Many Kenyan men secretly love mashakura a la carte

Our sisters from the slopes have long been vilified over a perceived lack of culinary expertise. It is said they cannot buy carrots at the mama mboga without drawing knowing smiles. Without being asked if they want minji to go with the carrots. Ati they have a secret stash of potatoes in an airtight corner of their kitchen, and another one at the neighbour’s house in case of a midnight emergency. They also claim that the boot of a Probox is meant for carrying sacks of produce from the village and nothing else.

Our light-skinned sisters, who have shockingly been saddled with nicknames such as minji minji due to their affinity with the grains, are often uncharitably associated with a specific delicacy christened mashakura, comprising a madcap mix of assorted vegetables, dinner leftovers and a sprinkling of impatience.