Kenyan Idiot

It was exactly one week ago today on Mashujaa Day eve and I like many Kenyans sat impatient for the conclusion of the 9 pm news on KTN so as to dive collectively into the truth about what really went on during one of the countries darkest 4 day periods in a long while. Almost a month earlier, on September 21 st a group of terrorists violently took over the upmarket Westgate mall in what would turn out to be days of terror that would result in more than 60 lives lost. The country watched in horrified amazement that afternoon and deep into the dead of night as the squad of men went in and shot, or blew dozens of innocent lives away. The siege showed us the twin faces of our nation and most of its people. This devastating attack brought out the best of all that is Kenyan as we found within ourselves bravery and limitless kindness. The Red Cross risked their lives and viewed a most horrifying scene simple to rescue those held hostage inside the local hang out spot. The police w...

Politicians never miss the opportunity to do what they do best; politic. For this special group of people every even can and often will be turned into an impromptu political rally of sorts they have proven time and time again that all they need is a microphone, podium, stage or raised platform and most importantly a crowed of eager and adoring supporters. They are always armed with witty and clever lines and are never short of a comment or insight into the latest happenings and goings on. They are rarely off the pulse and more often than not off the cuff- there is nothing wrong with that, in fact we have come to expect it from our political leaders. But when does politicking cross the line? At a wedding? In church on Sunday? Not quite, this is weird but not all together in bad taste. What is in bad taste and absolutely unacceptable is when our mighty and powerful, politicos chose the funeral of 4 teachers and 11 students who died two weeks ago as a result of a road accident. This wa...

Never before has a cartoon caused quite an uproar or such debate as the one published in the Daily Nation sometime last week, the artist, Gado one of the country’s best-in my opinion drew the Deputy Prime Minister laid out on the chairs of the plane having his back massaged by some females who were said to be MP’s that accompanied him on a trip around the continent.   A jet that cost the country anywhere from 100million shillings to a low- I use the word loosely- 18.5million- well it is lower than 100M! Before this expensive revelation was made and sent the country buzzing, tweeting and facebook-ing like mad there was another cause for concern and loud but peaceful protests through the streets of the capital city, a family of pigs in tow. Our MP’s have long since earned themselves the very unflattering nick name ‘MPigs’- hence the pigs. They fast earned the name and hashtag because of their seemingly insatiable greed! These honourable men and women are always all too quick ...

Saturday 27 th of April began just like any other for many an average Kenyan. For me it began with breakfast and the usual nose around social media for the latest in news and whole truths, half truths with a heaped spoon full of gossip added into the mix, oh and a few games thrown in to pass the time. This is exactly what I was doing when I got a piece of news I didn’t believe or refused to if you’d like. The first thing I saw as I returned leisurely back to the top of my Facebook page- formulating my next status update, some remark about the weather- was a large picture of the Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo, I wondered why his picture would be distributed by a local TV network. I focused on its accompanying header and found my answer the senator and lawyer had passed on. Being the sceptic I am I did not believe the news at once. In search of clarification or more concrete proof I switched channels, only to be greeted repeatedly by the same breaking news banner at the bottom of each...

It was quite a wait for the announcements that eventually came and as the new President and Deputy   came out of the corridors of state house and stood before the eagerly awaiting cameras and nation at large he said among other things that this was not the government of old where one would hear the announcements on the One O’clock news, where a CV was all that was needed when choosing members of a cabinet. We were minutes away from finding out just how true and –digital- this statement and style was. First and most apparent was the smart casual way that President Kenyatta and his Deputy dressed, they walked out of the wooden doors of statehouse in matching long sleeved white shirts and red ties sans the stuffy, official looking jackets. The both looked relaxed and jovial. He introduced each nominee or appointee and gave us his/her biography. Letting us get to know his choices was unheard of before this.   His predecessors always held this vital process behind closed do...

Tuesday the 9 th was a good day for many reasons not least of which was that it was declared a public holiday to coincide with the new presidents inauguration which was an all day affair that began with local musicians entertaining the thousands at kasarani and the millions who watched the momentous and historic proceedings from the comfort of their homes. Things really got going when the registrar stepped up to the side of the podium and asked the president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta to come forward, place his hand on the bible which would be held by his wife-and first lady Margaret at his request and while holding yet another bible with the other he took two oaths. This was then repeated by the Deputy President-elect and his wife Rachel. Next came the signing of their certifications and the pictures. At some point the outgoing president Kibaki- whose off the cuff speeches will truly be missed-handed his successor both the constitution and a very menacing looking sword that all would d...

After a week of arguing with each side eager for the six justices of the Supreme Court to hear their side of the events that led up to and culminated in the beleaguered and at times error plagued IEBC declaring Kenya’s 4 th president: Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta- the son of Jomo Kenyatta the countries first leader. It would all come down to a few minutes on Saturday 28 th March half way through the long Easter weekend for the judges to hand down the news that would change both men’s near futures. The court’s unanimous ruling would force one of the two to go back to the drawing board and begin choosing and plotting some way forward. One thing was for sure though; the news would make one man very happy and the other; well sad and disappointment probably paled in comparison to what Raila Odinga felt as he stood in front of the press corps that evening to thank the Supreme Court, accept their decision and wish his competitor for the most coveted seat in the land the best of luck in his...