Of Xmas, literature and endless search for meaning in life

It is that time of the year when many people in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa travel upcountry to commune with family for Christmas festivities. And do not be fooled by the fact that the times are hard and January – which we have since christened the 90-day Njaanuary – is around the corner with its scary demands for school fees and other payables. Money or no money, man is a creature of habit and so expect bus and matatu terminuses to be chock-full and clogged with humanity, fares hiked and people travelling, in some cases with heavy households stacked on bus rooftops. Money or no money, petrol stations, gift shops and other merchants of Christmas-related wares will be doing roaring business, probably more business than bookshops, the school booklists notwithstanding.