THE AFRICAN SAGE

Dear Baba Raila and Ndugu Uhuru We call you baba because we really have this misguided notion that you care about us the way a father cares about his children. I think what we forget is you are a typical Kenyan father. A typical Kenyan father is one to whom what matters is that he is the sperm donor and matters of nurture are only but a secondary necessary evil, which they would happily pass whenever they get the opportunity. Individuals like me have never voted for any other president but Raila. It is sad that our trust may have come to naught because rather than seek creative and diplomatic ways of putting Kenyans on a path to posterity, Raila remains part of the problem. The problem in Kenya is: brinkmanship, posturing, impunity and callous disregard for the welfare of ordinary Kenyans by the leaders. Uhuru was seen by many as a possible game changer in Kenyas history. He is from a "royal family" both politically and economically. The hope would have been that the ...

Kenya’s Historical Timeline: From Pre-Colonial to Present (2025) Pre-1400s: Indigenous Societies and Migrations Kenya’s early history is shaped by waves of migration from the Congo Basin, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East. These groups, Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic peoples, formed organized societies with distinct governance systems, including councils of elders, spiritual leaders, and monarchs. 1400s–1800s: Coastal Trade and Foreign Influence Arab traders established settlements along the coast, integrating with local communities and expanding the slave trade. European explorers followed, bringing Christianity, firearms, and diseases like smallpox. These tools of conquest destabilised local societies and laid the groundwork for colonization. 1800s–1963: British Colonisation and Resistance The British formally colonised Kenya in the late 19th century. They seized land, imposed taxes, and exploited labour. Some Africans were co-opted into colonial administration, while...

In this life everything depends on social capital. It is aptly put that one’s net worth is dependent on one’s networks. Actually, happy the man and woman who builds enough networks compared to the one who develops his or her other abilities. One can have all PhDs in Rocket Science but without the necessary connection will live a miserable life and die poor. On the other hand, a class one drop out who has nurtured relationships and created networks of trust will have a full life. In Kenya, people like Njenga Karume did not come to rub shoulders with the might because of their education but because they had social capital. What is social capital? Social capital answers the following questions:- Who are my friends?    If I needed help right now, whom would I reach to?    If something were to happen to me right now, who would leave everything and be there for me? Who thinks of me on a daily basis?     Who would go to any length to promote, s...

Recently we celebrated mothers day. It is easy to say happy mother's day. But as being a mother is an awesome thing in the African context, it is also terrible! Here are my wacky observations on being an African mother:- 1. Among the Africans sexuality is the responsibility of the woman. Men do anything and act in stupid ways but in the end it is the woman's fault. A man will have many women and he is a hero but a lady who has been with a few known men is a kinyangarika bure kabisa. 2. Among the Africans, no man is barren; so all women have to be fertile by all means! For any woman among the Africans, finding a way to become a mother is mandatory irrespective of the man's capacity. 3. Pregnancy is the responsibility of the woman. Men pay little or not attention to pregnancy and the need of the pregnant woman. No wonder you will see a 8th month pregnant woman with a jembe on a farm! 4. Choice of a child's sex is the mother's role. Therefore, ...

Yesterday leaders from Bungoma County were excited at very good news; the news that pan paper will be revived. Hold your horses ladies and gentlemen, before you slit throats of cockerels in celebration, consider this:- 1. Not all statehouse promises are worthy being excited about. All delegations to statehouse come out with a bag of promises aimed to hoodwink people that their trip was worthy it. But in reality, the number of statehouse promises fulfilled is normally few 2. Thinking of reviving Pan Paper is not only pedestrian it is actually nonsensical. We do not have competitive capacity to produce paper that we can sell locally considering world prices for the same 3. Pan Paper as an area of focus is lack of foresight on the part of the leaders. A good industry is one that has enough economic linkages such that it stimulates the local economy in more than one way. Apart from employment, how else does pan paper stimulate growth of the local economy? ...

The truth is that despite social pressure and hullabaloo about broke ass men all that most women will have to contend with are broke ass men. Unless someone was born rich, all men working through normal channels have to survive as broke ass men until they are about 40 years of age. Dear broke ass men; here are the commandments you should take to heart. 1.       You shall love yourself and never allow women of borrowed status to bruise your ego; women who have struggled and earned a status value the struggle. Women whose status is sexually transmitted are very mouthy about broke ass men. 2.       You shall not date above your class; unless she is a real sweet girl, never attempt dating a girl that is of a higher class - you   will be courting high blood pressure 3.       You shall not date a kiruka njia; there are many women who have not standards and the best they can do in life is play men,...