Just the other day, I met this chick I went to primary school with. She was one of these girls I wondered what would happen to her when she grew up. She was quite timid, liked crying at the slightest of anything she didn’t like and was just a mess. She did have the brains though, that I can’t deny. We parted ways when we went to different high schools and they moved estates. So following up on her was impossible.
Towards the end of last month, I happened to meet her together with another guy we went to school with. We had a few drinks (truth be told I was on Sprite coz there was no ginger ale), and that’s when I can say all hell broke loose. To say I was left dumbfounded would be an understatement. After all was said and done I was left wondering where I had been all this time.
I wonder why a little alcohol in the blood changes people quite a bit. That’s when women/men end up bedding people they just met, without a care in world, and not caring if they are married or not. They throw caution to the wind. I don’t think I have ever gotten to that state where I lose my mind and do something I would live to regret or even wake up the next morning wondering what I did and why I did it. I believe in self respect, any day, any time. I just don’t understand why people do the things that they do, married, in so called relationships or single. Growing up a Catholic for that matter, I knew what was right and what was wrong. The Ten Commandments clearly states that. I wonder why these are the same people who go against their religious teachings, then come and claim that they are Christians. I so do loath such human beings.
Well, back to my story. After a few drinks, it was confession time. And after the night was over, I believe I was the saint of all saints, please call me Mother Teresa for ever. This chick went overboard. Apparently she used to be married to some dude, must have been a ‘come we try’ marriage. Having to live with the said dude for 3 bloody years, the dude comes in one morning from one of his outings with another clande in tow, orders her out of the house at that ungodly hour, she doesn’t live in Nairobi mark you, and it is one of the coldest towns in Kenya. Where do you go at such an hour? It is 2 am, its freezing, and your replacement has come too. I don’t understand what goes through such a chick’s mind. Anyway, they say what goes around comes around. Here you have a man who has come home with you to throw out his live-in girlfriend and you go ahead and thump your chest feeling on top of the world.
Anyway, I felt it for this girl. She spent the night out in the cold, waited for morning, packed up and left for her mum’s. Of course our mothers will never fail to accept us back. She mourned for ages. Those were her words, she just could not understand why the man she had given her all did this to her. If she could turn back the hands of time……….. what had happened had happened. She could either live to regret or move on and be happy at least she was safe.
Well, one day after crying for hours, she thought to herself, ‘why I’m I crying for a man who has moved on with his life?’ She claims that she felt pretty stupid but I do not blame her. We as women love with every part of our bodies, unlike men. A man will take you to bed just to satisfy his urge and then that’s it, it does not matter what he tells you. If its for sex, that’s it, its sex. He will of course try to justify his reasons for doing what he did which most of the time does not make sense. He will claim he does not enjoy having sex with you but give him that woman he’s been ogling, he will not care. He will enjoy the sex.
The story got quite interesting. We actually sat at one place until 3am just talking about relationships. There were some Tanzanians who had come with one of our friends who I think could not believe what was coming out of some peoples mouths! I too was left in shock.
The talk got heated when an argument started about CFAs. Apparently this guy married the said woman and has a kid with her. Good for her, at least she got to be recognized as the wife.
There was talk of keeping a man/woman happy in a relationship and there were all these crazy ideas from sex to respect. What was discussed was quite true. We are not angels and we do make mistakes. What happens when the man you think you are dating has sexual affairs with other women? And you have the proof even if he denies it. Is that cheating or this only counts when you are married? When you are in a relationship, are you wholly the man’s/woman’s or you are also allowed some spice on the side? And the man/woman he/she is cheating with. What makes them stoop so low as to have sex with someone who is not even theirs, I fail to understand. I just don’t understand.
You must be wondering where I’m going to with all this. This chick talked about being in a relationship with a man she feels nothing for. He is there to be called when she needs sex and sex alone, no feeling attached. She calls him up and he shows up whenever he can. Most of the time he does. So how comes they are not in a relationship? She does not want to be in a relationship with him, and I wondered out loud why. She did explain to me in detail. Since being hurt by the man she thought loved her, she decided to go all out and do the same to another man. Have no feelings whatsoever towards men. Be they single or married, she stopped caring.
She claimed that as long as the sex is good and both enjoy, that’s all there is to it. I tend to differ. I don’t believe you can just have a relationship based on sex only. Another instance is when apparently one of her friends got a text from her so called partner to another woman talking of not being sexually active because the woman was working somewhere outside the country. So what? Does it mean that if you get posted outside the country you will definitely go back on the promise to be faithful to one another? That means there can never be trust in the relationship because if when dating and just because you don’t live together you can afford to cheat on your partner and deny it even with such damning evidence, what’s the use? I know we’re all afraid of losing the person we have feelings for and its not because we cannot do what they too are doing. It’s all a matter of self respect.
I wanted to get to the bottom of this chick’s decision, and her revelation was even more startling. The man she was in a CFA relationship with is actually the ex-boyfriend who threw her out of his house and replaced her with another woman that he is currently married to. She claims the man does not love the wife which is true but what gives her the authority to mess someone else’s marriage. I do not agree with what she is doing. The man is now married. She is single, fine. Does that make what she is doing right? No, it doesn’t. I told her the same but I think she is still bitter and is punishing the other woman, but for whose mistakes? The husband for making the wrong choice? I just did not get it, truth be told.
A CFA is a Convenient Fucking Arrangement, so I came to learn. It is amazing how many people are in such relationships, as much as we tend to deny that they exist. From the man in our lives to ourselves. I wonder what the world is coming to.
I am meeting the said girl alone this weekend and I just have to find out what goes on in her mind coz I still need to understand. Enough people are in these relationships and it is not funny. Losing sleep because you just do not know what to do, but the other party is out having all the fun. Is it truly worth it? All I can say is that love or trust is not such a good thing. Especially if the other person doesn't give a damn about you. It is worse where kids are concerned.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
I will pick up from where I left on last time.
You see, I woke up quite late on Sunday and had hoped I would go to Kampala to 'shop' for those small things women shop for as long as its not back home. Having woken up at midday did not help matters either. I wanted to run my errands in the morning and being a morning person, afternoon was out of the question. I wonder who else has the same problem. My stuff has to be done before midday otherwise it will just be a waste of time, and energy and things always go wrong for me in the afternoons.
Well, I still had to take my breakfast as I watched a very interesting movie. I can't quite remember the name though. We decided to go for lunch at some beautiful hotel just by the shores of Lake Victoria. Believe you me, if the other beaches were clean, this one was 'magnifique'. These guys do know how to take care of their beaches. Watched them do what they do best, show them booties! I have to admit, they do have them booties, and man! You can only envy them. My problem is with the young gals who look like they are competing for attention from the few foreigners, but cannot be compared to Kenya. Not too many white or even chutes.
Ok, back to my trip. After hanging around the beach and watching gals and boyz play beach volleyball, ate fish (they give Osewe compe, they can fry their fish so well), with chips (not from Kenchic, this was real fish with chips. These people do love chips, and its made so well I actually enjoyed eating fries. Left for home at around 7pm when the fun was beginning, they must be night crawlers. I was exhausted from last night.
Went home and since I didn't feel like going anywhere this evening. Read part of 9/11 history plus the aftermath of all that happened that day. Sad but interesting. Chatted till late, went to bed after 1am. Being a working day, Monday was going to be spent alone so I made up my mind that I would take myself to Kampala. Early morning I got dropped off at the 'taxi' park and took a 'taxi' to Kampala. It costs UGX 2000. Thats about KES80 for a journey of about 40kms. Was quite smooth, I got to nap abit. Getting into KLA was another issue. The taxi park is nothing to write home about. If you thought Muthurwa stage (I've been there once) is chaotic, you should visit the old KLA park.
Managed to get myself round, got a very helpful woman who was willing to take me round till I told her to just go back and man, 'or woman' her shop. They are too courteous, these people. Well the Kenyan in me had to keep calculating from UGX to KES to just find out how much I was being conned, they are fond of this esp if you are not from Uganda. But I had been warned, and i turned out to be quite a handful, all kenyans are husslers, goes without saying. Things are quite fair in KLA and I promised myself to be back there soon, to get stuff for biashara.
Finished my biashara, hoped into a 'taxi' but before that witnessed a chick being robbed of her fone with Ugandans turning the park upside down looking for the thug. I didnt want to wait and see what happened coz there was total confusion. I left in a hurry, jumped into the first 'taxi' and I was homebound. The journey back was quite fast. By the time I started dozing I had already reached Entebbe. Slept abit then waited for around 4pm, took a shower, left the house at 5pm to the airport. Took me 3 minutes, checked in and off to nairobi.
On getting to Nairobi, I get quarrelled for booking two vehicles, so that started off badly. Welcome home I guess, and I wished I was back in Ug, so peaceful...............
You see, I woke up quite late on Sunday and had hoped I would go to Kampala to 'shop' for those small things women shop for as long as its not back home. Having woken up at midday did not help matters either. I wanted to run my errands in the morning and being a morning person, afternoon was out of the question. I wonder who else has the same problem. My stuff has to be done before midday otherwise it will just be a waste of time, and energy and things always go wrong for me in the afternoons.
Well, I still had to take my breakfast as I watched a very interesting movie. I can't quite remember the name though. We decided to go for lunch at some beautiful hotel just by the shores of Lake Victoria. Believe you me, if the other beaches were clean, this one was 'magnifique'. These guys do know how to take care of their beaches. Watched them do what they do best, show them booties! I have to admit, they do have them booties, and man! You can only envy them. My problem is with the young gals who look like they are competing for attention from the few foreigners, but cannot be compared to Kenya. Not too many white or even chutes.
Ok, back to my trip. After hanging around the beach and watching gals and boyz play beach volleyball, ate fish (they give Osewe compe, they can fry their fish so well), with chips (not from Kenchic, this was real fish with chips. These people do love chips, and its made so well I actually enjoyed eating fries. Left for home at around 7pm when the fun was beginning, they must be night crawlers. I was exhausted from last night.
Went home and since I didn't feel like going anywhere this evening. Read part of 9/11 history plus the aftermath of all that happened that day. Sad but interesting. Chatted till late, went to bed after 1am. Being a working day, Monday was going to be spent alone so I made up my mind that I would take myself to Kampala. Early morning I got dropped off at the 'taxi' park and took a 'taxi' to Kampala. It costs UGX 2000. Thats about KES80 for a journey of about 40kms. Was quite smooth, I got to nap abit. Getting into KLA was another issue. The taxi park is nothing to write home about. If you thought Muthurwa stage (I've been there once) is chaotic, you should visit the old KLA park.
Managed to get myself round, got a very helpful woman who was willing to take me round till I told her to just go back and man, 'or woman' her shop. They are too courteous, these people. Well the Kenyan in me had to keep calculating from UGX to KES to just find out how much I was being conned, they are fond of this esp if you are not from Uganda. But I had been warned, and i turned out to be quite a handful, all kenyans are husslers, goes without saying. Things are quite fair in KLA and I promised myself to be back there soon, to get stuff for biashara.
Finished my biashara, hoped into a 'taxi' but before that witnessed a chick being robbed of her fone with Ugandans turning the park upside down looking for the thug. I didnt want to wait and see what happened coz there was total confusion. I left in a hurry, jumped into the first 'taxi' and I was homebound. The journey back was quite fast. By the time I started dozing I had already reached Entebbe. Slept abit then waited for around 4pm, took a shower, left the house at 5pm to the airport. Took me 3 minutes, checked in and off to nairobi.
On getting to Nairobi, I get quarrelled for booking two vehicles, so that started off badly. Welcome home I guess, and I wished I was back in Ug, so peaceful...............
Thursday, July 31, 2008
LONG, LONG, LONG TIME
Hey all, been quite a while since I wrote down my thoughts in this forum. Actually, the thing is that my life hasn't been that rosy, things just seem to be going wrong. Anything that could go wrong, went wrong and there is nothing I could have done to salvage the situation. I could be doing something wrong, terribly wrong.
But that is a story in the past and I do not dwell on the past.
We I took a deserved break last week to visit Uganda. Needed the time alone to just go relax, refresh, rethink my options and basically just REORGANIZE! And reorganize I did. Ok, day one was ok, left Friday p.m. aboard Air Uganda (till last week I didn't even know they existed, but the gamble paid off). The flight was smooth, no incidents but I was kinda disappointed that they only served sandwiches. No option of a vegetarian meal. Sorry, the option was to take water or soda or juice (packed, and made in Kenya but I'm not mentioning names). Flight took an hour, just like going to Kisumu on KQ.
Surprise surprise, Entebbe airport has grown, shame on JKIA. Last time I was there I thought we'd been flown to Kisumu! But now, I'm embarassed to have an international airport that we call Jomo Kenyatta. I'm sure the all knowing will say the EBB airport has been build with help from the Israel Government, so what! We pay enough taxes to do a better job than that. We have a bigger uglier airport, but please don't ask what I'm doing about it. We pay for services to be provided and later cry foul when our money is misused on nothing at all. Ni sawa tu.
My drive from the airport was uneventful, I must have looked ridiculous through ooohhing and aaahhing about the state of their roads, paved, pothole-free, manicured grass, it was just lovely. Passaris would grab every bit of free space for her advertisements. The country is so green, even though kinda warm compared to the freezing temperatures in Nairobi now. Banana trees??? everywhere, taxis (matatus) and bodabodas (my buddy dint notice they were all the same color until I mentioned it to her).
Just a kilometre or so from the airport we stopped for dinner. Nice place and the food was great (the chicken was nicely done). All I can say is that Ugandans are generous with their potions. From there went home to sleep as it was well past 11 pm.
Woke up early (11am) the next day, prepared and had breakfast then went to the Beach. One of the loveliest, coolest, unpolluted beaches I've seen in ages. Those guys know how to preserve their stuff. Unlike Kenya where if you happen on a beach you cannot even find place to stand, in Uganda they have space, space and more space, you could actually somersault, roll on the beach, skip, dance 'naked' or do whatever, its was just lovely. No beachboys too. And Ugandans are so polite it hurts. 'How are you madam?'. 'What will you have madam?'. 'I will do so madam'. Imagine even women old enough to be my mom calling me 'madam'. I wish we could emulate just a potion of this kindness. From the security guard at home to the small kid wondering if a 'blakaberi' (blackberry) is a phone or a calculator and go ahead and have a heated discussion about the phone until you come to the rescue then they thank you and continue with their playing. Imagine sitting in a hotel having your lunch, or whatever meal and residents just pass through like its nothing big, where in Kenya would you get an open hotel where anyone can just walk in and out without having to be thrown out coz you are not a paying patron or you do not look like you can afford a square meal there. I was impressed.
After relaxing, went back home, showered and changed, relaxed a bit then left for Kampala, some 40 kilometres away. Took about 30 minutes. Went to the mall, (Called Garden City), and you should have seen the glow on my face when I saw Uchumi Supermarkets! So big, so spacious, so fully stocked, selling SEATS! Goodness gracious. I bought a Nation Newspaper (at 7pm). There was no Standard Newspaper, shame. Took the ramp to 3rd floor (they have lifts that they do not use, and yes, they work). I actually watched a movie.
After the movie we decided to go dancing. I remember the street where the clubs are from ages ago, hasnt changed much. We go to Silk Lounge (a real lounge). On entering, there's a barrier for those going in and those going out. In a corridor getting into the club? Please! Anyway, payed 20k for entry, ha ha. On entering the 'lounge' I cant help but marvel at the creativity of this guys, leather seats, different colors, lovely couches, OMG, I just sink into one but I have to move as the damn AC is on. We are the only ones here, and its at 11pm. I know in Kenya on weekends people start trotting into clubs from as early as 1pm. I politely ask the waiter to turn off the AC but he says it would not be allowed coz when the patrons walk in and start smoking, the place will stink like crazy. Too bad smoking in UG is not banned in public places.
I actually order for a pot of tea. In a club! Well, how else was I going to keep warm with the AC at a -ve temperature. Well, the lounge starts getting full at around half past midnight. And did I mention i was in jeans and a heavy sweater? Well, I happened to be overdressed. These guys do dress for the occassion. Nice tiny fitting outfits, clutch purses, very very high heeled shoes, the men are in ties are 1am in the morning, beats logic. I was damn impressed. My problem was with some two pregnant gals who just looked ridiculous in their tight tops with hanging bellies, I felt so bad especially when they started drinking and dancing (if swaying from side to side with a protruding belly is dancing). I couldn't say a thing.
The DJ was the most annoyed guy, he kept interrupting music and announcing events happening in Kampala next weekend, who will be where, and no one seemed to mind at all! Well maybe its the way they do things there so I just played along. Danced kidogo, to keep the cold away, and it did not help. At around 3 am a cake was brought and apparently it was one gal's birthday and the music stopped, she was sang for the birthday song, she cut the cake, served her friends while the rest watched and wished, then the music continued.
Anyway, left the city at around 3am when life was beginning to happen. I was exhausted. Outside there were as many people waiting to come in as there were inside. And there was a sign outside too 'HOUSE FULL'. It was great though, all was fine.
Reached home so exhausted and went straight to bed, waiting for another long day tomorrow, Sunday.
But that is a story in the past and I do not dwell on the past.
We I took a deserved break last week to visit Uganda. Needed the time alone to just go relax, refresh, rethink my options and basically just REORGANIZE! And reorganize I did. Ok, day one was ok, left Friday p.m. aboard Air Uganda (till last week I didn't even know they existed, but the gamble paid off). The flight was smooth, no incidents but I was kinda disappointed that they only served sandwiches. No option of a vegetarian meal. Sorry, the option was to take water or soda or juice (packed, and made in Kenya but I'm not mentioning names). Flight took an hour, just like going to Kisumu on KQ.
Surprise surprise, Entebbe airport has grown, shame on JKIA. Last time I was there I thought we'd been flown to Kisumu! But now, I'm embarassed to have an international airport that we call Jomo Kenyatta. I'm sure the all knowing will say the EBB airport has been build with help from the Israel Government, so what! We pay enough taxes to do a better job than that. We have a bigger uglier airport, but please don't ask what I'm doing about it. We pay for services to be provided and later cry foul when our money is misused on nothing at all. Ni sawa tu.
My drive from the airport was uneventful, I must have looked ridiculous through ooohhing and aaahhing about the state of their roads, paved, pothole-free, manicured grass, it was just lovely. Passaris would grab every bit of free space for her advertisements. The country is so green, even though kinda warm compared to the freezing temperatures in Nairobi now. Banana trees??? everywhere, taxis (matatus) and bodabodas (my buddy dint notice they were all the same color until I mentioned it to her).
Just a kilometre or so from the airport we stopped for dinner. Nice place and the food was great (the chicken was nicely done). All I can say is that Ugandans are generous with their potions. From there went home to sleep as it was well past 11 pm.
Woke up early (11am) the next day, prepared and had breakfast then went to the Beach. One of the loveliest, coolest, unpolluted beaches I've seen in ages. Those guys know how to preserve their stuff. Unlike Kenya where if you happen on a beach you cannot even find place to stand, in Uganda they have space, space and more space, you could actually somersault, roll on the beach, skip, dance 'naked' or do whatever, its was just lovely. No beachboys too. And Ugandans are so polite it hurts. 'How are you madam?'. 'What will you have madam?'. 'I will do so madam'. Imagine even women old enough to be my mom calling me 'madam'. I wish we could emulate just a potion of this kindness. From the security guard at home to the small kid wondering if a 'blakaberi' (blackberry) is a phone or a calculator and go ahead and have a heated discussion about the phone until you come to the rescue then they thank you and continue with their playing. Imagine sitting in a hotel having your lunch, or whatever meal and residents just pass through like its nothing big, where in Kenya would you get an open hotel where anyone can just walk in and out without having to be thrown out coz you are not a paying patron or you do not look like you can afford a square meal there. I was impressed.
After relaxing, went back home, showered and changed, relaxed a bit then left for Kampala, some 40 kilometres away. Took about 30 minutes. Went to the mall, (Called Garden City), and you should have seen the glow on my face when I saw Uchumi Supermarkets! So big, so spacious, so fully stocked, selling SEATS! Goodness gracious. I bought a Nation Newspaper (at 7pm). There was no Standard Newspaper, shame. Took the ramp to 3rd floor (they have lifts that they do not use, and yes, they work). I actually watched a movie.
After the movie we decided to go dancing. I remember the street where the clubs are from ages ago, hasnt changed much. We go to Silk Lounge (a real lounge). On entering, there's a barrier for those going in and those going out. In a corridor getting into the club? Please! Anyway, payed 20k for entry, ha ha. On entering the 'lounge' I cant help but marvel at the creativity of this guys, leather seats, different colors, lovely couches, OMG, I just sink into one but I have to move as the damn AC is on. We are the only ones here, and its at 11pm. I know in Kenya on weekends people start trotting into clubs from as early as 1pm. I politely ask the waiter to turn off the AC but he says it would not be allowed coz when the patrons walk in and start smoking, the place will stink like crazy. Too bad smoking in UG is not banned in public places.
I actually order for a pot of tea. In a club! Well, how else was I going to keep warm with the AC at a -ve temperature. Well, the lounge starts getting full at around half past midnight. And did I mention i was in jeans and a heavy sweater? Well, I happened to be overdressed. These guys do dress for the occassion. Nice tiny fitting outfits, clutch purses, very very high heeled shoes, the men are in ties are 1am in the morning, beats logic. I was damn impressed. My problem was with some two pregnant gals who just looked ridiculous in their tight tops with hanging bellies, I felt so bad especially when they started drinking and dancing (if swaying from side to side with a protruding belly is dancing). I couldn't say a thing.
The DJ was the most annoyed guy, he kept interrupting music and announcing events happening in Kampala next weekend, who will be where, and no one seemed to mind at all! Well maybe its the way they do things there so I just played along. Danced kidogo, to keep the cold away, and it did not help. At around 3 am a cake was brought and apparently it was one gal's birthday and the music stopped, she was sang for the birthday song, she cut the cake, served her friends while the rest watched and wished, then the music continued.
Anyway, left the city at around 3am when life was beginning to happen. I was exhausted. Outside there were as many people waiting to come in as there were inside. And there was a sign outside too 'HOUSE FULL'. It was great though, all was fine.
Reached home so exhausted and went straight to bed, waiting for another long day tomorrow, Sunday.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Long time
Its been so long since I posted anything on this blog I guess I've even run out of stuff to write about. Not that my life has been uneventful, far from it. I had just decided to take a break.
It have been interesting watching things unfold day in and day out, especially after Safaricom's IPO. I heard that they are only allocating 30% of what shareholders wanted. Well, tough luck for all those people who took bank loans to buy the shares, wonder what they will be thinking right now.
I have my boss coming over this weekend and hope to have a blast, being the carefree man that he is. We have dinner for all our corporates, family and friend but the thing is that the dinner is at night. Kenyans have started complaining that they want to be invited for the drinks on Saturday or even Friday. I wonder when we started demanding on dates and times when we wanted our friends to hold their birthday parties, weddings, get togethers. If I have a bash I call you and if you cannot make it, there's a number I've put for you to RSVP, then I'll cater for the confirmed guests. But please dont call asking me to change the date and time so that it fits in your schedule, could be the reason I want you on a Sunday is because I dont want to to ruin my pocket, I have a budget I'm working on too, remember.
I'm hungry.
Oh and did I mention that I started jogging? Well, I did and I have respect for all the early morning and late evening joggers coz I don't know how the hack it. My whole body is in pain.
Gatta lie down. Unfitness!!!
It have been interesting watching things unfold day in and day out, especially after Safaricom's IPO. I heard that they are only allocating 30% of what shareholders wanted. Well, tough luck for all those people who took bank loans to buy the shares, wonder what they will be thinking right now.
I have my boss coming over this weekend and hope to have a blast, being the carefree man that he is. We have dinner for all our corporates, family and friend but the thing is that the dinner is at night. Kenyans have started complaining that they want to be invited for the drinks on Saturday or even Friday. I wonder when we started demanding on dates and times when we wanted our friends to hold their birthday parties, weddings, get togethers. If I have a bash I call you and if you cannot make it, there's a number I've put for you to RSVP, then I'll cater for the confirmed guests. But please dont call asking me to change the date and time so that it fits in your schedule, could be the reason I want you on a Sunday is because I dont want to to ruin my pocket, I have a budget I'm working on too, remember.
I'm hungry.
Oh and did I mention that I started jogging? Well, I did and I have respect for all the early morning and late evening joggers coz I don't know how the hack it. My whole body is in pain.
Gatta lie down. Unfitness!!!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Kids and accidents
I'm still coming to terms with this even as a hit my keyboard.
On Sunday the 2nd of March I decided to visit a former colleague and friend as we hadn't linked up in quite a while. I had had an uneventful morning, decided to go shopping early afternoon, had lunch at Ronalo, then headed home.
When I got home I remembered I was to meet her. My son was downstairs playing and there was no way I was going to leave without him seeing me. So I called him and we headed to visit my gal. This was at around 5pm. We sat, finished watching a movie, made some coffee and decided to relax.
The boy had poured water on his jeans so I had to remove and dry the trouser. I stood up, headed to get the iron box and heard a thud. My son had walked out of the house, climbed the grills which are half way and fell one floor down. The sight of him down there, made me feel something I have never felt before. Was he dead, was he hurt, was he, was he? So many question ran through my mind and no answer was forthcoming. We both rushed down and just by the look of things, I knew all was not well.
The boy was bleeding from the mouth, and he had no upper teeth! I helped him cry. I hate to imagine the kind of pain he must have been going through at that moment. I picked him up, ran back upstair to clean his mouth but it was not helping. I cried some more as I gathered guts to call dad as we had parted less than an hour earlier. I think I was crying so hard my friend had to talk on my behalf. First getting him to a hospital. I knew I was to go but I didn't know which one, Nairobi Hosp was too far, I cant take him to Aga Khan, he settled for Gertrude's and said we meet there. Being in Kariokor, it wasn't far. I entered the car, I couldn't drive, my buddy decided to drive us to the hospital. When we reached the hosp. one look and we were ushered into the emergency section.
I was carrying him and by now, I was all blood. I didn't really care. I wanted all to be well. He was in so much pain and he was not being given painkillers. I hated those nurses then. They explained that giving him any painkillers would prevent them from noticing any weird behaviours if any, so they had to monitor his vitals first. The doctor came and asked that we put him down for them to observe him too. Off he went. He does not like anyone in a long white coat, he has a thing about doctors. When they saw him walking, they said he had no broken bones, the legs were ok.
Test number 2. Injecting him with the painkillers on his thigh. It was not easy. He fought on doctor, two nurses, myself and the dad who had by now arrived. This the doctor said was a good sign as it looked like most of his vitals were not affected by the fall. He put up a good fight. This was also one of the signs looked for from falls. If the baby cannot move, or is quite, not crying, the doctors worry. Well, what about the head? I needed to find out if they skull was cracked (God forbid) or he had any head injuries. Off we were again to the casualty department. But wait a minute. We had been booked for x-rays but we could not go until we got an invoice. We are standing at the reception, waiting for some slow accountant to raise an invoice, he doesnt know some codes and keeps calling the x-ray department to clarify, and I have a bleeding screaming baby with me. No the dad is carrying him and I've been given a mouthful, how I'm such a bad mother, etc etc. Ok.
The dad asks them if they will still send the invoice if the baby dies when they are still raising the invoice. I guess this caught them off guard as they all looked at him in shock but they anyway continued raising the invoice. I didn't know it took so long to raise one. We are on our way after about 20 minutes, place the boy onto the x-ray table. He is so strong, it takes 5 of us to hold him down for him to be x-rayed. After about half an hour we are done and the waiting begins.
The nurse comes and gives us the films, but will not explain as it is the doctor's job!!! Damn!! Ok, relax. We head back to the doctor's office, he comes and explains the films in detail. No broken bones anywhere. The headscan is fine, chest is fine, spine is fine, he's basically fine except for the upper gum where the teeth are missing. He has to be observed overnight. We get a ward at the Felicity number 28. The last time I got to stay overnight at the hospital was when I had delivered. I myself do not like hospitals and here I am, in a ward. The boy is now a bit relaxed having been given the painkillers. He goes to sleep. He's out completely. And I have to monitor him. He needs another jab at midnight and a drip too from that time as he is scheduled to have surgery early morning. Come midnight, I have to interrupt his sweet sleep. I feel so bad knowing what he's been through. He needs sugar as he hasnt eaten anything the from 1pm the previous day. Since he is going into surgery, no meals from midnight. 'NIL BY MOUTH', is what's at his door.
At around 1am, the boy wakes up, as hungry as can be. His stomach is empty. He wants to breastfeed and I cant. His lip still had the deep cut as its yet to be satured. And I cannot give him anything because it could jeorpadize the surgery. What to do. I don't like not giving a kid food and that touched a nerve. I felt bad that I could not feed him and I knew he was very hungry. His last meal had been at 1pm. I gave him water, he took it like his life depended on it. He must have been suffering. Well, he cried himself to sleep. Woke up again at 3am, still no food. This went on till 6am when he just had enough of his mean mum and pulled off the needle connected to the drip. Had to call the night nurse to redo it. He got injected on the right hand now and I had to keep watch lest he removes it again. Morning came (the night has never been this long as I watch the drip).
Come morning, I'm called for breakfast, but how can I eat when my son's been longing to have something to eat. I declined their offer. At 0930hrs he is wheeled out of his ward and to the x-ray theatre. He didn't want to go alone. I couldn't wait outside the theatre. His dad decided to wait there. It was the longest wait though. I went and took a shower, and since I was told it would be over in 45mins top, I was there just in time to see the anaesthetist leave the room. I asked how it had gone and she said great. These are the people who mess people by either overdosing or underdosing patients on the operating table. Behind her walked the dental surgeon. He told us the boy had woken up and was doing great. Nothing to worry about. They had removed three of his teeth!!!! Apparently the teeth had sunk into his gum during the fall and they had to remove them. Being milk teeth, they would still grow and all we needed to do was monitor and make sure his gums did not get infected. Then he also said that we could go home!!
I headed to clear the bills before leaving for home. I'd missed home and couldn't wait to get home and sleep. We are done at the hospital by 3pm and are headed home. The boy is also happy to be out of the hospital surrounding. As soon as we reach home, he's out. When we left the operating theatre and I was clearing, he fell asleep. Guess the anaesthesia was still wearing off little by little.
Feeding time is the problem. His food has to be mashed as he cannot bite anything as he is missing his teeth. Then he sees the famous bottle that brought about all this. He takes it, tries to pull up the nozzle but alas! no teeth to aid him. He starts crying and I feel his pain. He feels so helpless without his teeth. Should I get him temporary ones till he grown his permanent teeth? Dad says no, he will have to get used to staying without teeth for some time now. Well, at least he is learning to accept his condition.
He forgets that he is yet to recover and starts his games again. The next I know, he has rolled down the stairs! This shocks him and he just cries abit and is back on the same stairway again. Kids! He forgets so soon what he has been through. I need to get a dog leash to keep him in check. I don't want any more accidents with him.
I just keep praying that he walked out of his fall without any long term symptoms that I'm yet to notice. I believe my prayers will be answered and he will be fine, the boy I cherish!
On Sunday the 2nd of March I decided to visit a former colleague and friend as we hadn't linked up in quite a while. I had had an uneventful morning, decided to go shopping early afternoon, had lunch at Ronalo, then headed home.
When I got home I remembered I was to meet her. My son was downstairs playing and there was no way I was going to leave without him seeing me. So I called him and we headed to visit my gal. This was at around 5pm. We sat, finished watching a movie, made some coffee and decided to relax.
The boy had poured water on his jeans so I had to remove and dry the trouser. I stood up, headed to get the iron box and heard a thud. My son had walked out of the house, climbed the grills which are half way and fell one floor down. The sight of him down there, made me feel something I have never felt before. Was he dead, was he hurt, was he, was he? So many question ran through my mind and no answer was forthcoming. We both rushed down and just by the look of things, I knew all was not well.
The boy was bleeding from the mouth, and he had no upper teeth! I helped him cry. I hate to imagine the kind of pain he must have been going through at that moment. I picked him up, ran back upstair to clean his mouth but it was not helping. I cried some more as I gathered guts to call dad as we had parted less than an hour earlier. I think I was crying so hard my friend had to talk on my behalf. First getting him to a hospital. I knew I was to go but I didn't know which one, Nairobi Hosp was too far, I cant take him to Aga Khan, he settled for Gertrude's and said we meet there. Being in Kariokor, it wasn't far. I entered the car, I couldn't drive, my buddy decided to drive us to the hospital. When we reached the hosp. one look and we were ushered into the emergency section.
I was carrying him and by now, I was all blood. I didn't really care. I wanted all to be well. He was in so much pain and he was not being given painkillers. I hated those nurses then. They explained that giving him any painkillers would prevent them from noticing any weird behaviours if any, so they had to monitor his vitals first. The doctor came and asked that we put him down for them to observe him too. Off he went. He does not like anyone in a long white coat, he has a thing about doctors. When they saw him walking, they said he had no broken bones, the legs were ok.
Test number 2. Injecting him with the painkillers on his thigh. It was not easy. He fought on doctor, two nurses, myself and the dad who had by now arrived. This the doctor said was a good sign as it looked like most of his vitals were not affected by the fall. He put up a good fight. This was also one of the signs looked for from falls. If the baby cannot move, or is quite, not crying, the doctors worry. Well, what about the head? I needed to find out if they skull was cracked (God forbid) or he had any head injuries. Off we were again to the casualty department. But wait a minute. We had been booked for x-rays but we could not go until we got an invoice. We are standing at the reception, waiting for some slow accountant to raise an invoice, he doesnt know some codes and keeps calling the x-ray department to clarify, and I have a bleeding screaming baby with me. No the dad is carrying him and I've been given a mouthful, how I'm such a bad mother, etc etc. Ok.
The dad asks them if they will still send the invoice if the baby dies when they are still raising the invoice. I guess this caught them off guard as they all looked at him in shock but they anyway continued raising the invoice. I didn't know it took so long to raise one. We are on our way after about 20 minutes, place the boy onto the x-ray table. He is so strong, it takes 5 of us to hold him down for him to be x-rayed. After about half an hour we are done and the waiting begins.
The nurse comes and gives us the films, but will not explain as it is the doctor's job!!! Damn!! Ok, relax. We head back to the doctor's office, he comes and explains the films in detail. No broken bones anywhere. The headscan is fine, chest is fine, spine is fine, he's basically fine except for the upper gum where the teeth are missing. He has to be observed overnight. We get a ward at the Felicity number 28. The last time I got to stay overnight at the hospital was when I had delivered. I myself do not like hospitals and here I am, in a ward. The boy is now a bit relaxed having been given the painkillers. He goes to sleep. He's out completely. And I have to monitor him. He needs another jab at midnight and a drip too from that time as he is scheduled to have surgery early morning. Come midnight, I have to interrupt his sweet sleep. I feel so bad knowing what he's been through. He needs sugar as he hasnt eaten anything the from 1pm the previous day. Since he is going into surgery, no meals from midnight. 'NIL BY MOUTH', is what's at his door.
At around 1am, the boy wakes up, as hungry as can be. His stomach is empty. He wants to breastfeed and I cant. His lip still had the deep cut as its yet to be satured. And I cannot give him anything because it could jeorpadize the surgery. What to do. I don't like not giving a kid food and that touched a nerve. I felt bad that I could not feed him and I knew he was very hungry. His last meal had been at 1pm. I gave him water, he took it like his life depended on it. He must have been suffering. Well, he cried himself to sleep. Woke up again at 3am, still no food. This went on till 6am when he just had enough of his mean mum and pulled off the needle connected to the drip. Had to call the night nurse to redo it. He got injected on the right hand now and I had to keep watch lest he removes it again. Morning came (the night has never been this long as I watch the drip).
Come morning, I'm called for breakfast, but how can I eat when my son's been longing to have something to eat. I declined their offer. At 0930hrs he is wheeled out of his ward and to the x-ray theatre. He didn't want to go alone. I couldn't wait outside the theatre. His dad decided to wait there. It was the longest wait though. I went and took a shower, and since I was told it would be over in 45mins top, I was there just in time to see the anaesthetist leave the room. I asked how it had gone and she said great. These are the people who mess people by either overdosing or underdosing patients on the operating table. Behind her walked the dental surgeon. He told us the boy had woken up and was doing great. Nothing to worry about. They had removed three of his teeth!!!! Apparently the teeth had sunk into his gum during the fall and they had to remove them. Being milk teeth, they would still grow and all we needed to do was monitor and make sure his gums did not get infected. Then he also said that we could go home!!
I headed to clear the bills before leaving for home. I'd missed home and couldn't wait to get home and sleep. We are done at the hospital by 3pm and are headed home. The boy is also happy to be out of the hospital surrounding. As soon as we reach home, he's out. When we left the operating theatre and I was clearing, he fell asleep. Guess the anaesthesia was still wearing off little by little.
Feeding time is the problem. His food has to be mashed as he cannot bite anything as he is missing his teeth. Then he sees the famous bottle that brought about all this. He takes it, tries to pull up the nozzle but alas! no teeth to aid him. He starts crying and I feel his pain. He feels so helpless without his teeth. Should I get him temporary ones till he grown his permanent teeth? Dad says no, he will have to get used to staying without teeth for some time now. Well, at least he is learning to accept his condition.
He forgets that he is yet to recover and starts his games again. The next I know, he has rolled down the stairs! This shocks him and he just cries abit and is back on the same stairway again. Kids! He forgets so soon what he has been through. I need to get a dog leash to keep him in check. I don't want any more accidents with him.
I just keep praying that he walked out of his fall without any long term symptoms that I'm yet to notice. I believe my prayers will be answered and he will be fine, the boy I cherish!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Star Review
At our company, we have this thing called the Star Review. The company believes that one should have the opportunity to shine and I do agree with that. They want the staff to enjoy challenging jobs, to know what's expected of them, realize their full potential and be recognized for a job well done. It ensures that we are all focused on supporting our business objectives by achieving our own objectives, receive timely and accurate feedback on how well we perfomed against the agreed objectives and behaviors for our roles. The Manager makes an assessment of our strengths and development needs and puts in place a meaningful development plan to drive performance and aspirations.
Perfomance is rated under O (Outstanding), E ( Frequently exceeds Requirements), M (Meets requirements), NI (Needs improvement) and U (Unacceptable). It is like an exam and you have to prepare for it as it involves reading through Performance objectives, jotting them down and coming up with your own individual objective, reasons you think you met them and what is agreed about your performance with your manager. Then it is rated using the methods above.
This is also measured using the SMART method of setting objectives, meaning Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-related. You also need to inform of your Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Having finished the first section you get to move on to the second section, mainly discussing leadership principles and behaviours, how you have achieved it. How have you been bold and adventurous, focussed aggressively on profit (all employers want that), delivered the basics brilliantly and added some magic touches and stuff like if you inspired and engaged ur colleagues or ensured that great people could do great work.
Moving on to the PDP, you then had an opportunity to state your career aspirations, within and beyond your current role, your strengths and any additional skills, knowledge and experience you will need to develop to achieve your objectives for the next year (current as it is). Looking forward, its now you and you alone and if you need any help, where from. E-learning is made accessible for all so that is not a question. We can all make it if we put our hearts to it.
I wish all our politicians looked at this country as one great company that all wanted to work in, didn't feel like leaving until retirement beckons. Looking at the SMART method, we all should have a time-frame by which to achieve goals we set by, and seeing that nobody likes to take responsibility for their actions, why do we need them. Its is so painful that the same people who give deadlines are the same ones who will do anything to make sure nothing is done by the same deadlines that they give. How sad! Well, I do pray that sooner than later, we will all put aside our selfishness and strive to live together as one family like we did, without suspicion, without hate, but like friends, good neighbours.
Doing the star Review taught me a lot. We all have to aim to achieve some goals.
Perfomance is rated under O (Outstanding), E ( Frequently exceeds Requirements), M (Meets requirements), NI (Needs improvement) and U (Unacceptable). It is like an exam and you have to prepare for it as it involves reading through Performance objectives, jotting them down and coming up with your own individual objective, reasons you think you met them and what is agreed about your performance with your manager. Then it is rated using the methods above.
This is also measured using the SMART method of setting objectives, meaning Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-related. You also need to inform of your Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Having finished the first section you get to move on to the second section, mainly discussing leadership principles and behaviours, how you have achieved it. How have you been bold and adventurous, focussed aggressively on profit (all employers want that), delivered the basics brilliantly and added some magic touches and stuff like if you inspired and engaged ur colleagues or ensured that great people could do great work.
Moving on to the PDP, you then had an opportunity to state your career aspirations, within and beyond your current role, your strengths and any additional skills, knowledge and experience you will need to develop to achieve your objectives for the next year (current as it is). Looking forward, its now you and you alone and if you need any help, where from. E-learning is made accessible for all so that is not a question. We can all make it if we put our hearts to it.
I wish all our politicians looked at this country as one great company that all wanted to work in, didn't feel like leaving until retirement beckons. Looking at the SMART method, we all should have a time-frame by which to achieve goals we set by, and seeing that nobody likes to take responsibility for their actions, why do we need them. Its is so painful that the same people who give deadlines are the same ones who will do anything to make sure nothing is done by the same deadlines that they give. How sad! Well, I do pray that sooner than later, we will all put aside our selfishness and strive to live together as one family like we did, without suspicion, without hate, but like friends, good neighbours.
Doing the star Review taught me a lot. We all have to aim to achieve some goals.
Friday, February 08, 2008
The Lancer
I finally paid my last respects to Alari Alare yesterday. It was not easy. He was a dear friend. Well, RIP.
This year I decided I had enough of walking and hussling for mats and buses. I decided I'd get myself a small moty to take me from point A to B. Shopped around a while and settled on one.
Drove it to the office in morning and parked at my designated spot. Its bright red, just like my uniform. Turbo (well, not quite), tinted windows, alloy rims, the works. I was the envy of 'my friends' in our department. We had decided to shop for cars for those that didn't have just for the fun of it. Two of us got and we both came in our 'new' cars at the same time.
As the congrats were being thrown at us, I noticed one was not as enthusiastic about my new status as the rest. I didn't ask why. She is the same babe who'd decided she would never give me a ride in her moty as I earned alot of money. She passes right out of my hao daily and even if she saw me at the bus stop, she would not look my side and I too decided, I got this job knowing well how I was going to get to the office. I didn't understand her hostility. I don't know how much 'alot' is, coz according to me, its barely enough. Well, I have a sworn enemy because I have a new ride. And it is just a Lancer!
Well, here I come, I owe nobody an apology.
But my DL expired on 29th Jan and have to get it sorted out first. lol!
This year I decided I had enough of walking and hussling for mats and buses. I decided I'd get myself a small moty to take me from point A to B. Shopped around a while and settled on one.
Drove it to the office in morning and parked at my designated spot. Its bright red, just like my uniform. Turbo (well, not quite), tinted windows, alloy rims, the works. I was the envy of 'my friends' in our department. We had decided to shop for cars for those that didn't have just for the fun of it. Two of us got and we both came in our 'new' cars at the same time.
As the congrats were being thrown at us, I noticed one was not as enthusiastic about my new status as the rest. I didn't ask why. She is the same babe who'd decided she would never give me a ride in her moty as I earned alot of money. She passes right out of my hao daily and even if she saw me at the bus stop, she would not look my side and I too decided, I got this job knowing well how I was going to get to the office. I didn't understand her hostility. I don't know how much 'alot' is, coz according to me, its barely enough. Well, I have a sworn enemy because I have a new ride. And it is just a Lancer!
Well, here I come, I owe nobody an apology.
But my DL expired on 29th Jan and have to get it sorted out first. lol!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Is death this unfair
It has been the most traumatic time for so many countrymen, countrywomen and countrychildren (if it makes sense).
In the last many days, we have lost so many of our people and we still haven't come to a solution. People are being killed any direction you look. It has gotten out of hand and I wish and pray that they stop. I don't know what can be done to stop it anyway. I don't have an answer to questions any more.
I called a very good friend of mine this morning and for the first time is so many months, there was no long wait at the other end. But the news was baffling. It was so short and to the point for a moment I thought I'd heard wrong. I was left speechless until the guy at the other end of the line jolted me back to my senses. You see, when you talk to someone literally every other day or once a week, it becomes routine to check on each other to find out how life's been, how the families are doing, jobwise - what's cutting, when you are meeting for drinks, just about everything. Then make fun about just about everything in life.
It suddenly hits you. The things we all take forgranted, the unsaid words, the anger when you don't get what you want, the silence when you feel you don't want to talk to the other party, the secrecy when you don't feel like saying some things, the privacy when you feel your space is getting too crowded, its all meaningless. So I got to realize this fine morning.
As I was saying, when I called my buddy, I was transfered to his department (happens to write the business column in the Standard newspapers). The guy told me, 'we lost him yesterday on Mombasa Road.' Just that, plain and simple. No he asked where I was calling from and I said from Nairobi. Then the bomb was dropped. Ok, I thought I heard wrong but hell no. I was silent for quite a while till the voice on the other side decided I was too quiet. Well, I refused to believe it. He was quite clear though, 'do u mean so and so?'. I was like, 'yes, that's the one'. 'Then we are talking of the same person, he died in a road accident on Mombasa Road yesterday morning.' I was lost for words, took down his name and promised to give him a call back.
I told my colleague what had just happened and she told me she'd read in the Standard that they'd lost one of their own. I went to look for the paper and there it was, in black and white. I couldn't believe it. I was shaking, read and re-read, but it was all there, he was gone. Then it hit me, all I knew were the buddies we were with in school (we went to Primary school together), then met by chance last year. I didn't know any of his brothers or sisters as when we were in school he used to commute every single day from Athi River to a primary school in Eastlands. He was known as the boy from Athi River. The pain I feel now is not anything I can explain. To lose a dear friend is so sad, too painful.
He had called me Saturday evening at 5.30pm, of course drinking somewhere in Ololo (kaloleni) with his buddies. He was to call me back to tell me where he was but didn't. As I knew him I guess well, I decided to let him nurse his hangover, I didn't know he'd be nursing it forever! Its really sad, I still have to get details from his buddy that he was with who is till at the hospital. I don't know if I should call him or wait. But I still need answers.
I remember the last time we were together was some time in Dec. Just before I left for shags. As always he was a happy person. He only switched off when he was depressed. I knew when to keep my distance and he always came to and discussed anything that had been the bother, but at times I guess he just found it hard to talk about and I didn't push him.
All I can say is that life's a witch spelt with a capital 'B'.
RIP - ALARI ALARE
In the last many days, we have lost so many of our people and we still haven't come to a solution. People are being killed any direction you look. It has gotten out of hand and I wish and pray that they stop. I don't know what can be done to stop it anyway. I don't have an answer to questions any more.
I called a very good friend of mine this morning and for the first time is so many months, there was no long wait at the other end. But the news was baffling. It was so short and to the point for a moment I thought I'd heard wrong. I was left speechless until the guy at the other end of the line jolted me back to my senses. You see, when you talk to someone literally every other day or once a week, it becomes routine to check on each other to find out how life's been, how the families are doing, jobwise - what's cutting, when you are meeting for drinks, just about everything. Then make fun about just about everything in life.
It suddenly hits you. The things we all take forgranted, the unsaid words, the anger when you don't get what you want, the silence when you feel you don't want to talk to the other party, the secrecy when you don't feel like saying some things, the privacy when you feel your space is getting too crowded, its all meaningless. So I got to realize this fine morning.
As I was saying, when I called my buddy, I was transfered to his department (happens to write the business column in the Standard newspapers). The guy told me, 'we lost him yesterday on Mombasa Road.' Just that, plain and simple. No he asked where I was calling from and I said from Nairobi. Then the bomb was dropped. Ok, I thought I heard wrong but hell no. I was silent for quite a while till the voice on the other side decided I was too quiet. Well, I refused to believe it. He was quite clear though, 'do u mean so and so?'. I was like, 'yes, that's the one'. 'Then we are talking of the same person, he died in a road accident on Mombasa Road yesterday morning.' I was lost for words, took down his name and promised to give him a call back.
I told my colleague what had just happened and she told me she'd read in the Standard that they'd lost one of their own. I went to look for the paper and there it was, in black and white. I couldn't believe it. I was shaking, read and re-read, but it was all there, he was gone. Then it hit me, all I knew were the buddies we were with in school (we went to Primary school together), then met by chance last year. I didn't know any of his brothers or sisters as when we were in school he used to commute every single day from Athi River to a primary school in Eastlands. He was known as the boy from Athi River. The pain I feel now is not anything I can explain. To lose a dear friend is so sad, too painful.
He had called me Saturday evening at 5.30pm, of course drinking somewhere in Ololo (kaloleni) with his buddies. He was to call me back to tell me where he was but didn't. As I knew him I guess well, I decided to let him nurse his hangover, I didn't know he'd be nursing it forever! Its really sad, I still have to get details from his buddy that he was with who is till at the hospital. I don't know if I should call him or wait. But I still need answers.
I remember the last time we were together was some time in Dec. Just before I left for shags. As always he was a happy person. He only switched off when he was depressed. I knew when to keep my distance and he always came to and discussed anything that had been the bother, but at times I guess he just found it hard to talk about and I didn't push him.
All I can say is that life's a witch spelt with a capital 'B'.
RIP - ALARI ALARE
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The ghost town of Kisumu
The schools in Nyanza are yet to re-open. Both Primary and Secondary school kids are still at home, wondering whether they'll ever go back to school. Its a sad situation. Thousands of kids don't know what the future looks like for them.
My cousin who happens to be a bursar at a certain high school says that they cannot re-open as some of their schools were burnt down or looted. The chaos after the elections last year have affected kids who are not even old enough to vote. I'm sure during the campaigns, they must have been wondering what the beef was all about with politicians 'dissing' each other during their 'meet the people' tours.
As it is, they lack the basics to go back to school, their food stores were raided, books stolen, desks and chairs set on fire (you wonder why). Even as they are given an ultimatum to be back to school by Monday 28th, I wonder where they are going to start. Kids are traumatised and I'm sure they want to wish away everything that has happened so far. Watching the killings and the running battles, with looting and vandalizing of stores will remain embedded in their minds for a long, long time.
But I'm an angry woman. Angry at the the few residents who took part in vandalizing the town. They lack all the basics as it is. No food, water, airtime, houses, clothes, medication, the works! A bamba 50 is going for 90 bob, 100 bob airtime is being sold for 150, and so on. How will they survive like this. The people complaining are the same ones who burnt down the food stores and are now appealing to be fed, by who I ask. I feel bad that children and women are the most affected as the kids still look up to them for their daily meal. If I set the supermarket on fire, who do I expect to bring me food, to sell from where, I do not even have the money to buy the food in the first place. The only bank operating is Standard Chartered. Most of the locals bank with KCB. Barclays are yet to re-open (hope they have anyway-last time I checked they were still closed). The only supermarkets operating are the two Nakumatts, Yatin Supermarket has removed 90% of his stock from the shelves so even if you walked in you would not buy anything, but he he keeps the grill doors open for anyone daring to go there.
Kisumu resembles a bombed out town like Mogadishu. Who will save the luos from themselves, I hate to ask. How can anyone be so stupid as to do what they did to a place they call home. I wonder what they say everyday when they wake up in the morning. There are no offices to go to work, no restaurants to visit, no pubs to drink in, it is bad. Kisumu Travels has ceased operating, sending home tens of workers all because of this. This was the biggest travel company in the whole of Nyanza, and now its gone, God knows if there is going to be another one like it. It must be scary to live the way they do in Kisumu, I'd hate to be there, I know its on my way home but I still do not condone what they did.
Some bus companies have pulled out of the route for fear of being attacked or set ablaze for belonging to the 'wrong' tribe. And what tribe is 'right'? These so called hooligans have messed the city. I wonder how many years it will take to rebuild it to what it was. I don't envy the current MP who has to urge them to 'behave' as they are just hurting themselves and nobody else.
I rest my case..................
My cousin who happens to be a bursar at a certain high school says that they cannot re-open as some of their schools were burnt down or looted. The chaos after the elections last year have affected kids who are not even old enough to vote. I'm sure during the campaigns, they must have been wondering what the beef was all about with politicians 'dissing' each other during their 'meet the people' tours.
As it is, they lack the basics to go back to school, their food stores were raided, books stolen, desks and chairs set on fire (you wonder why). Even as they are given an ultimatum to be back to school by Monday 28th, I wonder where they are going to start. Kids are traumatised and I'm sure they want to wish away everything that has happened so far. Watching the killings and the running battles, with looting and vandalizing of stores will remain embedded in their minds for a long, long time.
But I'm an angry woman. Angry at the the few residents who took part in vandalizing the town. They lack all the basics as it is. No food, water, airtime, houses, clothes, medication, the works! A bamba 50 is going for 90 bob, 100 bob airtime is being sold for 150, and so on. How will they survive like this. The people complaining are the same ones who burnt down the food stores and are now appealing to be fed, by who I ask. I feel bad that children and women are the most affected as the kids still look up to them for their daily meal. If I set the supermarket on fire, who do I expect to bring me food, to sell from where, I do not even have the money to buy the food in the first place. The only bank operating is Standard Chartered. Most of the locals bank with KCB. Barclays are yet to re-open (hope they have anyway-last time I checked they were still closed). The only supermarkets operating are the two Nakumatts, Yatin Supermarket has removed 90% of his stock from the shelves so even if you walked in you would not buy anything, but he he keeps the grill doors open for anyone daring to go there.
Kisumu resembles a bombed out town like Mogadishu. Who will save the luos from themselves, I hate to ask. How can anyone be so stupid as to do what they did to a place they call home. I wonder what they say everyday when they wake up in the morning. There are no offices to go to work, no restaurants to visit, no pubs to drink in, it is bad. Kisumu Travels has ceased operating, sending home tens of workers all because of this. This was the biggest travel company in the whole of Nyanza, and now its gone, God knows if there is going to be another one like it. It must be scary to live the way they do in Kisumu, I'd hate to be there, I know its on my way home but I still do not condone what they did.
Some bus companies have pulled out of the route for fear of being attacked or set ablaze for belonging to the 'wrong' tribe. And what tribe is 'right'? These so called hooligans have messed the city. I wonder how many years it will take to rebuild it to what it was. I don't envy the current MP who has to urge them to 'behave' as they are just hurting themselves and nobody else.
I rest my case..................
Thursday, January 17, 2008
WHY, OH WHY?
Watching the clip on KTN on the murder of yet another innocent Kenyan left me in shock, angry and above all, full on HATE (yah, I know its a strong word), for the police force in this country.
Who is going to save us from ourselves? Who shall I run to if the person paid to do that is the same person killing me. And to rub it in, the so called police spokesman says its a Rambo movie. Rambo never died! for crying out loud. We do need to pray, and pray hard indeed for all the departed, the wounded, the hurting, the affected, those small kids who don't know why they feel cold at night as there is no shelter and nobody is explaining to them why they live in the open.
For three days last week, I did not go to the office. The management decided for the sake of the staff's security, we all needed to stay home and coming to the office was at one's own risk. Of course only 3 people worked on Wednesday 16th as they live close to the office. The rest of us (I know I can get to the office via some other route) but I did not want to take that chance. I didn't want to be caught up in all the madness that this country has come to. But a call came that same evening informing me that we all resume duty the next day. There hadn't been much anyway, apart from the trigger happy cops. I'm glad at times being that I do not work in town.
Come Thursday, its all system go! We have to cancel some of our flights. Business is damn slow.
The lunacy we saw the past week is over. I have nothing to say. I love the peace that's there currently. But there's a shortage of some supplies. I have to visit my 'loco' to buy what I can lay my hands on. Its going to be a long, long two weeks.
Ciao!
Who is going to save us from ourselves? Who shall I run to if the person paid to do that is the same person killing me. And to rub it in, the so called police spokesman says its a Rambo movie. Rambo never died! for crying out loud. We do need to pray, and pray hard indeed for all the departed, the wounded, the hurting, the affected, those small kids who don't know why they feel cold at night as there is no shelter and nobody is explaining to them why they live in the open.
For three days last week, I did not go to the office. The management decided for the sake of the staff's security, we all needed to stay home and coming to the office was at one's own risk. Of course only 3 people worked on Wednesday 16th as they live close to the office. The rest of us (I know I can get to the office via some other route) but I did not want to take that chance. I didn't want to be caught up in all the madness that this country has come to. But a call came that same evening informing me that we all resume duty the next day. There hadn't been much anyway, apart from the trigger happy cops. I'm glad at times being that I do not work in town.
Come Thursday, its all system go! We have to cancel some of our flights. Business is damn slow.
The lunacy we saw the past week is over. I have nothing to say. I love the peace that's there currently. But there's a shortage of some supplies. I have to visit my 'loco' to buy what I can lay my hands on. Its going to be a long, long two weeks.
Ciao!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The journey back
I wake up on 2nd January knowing too well there is no way I'm coming back to this city. The mood is somber. Everyone is just existing. There is nothing much to do. Just watch your back.
We have breakfast at 10am. As I ponder my next move, I look up to the sky and see a plane. What, a plane? It cannot be. I quickly get my fone, all the airport just to confirm that the airspace is open. 'Yes we are flying.' 'Please reconfirm my flight.' 'Names, dates, tkt nos, done.' 'Be at the airport an hour before the flight.' Excitement is an understatement. My heart was in another place.
I rush back inside, start packing, forgetting that I have to let the relevant authorities know that I'm flying back. Well, that can wait, I'll need a ride anyway to the airport. This morning I haven't heard any new developments. Kisumu is still under curfew, the airport is a few miles off so still accessible, I guess. We'll try our best. I still have 6 hours to check in time. Have lunch, relax, then remember to report. Its about 20mins tops to the airport but with the roadblocks, could take longer. We depart at 5pm, half an hour earlier. On the Bondo road, there are few roadblocks if any. Most of the boulders are lying by the sides of the road. I had never seen the lake from this far before. It looked lovely, there were no people blocking my view for the first time. There were no people. Everyone had stayed home, at this time of day. This is when they all come out to sell their wares but have kept off.
Reach the Kisian junction, the banana sellers are nowhere to be seen. Would have bought but too bad. Drive on the Busia-Kisumu road, its ghostly. No people there either. The destruction is evident. Raided coca cola retail outlets, broken soda bottles, drinking straws all over the place, burnt down kiosks, looted and then burnt down markets, it is bad. A few miles down the road we come across a police car with its full lights. We have to slow down for it to pass. Behind it are tanks and tanks of petrol heading for the border. They had been blocked when all this started and could not be released lest they went up in flames or were syphoned by hooligans. It was now or never. I stopped counting as they were just too many. I remember watching news that Uganda and other east african countries that rely on Kenya were all suffering because of all the chaos. I felt for them. Our own people could not get fuel because of all this, so imagine the neighbours. At least they were going to smile now. I prayed for the safe passage of the tankers.
We reached Kisumu airport and for a moment I thought the whole of Kisumu had moved to the airport. The mess at the Machakos bus station is nothing compared to what I saw, and I thought I was early. I later learnt that people had been camping there for days, flights had been cancelled, the restaurant had run out of food, there was no water, and the planes were not even coming, people were just waiting. It was the only means to come to Nairobi. The queue was winding forever. But I had to. Through security we went (my son was still in the car). To the check in counter, there's nobody. At the entrance to their office is where everyone was. Apparently they were so messed up passengers had started fighting them and they had to lock themselves in. Its survival for the fittest. I also struggle to get my tickets to them. A hand takes them and disappears. Its a cat and mouse chase now. Money talks at such a time, but I refused to pay. I had already and my ticket was there. They had overbooked the flight, not me, so too bad. At the last minute, another plane had to be chartered for everyone to go. I wished I owned a plane. I'd have made loads of cash.
The waiting began. Some passengers who had been put on the charter flight that was to come to Kisumu at 1600hrs were still waiting and no one at the office had and answer as to what was happening and what time it would land. The manifest is out now, calling names one by one. I happen to get the second flight (which I was originally booked on) for 1845hrs. It is now 1930hrs and none of the planes has landed. KQ/Jetlink keep landing and picking their passengers and none of the planes we are booked on has come. We just wait. Did I mention that there was no food? The canteens have run out of food. The indians were lucky, they chartered their own plane that came and picked them from Kisumu. My son is getting restless. He is hungry, how was I to know that by 8 I'd still be waiting for a 7pm flight. We have no choice. Tempers are rising. People start quarrelling over nothing. I know better than to get involved. I'm in the service industry. The first flight lands at 2015hrs. Unfortunately, I have to wait for mine. There was no checking in of bags and what saved me was the fact that I'd left my suitcase back home to be brought when Mr was coming back, whenever that would be. I dont like luggage.
The first lot is boarded (free sitting). It takes off at 2030hrs. 15 minutes later we see a plane approaching and overflies the airport. What the f***!!!!!!!! It cannot land as the runway lights are off. The runway lights have been switched off............. The control's time is up and he has to go home. So why not just switch off everything as he is not being paid overtime. I shed a tear or two. Everyone is up on their feet now. There is the last plane still on the tarmac that cannot take off. The runway lights are out!!!!
10 minutes later someone goes up there, sweet talks him and he switches the lights back on. The plane takes off and ours lands at 2100hrs. Boarding (I'm lucky as kids are boarded first with their parents). We take off at 2105 and are in Nairobi by 2140hrs.. I'm so glad to be back. My ride is waiting, I get home, my sister is nowhere to be seen, I book another cab for her place of work (she's working overtime) and pick my housekeys. At least there's food in the house!
We have breakfast at 10am. As I ponder my next move, I look up to the sky and see a plane. What, a plane? It cannot be. I quickly get my fone, all the airport just to confirm that the airspace is open. 'Yes we are flying.' 'Please reconfirm my flight.' 'Names, dates, tkt nos, done.' 'Be at the airport an hour before the flight.' Excitement is an understatement. My heart was in another place.
I rush back inside, start packing, forgetting that I have to let the relevant authorities know that I'm flying back. Well, that can wait, I'll need a ride anyway to the airport. This morning I haven't heard any new developments. Kisumu is still under curfew, the airport is a few miles off so still accessible, I guess. We'll try our best. I still have 6 hours to check in time. Have lunch, relax, then remember to report. Its about 20mins tops to the airport but with the roadblocks, could take longer. We depart at 5pm, half an hour earlier. On the Bondo road, there are few roadblocks if any. Most of the boulders are lying by the sides of the road. I had never seen the lake from this far before. It looked lovely, there were no people blocking my view for the first time. There were no people. Everyone had stayed home, at this time of day. This is when they all come out to sell their wares but have kept off.
Reach the Kisian junction, the banana sellers are nowhere to be seen. Would have bought but too bad. Drive on the Busia-Kisumu road, its ghostly. No people there either. The destruction is evident. Raided coca cola retail outlets, broken soda bottles, drinking straws all over the place, burnt down kiosks, looted and then burnt down markets, it is bad. A few miles down the road we come across a police car with its full lights. We have to slow down for it to pass. Behind it are tanks and tanks of petrol heading for the border. They had been blocked when all this started and could not be released lest they went up in flames or were syphoned by hooligans. It was now or never. I stopped counting as they were just too many. I remember watching news that Uganda and other east african countries that rely on Kenya were all suffering because of all the chaos. I felt for them. Our own people could not get fuel because of all this, so imagine the neighbours. At least they were going to smile now. I prayed for the safe passage of the tankers.
We reached Kisumu airport and for a moment I thought the whole of Kisumu had moved to the airport. The mess at the Machakos bus station is nothing compared to what I saw, and I thought I was early. I later learnt that people had been camping there for days, flights had been cancelled, the restaurant had run out of food, there was no water, and the planes were not even coming, people were just waiting. It was the only means to come to Nairobi. The queue was winding forever. But I had to. Through security we went (my son was still in the car). To the check in counter, there's nobody. At the entrance to their office is where everyone was. Apparently they were so messed up passengers had started fighting them and they had to lock themselves in. Its survival for the fittest. I also struggle to get my tickets to them. A hand takes them and disappears. Its a cat and mouse chase now. Money talks at such a time, but I refused to pay. I had already and my ticket was there. They had overbooked the flight, not me, so too bad. At the last minute, another plane had to be chartered for everyone to go. I wished I owned a plane. I'd have made loads of cash.
The waiting began. Some passengers who had been put on the charter flight that was to come to Kisumu at 1600hrs were still waiting and no one at the office had and answer as to what was happening and what time it would land. The manifest is out now, calling names one by one. I happen to get the second flight (which I was originally booked on) for 1845hrs. It is now 1930hrs and none of the planes has landed. KQ/Jetlink keep landing and picking their passengers and none of the planes we are booked on has come. We just wait. Did I mention that there was no food? The canteens have run out of food. The indians were lucky, they chartered their own plane that came and picked them from Kisumu. My son is getting restless. He is hungry, how was I to know that by 8 I'd still be waiting for a 7pm flight. We have no choice. Tempers are rising. People start quarrelling over nothing. I know better than to get involved. I'm in the service industry. The first flight lands at 2015hrs. Unfortunately, I have to wait for mine. There was no checking in of bags and what saved me was the fact that I'd left my suitcase back home to be brought when Mr was coming back, whenever that would be. I dont like luggage.
The first lot is boarded (free sitting). It takes off at 2030hrs. 15 minutes later we see a plane approaching and overflies the airport. What the f***!!!!!!!! It cannot land as the runway lights are off. The runway lights have been switched off............. The control's time is up and he has to go home. So why not just switch off everything as he is not being paid overtime. I shed a tear or two. Everyone is up on their feet now. There is the last plane still on the tarmac that cannot take off. The runway lights are out!!!!
10 minutes later someone goes up there, sweet talks him and he switches the lights back on. The plane takes off and ours lands at 2100hrs. Boarding (I'm lucky as kids are boarded first with their parents). We take off at 2105 and are in Nairobi by 2140hrs.. I'm so glad to be back. My ride is waiting, I get home, my sister is nowhere to be seen, I book another cab for her place of work (she's working overtime) and pick my housekeys. At least there's food in the house!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
The aftermath
On 28th Morning, wake up early. Watch news, results are trickling in from different constituencies. Its interested how the big fall. I'm in shock, Kenyans truly do need a new look 10th parliament. I hate to imagine the shocked looks on their faces when they heard that they'd lost.
They continue to fall harder, even the Moillets (ex-president Moi's three sons). I'm happy.
I'm late taking breakfast as I watch news. I get hungry and decide to go have some bitings. They day is spend just watching, watching and watching news as results are announced. By evening I know our next president, so I thought. The guy had even led in Nairobi of all the provinces. Of course Nyanza, Rift Valley, Coast and Western there was no question about it. What amazed me was North Eastern. Well, Eastern we had no chance and Central was out of the question. By evening we are yet to get results from Central, wonder why.
Anyway, with a lead of close to 1 million votes, even if they rigged, they would not reach that. In the evening, I sense tension. Text messages are coming in quick succession. I'm scared, I hate what I'm reading. Looks like the whole country is holding its breath. Could it be true? Well, lets wait and see. I get a call at 11pm. Things are thick, and there is nobody willing to say anything more but its written in bold. There is no way Emilio is going to leave office, lose or win (no he already won). And the ECK commissioners (from one of the texts) were divided over a State House directive to make sure the lead between him and RAO is at least by over 200,000 votes. (we saw that). But Central Province is not releasing its results. The returning offices have switched off their phones and those are the only results we are waiting for. I go to bed knowing the country is not going to be the same again. Deep down the whole country knows that even with everybody voting, there is no way in heaven and earth that the master planner was going to catch up with that lead.
More shock. Some constituencies record 115% voter turnout! Some only voted for the presidency did not vote for an MP or Councillor in Central Province. What a shame. Kisumu gets chaotic, the riots have began, you can cut the tension with a knife. I'm saddened by the turn of events. Why is it so hard to accept defeat?
Early the next morning, KICC is filled to capacity. The ECK chairman is still not at the press conference. The ODM chairman declares RAO the winner but he is not the ECK chairman. I leave for my shags. We still don't have a president 2 days later, has never happened before. Reach home, see my sisters, nephews, nieces, the shamba looks bad. It hasn't rained in a while and the effects are evident. I'd planned to have some roast fresh maize from the shamba, roasted on the 'kendo' (three stones - firewood). Too bad and its also not the harvest season. One of my mum's chickens loses its life because I'm in the hood.
The following events take place too fast. First the press are banned from being at the press conference by the police commissioner (who does he think he is?) but he is working on orders from you know who. Just before the results are announced, there is a power black out at KICC and when it comes back, we have a new president and only KBC were allowed into the hall. We had international observers who were not even allowed into the hall, why? Its right there infront of you. I don't need to say anything. Emilio wins by a margin of over 200,000. Did I mention that I knew this would be the case. So why did we have elections in the first place. The looting has started. The whole country is in tears (except the small clique that wanted it to stay that way). Police are ordered to shoot to kill in Kisumu, because they are very bitter and have been lied to even after voting. The rampage continues, every business premise and house belonging to a Kikuyu is looted, flattened, set on fire, the hatred is all over. Roads are barricaded, stores are burnt, food is looted, this is Sudan, or Somaliland. This is not the Kenya I grew to love with all my heart. What do we do now? who is the cause of all these? We all know and there is nothing we can do about it.
In record time Emilio is sworn in at State house. How did he get to state house so fast unless he had been living there all the time? He knew what would happen. He knew he was not going to leave the throne whatever you said or did. So again, why did we vote? Ok, I didn't myself.
Anyway, my sister is so angered she refuses to eat, which she doesn't do. I'm in pain. The 'government' orders that no station broadcasts anything live. The press freedom notwithstanding. There is nothing they can do. There are chaos all over the country. How will I get back to Nairobi. I'm deep in the village. At night I can hear gunshots, I don't know how close they are but in the morning when I wake up, some butcher had been shot but not killed, phew!
There is more chaos. No leader is coming out to say anything. Sit at home and relax, watch movies on telly as there is no live broadcasts (while the country burns and people die). I get a running tummy, I cannot sit still.
The New Year comes without much celebrations. I had called for my ride and they were going to TRY and see how the situation is. There's a curfew in Kisumu. There are roadblocks everywhere so how do you even get from your home to your destination? Well they manage to make it home late afternoon. Its a race against time. As we drive from home, we meet these roudy mob of small boys (yes), barricading the path (not road) from home. A few minutes ago they were not there. They ask for money. You don't question, you give because you want to be away from there. We meet two more in a space of less than 100 metres, 'leta pesa ya mafuta'. You only wonder mafuta for what. Is it petrol, paraffin, what? You give. The boy who asks me for money is not more than 13 years. For sure. I tell him to grow up as I'm annoyed. How dare he. Just heard that they looted the cereals bank where all the surplus harvest is stored. All boarding schools in the area are supplied from here. They burnt down the market too. These are not protesters, these are hooligans. Where do they expect their mothers to buy food, where do they expect the food to come from being that the stores have been looted. It is very annoying. I'm seething with anger inside. How dare they!
This is what we have come to. This is what the country has come to. This is what our leaders have made us turn to. Violence. Looting. Rape. Since there is a curfew, our ride is uneventful though we have to use a shortcut as we dont know how further ahead the road is. We drive past a few smouldering tyres on the road, boulders, tree trunks (these people are strong), bill boards, anything that can be used to block the road. There is no traffic. I only count at most 2 cars. Not usual on this road. All we meet are the boda bodas carrying families (its the only means of transport available). And people are not moving around anyway, unless you really have to move. We get home safe.
I forgot, the only reason we managed to manouver one of the barriers is because I pretended to know one of the 'hooligans' who was holding us hostage. They had placed big stones under the tyres such that we couldn't move either way. Carrying big ones to smash the car if we refused to hand over money. Two went to the trunk of the car to peep inside, tried to unlock and found it locked. My bag was in the trunk and I don't know why I put it there in the first place. I don't normally do that. They got angry. They wanted money. They opened the dashboard and took out cash from there, but just coins, it was not even enough if they shared among themselves. (you are not allowed to drive with your window down to ease communication between you and the negotiator or you have them smashed) As I pleaded my case, I picked on one who looked a bit educated. I asked him why he was harassing us and we came from the same place (I didn't even recognise him), and asked if his folks knew what he was doing. I told him he should be ashamed of himself (don't know where the courage came from), and that should anything happen to us, I would personally hold him responsible and will haunt him for the rest of his life. He ordered to road unblocked and the stones at the tyres removed. We went on our way. I have never been so scared in my life. Meeting eye to eye with the abusers of the law.
Reached my destination in one piece and relaxed as I contemplated leaving Kisumu for Nairobi. I was with my son and I didn't want to be caught up in the middle of all that was happening. The 'president' has said nothing as yet, not even RAO.
I go to bed in the evening praying that there is no more bloodshed. I'd seen enough. Don't know what tomorrow holds for us. My flight was booked for tomorrow and at this rate, I have no idea how I will get to the airport but anyway, flights are all cancelled until further notice. My fate is sealed. I'm stuck in the village till the country comes to its senses. What a start to the new year. And why did it have to come to this. I hate the people who have brought us to this.
They continue to fall harder, even the Moillets (ex-president Moi's three sons). I'm happy.
I'm late taking breakfast as I watch news. I get hungry and decide to go have some bitings. They day is spend just watching, watching and watching news as results are announced. By evening I know our next president, so I thought. The guy had even led in Nairobi of all the provinces. Of course Nyanza, Rift Valley, Coast and Western there was no question about it. What amazed me was North Eastern. Well, Eastern we had no chance and Central was out of the question. By evening we are yet to get results from Central, wonder why.
Anyway, with a lead of close to 1 million votes, even if they rigged, they would not reach that. In the evening, I sense tension. Text messages are coming in quick succession. I'm scared, I hate what I'm reading. Looks like the whole country is holding its breath. Could it be true? Well, lets wait and see. I get a call at 11pm. Things are thick, and there is nobody willing to say anything more but its written in bold. There is no way Emilio is going to leave office, lose or win (no he already won). And the ECK commissioners (from one of the texts) were divided over a State House directive to make sure the lead between him and RAO is at least by over 200,000 votes. (we saw that). But Central Province is not releasing its results. The returning offices have switched off their phones and those are the only results we are waiting for. I go to bed knowing the country is not going to be the same again. Deep down the whole country knows that even with everybody voting, there is no way in heaven and earth that the master planner was going to catch up with that lead.
More shock. Some constituencies record 115% voter turnout! Some only voted for the presidency did not vote for an MP or Councillor in Central Province. What a shame. Kisumu gets chaotic, the riots have began, you can cut the tension with a knife. I'm saddened by the turn of events. Why is it so hard to accept defeat?
Early the next morning, KICC is filled to capacity. The ECK chairman is still not at the press conference. The ODM chairman declares RAO the winner but he is not the ECK chairman. I leave for my shags. We still don't have a president 2 days later, has never happened before. Reach home, see my sisters, nephews, nieces, the shamba looks bad. It hasn't rained in a while and the effects are evident. I'd planned to have some roast fresh maize from the shamba, roasted on the 'kendo' (three stones - firewood). Too bad and its also not the harvest season. One of my mum's chickens loses its life because I'm in the hood.
The following events take place too fast. First the press are banned from being at the press conference by the police commissioner (who does he think he is?) but he is working on orders from you know who. Just before the results are announced, there is a power black out at KICC and when it comes back, we have a new president and only KBC were allowed into the hall. We had international observers who were not even allowed into the hall, why? Its right there infront of you. I don't need to say anything. Emilio wins by a margin of over 200,000. Did I mention that I knew this would be the case. So why did we have elections in the first place. The looting has started. The whole country is in tears (except the small clique that wanted it to stay that way). Police are ordered to shoot to kill in Kisumu, because they are very bitter and have been lied to even after voting. The rampage continues, every business premise and house belonging to a Kikuyu is looted, flattened, set on fire, the hatred is all over. Roads are barricaded, stores are burnt, food is looted, this is Sudan, or Somaliland. This is not the Kenya I grew to love with all my heart. What do we do now? who is the cause of all these? We all know and there is nothing we can do about it.
In record time Emilio is sworn in at State house. How did he get to state house so fast unless he had been living there all the time? He knew what would happen. He knew he was not going to leave the throne whatever you said or did. So again, why did we vote? Ok, I didn't myself.
Anyway, my sister is so angered she refuses to eat, which she doesn't do. I'm in pain. The 'government' orders that no station broadcasts anything live. The press freedom notwithstanding. There is nothing they can do. There are chaos all over the country. How will I get back to Nairobi. I'm deep in the village. At night I can hear gunshots, I don't know how close they are but in the morning when I wake up, some butcher had been shot but not killed, phew!
There is more chaos. No leader is coming out to say anything. Sit at home and relax, watch movies on telly as there is no live broadcasts (while the country burns and people die). I get a running tummy, I cannot sit still.
The New Year comes without much celebrations. I had called for my ride and they were going to TRY and see how the situation is. There's a curfew in Kisumu. There are roadblocks everywhere so how do you even get from your home to your destination? Well they manage to make it home late afternoon. Its a race against time. As we drive from home, we meet these roudy mob of small boys (yes), barricading the path (not road) from home. A few minutes ago they were not there. They ask for money. You don't question, you give because you want to be away from there. We meet two more in a space of less than 100 metres, 'leta pesa ya mafuta'. You only wonder mafuta for what. Is it petrol, paraffin, what? You give. The boy who asks me for money is not more than 13 years. For sure. I tell him to grow up as I'm annoyed. How dare he. Just heard that they looted the cereals bank where all the surplus harvest is stored. All boarding schools in the area are supplied from here. They burnt down the market too. These are not protesters, these are hooligans. Where do they expect their mothers to buy food, where do they expect the food to come from being that the stores have been looted. It is very annoying. I'm seething with anger inside. How dare they!
This is what we have come to. This is what the country has come to. This is what our leaders have made us turn to. Violence. Looting. Rape. Since there is a curfew, our ride is uneventful though we have to use a shortcut as we dont know how further ahead the road is. We drive past a few smouldering tyres on the road, boulders, tree trunks (these people are strong), bill boards, anything that can be used to block the road. There is no traffic. I only count at most 2 cars. Not usual on this road. All we meet are the boda bodas carrying families (its the only means of transport available). And people are not moving around anyway, unless you really have to move. We get home safe.
I forgot, the only reason we managed to manouver one of the barriers is because I pretended to know one of the 'hooligans' who was holding us hostage. They had placed big stones under the tyres such that we couldn't move either way. Carrying big ones to smash the car if we refused to hand over money. Two went to the trunk of the car to peep inside, tried to unlock and found it locked. My bag was in the trunk and I don't know why I put it there in the first place. I don't normally do that. They got angry. They wanted money. They opened the dashboard and took out cash from there, but just coins, it was not even enough if they shared among themselves. (you are not allowed to drive with your window down to ease communication between you and the negotiator or you have them smashed) As I pleaded my case, I picked on one who looked a bit educated. I asked him why he was harassing us and we came from the same place (I didn't even recognise him), and asked if his folks knew what he was doing. I told him he should be ashamed of himself (don't know where the courage came from), and that should anything happen to us, I would personally hold him responsible and will haunt him for the rest of his life. He ordered to road unblocked and the stones at the tyres removed. We went on our way. I have never been so scared in my life. Meeting eye to eye with the abusers of the law.
Reached my destination in one piece and relaxed as I contemplated leaving Kisumu for Nairobi. I was with my son and I didn't want to be caught up in the middle of all that was happening. The 'president' has said nothing as yet, not even RAO.
I go to bed in the evening praying that there is no more bloodshed. I'd seen enough. Don't know what tomorrow holds for us. My flight was booked for tomorrow and at this rate, I have no idea how I will get to the airport but anyway, flights are all cancelled until further notice. My fate is sealed. I'm stuck in the village till the country comes to its senses. What a start to the new year. And why did it have to come to this. I hate the people who have brought us to this.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
My x-mas holiday
A not so happy new year to all out there. Though I still tend to say its a happy one for me. I am alive and I made it from Kisumu to Nairobi in the midst of all the chaos and confusion.
Well, I am glad to be back (to work too). Having spend the x-mas holidays and the new year in the village, it is reassuring to finally be back behind my desk doing what I love most.
My son and I did a flight to Mombasa on 13th December, Air Kenya. Never flown them before and was kinda jittery knowing they operate a 25 seater, my son being claustrophobic. Was a crying game till we arrived over an hour later! Anyway the first thing that hit me was the heat, not the normal coast heat but a different kind of heat, one I have never experienced in Mombasa before. My ride was waiting so home we went.
Day 1 was indoors, where can you go in that heat anyway, and nights are worse! Survived the inferno for 5 days, and back home on 18th evening. I was so glad to be back to the normal temperatures. Reach home and the person I left in the house is still away at work, she didn't understand my message that I'd be arriving at 8.30pm, so look for a cab, go to her office and collect the house keys as she is in the middle of counting bundles of cash and cannot leave. I'm so hungry and angry at not being able to rest my aching feet. The rounds I did in Mombasa were not amusing. If you thought nairobi had a hawker's problem, please wait till you visit Mombasa. I had never witnessed traffic in the coastal town and it is bad! Worse than Nairobi by far and being that it is small and congested, block one side and its Kosovo! Well, I lived through that.
Ok, back to planning my shags trip. Confirmed 23rd. Being a Sunday, flight is at 1420hrs, make it just in time to get a very long queue. I'm early! Left the house by 1300hrs so that I'd be at the airport by 1310hrs, enough time for the one hour before flight check in rule. Shock on me. Gates are still closed. I notice so many new airlines operating out of Nairobi, its amazing. Flights to South Sudan, Eritrea and even Somaliland! More revenue for the gava.
Reach Kisumu at 3, my ride left me as there was a bash in Raila's backyard and I was keeping the car waiting so bye bye! Sawa tu. The other option was to wait for my cousin who 'left Kericho at 3' and is coming home so 'don't move.' With the absence of the road network and driving a small car, 2 hours at least. And I'm with the baby. There's no milk at the canteen! Well I call my very reliable cousin. He is leaving town for the house to pick his wife and kid before proceeding to Kisumu. This is just great. Call baba, explain the situation, of course quarrel enough for being kept waiting, but there's nothing much I can do. Either pick a cab to town and get a mat home which I'm not ready to do, or wait. Well, another cousin just lives across from the airport. Call him, comes and keeps me company as we talk about our relas. Time really flies. Its getting dark, no sign of these guys. Finally arrive at around 1830hrs, and we head home.
Less than half an hour later and we are home, safe. Everyone is in an upbeat mood. Its families and families. Others had arrived earlier. Had dinner and went to bed. I'm exhausted. I sleep alone in the house as the bash is extended to the next day. Ok.
Early morning, make breakfast, sit with the rest of the clan together, talk, gossip, eat, and the day starts. He's finally back so we head to Kisumu for shopping in the afternoon. Its crazy how everyone does their shopping at the last minute, us included. Should have done this at least the previous day, and that had been my plan. So here we are and the shopping malls are not the best place to be at this time. Everyone is in town. The late arrivees are also here on their way home. Finish shopping and head home.
Next day is x-mas, up early to start cooking. I buy time as I hate this part. I want to be called when all is ready and being the eldest, I have no choice but to lead by example. I can't feign sickness, it time for merry making. Lunch is late, at 3, but it was worth the wait. I love the way the boys have been trained to assist. They know their duties so well, one clears the clutter, one cleans, one dries, one stores! Then afternoon at leisure. I dont eat dinner as I had a lovely lunch. So I sleep early ready for the next day. It is normal as we all wait for the elections tomorrow (27th Dec). Everyone is looking forward to that and I too hoped to vote but unfortunately I did not get a flight back in time (don't kill me). I know I didn't like anyone who claimed not to have a voter's card or wasn't going to vote. I made enough enemies and just the thought that I wasn't going to vote made me wish none on them found this out.
27th morning I'm woken up by the school bell (the school is right next to the house). This is at 5am and I hear voices of everyone waking up everyone else. The bell rings for over half an hour non-stop. I later learn that its some chick who decided to wake up the whole village (she did not have a voter's card but wanted to make a change by summoning all). I wake up at 7 and there is no one at home, everyone went to vote. Make uji for the boy and when he's finished taking it the quorum start trickling in. They are so excited, especially the first time voters. I hear that they even got the sick in hospital to come vote and then take them back by ambulance to their hospital beds. I dont know how true this is but it came from the people back from voting.
So here we are, its evening and we have to wait for the results to start coming in as vote counting had to start at 6pm. That was the close of the voting. I cant wait for the end result of this all. I sleep with a smile on my face, ready to face another day.
Well, I am glad to be back (to work too). Having spend the x-mas holidays and the new year in the village, it is reassuring to finally be back behind my desk doing what I love most.
My son and I did a flight to Mombasa on 13th December, Air Kenya. Never flown them before and was kinda jittery knowing they operate a 25 seater, my son being claustrophobic. Was a crying game till we arrived over an hour later! Anyway the first thing that hit me was the heat, not the normal coast heat but a different kind of heat, one I have never experienced in Mombasa before. My ride was waiting so home we went.
Day 1 was indoors, where can you go in that heat anyway, and nights are worse! Survived the inferno for 5 days, and back home on 18th evening. I was so glad to be back to the normal temperatures. Reach home and the person I left in the house is still away at work, she didn't understand my message that I'd be arriving at 8.30pm, so look for a cab, go to her office and collect the house keys as she is in the middle of counting bundles of cash and cannot leave. I'm so hungry and angry at not being able to rest my aching feet. The rounds I did in Mombasa were not amusing. If you thought nairobi had a hawker's problem, please wait till you visit Mombasa. I had never witnessed traffic in the coastal town and it is bad! Worse than Nairobi by far and being that it is small and congested, block one side and its Kosovo! Well, I lived through that.
Ok, back to planning my shags trip. Confirmed 23rd. Being a Sunday, flight is at 1420hrs, make it just in time to get a very long queue. I'm early! Left the house by 1300hrs so that I'd be at the airport by 1310hrs, enough time for the one hour before flight check in rule. Shock on me. Gates are still closed. I notice so many new airlines operating out of Nairobi, its amazing. Flights to South Sudan, Eritrea and even Somaliland! More revenue for the gava.
Reach Kisumu at 3, my ride left me as there was a bash in Raila's backyard and I was keeping the car waiting so bye bye! Sawa tu. The other option was to wait for my cousin who 'left Kericho at 3' and is coming home so 'don't move.' With the absence of the road network and driving a small car, 2 hours at least. And I'm with the baby. There's no milk at the canteen! Well I call my very reliable cousin. He is leaving town for the house to pick his wife and kid before proceeding to Kisumu. This is just great. Call baba, explain the situation, of course quarrel enough for being kept waiting, but there's nothing much I can do. Either pick a cab to town and get a mat home which I'm not ready to do, or wait. Well, another cousin just lives across from the airport. Call him, comes and keeps me company as we talk about our relas. Time really flies. Its getting dark, no sign of these guys. Finally arrive at around 1830hrs, and we head home.
Less than half an hour later and we are home, safe. Everyone is in an upbeat mood. Its families and families. Others had arrived earlier. Had dinner and went to bed. I'm exhausted. I sleep alone in the house as the bash is extended to the next day. Ok.
Early morning, make breakfast, sit with the rest of the clan together, talk, gossip, eat, and the day starts. He's finally back so we head to Kisumu for shopping in the afternoon. Its crazy how everyone does their shopping at the last minute, us included. Should have done this at least the previous day, and that had been my plan. So here we are and the shopping malls are not the best place to be at this time. Everyone is in town. The late arrivees are also here on their way home. Finish shopping and head home.
Next day is x-mas, up early to start cooking. I buy time as I hate this part. I want to be called when all is ready and being the eldest, I have no choice but to lead by example. I can't feign sickness, it time for merry making. Lunch is late, at 3, but it was worth the wait. I love the way the boys have been trained to assist. They know their duties so well, one clears the clutter, one cleans, one dries, one stores! Then afternoon at leisure. I dont eat dinner as I had a lovely lunch. So I sleep early ready for the next day. It is normal as we all wait for the elections tomorrow (27th Dec). Everyone is looking forward to that and I too hoped to vote but unfortunately I did not get a flight back in time (don't kill me). I know I didn't like anyone who claimed not to have a voter's card or wasn't going to vote. I made enough enemies and just the thought that I wasn't going to vote made me wish none on them found this out.
27th morning I'm woken up by the school bell (the school is right next to the house). This is at 5am and I hear voices of everyone waking up everyone else. The bell rings for over half an hour non-stop. I later learn that its some chick who decided to wake up the whole village (she did not have a voter's card but wanted to make a change by summoning all). I wake up at 7 and there is no one at home, everyone went to vote. Make uji for the boy and when he's finished taking it the quorum start trickling in. They are so excited, especially the first time voters. I hear that they even got the sick in hospital to come vote and then take them back by ambulance to their hospital beds. I dont know how true this is but it came from the people back from voting.
So here we are, its evening and we have to wait for the results to start coming in as vote counting had to start at 6pm. That was the close of the voting. I cant wait for the end result of this all. I sleep with a smile on my face, ready to face another day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
