I am in Love

I am in Love. For the longest time ever. I am in Love with the greatest there can be on this earth. The most loving; caring; the perfect name. I am in Love with my God.

That is why today, I want to send a personal ‘thank you’ note to Him. Just like the Psalmist who says…“You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over…’ My gratitude in this Love we share knows no bounds.

This is my best way; my deepest way to let Him know that I am glad. Glad for this strength he has given me. Glad that on a day I would have given up He lifted me; told me that I could cry as much as I wanted. Wash the pain to find my strength; in the knowledge that I was not alone.

My God is in so many faces; and in so many things that surround me. He is this voice that constantly tells me, never, never to give up even when it’s all I want to do.

He is not some abstract being. I see Him every day.
In the faces of people trying so much day in day out to be the best they can. People who say: ‘If not me, who? If not now, when?

I see God in the faces of my friends at school. Young men and women who by their actions inspire me to also stand up and be counted. Lydia, Susan; your words mean so much to me.

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! (Psalms).

From my heart to yours

From the second floor balcony in a flat overlooking the main road in Ongata Rongai; I witnessed the G7 entourage, main act UhuRuto make their way to a rally venue. I don’t know if it was my imagination but actually Uhuru gave me a thumbs up, anyway, that’s beside the point.

There was a euphoric feeling all around. Everyone running to ‘see’ these people that am sure most of us just get to encounter on TV. The jostling to get near the politicians was evident; if only to shake their hand, or wave from afar—a show of solidarity maybe.
Sonko, the young man representing my Makadara constituency stole the show; what with youthful chants of Sonko! Sonko!

As the group went its way leaving in their wake a massive traffic jam and waves of excitement of ‘nimeona Uhuru’ I could not help feeling a bitter taste in my mouth.

Now, I cannot pretend to be living in Mars and so ignore the integral role that politics plays in our society; but seriously, seriously, for how long are young people going to play other people’s tunes? Because trust me most of the people I saw there were vijana barubaru.

How long are we going to be the ones to fill the stadiums; to run after the entourage; to be used to create all the euphoria that comes out so nicely when we watch TV and see the charged crowds?

I did not attend the rally (I think it’s a waste of time, sorry); but later I went to the market to know what it is people were saying. “Kusema ukweli mimi kura yangu inaenda mahali iko pesa,” said an enthusiastic young man. As I bought my vegetables I wondered if this is the way things will always be.

If young people will know and embrace knowledge and get to a point where they critically think and at the expense of instant gratification in terms of few coins here and there; if they could set the gaze beyond the politician who they know very well is out to cater for his own interests.

I know in discussing social issues, I cannot take the risk of being simplistic. I know there are so many complexities in society that knowledge will not be the only panacea for all things that have gone wrong.

But we need to start somewhere!

Young people we need to start somewhere.
We need to understand that which is facing us and know the options we have in tackling the issues. We need focus. Very clear focus if you ask me. We should not just fall for anything or anyone all because maneno yao ni ya kutoa nyoka pangoni.

We need to know what we want for ourselves; and from our leaders. We need to support leaders who have clear cut policies that concern our development and which will push us to a level where we shall be proud to look back and say “I had the best time of my life , because so and so propelled me to a level I thought I’d never reach before.”

Crowds, euphoria, instant gratification should not be our guiding pillars. Let us be selfish enough to desire that which is there for our positive growth and development.