By Bnil Bakari
Haters can froth at the mouth and scratch their heads bald for as much as they care, but it happened: Victor Wanyama is in! The gods answered the prayers of many Kenyans, who have been ardent fans of the English Premier League (EPL) for no valid reason.
You see, unlike citizens of West African nations, Kenyans have been spending millions of hours and shillings watching EPL and drinking beer, yet there was nothing Kenyan about it.
West Africans have dozens of players in English, Spanish and Italian football leagues. Thus, they had every reason to cheer themselves silly, as they keep tabs on what their sons, who include Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor, have been doing on the pitch.
saints
But Kenyans were mere spectators, shouting themselves hoarse and occasionally stabbing each other to death, when the likes of Wayne Rooney, Mario Balotelli and John Terry scored or failed to convert a spot kick. Now, Wanyama has given Kenyans bragging rights, and solid reasons to watch EPL. While Southampton, or simply Saints, is not as colourful as Manchester United, it is better than nothing. Hata mkia ni nyama, they say.
For us, the hustling has just begun with Wanyama joining the top league. EPL will no longer be a tournament happening miles away on TV. For the youths in Kaloleni Estate, where Wanyama grew up, EPL is now in their blood — just the way Kanu was damu. They will spend endless hours watching Saints matches and, who knows, their grandsons may end up at Manchester United. Wanyama dreamt and it happened.
But how will Kenyans benefit as Wanyama begins his four-year sojourn at Southampton? Forget about remittances, the usual blah blah blah about him supporting some youth groups and City Stars (his former Kenyan club) getting some cash. The real beneficiaries will be hawkers, bar owners and, by extension, prostitutes.
Some geniuses down River Road are burning the midnight oil printing hundreds of Southampton replica jerseys, which are selling like Chinese phones. Did you spot some AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia fans in recent matches wearing them, some complete with the Sh1.6 billion transfer fees emblazoned on the back?
Also, if you engage chemist attendants like I do, you must have known that whenever Manchester United or Arsenal wins, contraceptive business booms. Certainly, this might be the case whenever Saints wins. For bar owners, it is simple: Install huge screens when EPL starts and you will make a killing.
Wanyama may just boost the economy of this country single-handedly and devolve the economy to the grassroots.
