletes are the best in the World in the long distance races
3. Our country has 42 nations (wrongly called tribes)
4.We have managed to unite all these nations under one president, one Prime Minister, one government
5. The first African Woman to win nobel peace prize is from my country
6. Our M-PESA mobile money transfer service, available in our country is the first and only one of its kind it the true sense in the World.
7.Many other things
- What do you think about african coverage on western media? Which newspaper and magazine do you prefer and why? What should be changed about it?
I dont have a preference when it comes to western media but they show us that they are very ignorant about what happens up here in Africa. Most of the time when I see their coverages even of my own country, I wonder whether they are talking about the same place I know. Western media focus so much on the negative things. pain, disease, hunger and despair. That is hardly representative of Africa. While I acknowledge that we have challenges like any other nation in the world, its not true that we are all about pain and despair
- How the internet connection does work in small villages? How do the african blogosphere get through to people?
internet in the villages is done via mobile phone service. Safaricom and Zain which are the leading mobile phone service providers have availed EDGE and 3G technologies to enable people use internet in the villages
If you want, you could send me an e-mail to answer these question otherwise I can call you.
You can call me if you need any more information
I will try to answer your questions now:
- What does pan-africanism mean nowadays? Does it still have any meaning for young african bloggers, the so-called "Cheetah Generation"? If right, are there any new issues and targets? What's about new media and strategies on it?
Pan- Africanism is a very old term used by our founding fathers during the fight for emancipation in the 1960s. I have not heard this term being used today by young people and even young bloggers. There is however a lot of interaction among Africans in Africa at various levels.
- How is the cheetah generation is changing way of doing information in africa?
What you call the cheetah generation are basically not focused on only Africa as the sphere of influence. Young people in Africa realize that they are citizens of the world and are going out to make a mark in every sphere of life. The blogshere has helped in bringing people closer together and getting to know what goes on in various parts of the world
- What don't we (western) know about africa?
May be we should ask whether you in the west know anything at all about africa?
1. Africa is a continent just like Europe or South America and the rest. Its not one country
2. Africa is home to very many races of people with a very varied cultural heritage as well as traditions. We have nilotes, cushites, Bantus and even Caucasians.
3. The societal groupings in Africa popularly referred to as tribes by the west are actually nations with very elaborate political and leadership structures albeit at an non-official level. They also have varied value systems, history and heritage
4. Africa is much more developed than you guys think
5. Africans are hard working and smart
- what should we know about your country?
1. The current President or USA traces his routes to my country (smiles)
2. Our athletes are the best in the World in the long distance races
3. Our country has 42 nations (wrongly called tribes)
4.We have managed to unite all these nations under one president, one Prime Minister, one government
5. The first African Woman to win nobel peace prize is from my country
6. Our M-PESA mobile money transfer service, available in our country is the first and only one of its kind it the true sense in the World.
7.Many other things
- What do you think about african coverage on western media? Which newspaper and magazine do you prefer and why? What should be changed about it?
I dont have a preference when it comes to western media but they show us that they are very ignorant about what happens up here in Africa. Most of the time when I see their coverages even of my own country, I wonder whether they are talking about the same place I know. Western media focus so much on the negative things. pain, disease, hunger and despair. That is hardly representative of Africa. While I acknowledge that we have challenges like any other nation in the world, its not true that we are all about pain and despair
- How the internet connection does work in small villages? How do the african blogosphere get through to people?
internet in the villages is done via mobile phone service. Safaricom and Zain which are the leading mobile phone service providers have availed EDGE and 3G technologies to enable people use internet in the villages
If you want, you could send me an e-mail to answer these question otherwise I can call you.
You can call me if you need any more information
Friday, January 23, 2009
Frazzled
Am actually struggling with the acceptance of certain things am witnessing in my country. Am not understanding. Is it really true that non of our 38 million Kenyans has a solution to the perennial food and water problem in our country? Is it true that there is no inventor, entrepreneur, scientist, sociologist, seer, philosopher or geologist out there who can provide direction or a lasting solution? Is it true that we have inculcated the vision of thin, pale and wasted country men, women and children eating wild fruit and nuts and drinking brown water such that it doesn't bother us any more? Is it true that we are not bothered by such images or of news of our young people dying of hunger?
Really is it true that we cannot harness rain water, or redirect rivers to farmlands or areas of constant drought? Is there no sociologist out there with the training, talent or passion to socialize us out of attachment to subdividing land also called ancestral and focusing on viable land leasing for agriculture. Is there some funny law in Kenya or some funny international treaty that prohibits us from pumping waters from lake victoria, turkana, naivasha etc to dry lands of mwingi, turkana and wajir? Is it true that we cannot hold a fund raising or harambee to help invest in these initiatives. Are we truly prisoners of corruption to an extent that we cannot be trusted with moneys meant for common good? is it true that we dont understand what common good means? Are genetically modified crops truly more dangerous than famine , hunger and death by malnutrition like certain NGOs tell us? Must we eat ugali made out of maize floor? is it true that we, 38 million + Kenyans are unable to feed ourselves, that white people have an eternal responsibility for our livelihood and that they must provide us food when our rains fail? who will confirm to me that we indeed need constant rain for our agriculture to succeed?
am struggling, really struggling ...
Really is it true that we cannot harness rain water, or redirect rivers to farmlands or areas of constant drought? Is there no sociologist out there with the training, talent or passion to socialize us out of attachment to subdividing land also called ancestral and focusing on viable land leasing for agriculture. Is there some funny law in Kenya or some funny international treaty that prohibits us from pumping waters from lake victoria, turkana, naivasha etc to dry lands of mwingi, turkana and wajir? Is it true that we cannot hold a fund raising or harambee to help invest in these initiatives. Are we truly prisoners of corruption to an extent that we cannot be trusted with moneys meant for common good? is it true that we dont understand what common good means? Are genetically modified crops truly more dangerous than famine , hunger and death by malnutrition like certain NGOs tell us? Must we eat ugali made out of maize floor? is it true that we, 38 million + Kenyans are unable to feed ourselves, that white people have an eternal responsibility for our livelihood and that they must provide us food when our rains fail? who will confirm to me that we indeed need constant rain for our agriculture to succeed?
am struggling, really struggling ...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Leadership: Not an End in Itself
I have often said to my friends colleagues and even those who feel they don't like me much that leadership is not an end in itself. ok to put it more succinctly, leadership positions are not an end but a means to an end. You do not lead for the fun or the sake of leading. You are supposed to assume that position to enable you to show the others the way and the nirvana that they may not be able to see.
You are supposed to in that position be able to motivate them to cross the valley or climb the mountain that seems insurmountable. You should be available to lead. There is absolutely no need getting in positions of influence or authority and then sitting back and assuming that your job is done.
This however is what I keep on meeting from time to time. Most of the time in our society, we have to postpone our meetings because certain leaders were unable to attend and there was no quorum. At times meetings must start late since the main leaders were late.
Last Saturday during a graduation ceremony at Tangaza college, Professor Maviri , VC of CUEA defined justice in a very interesting way. That for instance if you are a leader, and you called a meeting, doing justice would be to attend the meeting on time and if you were not able to be on time due to traffic or anything at all, that you may forward your apology and when you finally arrived you would apologize again. I think I can expand that further by saying that justice would also mean providing leadership in the first place.
Why pray do people who have absolutely no clue where to take even themselves insist on staying on?
You are supposed to in that position be able to motivate them to cross the valley or climb the mountain that seems insurmountable. You should be available to lead. There is absolutely no need getting in positions of influence or authority and then sitting back and assuming that your job is done.
This however is what I keep on meeting from time to time. Most of the time in our society, we have to postpone our meetings because certain leaders were unable to attend and there was no quorum. At times meetings must start late since the main leaders were late.
Last Saturday during a graduation ceremony at Tangaza college, Professor Maviri , VC of CUEA defined justice in a very interesting way. That for instance if you are a leader, and you called a meeting, doing justice would be to attend the meeting on time and if you were not able to be on time due to traffic or anything at all, that you may forward your apology and when you finally arrived you would apologize again. I think I can expand that further by saying that justice would also mean providing leadership in the first place.
Why pray do people who have absolutely no clue where to take even themselves insist on staying on?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Time for the boy child
I have heard a number of murmurs at my place of work that too many of our new hires joining our team are young women. Some people are concerned that someone is having a soft sport for the sisters. In fact some departments are made mostly of women. However my observation has been that these women increasingly are performing quite well in the interviews. Since there is no other way to decide who joins the team, they are getting the jobs. Further more they have the papers required to land the job. Whats more, they are going on to perform quite well. Ok lets allow for the few days when am normally at a loss trying to figure out whether am dealing with the same colleague of yesterday. They always become a complete stranger to me from time to time.
It is not only in the work place where women are showing more aggressiveness and more promise. In our kids' school parents, teacher and children's meetings, its always the girls who make comments, ask questions or offer prayers at the end of the sessions. the Headmaster has been trying to encourage the boys to come up and also make comments but at that point, the boys heads are normally either bowed or they are pretending to be looking elsewhere. What is even interesting is that of the top 20 positions in class, 60% are often taken up by girls.
This situation is more pronounced in central province where even at the national exam level, girls are now scoring higher than boys. The only provinces where boys are still doing better than girls are Nyanza, North Eastern and Coast. Curiously those are also the last 3 provinces in terms of wealth distribution.
Recently we had kids in our estate organize a party. To start with , the organizers were all girls and when it came to the point of entertainment, the boys gave up their earlier decision to give us a number or a gig.
Maybe the crusaders for the girl child of yesteryears over did themselves. It may be time to start campaigning vigorously for the boy child as well. After all we need each other!
It is not only in the work place where women are showing more aggressiveness and more promise. In our kids' school parents, teacher and children's meetings, its always the girls who make comments, ask questions or offer prayers at the end of the sessions. the Headmaster has been trying to encourage the boys to come up and also make comments but at that point, the boys heads are normally either bowed or they are pretending to be looking elsewhere. What is even interesting is that of the top 20 positions in class, 60% are often taken up by girls.
This situation is more pronounced in central province where even at the national exam level, girls are now scoring higher than boys. The only provinces where boys are still doing better than girls are Nyanza, North Eastern and Coast. Curiously those are also the last 3 provinces in terms of wealth distribution.
Recently we had kids in our estate organize a party. To start with , the organizers were all girls and when it came to the point of entertainment, the boys gave up their earlier decision to give us a number or a gig.
Maybe the crusaders for the girl child of yesteryears over did themselves. It may be time to start campaigning vigorously for the boy child as well. After all we need each other!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A tale of two Salary Negotiations
Who is the winner in the teachers salary saga? Has the govt won or has KUPPET or the teachers. First things first, am a great crusader of better remunerations for teachers. The development of any nation, culture or creed depends entirely on its teaching fraternity and so teachers to me are the most important people. Further, I believe in teachers since they made me what I am and believed in me at a time when few could.
In this matter, I think both KUPPET which represents post primary school teachers and KNUT which represents all teachers have won. I have a feeling that its our good govt which did not do their homework well.
For one, KUPPET is not a rival of KNUT but a subset of the latter this is because the two don't represent the same interests. So by choosing to finally recognize and register KUPPET, the minister did not make any gains against KNUT. Secondly, KUPPET could have accepted the deal just to get the much sort after registration,(they have waited 10 years!) after which they may come back for battle royale!
Am persuaded that if KNUT stays put as far as the strike is concerned, our govt which only understands the language of force will have to play ball.
And now comes the confusing part. Now that KUPPET signed the deal, what happens to teachers who are not members? does it mean they will not benefit from the pay rise, will the govt base its payroll on teacher Unions and not on experience, training and place of work? Will it mean, if you join KUPPET you get a raise? What happens when you quit the union after that?
What will happen to teachers who are members of both KNUT and KUPPET? will they or will they not get the raise? and since the raise was meant for all teachers, how will they determine who goes on strike and doesn't get the raise?
and on other matters making headlines further a flied, Have you ever noticed that every general election in Kenya is often closely followed by a mega scandal? my hypothesis: The money is meant to payoff sponsors of the expensive campaigns. Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could!
In this matter, I think both KUPPET which represents post primary school teachers and KNUT which represents all teachers have won. I have a feeling that its our good govt which did not do their homework well.
For one, KUPPET is not a rival of KNUT but a subset of the latter this is because the two don't represent the same interests. So by choosing to finally recognize and register KUPPET, the minister did not make any gains against KNUT. Secondly, KUPPET could have accepted the deal just to get the much sort after registration,(they have waited 10 years!) after which they may come back for battle royale!
Am persuaded that if KNUT stays put as far as the strike is concerned, our govt which only understands the language of force will have to play ball.
And now comes the confusing part. Now that KUPPET signed the deal, what happens to teachers who are not members? does it mean they will not benefit from the pay rise, will the govt base its payroll on teacher Unions and not on experience, training and place of work? Will it mean, if you join KUPPET you get a raise? What happens when you quit the union after that?
What will happen to teachers who are members of both KNUT and KUPPET? will they or will they not get the raise? and since the raise was meant for all teachers, how will they determine who goes on strike and doesn't get the raise?
and on other matters making headlines further a flied, Have you ever noticed that every general election in Kenya is often closely followed by a mega scandal? my hypothesis: The money is meant to payoff sponsors of the expensive campaigns. Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sorry Pictures from Kenya
What do we learn from pictures such as these one at a time when leaders for whome we killed our neighbors, friends, sons and daughters are selling our food reserves to foreigners?
Corruption Kills!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A night of Orutu
The beat, she kicks
the strum, she twists
the song she turns
she flies
he beats she kicks
he strums she twists
he sings she turns
the shoe, the heel!
the skirt, the flaps,
the arms , so bare, they wave
the waist so light, so flighty
the pace is up,
the song is hot, the trance is on!
....
Ok I run out of words to describe what went down yesterday at the kings restaurant. the masters of Orutu music , Kenge Kenge were at it. Their infectious music brought this young delicately dressed girl to the dance floor. Initially I didn't think she was even meant to dance to such kind of music she looked rather exotic but when she started all others stopped to shamelessly stare at her. She fused in like the goddess of the music and the musicians loved her, giving her each beat, each strum of the orutu , the flute, the horn, the drums. Her partner stared on with half a smile on his lips. He looked a little worried like someone who had spilled grain at a place with many roosters against the better advice of the wahenga and yes the vultures at the restaurant looked at this little bird with raw lust , she was like part of the music. The guy couldn't take it anymore and pulled his sweet heart away!
Kenge Kenge has remained my favourite group for this type of music. In fact for me they are the leading luo traditional music group. Their style is unique and authentic. The lyrics are poetic and deep with many clever lines (also called pakruok in Luo) Yesterday though I heard a number they have done in English in praise of Obama. It was lovely rendition of luo beats and tune with lyrics in English!
the strum, she twists
the song she turns
she flies
he beats she kicks
he strums she twists
he sings she turns
the shoe, the heel!
the skirt, the flaps,
the arms , so bare, they wave
the waist so light, so flighty
the pace is up,
the song is hot, the trance is on!
....
Ok I run out of words to describe what went down yesterday at the kings restaurant. the masters of Orutu music , Kenge Kenge were at it. Their infectious music brought this young delicately dressed girl to the dance floor. Initially I didn't think she was even meant to dance to such kind of music she looked rather exotic but when she started all others stopped to shamelessly stare at her. She fused in like the goddess of the music and the musicians loved her, giving her each beat, each strum of the orutu , the flute, the horn, the drums. Her partner stared on with half a smile on his lips. He looked a little worried like someone who had spilled grain at a place with many roosters against the better advice of the wahenga and yes the vultures at the restaurant looked at this little bird with raw lust , she was like part of the music. The guy couldn't take it anymore and pulled his sweet heart away!
Kenge Kenge has remained my favourite group for this type of music. In fact for me they are the leading luo traditional music group. Their style is unique and authentic. The lyrics are poetic and deep with many clever lines (also called pakruok in Luo) Yesterday though I heard a number they have done in English in praise of Obama. It was lovely rendition of luo beats and tune with lyrics in English!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Time to up the game
A society where I hold some decision making portfolio is intending to make some small investment. Consequently I was tasked with the responsibility of sourcing suppliers and bringing them to the fold. We are pressed for time. I got 3 seemingly good quotes after which I called the vendors for a discussion. One of them seemed quite good and I asked them to consider reducing their cost in order to let us get on with the contract. The guy told me that it would be ideal to let the price stand as it was, he however proposed to mobilize a small marketing fee. When I asked what he was talking about, he indicated that 10% of the cost would be that marketing fee payable to me in cash!
I was disgusted. First that this guy was not stressing the value of their product to me. He did not want to give us value. Secondly that he was thinking I was so cheap as to betray my society in the first place.
The experience made me angry and I suggested that we black list that company all together. We must never do any business with them ever again. But more it made me realize just what makes ours a pipe dream. That people are always thinking of shortcuts and bribes instead of delivery. As Kenyans I think we really need to up our game. The small economic boom between 2003 and 2006 showed me clearly that life is more enjoyable when things are working and everyone of us has something. Its boring and distressful when you are the only one who is capable. When you have so many people cursing you. It may look attractive but its not at all fulfilling. Greed and meanness don't make people happy.
Further as I have argued here and as a comment in other blog posts of fellow bloggers, I hold that getting rid of sleaze in our country is not a function of the political leaders alone. whats more these politicians come from among us. we beget them. so its normally naive for us to believe that just because one is elected president, MP or anything related he should suddenly become a saint and be better than any one of us.
I was disgusted. First that this guy was not stressing the value of their product to me. He did not want to give us value. Secondly that he was thinking I was so cheap as to betray my society in the first place.
The experience made me angry and I suggested that we black list that company all together. We must never do any business with them ever again. But more it made me realize just what makes ours a pipe dream. That people are always thinking of shortcuts and bribes instead of delivery. As Kenyans I think we really need to up our game. The small economic boom between 2003 and 2006 showed me clearly that life is more enjoyable when things are working and everyone of us has something. Its boring and distressful when you are the only one who is capable. When you have so many people cursing you. It may look attractive but its not at all fulfilling. Greed and meanness don't make people happy.
Further as I have argued here and as a comment in other blog posts of fellow bloggers, I hold that getting rid of sleaze in our country is not a function of the political leaders alone. whats more these politicians come from among us. we beget them. so its normally naive for us to believe that just because one is elected president, MP or anything related he should suddenly become a saint and be better than any one of us.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Wanted: Good Subjects
At one point in a place I worked before, we had just about 11 managers out of a total workforce of 27. Translating to about 1.45 workers per manager a ratio of almost 1:1. It was absurd really but no one seemed to be able to notice. We just knew that we were not performing as a team. We were made to understand that we weren't working hard enough, nor smart enough.We attended many trainings, team building sessions and motivational seminars to no success. It took a new head of the team to actually restructure the whole thing and reduce the number of positions of absolute responsibility and increase the number of workers.
I have been thinking of this scenario a lot lately and it reminds me of the statistician's belief that a society however small is a non-biased representation of a wider population. It points to a fact that in our nation, we have too many leaders or too many people aim at being leaders. This is what leads us to having very few citizens or followers. It points out really why each of our leadership positions are fought for so ferociously. Even our sports associations cannot agree to have leaders and followers. everyone of them would want to be the chairman, secretary, director etc. Who will be led then?
I have been thinking of this scenario a lot lately and it reminds me of the statistician's belief that a society however small is a non-biased representation of a wider population. It points to a fact that in our nation, we have too many leaders or too many people aim at being leaders. This is what leads us to having very few citizens or followers. It points out really why each of our leadership positions are fought for so ferociously. Even our sports associations cannot agree to have leaders and followers. everyone of them would want to be the chairman, secretary, director etc. Who will be led then?
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