Nyongo’s theory of evolution is truly refreshing and captivating

Peter Kimani

Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o is a man of many talents, the least known being that of a poet. So he lets his beard grow (initially scraggly and greying, but now getting increasingly darker and styled).

But the one gift that he flaunts frequently is that of political science, so he will occasionally quip "I’m a professor of politics, but do I say…"

Which is not entirely true as the only holder of that title is the man from Sacho, and who ruled this land for 24 years.

Prof Nyong’o thinks the trouble with Kenya is that its interpreters, including scribes as yours truly, are simple minds who see the coalition as nothing more than a bunch of well-fed ingrates, forever grumbling in tandem with the loud churns from their distended bellies.

Some think the current crop of politicians as an improvement of the political creature of yesteryear. Yet anthropologists of the future, I am persuaded, will conclude that their difference, as it were, is the same. Meaning they are without conscience and driven by greed.

Presidential

But let’s focus on the present moment and avoid futuristic contemplations. Nyong’o thinks a post-election anarchy was "spontaneous" uprising to resist attempts to perpetuate the authoritarian presidential regime through armed might, blah blah blah.

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Yet, the good professor adduces little evidence to support the claim, as is the practice in the academia, while ignoring simple-minded scribes and other investigators who concluded, with solid testimonies, that the mayhem had been planned and pre-meditated.

So, the murder of 1,200, including the women and children burnt in the Kiambaa church in Eldoret, was part of this "spontaneous" reaction, in line with the dominant discourse in Western media where Africans are barbaric and inherently unpredictable.

Spontaneous

But then, Nyong’o could be right. Swathes of disenchanted youths, fed on a steady diet of incitement, spirits buoyed by chang’aa and associated brews, could react "spontaneously" in murderous rage and kill innocent children and women.

Nyong’o did not forget to include Western media, with a specific reference to a small-minded newsmagazine Economist. He faults it for its simple-minded analysis on the crisis in the country.

I am still surprised the learned professor still reads it, especially after that libel against the African people in its 2001 issue that declared Africa as "the hopeless continent."

In conclusion, I concur with Nyong’o’s theory that the interpretation of our political evolution has been simplistic and rather misleading.

The great social mobility of the politician of average intelligence (acquiring more wealth in a few months in office than accumulated in a lifetime) requires deeper interrogation.

Further, the clear lack of conscience, so that stealing from impoverished citizens evokes a pleasurable experience bordering on sexual thrill, betrays a perversion meriting scientific research and extensive publishing.

Subjects of the Queen

Condolences to the family of Suleiman Alfonso Omondi, the young man who police believe took his life after his favourite team, the English premier league club Arsenal, lost to another English team, Manchester United.

It’s hard to imagine what could have so upset the young Omondi to warrant suicide. But then it’s easy to comprehend the youth’s adulation of the English football teams. It’s an extension of cultural imperialism that permeates different levels of society. In my younger days, I regularly went to London’s Upton Park, where West Ham are based, but not to watch soccer. I went there to buy sukumawiki and dhania to inspire the memories of home and reconnect with the food from the place I know and love.

Dub-poet Linton Kwesi Johnson uses a swear word to describe England, and I concur. Hence my pain at seeing Kenyan youth trying to outdo one another in aping the English way of life. I don’t care much about soccer, really, but I do care about the politics that has dimmed our prospects in regional soccer, and the flood of foreign cultural crap that makes us loathe ourselves to the point of death.

Zuma is no role model

I am your avid reader but was disappointed with your recent article, ‘Long live King Zuma.’ You undeservedly painted him (the South African President-elect Jacob Zuma) in a very positive light.

He is no hero and he has not helped curb the spread of HIV, especially in his country, which has one of the highest prevalence of HIV and Aids.

Zuma does not help in fighting the stigma either, as you so naively put it. You further went on to state that he is "a motivation for the young." In what way does he motivate any young person?

And since you also lauded Zuma for his ability to dance and "his bouyant spirit" please remember that was the same spirit that nearly landed him in jail for his violent act against a helpless young woman who was also HIV-positive.

A person’s leadership skills ought not to be measured in such terms rather than the wisdom that one possesses. It is such wisdom that will save a nation and not one’s ability to dance at a public rally attended by the majority poor and hungry.

—Denis Munene Mureithi

Nairobi

QuickRead

It’s question time for PM

Tinga gave his maiden speech in PM’ Question Time, and what a hilarious affair that was!

Members of Parliament accustomed to interrupting any speaker (because they are paid to make noise) had a hard time as their interjections were overruled.

The question, though, is whether they shall ask serious questions to merit the amount of time devoted to the PM, or it shall become another session for what Kiraitu Murungi calls "makelele ya saa yote" (unending noise).

Mathematical error doesn’t mean theft

So, some Sh9 billion was approved in excess in Parliament’s supplementary budget? How generous!

I think this is testament to Treasury’s magnanimity that should not be misconstrued as dishonesty. You see, Treasury has in the past paid people for pretending to be doing something (exporting gold, building forensic labs on tree-tops, etc).

The Finance minister has no such pretensions, which is why it’s unfair to disbelieve his sensible explanation.

Progress report on sex boycott

The womenfolk say their sex boycott is over, so we need a progress report. Did the issues in contention get resolved?

How many of the women who make 52 per cent of the population participated? How were the street people and what happens to them now? Is it business as usual, unusual as their trade might be?

How about those claims that the boycott was not about sex?

I am getting a bit confused by all these.

Banking on hospital freedom

There was this remarkable tale of valour from Nakuru when a man, Tony Banks, decided to take his wife and child home, and ignore the bills allegedly piling faster than he could count.

The guards were called in and they tied up the man, prompting wananchi to demand his freedom as he was not a thief.

Now that’s truly remarkable as others, laden with bills, stuff their kids into polythene bags and steal away. Banks simply walked away.