If you oppose hustler talk, respond to rising political impatience

In a country where we thrive in pigeonholing, let me start with a disclaimer. This piece is not apologetics for the political hustler movement. It is an attempt to analyse this narrative that has dominated Kenya’s political-social discourse in the last one year and which many believe will influence 2022 politics significantly.

Let me start with definitions. Hustle in Kenya has two meanings, both of which have unfortunately been conflated. The first is hustling as understood and practised by many poor Kenyans, each of who tries various “hustles” (ignore the dictionary meaning) for their daily survival. This is independent of politics. You will find such hustler in any dusty village in Kenya.