Kenya Bitter Truth

Two businessmen, Kamau running an electronic shop in Nyamakima and Patel running an autospare shop along Kirinyaga road. Both men take their sons to JKUAT for a degree course. Patel's son commutes daily from Parklands while Kamau's son lives in a small rented bedsitter in Juja. Before joining college, Patel's son used to spend his days at the autospare shop- a routine he continues every Sat when not going to college. During the vacations, he even takes over the management. Kamau on the other side believes that Nyamakima is not the place for his University going son so he should get a degree and get a better job. The two young men graduate and go seperate ways. Patel junior now takes over the running of the autospare shop. Kamau jr hits the road, looking for a job. Two years and he gets a job as a bank teller, supermarket clerk etc, after six months and with meagre income, Kamau's son is frustrated and decides to go back for an MBA and improve his CV. In the same period,...

By Mukurima x Murimi “A year or so ago, I walked into Muthaiga police station. By no means was I a guest of the state. My mission was a little bit awkward-to charge my phone that had run out of battery.  When I explained my predicament to the officer manning the desk, he at first laughed at me thinking I was (day) dreaming.  I laughed too, knowing too well that I was serious! Don’t they say when you go to Rome do as the Romans do!   The officer then asked me identify myself, which I dutifully did. He then took my phone and the charger, went to a back office and plugged it in.   As the phone was charging, the officer and   I warmed up to each other and had this wonderful conversation that explored different topics. When I told him my name is “Mukurima,” he wondered if I was truly a farmer. This opened up a discussion about agriculture and how he was HOPING paw paws in his rented farm would give him a good harvest.  I asked him what it feels to be a cop, and he eloquently narrated what  ...

By Dr.Paul Bundi Karau Reflections on happiness The tempestuous and testing 2021 has finally given way to 2022. Happy new year.  Remember, however, that there's no difference between yesterday and today; in other words, 2022 is a continuation of 2021. It is our minds that realign to feel as if the old is gone, and new is born. As a village thinker, allow me to pontificate a little. The main goal of life is the pursuit of meaning. And the main reason we pursue meaning is to obtain happiness. There's however no station in life called success, and no station called happiness. This is a fluid state that keeps shifting until we reach the end of the road and transit to the yonder. I remember when I got my first posting, a wise old man called me and asked me not to follow the way of young employed graduates. According to him, they get their first pay and buy flashy cars, instead of investing in shares or buying a piece of land- something that will give some returns in future. I have a...