mashkiz

October 23, 2025October 23, 2025

Fare Thee Well Baba

Kenya has been mourning from 15th October, I have been mourning. I saw the news about the death of Honourable Raila Amollo Odinga on whatsaap status and not being a stranger to misinformation, I quickly scrolled through twitter looking for a reputable source. I must mention that I was in class, undertaking a workshop on research and that morning, I had turned to social media because my brain had stopped processing the information the instructors were trying to impart. I was questioning the importance of the class and in that moment, I would have rather resumed work and relieve my remaining brain cells from the agony I was putting them through.

Raila Amollo Odinga is an enigma, I like many other Kenyans immortalized him and never pictured his death. I remember the sting of death when I processed the news, I also remember quickly blinking away the tears because I was in public and my company was new to me. In the course of the day I allowed myself a moment for the news to sink in the bathroom but just that, a moment.

I postponed my grief from Wednesday morning to Friday when I was done with the training and had presented my project and listened to my classmates present theirs. This was the first time I utilized a gazetted public holiday for its purpose and the state funeral was a much needed relieve. Friday morning was the first time I would break down and later in the afternoon, I braced myself as I went to view his body, lying at Nyayo Stadium.

Hell I was scared. There was heavy police presence and the memory of two people who had lost their lives the previous day on the same quest lingered. We had agreed that we have to view the body and pay our last respect but each hurdle along the way posed the question, are we still going? We met people leaving the stadium urging us to turn back while we still can, the ground was chaotic and our effort would be worthless if we became a statistic. We took turns being the courageous one. At the threat of a stampede I was ready to call it quits but my partner convinced the crowd to pave way for me being a woman. Much as I appreciated the gesture, that move separated us and the agreement was that we were in this together. I waited anxiously as I was crouching, following the police orders and shortly, he was next to me.

We spent the entire weekend eyes glued to the television watching the country mourn. The mood was somber and I am glad the mourning went uninterrupted until we could face the world on Tuesday morning. Grief, disbelief, indescribable pain for the insurmountable loss then embarking on the 4 of the 7 stages of grief; denial, bargaining, acceptance and hope, and processing grief.

Growing up I enjoyed watching Raila’s campaigns. He had a way of interacting with the crowd that would leave you inspired, part of the cause and yearning for more. Mama mbogas and everyone who earns from hand to mouth would close shop for the several hours and go listen to Jakom. He never provided food for their tables but somehow, that interaction that left you charged was more than enough. Families would unite in the evening to watch news and see the different parts of the country he was at and what he spoke. These were the days families would also be reading newspapers and we would look at the different angles Baba’s photos were taken.

Until current president William Ruto’s regime, politics was always fun to watch. I lived for the banter the politicians would throw at each other and they were quick in their responses. Then news stations had this segment called news bytes where they would compile all the jabs shared during the week delivered with anecdotes and charge the atmosphere further for the next week. We knew which politician was from which camp. We took brave political stands and were rooting for individuals to advance in their political careers. Slowly, news has become very heavy to watch and the jabs losing comic appeal.

Raila Odinga was hope for my community. Since independence, the Luo community has been sidelined because we have not been part of government. The area is under developed compared to the central part of Kenya and the great minds that come from the region have not helped making it any better. Baba was our chance at finally having representation. Baba was our chance to getting development in our community. Baba was our chance at being part of government and not opposition. Much as some people have frowned at the several hands he has shook during his political tenure, the handshakes have been a gateway to us accessing funds, to us getting funding for a stadium, to us getting reliable water supply, to us getting affordable electricity and to us improving the livelihoods of our people.

When I mourn baba, I grieve for his contribution to the Luo community. Yes, there is always room for improvement but without him we would not even see the loopholes. I am challenged to find what I strongly believe in, to have a cause that will outlive me and that is for the sole benefit of people who cannot repay me. I am challenged to be an active participant in the Kenyan politics. Indeed we have lost an enigma but the light he shone will only burn brighter in his death.

Fare thee well Baba.

September 30, 2025

A virgin, a prostitute, marriage and co- wives in contracts

What does a virgin, a prostitute, marriage and co-wives have to do with Contracts? This week, I have been in a series of meetings whose agendas culminated in drafting or reviewing contractual terms.

We have a customer whose legal department has been plainly un co-operative. Actually this year I have interacted with a lot of them. They delay responding to emails, they work at a snails pace, only to show up to a meeting, unknowledgeable, unwilling to learn and condescending. In the guise of protecting their clients, such advocates sour the whole pot. They are akin to that green part of the chicken, though part of the whole, has to be keenly removed otherwise the whole chicken tastes bitter.

We had prompted this particular contract renewal 3 months before the existing contract lapsed. We further retained the same pre-agreed terms for ease in closing and freeing up my much needed time to attend to other things. Little did I know that Betty had just been admitted to the bar and was about to come flex her incompetence. Not only did she fail to respond in due time but when we issued an ultimatum, threatening to terminate the lease altogether for non adherence to renewal timelines, she quickly reviewed it adding “good to have clauses” clearly not understanding the relationship between us and her clients. I have since the meeting cut her some slack because in ten years, she will either be living off the skills she has grown or the excuses perfected; shalom.

In my afternoon meeting, one of the attendees suggested that we need to have a reward and penalty system for our service providers. We listened keenly to the suggestion and thought it could be the incentive to improve service delivery after the contract is awarded. “I disagree” came a loud unflinching voice. Guys this service provider is a virgin to our operations. They need at least 3 months to be well acquainted and at that point we can give them pointers where necessary but we can only judge their performance in the subsequent three months.

“I hear your suggestion on rewards and penalties, but we need to know whether we are establishing a marriage with our service providers or we have a prostitute in them.” This statement caught the attention of the room and even the attendees who were slowly drifting to sleep became alert. “A prostitute does the job but you need to pay for each service. Further, you can only call a prostitute when you have money, no money no services so each time you must be willing to pay”. “In a marriage on the other hand, we have to enter into the relationship understanding what need is paramount for each party and fulfilling that need. At times you ask for help, at times you fall short, at times you want them to go an extra mile and only a marriage can get you this.”

We have many similar properties which require similar services that we give different service providers. If one performs better than the other, we give the performing one more contracts and reduce the contracts awarded to the underperforming one, quality control. At no time should we have different service providers offering the same service on a single block or blocks in close proximity, those are co-wives and we will be inviting trouble upon ourselves.

I cannot remember why I was hesitant to publish this in August when I wrote it but reading it now, I think it is good material for consumption. Betty still has more to learn as at my latest interaction with her. I hope I always recognize my client’s interests and act accordingly so as not to jeopardize their business transactions. I also hope I never ran out of patience to wait for my clients to instruct me and even in circumstances when I think I know what would be best, I should always differ to what they actually want and lastly, that I always recognize who has the upper hand in a transaction and find a way to tilt the scale and if the odds are not in my favour, I hope that I will be wise enough to recognize that.

July 31, 2025

Dream Count

I did join the rest of the literary world in celebrating the release of Chimamanda’s Dream Count. I was eager to read what she has released to be published and more so because it was dedicated to her mother. The relationship between girls and their mothers is a complex one; love hate. As a child you look up to them, copying everything they do. As a teenager rebellion kicks and you form your own opinions and act differently from what she advices. As a woman, you understand your mother and hold a special place for her and only hope you can even be a fraction of the woman she is.

The biography does not give much. We only know we would be reading about the lives of black women but we did not know if they are connected in any way. I am particularly in awe of the writing style. The book is divided into 4: Chiamaka’s life, Zikora, Kadiatou and Omelegor. Each part is divided into chapters that delve deeper into the character and their story. We also get to see each characters perspective of events that transpire in all their lives. The major thread wound in all their stories is life during Covid, where they were when they heard about the virus and how it impacted their lives.

Starting particularly with Covid was Nostalgic. Having lived through it, reading about it was a throw back. It made me relate easily with each of the characters. Chimamanda writes in such a way that she is able to give a back story to a dialogue a character is having with another without losing you. She further ties that dialogue and carries it forward to another chapter when we get to hear the responding character’s POV. I found this very tasteful.

As usual there were thought provoking quotes

Keep your house clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy – This is the perfect balance. Do not fret over the few things that are out of place.

It is easy to be sad; sadness is a low hanging fruit. Hope and Happiness you have to reach higher for.

what charms you is eventually what will irritate you – This was in relation to a romantic relationship. For resentment to grow, it requires knowledge of each other.

We inherit our parents scars more often than we know.

The author did not leave us without food for thought. What does it mean to you to say that you have been to a country? Is it interacting with the locals? Or maybe having your passport stamped in that country? Is it eating the local food or doing the tourist activities? In the book Chiamaka is a travel writer and she writes about countries she has visited focusing on lighter topics. Chimamanda giving us an African character whose life is of ease was a breath of fresh air. I am tired of reading about hardship, suffering, failed marriages, miscarriages or settling in life which is what most African authors tell in their stories.

Dream Count breathes life into stories of successful women. Women who are thriving in and of themselves. Women with brilliant minds. Women with a laissez faire perspective. Women who are dreaming of great futures and creating those futures. Dream Count is of course not aloof to all that is happening in society. It taps into miscarriage, loss of a husband, the unsupportive male once a child is sired, sexual assault. We do get to see men make choices that are seemingly void of consequences and at times that is just life. We get to see women not wallow in self pity, acknowledge their misfortune and continue chartering a path of their own.

I have heard both hate and praise for the book. It is not one of those books I will push down your throat as a must read but I would recommend it for a more nuanced reader.

June 30, 2025

Suh Different

On my birthday, so many friends kept referencing an amazing day. They either wished me to have one or hoped that I had one depending on the time the text came in. I kept wondering what does an amazing day look like and how would I know whether or not I have had one? Secondly, what does one do to have an amazing day? And does your day become amazing just because someone wishes or hopes that you have one?

Well, AI says an amazing day often involves a combination of things that cater to your physical, mental and emotional well being. These things are:

Rest and rejuvenation: Starting the day feeling refreshed and well rested
Purpose and accomplishment: Feeling like you have achieved something
Connection and social interaction: Spending time with loved ones
Joy and Pleasure: Engaging in activities that you truly enjoy
Physical well being: Spending time in nature, or simply feeling healthy and energetic
Learning and growth: Discovering something new, solving a problem or challenging yourself intellectually.
Mindfulness and Reflection which entails taking time to be present, appreciate surroundings or reflect on your day

It goes even further to suggest questions that will help in determining what an amazing day is for you.

How do you wake up? Do you ease into the day or jump right into activity?
Who do you want to spend time with if anyone? Is an amazing day solitary, social or a mix?
What kind of work or tasks would you find fulfilling, if any?
What brings you genuine joy and relaxation?
Where would you be indoors, outdoors, a specific place?
What kind of food or drink will be involved?
How would you wind down the day?

Our mode of birthdays celebration evolve depending on circumstances in life. The year 1 birthday is mostly to the satisfaction of the parents as they celebrate 12 months of trial and error. Birthdays in between age 1 and 5 are mostly to validate the child that they are loved and wanted by the parents. From ages 6 the child will know what they want and how they want their birthday to be celebrated. Then on one birthday you realize the decision on whether or not to celebrate a birthday is on you and how you go about it. Some will keep having a momentous occasion ensuring the presence of friends and family. Others make it only a family affair, and there are others who will let the day go by uncelebrated.

My birthday celebration this year was suh different. On my birthdays, I buy an outfit that I will wear on the day to make me feel good. I have celebrated most birthdays with company of either family or friends. An amazing birthday for me always involves good food, looking good and doing something new for the first time. What stood out this year was the feeling of not doing enough to celebrate the day. Having seen majority of the people celebrating around the time of my birthday take trips , I could not help but feel I have fallen short in my birthday celebration by not having travel plans. While I say this, I had actually travelled but a different kind of travel, a travel with a purpose. TMH (allow me to shorten to my husband because I’ll be referencing him a lot in my posts) my birthday was the best one yet and yes, on the large scale of things it really was but even then, I could not stop myself from feeling it was not the typical amazing day.

In this chapter of my life, I am learning that birthday celebrations can be suh different from one person to the next. Even my own perception of a good birthday varies days before the day, on the day and after the day. Work places are suh different, marriages are suh different, taste palettes are suh different ( a lesson had to be repeated for this to stick). So if anything I have learnt in my 27 years is that I need to learn my life lessons fast so that the universe does not repeat the class.

28 for me is suh different. I am loving different, understanding different, accommodating different, seeking different, and learning different.

🥂 Here is to being suh different.

May 27, 2025May 27, 2025

Dare to Dream

Tuckman, a psychologist identified four stages of group development: Forming which is defined by polite, cautious interaction; Storming which encompasses power struggles or clashes in personality; Norming which happens when the group begins to resolve conflicts and establish norms for working together and lastly, Performing which is when members are competent thus needing minimal supervision.

While attending the studio launch of my wedding photographer, I had an epiphany. For him to get where he was, he was first employed. The constant earning and saving of income is what brought his studio to fruition. Okay, that, support from family, friends, well wishers and him daring to dream. I do get wild ideas. Wild enough with potential to take off. I do research, I develop interest but I never commit my finances to see the idea into fruition. If I did, I would currently have at least 5 flourishing or failing business under my belt but here we are. I remember reading in big magic something to the lines that ideas are like butterflies. They visit us and stay with us but when we do not implement them, they take leave and land on someone else. This was the explanation to why later in life we come across someone who implemented “our idea”.

Still while at the launch, the guest speaker cautioned us against sharing our profound ideas with friends and family for validation. He mentioned, and I will borrow from the butterfly analogy above; The idea only came to you. You are the one the butterfly visited. It is pointless asking friends and families what they think about a butterfly that did not land on their porch because it was on yours. He said when you have that idea, sit down with yourself, understand the idea as best as possible, execute it.

I am liking the flow of this post. It enables me touch on the various tidbits. My current read is a book called Execution. I am forced to put a pause on it because I have to finish The Pearl that Broke its Shell, my until 2025 consistent book of the month book club read and quicky re read Before I let Go by Kennedy Ryan the book of the month for my until 2025 inconsistent book club. In Execution, the author points out how several companies have a strategy but a failure to execute the strategy leads to the downfall of most companies. The book gives scenarios of various companies failing to execute strategy. It does this by looking at the leadership strategy employed by various CEOs faced with similar challenges.

Earlier in the year, my strategy was to focus on the book club reads of my consistent book club as I had limited time and anyway this book club had a proven track record of hosting the discussions each month without fail thus my reading would not be in vain. I attended the first meeting of the inconsistent book club because I thoroughly enjoyed their December book pick and also to reconnect with the members as it had been my OG book club. As the year carried on, my inconsistent book club consistently read, discussed and picked books each month while the so called consistent book club met only once. My strategy going to the next half of the year is to read and show up for each as one or the other might fail to meet.

I pride myself in being so confident, I do things scared. Lately, I also developed the confidence that whatever I channeled my energy in was bound to succeed. Safe to say, I have currently had 3 humble pies and the pies were not so humble. I did have egg on my face. The egg I was sure will miss my face has now landed and as usual, I lack wet wipes or tissue papers with me. At the very least, I tell myself, I should at least have wet wipes or tissue. a handkerchief even. Oh well, maybe this is the lesson that I learn from and better yet, a colleague has plugged me on the best smelling affordable shea butter in the market, I am about to unlock girl 101 habits.

While I have not been getting egg on my face, I have been listening to Kenyan True Crime documentary called Silent Shadows on Youtube. This of course heightened my apprehension of humanity because people are willing to go great miles. My memory of Nairobi roads is now anchored on the true crime I was listening to while on that road.

I may no longer be attending book club discussions of my inconsistent book club. Last week I kept time only to wait for an hour thirty minutes. It is one thing to be thirty minutes late but one hour thirty minutes in and no show?! A book club member who joined me an hour into my wait time shared that she only waits for 30 minutes and then leaves. Her resolve is far grounded than mine because even when you walk in as she was getting up, she will not seat for the meet up. This exact scenario happened to us and as I was now taken under her wing, we both left. to say the least I am still very disappointed in the utter disrespect of people’s time but I should not have expected any better.

more egg on my face even this week but you know what, punda huchoka.

March 31, 2025

THE MASK

People who mean everything they say think everyone else does too.
I am really tired.
tired and angry.
tired of office politics.
tired of reading in between the lines.
tired of friendly faces meant to deceive.
angry that I trust easily and think everyone means good.
angry that when people were throwing each other under the bus, I did not realize I was already under it.
angry that I allowed myself to be under the bus.
tired of sharing fake smiles.
angry that when I claim my turn an example is made of me.
angry that I have to second guess colleagues and their actions or inactions
tired of listening to what is not being said when someone is speaking
angry that I get it all wrong and I am cautious when I need not be and I let my guard down when I should not.
angry that I let myself trust the process
angry that I let myself believe hard work pays and disregarded that the reward for hard work in corporate is more work as you can work well under pressure.
tired of picking up slack
angry that when I do not pick up slack my reputation is marred alongside the slackers
angry that I do not have a mask, I do not wear a mask, I do not mask my feelings and facial expressions
the other players do not get tired or angry
they try me everyday and apparently me showing them I am tired and angry fuels them further.
Since my personality makes it hard for me to wear a mask, I will carry a mirror.
I will be what you want me to be
I will make you believe in me
whatever you see is what you will get and I will be telling you what you want to hear
finally learning to ride the wave and not swim against the tide
No disguise, only reflection

Listen to make you believe – Lucy Hale

February 10, 2025

Valentine’s

I have broken my annual beginning of the year post which is on books read in the previous year. I have two drafts on that which I thought I would publish in January but somehow I felt that I could do better in my writing. I have edited the posts severally and as January came to a close, I convinced myself better late than never and now that we are in February, I feel that posting travel in books in 2024 is a moment already gone. 2025 has started with a bang. I like that every time I come to the WordPress explore page I find a post from either My Black Glitter, Sassy Snippets with San San or Lwile the Leo. I am still waiting with baited breath for the day themythg and will grace our reading with her blog posts.

Valentine’s week in 2020 is one in the books for me. I was reading Something Blue by Emily Grifin and I remember smiling sheepishly that each time I looked up strangers who had not noticed the book thought I had received a cute message. I am now struggling to remember who I lent this book but please please do return. Valentine’s in 2018 was a moment of growth for a me and a foundation of friendship with the girls who stood by my side on my wedding. Having lost my brother on 1st February, they took me out for dinner and a memory of the day from snapchat has literally taken me back. To show my appreciation, I ensured each of them got a rose on valentine’s. Valentine’s in university or should I say Galentine’s was each spent watching Fifty Shades of Grey at the Cinema with my Maid of Honour.

2023 valentine’s is my best one yet. I got to go on my first date with my now Husband having randomly bumped into 3 of my possible suitors at various times during the day who casually dropped the what are you doing later in the evening without having made serious plans or any attempt were it not for the universe orchestrating our meetups. 2023 valentine’s would also be the only valentine’s I had celebrated romantically Once upon a time there was you. If I thought I was smiling sheepishly to Emily Grifin’s book, this memory has just put me in all my feels. I am feeling the butterflies I had then. I am remembering the conversation we had and time flying only to be interrupted by waiters bringing the next course. I remember both of us saying we should call it a night at 10.00pm because the next day was work and only because we would get carried away and converse deep into the night.

We had mutually agreed we would skip 2024 valentine’s way in advance. Unfortunately, we were mid fighting and communication between us was sparse. Nevertheless, I had dressed up for Valentine’s in a red pencil skirt, a black top and black heels and my nails were painted pink with multiple black hearts on each finger. Little did I know this would also be the set I would still have on come my engagement. I was pleasantly surprised when my husband (then boyfriend) sent me a text that he will be picking me up after work. He recreated our 1st valentine’s and from that moment to date, I forgot whatever we were fighting over.

2025 valentine’s…

I have been looking at various hotels and analyzing their valentine’s packages. On my list, 5 senses is currently the most expensive package with a 3 course dinner going for 30,000 per couple. A 6 course meal at Movenpick’s The View is following at 9,500 per person. Now more that ever I realize how over commercialized the day is. The prices of flowers and chocolates are about to reach an all time high but the prices wedding vendors quote for flowers is unmatched. Now being more financially conscious, I cannot be part of the givers of this get rich scheme all in the name of love; a receiver, I would not mind.

Nevertheless, I would like to have something that I can be gifted or gift whose price does not skyrocket in this one day and that holds a special place in my heart and signifies our love ( I am open to receiving suggestions). Meanwhile I am aware that everyone in the office will be closely watching, who gets flowers, what kind of flowers, whose bouquet is the biggest, whose flowers are the prettiest, who looks like they are being taken out for the night, who looks like they will be dining alone and for this reason, I am tempted to send a lady bird to whisper to my Husband’s ears where and which flowers He should get me but the thought that this will be orchestrated does not make it palatable. I do already know who will check all those boxes unrivaled, my colleague who has been receiving the most gorgeous arrangement of flowers all year round and all other previous years from her long term husband to whom gifting occurs naturally. A gift from the heart is always unrivaled.

Eager for Valentine’s is an understatement. I have unbridled joy. This year I do not want a table at a restaurant, people watching, looking at couples on their phones as they exchange a few words then each goes back to laughing at whatever a stranger who is self entertaining at home is posting on twitter. I do not want to feel pressured not to reach for my phone so that I am not that couple for someone else. I would have loved a vacation out of town but seeing how the best hotel rooms are also being overpriced, I will pass for another dull day later in the year when the hotel staff can fully attend to the fewer guests.

2025 valentine’s, I want to curate my best date yet, with all my best meals sourced from each of my favorite restaurants. I want to utilize the balcony on our 6th floor apartment watching Van Gogh’s inspiration, the starry night. I want fairy lights, I want candles, I want a good bottle of chilled white wine only because on other days I have red and because of the heat, I would prefer my wine chilled ( also taking recommendations for the bottle) or maybe I try port wine. I want to play the saxophone version of music I like. I want to talk, play games, dance, laugh and when I tire, fall soundly asleep because I am in no rush to get home fast or being distracted by all that is happening around me and forgetting to focus on us, our love.

and do you know what got me planning, excited, … he asked me to be his Valentine, apparently it is not so obvious.

December 30, 2024

New Broom Sweeps Clean

2024 has been full of surprises. I went into the year praying for the Professional Course I was studying and maybe a pursuit of Masters I am ending the year having been engaged, being a wife, I did take a stub at the Professional Course and looked up Masters options, I have attended Rammor’s Concert, I have managed to buy items I could only dream of. The universe has outdone itself and given me absolutely more than I could ever ask or imagine. I am going into 2025 more bold. I will definitely have more daring goals because I am realizing the more things I put out into the universe, the bigger and better returns I get. My brain is reminding me how France has been one of the things I have put out in the universe and I am yet to get it so yes, we start the list with Paris, France for the umpteenth time.

last year and this year too I was content with putting up my makeshift Christmas tree and I convinced myself, there is no need to buy an actual one as it is only used for a season and who has storage for the 11 months for the tree anyway. I got excited seeing Kenyans put up and decorate their trees and I was looking forward to embark on my makeshift one. I kept telling my husband we put it up but he was seemingly reluctant. I took his reluctance as him not willing to help because he does not share the joy of the festivities ( or does he really not). I came across beaming pictures of him and his best friend next to the makeshift tree I put up last year at his place meanwhile he had been feigning embarrassment over it. This year he had been planning to get us an actual tree and I ruined the surprise by my constant questions. Poor man, he had to disclose this to stop me from bugging him.

I struggle getting help house cleaning. I know I need help but often I will convince myself I can easily finish up then mid way realize I should have just got help. Then I tell myself there is barely much left, I should push on and finish and we repeat the cycle weekend after weekend. Today morning I woke up with the same sentiment but reason took better part of me and after identifying laundry, dishes and general house cleaning as the only tasks to be done, I set out to find help so that I use the time to do something else. I did get help but It motivated me to do thorough cleaning and finally sort out some of the things I have been putting off. While she was cleaning, I was surprised that she still got that much dirt as I cleaned the same house mid week. House chores are generally never ending.

My usual cleaning lady has of late been doing a lackluster job. She is mostly on phone when she comes over, she takes too much time and when I spot check, I find her work was less than satisfactory. I got someone new and instructed her to do laundry, house cleaning and dishes. In hindsight I don’t know what about her work really impressed me because in the moment, I felt she had gone over and above and even paid her double as a reward. The saying new broom sweeps clean must have been onto something.

In 2024 I am leaving behind an expectation on people to behave in a certain way. At times I notice some nuances and I question how compatible we are. No one is perfect. We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all nasty. We are all rude at times. We are all dismissive. We are all snobs. We are self centered. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day.

As I sit in the clean house, watching the lights as they change colors on the Christmas tree, I am content. 2024 has given me 10/10. I look forward to the new limits 2025 will set. The world has witnessed change in its citizens involvement in their country’s politics. I have taken to the streets to demand for better services, accountability. There are talks that the war in Gaza might soon come to an end, Syrians have been liberated.

As I am about to hit publish on this the more things have changed the more things have remained the same. Kenyans are out in the street demonstrating the release of abducted citizens, I have gone back to my charade of house cleaning chronicles.

I am looking forward to the new year, where I intend to step outside my comfort zone, embrace joie de vivre, joyfulness, delight, pleasure, exuberance, vivacity, sparkle, zing, get up and go mentality, zestfulness.

Happy New Year!

November 12, 2024

Next Time Hufika, A Kenyan Love Story

Love at first sight perhaps?

Her Perspective

His Perspective

Early 2023, I was walking home from work when a guy in a car stops and asks if I was finally going to tell him my name. It was our first encounter and I brushed him off. I joked that he is sheltered in his car, while I am being rained on, he could ask me when the circumstances were better.

I had just moved into a new neighborhood. One Saturday afternoon, while busy polishing my car, I look up and see a beautiful girl walking towards my direction her arms full carrying shopping bags. When she reached the gate next to my car, I called out, “Kuja unisaidie.” “Ata sijui ni nini unafanya” she shrugs as she unlocks the gate and disappears inside.

On 9^th February 2023, I spot him outside his parked car next to a shop as I was walking home. I smiled expecting him to back down as I bet he wouldn’t dare ask my name in front of the group of men seated outside the shop. Surprisingly, he asks! Relentless much…I coyly inform him “next time”.

I keep seeing the girl and each time I ask for her name she would say next time. Eventually, I decide to stop asking. Unbeknown to the girl, I had made friends with a tenant from her apartment and tasked her to get me the girl’s name and phone number.

As fate would have it, we meet again the very next morning on our way to work. He offers me a ride and since I was running late, I agreed. As we drove, He says, “let’s not make it a lift, I’m dropping you at your work. You are making it hard for me to get your name, and I need to make a good first impression”. “Won’t you be late to work?” I ask, “It’s worth it” he replies.

On 9^th February 2023, I see her as I am getting out of my car. She smiled and I could not resist asking, “leo utaniambia jina?” “Next time” she replies coyly.

The rest of the story continues as narrated by Her. After dropping her at work, I got her name and phone number; next time hufika.

The couple’s future remains unwritten but presently, I hear wedding bells sounding and hearty congratulation messages.

September 30, 2024

September

Plug

Kevin Mwachiro’s voice in Nipe Story kills me every time. After taking a long break from the podcast for reasons unknown to me I am back with a bang. I cannot remember the story that brought me back to the fold but listening to blue bra on a samsonite bag got me writing. It brought so much nostalgia and a reminder of Js and how for a period of my life it was my go to entertainment scene.

Js had an unwritten rule, everyone was friendly. It was a place you could go without much money and have a good time. The live performances from the artistes, the bands, the music, the crowd, Js was literally it. This takes me back to when the Alchemist had outdoor movie screenings. I have been out of touch with the art world for a minute and it seems a minute too long. Kindly help me play catchup by plugging me on what’s new and which places are popping. Of Course I am happy that our day one’s the likes of Alliance Francaise and Goethe Institute still got it.

Books

Last Thursday I went to the launch of half portraits under water. Is it only me or would this be a fitting cover?

The moment I heard the book’s title this is the image that came to mind. I arrived on time and unfortunately the event started 30 minutes late. I was exhausted and was debating between going home to rest and taking a cup of coffee to help me soldier through the evening, I went with the latter choice.

This was my first author book reading. I loved the sequence of the interview and getting to know the writer. Much as it is hinted to be our next month’s book club read, I was not ready to purchase the book but as soon as the interview ended, I knew I had to. I am looking forward to reading another Kenyan short stories and since the bar was set low by Joan Thatiah’s confessions of Nairobi series, I hope this one gives something to write home.

Below are the gems the writer dropped during his interview:

what is the use of holding time in a photograph if you cannot go back to it. – Before this event, I had read in the invisible life of Addie Larue that photographs do not give context. The photographer was talking about a picture that was taken of him and his younger brother, seated on grass infront of their house, looking at the photographer and smiling. When he sees the photo, it takes him back to that day. His parents were in the house and could be heard shouting at each other. A stranger would pick up the photo and admire the happy boys. The boys were far from happy. They were trying to block all the noise by plastering a smile.

Once you write a story, it belongs to the people who read. They in turn hope that something of themselves will be reflected.- When the reflection is achieved, we have a good book, a bestseller.
Stories are how we organize our lives. Friends and family meet ups are simply occasions curated for each to give updates on what is happening in their life and their perspective on the commonalities i.e politics, weather, economy etc

Work

I have been really angry at work. I felt that I could not openly say the things affecting me at work and unfortunately I also could not expect better because I was only putting myself up for disappointment over again. There was a day I just wanted to blurt it out and see what the worst was that could happen but wisdom prevailed and I took a walk. The daunting issue which looked like I could not move past became minute and I wondered why I gave as much of a fuss over it. I am tired of complaining about work and my friends and family are tired of hearing me complain. I have now decided that the best work environment is my own and I am actualizing it by practicing what I think my current job lacks as I wait upon the Lord because I know surely when the time is right, he will open a door for me as he does.