LETTING GO

Back in 2007 when I joined campus, I encountered a lecturer whom I thoroughly despised and loathed. Despite having both of us come from almost the same geographical region, our bloods never matched. Things got worse when I had to take four of his units during the same semester. By the end of the fourteen weeks, I had to be sober.

Anyone who knew Dr. Mugambi as I did halfway through could never fail his units-so long as you had an up-to-date critical mind. Questions like; is there a future of publishing in Africa, What’s the impact of culture and religion on development…

Ignorance is the core reason behind us lagging behind in our day to day lives. We are the first to queue and beg for aid from the West for not utilizing our natural resources; brain drain our regions in search for greener pastures; hang out in places where there is a little bit of white skin because, white is class…
Culture, traditions and beliefs are the reason behind our lack of foresightedness. Kenya now does have a Ministry of Culture and *something* but still, we are so hard on fights towards putting an end to these archaic cultures, only to end up upholding them.

At one hand, we are trying to end the culture of inheritance, like wife inheritance; white rule to equal distribution of power, inter alia. On the same note are corruption, impunity and nepotism. However, this is what may have meant when they said; talk the talk, never talking the walk.
Despite the efforts of ending this kind of culture, we have ended up forming colonies of power, property possession, ways of passing down what we assume to own to the next generation; but, to a generation that has your blood running through their veins.

I look at our leaders; brought up in the royal families and now in more royal ones. Nothing has changed, it’s just like it was during the past, when Kingship or Chiefship was handed over from one generation to another. As for the rest of the ordinary citizens, they tire and sweat to put linen, spices and myrrh on the royalty.

Uhuru son of Jomo; Raila and Oburu sons of Jaramogi; Joseph son of Kabila; Museveni and his cabinet/royal regime, ditto, ditto. A democratic nation they may call it, but… Do you ever wonder- Are they more charismatic, or do they posses more leadership skills, or are they the ‘inborn leaders’?

We, Kenyans, will never cease to complain about this and that; blame something on someone; accuse everybody for setting a trap against us; or, always know of a better solution than that already implemented.

I may write of how mean, inhuman, self centered, arrogant, ignorant and useless leaders we have…because they never let go off their top seats. Of how I’ll never cast a vote until I see a new face vie for the position-a face from a new family line. But look at me, us. We have never thought of letting go of our jobs and positions. If we do, it’s only after finding a replacement that will ‘click’.

On a light note-I’m still wondering of what will be the outcome of dual citizenship in Kenya. Will our athletes be allowed to run and complete for other countries?


-Mjn-