Happy New Year! We have every reason to misbehave

When a year is on its way out, it should never be allowed to go quietly. Just ask Kenyans. It is not a simple matter of saying ‘toodles!’ and letting the door smack December in the buttocks. A year does not sneak out the backdoor or dangle from the ledge, fall into the backyard thicket before limping away into blackness. Not if we can help it.

Kenyans have never needed a second invitation to party. Back during season two of the pandemic, when Covid was still hanging out in bars past 7 p.m., we found a way to party, whether that meant drinking from the boots of our cars or congregating in each other’s houses. Remember that time we were supposed to be celebrating the return of the Safari Rally, but the highlight of the event was how fast we ran out of condoms? Sherehe is our middle name.