Saturday 29 December 2012

I HONESTLY KNOW, CHILD

I KNOW, CHILD... All night long, I will keep wondering why you are bound not to ask why, Why the huge smile from my heart, Why the bliss, the secret peace whose slap will always come strong? Why the worry, Though miles away, Any time wrinkles of sadness forms in your gorgeous face, Or when the slap of the world, Leaves a bruise in your heart, Why mine shadow now cares so much about the sly wind, So it might not suddenly blow your way, And leave you a mark, So it will steal the warmth, And deny you the peace of the heart, Emily. *** In-between the syllables of this poem, Mine soul keeps embracing a stranger, An alien whose shadow I have sniffed, Wrestled with numerous bargains… Of the worries that come with the distance, the space between an aging man and his beloved Emily, that keeps growing unfriendly each minute… Yet I know you wouldn’t ask why I will even sacrifice the atonements, Skip the feasts, and prefer the silent moments, Wiping away tears from imaginary eyes, Lighting the candles, So the blanket of night, Will not cover your rays of hope, And make you cry! *** “I am more than ready, though,” says his shadow, Inside- It knows it will be a bed of roses and thorns, Innocent laughter of her great eyes, Its pleasing echo, That will ring in the ears of its heart for ages: Inside-It knows even if she dares not to shun its humble gesture, It will be so long a journey, With cordial embraces, coldest handshakes, There will be times so hard, Grandpa, You will wish you were never set forth; So, you will cry and cry and cry, Fall into the arms of fate, Recalling those would-be indispensable minutes, Yearning for those moments, Yet another retreat, To where you are bound to start from, Inside- It knows – so you should, Emily. The fierce army in-waiting will be there, Slowly engaging in a conspiracy, To bring demise to your would-be joyous days, So strong they will come, With subtle, unkind tell-tales, But inside, It knows, your love will be bold, Fenced with a fabric of passion, coated with a firm volition Of never despairing! You will go past the obstacles, the darkest of the moments, Through the narrowness of lady luck, Abreast the inner passion, That will fight for your love, You will together untie the knot of pessimism, And wear the white robe, Plausible ray of light, In the depths of darkness! © Cheruo Levi Cheptora

AN OPEN LETTER TO MWAI EMILIO KIBAKI

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki (born 1931) ushered in an era of change upon his election, pledging to restore his country's economy and wipe out government corruption. Kibaki succeeded President Daniel arap Moi, under whom Kibaki served as vice - president. Moi took office in 1978 and remained in office for 24 years. Kibaki launched his campaign for the presidency in 1992, when the Kenyan constitution first allowed opposition parties to participate in the country's government. After two unsuccessful bids, Kenyans overwhelmingly elected him to the post in 2002. Unlike during Moi’s era when looting of public coffers was rampant, large-scale and solely centred around the Moi’s family & his notorious cronies like Total Man; your tenure in office only did managed to register a handful of vices of that nature notably the Anglo Leasing Scandal, Grand Regency Scandal, land grabbing’s here and there and well, of course we cannot forget the mysterious disappearances of Forms 16 A when Kivuitu Failed to Tell the nation who had won the 2007 General Elections! Sir, remember forty two tribes elected you unanimously back in 2002. They cared the least whether you were from the ever mighty MUMBI house or not. They simply believed in you. Down the line, it is alleged that you wholeheartedly, helplessly and willingly embrace your ‘own’. Those cronies that have always surrounded you ensured the National Cake was distributed disproportionally towards their own (e.g. funding massive infrastructural projects in Thika, Gatanga and many other parts in Central Kenya). We saw this and we were not happy. We never celebrated when your office ensured every successive list of Prospective Public Servants had a majority of names from the MUMBI house. And that is why many of us chose not to vote for you in 2007! More vital, Kenyans will never forget witnessing you promulgating the New Kenyan Constitution (20110). We heaved with ecstasy, bliss, anticipation and everyone felt a new wave of change surging in our midst! It is unfortunate that under your very watch, impunity-inspired sentiments are beginning to clot the new constitution. You and I know the County Commissioners are illegally implanted in their offices. I will forever remember your name should you rise up beyond the apparent ‘love for self’ inculcated in those around you whom are known for perennial run-away impunity, and say a FAT, ROUND NO to County Commissioners! We will be a happy lot should you help us mitigate this renewed resurgence of impunity, not forgetting the tribal hooks & animosities that currently hold us tight together! As you prepare to retire honourably, I would love to join other Kenyans in wishing you a meaningful rest. Just like an ideal coin and any normal human being, you had commendable merits and lamentable demerits. I know it is with mixed feelings you are setting out at last. Given a chance, perhaps you wouldn’t have minded ruling us for the next a hundred years, just like your peer Mugabe Robert aspires! We will miss your jokes and your level-headedness. Mama Lucy will also be dearly missed by the journalists and your staff in statehouse. May God’s mercies and graces be upon you for as long as you live! ©2012 Cheruo Levi Cheptora

LETS EMBRACE 2013 WITH ABSOLUTE SANITY AND SOBRIETY

As we bid a solemn goodbye to the year 2012, let us include in our numerous list of resolutions for the forthcoming brand new year 2013, one most important promise: that as Kenyans, never again are we ever going to find ourselves in the murderous situation that has prevailed in the country for days on end. Never again are we going to meekly heed the preaching of hateful tribe-chiefs and ethnic lords whose massive quest is to protect their pockets by hook or crook (by using our vulnerable brothers who are jobless and without means of surviving the trying moments characterized by massive financial challenges and economic struggles). Never ever again will we allow a few politicians to set brother against brother, neighbour against neighbour and sister against sister! Yes indeed. It is time Kenyans must re-discover their uniqueness and massive potential enshrined in their diversity. It is time for Kenyans to move forward meaningfully – set the unwinding path straight than ever before and embrace political sanity and sobriety. More so, it is time we turn back to God as a nation; be prayerful, remorseful and repentantly oblige to His eternal call engulfed in kindness, love, and enormous understanding. Indeed, a nation without God is like an orphaned child – without proper upbringing and vulnerable to evils from every possible enemies and angle! It shouldn’t matter a thing the number of ministries and the burden of effecting the new constitution. It doesn’t matter the mysterious ministries of beautifying what and what that has clot and clouded the spirit of effectively and efficiently serving Kenyans for the last many years. There should be no problem either with the additional, eager and would-be ungracious pockets to stuff more millions from our public till. Or rather the heavy burden placed squarely in our heads- what is important is that we will be able to live together; just as before, as Kenyans, we are going to live like brothers and sisters! As Kenyans, we are now wiser. Soon, the ‘bad beans’ will be out in the cold. The shrewd ‘suckers’ will surely be shown the door. For long, some had abandoned their electorate. They had neglected me and you and never bothered whether our roads were passable or impassable. The poorly maintained social amenities in our neighbourhood never meant a thing to them. Many were engaging themselves in noise making sessions in parliament (instead of enacting worthy laws for our country) and enriching their families instead. Armed with a voter’s card, we are going to hire and fire! And fire mercilessly we will! Until then, let’s sharpen our appetite to usher in yet another new dawn with fresh awakening! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013! ©2012 Cheruo Levi Cheptora

THE RETURN OF MAYHEM IN OUR MOTHERLAND

Terror, confusion, fear, trauma among other not-so-kind gestures; are the trademarks of the once dreaded S.L.D.F Militia that served as a platform for power-ascendancy back in 2007 for some local politicians. The symptoms are here yet again with severe signs exhibited in Nomorio, Gituamba, Kimobo and Kaptama (a recent attack being yesterday night). The ‘boys’ whom a number of politicians are used to arming, have loose tongues and easily let go their secret escapades and occasional dilly-dallying with a number of people long known as ‘Elgon Mafias’. I have a not-so lovely date with you once the leaked information is accredited and verified. I’ll name and shame you and forward the stunning revelations to relevant bodies. If you think you will kill, maim, torture and enslave my friends, relatives and kinsmen so you can easily walk easily the ‘tight’ rope; better think twice this time round! We are tired of these senseless killings and the terror your ‘boys’ are unleashing! More so, a close source has informed me of possible collusions between the ‘boys’ & the Security Personnel (who are apparently helpless) as the invincible enemies of the people wander around freely during the nights! Hawa majamaa waende transfer Baragoi kaa wameshindwa na kazi! Na wakome kukusanya hongo barabarani na kushika akina mama pima vijijini! ©Cheruo Levi Cheptora