The Nation

When a Nation kills itself;

Strangles its children;

And refuses to grow,

When a nation denies its past;

Kills it future;

And refuses to live,

When a nation embraces the ill;

Kills its children;

And maims the dead,

When the dead speak;

Silence calls;

When the distance-Yells!

Then-will see the nation;

When it embraces its past;

Rises from its- knees;

Begging to –live,

Will it walk?

Will it run?

Will it die?

We never know?

Just -wait,

Watch - laugh

Hope;

Smile and Cry?

The future is a matter of choice, not chance: The Case of Open Data in Kenya, What does it mean ?

On Friday the Government of Kenya launched an Open data platform (www.opendata.go.ke) a portal where the public can access government datasets ranging from Government expenditures and County Data on (Population, Education, Poverty, Health ,Water and Sanitation).

I hope you have stopped by the site and had a look at the data provided by the Government and if not, you better do; the portal was built with our taxes and we need to look at it , make use of it and if we feel it doesn’t suit our needs , the portal has a suggestion button where you can ask for more additional datasets.

Data alone is not useful, but transforming it into information and knowledge and making sense of it with an aim of solving the challenges we have in Kenya will be a step towards the Kenya as espoused by the New Constitution.  

Imagine a scenario where you can access all Parliamentary expenditures and minutes of their committees with analysed Hansard discussions?

 Now stop and think again, imagine a scenario where you ‘ a Citizen of Kenya’ can take the public expenditure data and actually go to the ground and  take social audit of  the projects and verify the expenditures stated  ?

 The battle of corruption and the journey towards transparency and accountability begins from common folk like you and I .

The war on food security and equal distribution of resources begins when the citizens scrutinise government data and begin to ask to their Governments prompting them to make responsive decisions in development. Take for instance the case scenarios of budgeting and budget allocations in Kenya, how is it done? And how are the figures of allocation determined? Why are some ministries funded more than others? Will open data explain more on this?

For the Youth, this open data provides an excellent platform to not only plan for youth resources and also alignment of programs but it will shed light on how   the Government ok Kenya spends on youth . It will be interesting to examine the various excellent policies we have and countercheck that to the priorities of Government spending on the issues bedevilling Kenya’s quest for development.

I am currently Reading a book titled ‘Ten Lessons from the Future’ by Wolfgang Grulke a Futurist . One of the lessons’ the author espouses is; - Information and ideas fuel the economy Pure knowledge is worthless, skills are everything.

The future of Kenya now lies in the hands of the Kenyans who are ready to put their hands in the plough and hold their leaders accountable.

Addressing the Challenges we face ....My thoughts as a Young Kenyan on the Middle Class in Kenya

Is Activism loosing meaning among the populace?Are we still stuck in the old ways of Activism of the 1960's 70' s 80's , addressing 21st Century issues with strategies and methodologies of yester years? 

 

Looking at the recent activities going on in our country , i asked a question ' what really ails the middle class of Kenya?'

How come no one is moved by the embezzlement of the FPE funds? How comes its easy to forget and tolerate corruption and not react with approriate measures that can cause our Government to stand still and change it course of action and work on its service delivery.

 

The cost of living is rising so high , 2013 doesnt promise to be better since we will have  mang Government officials coming to power and that means we as Kenyans have to be ready to pay their salaries and the tax burden will be high .

 

So this brings me to ask, will we as Kenyans ever change? will we be able to hold our county Governments accountable? as it is , its only the activists who go to the streets to demand for corrupt leaders to vacate office.It is here that i stop and pose this question , why is it that its only the activists who go to the streets? is it that the Civil Society and the activists dont have grassroot support ? or is it that Kenyans do not have information and are not aware of their rights as Citizines of this Land Kenya.Or are we stuck  with old strategies of  yester years addressing complex issues of the 21st Century.

 

 It is sad , i repeat again , very sad to see how we tolarate corruption ,even though we are the very people that suffer from being overtaxed. As a middle class youth who is interested in changing the political environment of my Country , i have tagged you in this note to ask you this question,What other ways can we reach the middle class? is going to the streets the only way to demand for justice? ( so far so good the government seems not be moved ) .

 

 

The Solution to Kenya's Challenges lies with the Middle class   ,

'“What I call middle-class society is any society that becomes rigidified in predetermined forms, forbidding all evolution, all gains, all progress, all discovery. I call middle-class a closed society in which life has no taste, in which the air is tainted, in which ideas and men are corrupt. And I think that a man who takes a stand against this death is in a sense a revolutionary.” Frantz Fanon 

Is there hope?

Think about it…20 years from now , it will be 2030, How old will you be? How old will this very politicians that some of us are defending be? What future do you want to pass to the Youth of Kenya of that 2030,We will only transition from personality politics towards Ideologies if we consciously choose to ,Remember we have IDP’s , we have young people who are mentally handicapped and their issues are far from being addressed, Unemployment is staring at us 

The Killer Bug

They say am voiceless

                         They say I need a job

They say I need education

                        They say I need loans

They say am weak

                        They say I am poor

They say I need be empowered

                          They speak for me they say

They say they travel miles in air to speak about me

They say they wrote a book about me;

They say they stay in those hotels I pass by to speak about me

I know they now speaking of me .

The Silent Tribe

In those closed doors...she weeps

Abused by the very love she fights for;

In those closed doors

She has buried the many children;

In those closed doors

She has been raped and abandoned by her love

In those closed doors

Is pain unwavering;

In those closed doors

The story of the unspoken lies;

In those closed doors

Lies the secrets that silence hides;

In those closed doors

She has been a prisoner

In those closed doors

Is the story of the forgotten women

The silent tribe

The page returns.

Send afar
to lands distant,
hills valleys beyond,
i see my ray not so far away
but a gasp of air in time to save
i know i will return
not to turn away again
i know i will
i long to see you again
and feel your fatherly touch on my hand
as you grasp with a tight grip
lands no man has seen
but you have seen
i know i will return
when the page closes
and a new fresh is opened
i will return!

Endure

Funny the way life is,sometimes we are cheerful sometime we are sad,and sometimes things do not seem to go your way,the more you try the worser it becomes.
The pressure heightens and you feel,you can't make it anymore,you want to give up.All is lost,and its only death that can do you justice.

you want to take the short way,to your problems,kill your self and die!but do you thing that would solve it really?

one philosopher said that,its during the time of adversity would you be able to know the true character of an individual.

No matter what may come your way,do not give ,just hold on,your hour of morning could be in the way,what is require on your side is patience-endurance will keep you
and read a scripture or two to keep you at bay with your maker.

A prayer too,will bring peace.

Work hard, and purpose in your heart to realize your potential by utilizing your gifts and talents for God's glory

My creative writing project

My creative writing project,was not an easy task,but i did finish by the grace of God,
When i look back to my Baby steps when i began writing,two people really stand out in my walk.


Thats Dr.Josephine Ohas and Mwalimu,actor,thespian and director....Dr.David Mulwa.
Others i can never forget is Kingwa kamencu,May gladys Mwakitele,Imelda ,Roba ,ochi and my beloved writers from The kwani team.

First I thank Ohas for discovering me when still in Lugulu Girls,when in the evening she would read through my poems...it build me.

I also thank mwalimu Mulwa,for his support and guidance in my ALT 206 class...when struggling with prosaic poems and the many one act plays....

its made me whom i am today.


I may not be perfect but i know i will one day be,and as for that,day by day..i keep on writing and sharing my creative ideas with the rest of the world!



Hope u enjoy my piece of work.

“Memories of chemare………..”

An Anthology of poetry ,

By Nancy muigei

June 2007.

I

Declaration

This creative project is my original work to the best of my knowledge and it has not been presented for accord of degree in any university.

Signature………………………………………. Date……………………………….

Name: Nancy Chepkoech Muigei

Reg: E35/0647/03

Student

This project has been submitted for Alt 418 examination with my approval as the supervisor of the student.

Signature……………………………… Date……………………………….

Prof.Francis Imbuga

Supervisor

II

Dedication

For my loving and caring parents Oscar p.kipkemboi and Mary Kipkemboi.

III

Acknowledgement

To all that helped me nurture my writing skills, to all that dedicated their time to see me grow, and to all that held my hand when I had given up to write I say thank you.

To David Mulwa, who held my hand when I joined the creative class in second year and helped me begin my baby steps.

To Prof.Francis Imbuga, who supervised my project and severally guided my tender steps towards perfection

To the Alt 418 class, Boke Rubby, Benja, Betty, Wachira and Ngirachu, who critiqued my work

To my loving Friends MayGladys,Damacrine,Annemuasa,Judy chebet,Caro kako,Joyce chepkoech Imelda, Peter ndunda,Linda oruko and Dr.chet creider and Jane creider.

Lastly I would like to thank my parents for their numerous support towards my project.

Table contents

Title I

Declaration II

Dedication III

Acknowledgement IV

Table of Contents V and VI

Cindy 1

Who will? 2

Memories of Chemare 3

The swimming pool 4

Loved one 5

I beg of you 6

The shy one 7

Grandmother said….. 8

If I could 9

In the valley beyond 10

A writer’s companion 11

One more time 12

Nature’s Beauty 13

The shameless one 14

African woman 15

Distant love 16

Africa 17

Heart of man 18

When will it happen 19

Complexities of life 20

VI

Cindy

Oppressed and depressed

Affected and inflicted

Sullen sunken eyes

Misty and teary

Drop drop drop

Your sullen sunken eyes

Dropping salty tears

Rejected,

Abused,

‘Cindy’,

What did you say he did to you?

He bought me bread…………

He told me to show him,

And then,

In a minute I saw blood run down my dress

He covered me

Tightly

Held a knife against my throat

And so?

Here I am,

They say I am carrying a baby,

My daddy’s baby.

Nowadays,

Mother looks at me and drop drop her tears drop

Daddy looks at me,

And spits on me,

He says am a spoilt brat!

1.

Who will?

Who will take care of them?

Left,

Abandoned,

Hungry and sick,

No one to to turn to,

No shoulder to lean on,

Long walks from

Home to home.

Like a thief,

Sida has come and stolen our loved ones

Papas, mama, are forever gone,

No hope

Orphaned.

You look at us in the streets

As we beg,

You spit on us

You slap us and shout,

Shule ni bure!

Then you look at us

One more time and go

2.

Memories of Chemare

Far in the east,

I sit and wonder,

Awake in the cold,

Distracted by nightmares,

Nightmares haunt me!

Memories haunt me!

Sounds of women………..

Sounds of children………….

Screams! Screams! Screams!

Blood spills!

As the nightmares wake me up

Reminding me of my childhood,

Yes,

Memories of my childhood!

These memories,

Memories that linger in my innocent mind,

Making my eyes weary,

My hair grey,

With nightmares and chills,

All night, all day.

These memories of Chemare…….

The massacre of the innocent,

The killing of the children,

The raping of the young,

The strangling of mothers

When in my young days…….

Memories of my childhood,

Memories of the Far East,

In the shadow

Of mount Chemare.

3.

The swimming pool

I envy the waters at the pool,

It knows your embraces and beauty,

I envy the waters of the pool,

It cleans you and leaves you sparkling,

I envy the waters of the pool my loved one,

It knows your warmth,

I envy the waters of the pool,

It swallows you and spits you,

I envy the waters of the pool,

Never lonely, as you play with its waters of the pool.

Oh waters of the pool………..

You steal away my love,

You cover her with your magic,

And deny me the pride of her company,

Oh waters of the pool!

4.

Loved one

Our hearts have been intertwined

Locked together

The key thrown away

Our future: concotion of love and passion

Loved one will you take me?

You chisel shaped eyes,

Melts my heart

Eating my words away

Leaving me mumble

As I long to see you again.

5.

I beg of you

I beg for your love my dear one

Your unconditional love

Love me

Love me

I plead.

Do not refuse my proposal

Nor deny the love I have for you

Do not refuse my humble cry to you.

Dear one,

Why do you slip away?

From my hands like a snail

Is it because I have no job?

Or no car

Tell me.

6.

The shy little one

So heavy

Lead it must be,

Enormous weight

Killing me inside and outside

I cry mercy, I plead

Give me a smile

The frown is killing

Strangling the love I have for you,

Just tonight shy one,

Just tonight,

I beg,

A smile is all I want,

As the moonless sky

Shines bright

And the glittering star

Falls on me

Just a smile, an embrace will keep me

Through the night.

As I think of your love

Oh little shy one!

7.

Grandmother said……

Listen

And listen well,

They will notice you when you pass,

They will follow you and pester,

“Please tell me “is it me? They will ask,

So confused ………

So naïve you will think…………

But listen well,

Listen with your ears

Listen very well,

I trod on this very lane,

Look at me!

They will promise the unpromisable

And give the unlivable,

But listen very well,

Daughter of my first and only child

The only child I bore to

Owino Ja alego usonga

Woud Alego pacho!

Listen!

You are dignified

You are a jewel in Alego

Do not trade respect with coins,

Do not trade dreams with pleasures,

Nyaimbo daughter of my Son,

Listen to the wisdom of the women

For my days are gone,

And my dreams are fading away.

Daughter of my son,

They say the moons

Have seen a bad disease

A disease that kills you alive

You are dead as you live

Oh, Nyaimbo

Listen to the wisdom of the women

And let not the pot break before noonday.

8.

If I could

I weep and weep

Remorse fills my mind,

Thinking of yester years……..

I could reverse my past,

I could.

Those days

Yes

Those days

Chauffeured in limos

At the back left I sat,

Dereva!

Palacina twende!

I pity the poor servant now,

He quickly reversed the car,

In no minute palacina -I was.

Those were the days

I was above the law,

I swam with the big fish

…and the women too

Plenty like hens

Covered in money

Feared and respected,

I was me.

Money turned his back on me

And I fell,

We sealed the deal,

It came to pass,

In no time,

I was down in grass,

Writhing in pain as I mourned my past.

Gone were the days

I could.

9.

In the valley beyond

Far across the land,

I cast my eyes to the valley beyond,

The valley that rests my hope,

The valley that hides the sun at noon,

And shelters us from rain of life.

I have seen my life,

The second birth of my coming,

Far across the land rests my savior.

I know I will survive the storms of life,

I know I will leave to tell,

I will tell and testify,

Of the goodness he has been to me.

Far across the land rests my peace.

10.

A writer’s companion

When I begin to write

You give me words

When I begin to recite

You give me counsel

When am tired

And I feel like I am no more

You sooth my tired mind

When you whisper;

Write girl write!

And God I say thank you for this pen.

11.

One more time.

If only I could see you face again,

If only I could see your smile again

If only I could touch your hand

And feel your hand in greeting

The grip of of a fatherly hand

Against mine

I would hope again

For what I hoped for,

Live again

For what I lived for

If only…. You could speak to me

And I speak to you

Language unspoken

Language of love

I could love more as I loved.

12.

Nature’s beauty

Ever looked at sunrise

And followed to its setting?

Ever looked at the full moon

And followed it to its fading?

What sight!

What amazing beauty.

The smell of morning as

Fresh from tree leaves

That lies around and within

Oh

What an awesome wonder!

13.

The Shameless one

An act of cowardice,

An act of insanity,

Portrayed by the big,

Portrayed by the biggest,

Against man?

What a pity,

No one to call,

No one to tell,

No one to help,

Destroyed property

Destroyed jobs

A betrayer?

What is the law?

What does it say?

Fairness or unjust,

Respect or shame,

Tell me,

I the mwananchi wait,

Innocent blood shed

In the name of ………..

An oath,

Taken against man

You shameless one.

14.

AFRICAN WOMAN!

Rise up!

AND…Stand tall on your feet,

Throw away your blanket,

AND…Open your eyes wide… beyond the sky,

I see hope,

Hope. For now and the future you want,

Look again,

Look!

The sky is dark, clouds gather,

Confusion of the oppressed is on the sky,

The moon’s been raped,

Snatched of its innocence and beauty,

Stars and clouds have clashed,

The sun has fallen to the earth,

Burnt and killed it has,

The people are melting

Weeping and crying,

Oh woman,

Sadness surrounds the earth

Save it!

15.

Distant love

Miles away you are

I long to see you

……..see your smile

………and hear your voice,

Echoing in my ears

Long gone you are

Far and distant you seem

Yet love

Ignited within

Burns with passion,

Oh lovely knight,

Come and rescue me

From the strongholds of solitude

And make me yours!

16.

Africa

You kill your children

Slaughter your brothers

Drink blood

And swear oaths,

Africa your unity…….

Long gone

Your peace…….

Dream in debauchery

Africa you rape your mother

And kill your daughters

You abandon

Kill

Slaughter

And behead.

Running around like rascals

Raping the young and old

Africa tell me, is it you?

17.

Heart of Man

The beauty of the human heart

Scares me,

Unpredictable,

Inconsistent,

Loving,

Changing from time to time,

Its beauty amazing,

Kind and loving

Harboring good and bas

But never get ting mixed up!

18.

When will it happen?

Books! Books! Books!

Knowledge and wisdom

Yet still pursue,

Power to read

We posses

Yet still,

Read! Read! Read!

Can there be day?

When the day absents itself, and men skip that day,

In yonder!

Can it happen?

19.

Complexities of life

Life is like a leaf,

Compound and simple,

Its leaves…

Some small

Some very small

And some very very small.

Yet in one stem.

Veins criss cross the leaf,

Some same some not same,

Others have dents,

Others none.

As I sit,

Watch and wonder,

The complexities of life

Unravel in my mind.

Today sick,

Tomorrow healthy,

Today rich,

Tomorrow poor,

The ladder falls,

The ladder rises,

As others rise,

Others fall,

So many strides are made

So many rules broken,

As I sit and wonder still,

The many questions unanswered,

The many complexities around us

And yet still life goes on.

20.