STEP UP, OR STEP OUT

Every time I stop to close my eyes, all I can see is fear, in the papers, on the TV, written everywhere I go, with women crying and young innocent children dying and with most people having no place to call home.

From the “Westgate siege” to the “Garissa massacre” not forgetting all the numerous Al-shaabab attacks that happened in between, and after all said and done, all Kenyans get is a PR kind of leadership, a government too proud and afraid to call a spade a spade and rather opts to refer to it as a big spoon.

President Kenyatta writing a condolence letter to bereaved Garissa families. (Photo-Jamuhuri Magazine)

Am not a politician but can someone please help me understand how banning foreign child adoption will help stop child trafficking or chasing away Somalis from the daadab refugee camp and erecting a wall along the Kenya/Somali border will help the al-shaabab?

I mean, how does a presidential condolence letter to bereaved families of terrorist attack help them? Is this really the price Kenyans have to pay for being ethnic? I wonder.

Truth is I only got like 5 minutes to let out all that’s burning within me. Listen, Kenya is a bleeding country, a country found vulnerable by the Al-shaabab not because we are a stupid nation but because circumstances have pushed the youths to the core, a point of no return because of a few egocentric and selfish being out to please their friends and families.

Who said that Al-shaababs are only Muslims or that Nkaiseri is responsible for any attack on the Kenyan soil. Wait, have you stopped to ask yourself why our security officers are hell-bent on asking or accepting bribe on any given opportunity. 

You know, the problem with us, we are always quick to pass judgment and point finger's on others without actually putting on their shoes to understand and comprehend the emotional motivation that led to them doing the unthinkable.

Have for the past two years woken up with fear of not knowing where and when next an explosion will cross my path. And for these two years all have got is a PR kind of leadership from the Government and I ask myself where exactly Kenyans went wrong.

I might not be right but again am also not wrong and just as no one will ever come from nowhere to break and steal from you unless those close to you, so can one come all the way from Somalia and God knows where to terrorize Kenya. It doesn't really take a mad person to realize that we are our own enemies. 

Screw the saying, “security begins with you and I” because it sure as hell begins with employment, that’s the real key to fighting the growing insecurity in the country.

We have toiled in school on the belief that we are out making a better tomorrow, sacrificed our time and energy and continue to toil and sacrifice with the hope of building and living our dreams in our desired careers of choice, but at the end of it, we graduate to nothing because our government has taken selfishness upon itself to return favors, to continuously build and develop their friends and families at the expense of giving this opportunities to young, sound and fresh minds with passion and vigor to make it in life. We’ve become a country whose employment wave is based on ethnicity, religious affiliation, and the-who-knows-who within the various ministerial positions.

Millions of young people graduate every year but only ten out of them get employment opportunities. With an economy that is more expensive than the word expensive itself. Have you stopped to wonder exactly what becomes of all these unemployed fresh idol minds on the streets, the kind of pressure they go through in their bid to survive or make ends meet? Have you even stopped to wonder why young people have growingly become the target recruits for the Al-shaabab or why Kenya has become the land of their comfort in the past two years?

I know and understand that even as I put this down in plain black and white, I risk a lot but then again I got nothing to lose because this is what my country has reduced me to, “a hater and a beggar” and so I think it’s time Mr. president that you woke up and opened your eyes to the realization that PR presidency is doing the country more harm than good and so is employing your friends or enemies to return one favor or another. The time has come for you to fully realize that neither Somali nor Muslims are Al-shaabab, that we are our own enemies.

It is time you realized that your mode of leadership and governance is frustrating us, pushing us to the core, a point of no return forcing us to join illegal yet well paying groups in a bid to make hay. And then you sit there and ask yourself how these groups got intelligent minds? Please don’t mistake me; I am not an Al-shaabab or part of any illegal group but only speaking from the view point of all the young frustrated youths in the country with no hope or choice to choose from.

So Mr. President the next you want to start pointing fingers, ask yourself if you really fit the shoes of a true president and leader.

Wait do you even know and understand the reason you were elected the president, does any of our so-called leaders understand why Kenyans bestowed upon them the responsibility to lead… I don’t think so

Even as my 5 minutes comes to an end, I’d love to say, “It is well,” but believe me you, it is “Extremely Frustrating,” and I am tired, we are tired Mr. President. So I think it’s time you either step up to your responsibilities as the president or step out.

But until then, AL-SHAABAB will forever remain a household name in Kenya.

MY REASONS TO SMILE

Just thought I’d let you know, why you’re my reasons to smile

The beauty that surrounds you all

Everything that you do, the ideas that you share and the kind of love you’ve always shown

You’ve shown and made me believe there’s more to life

That’s why I’d allow people to advise me but not decide for me.

I like my style and to be myself instead of what others want me to be

Just thought I’d let you know, how every time I sit o’ talk to you

No matter my situation or relation

I still find the same joy, love and assurance from when I first met you

Just thought I’d let you know, that you're the “bestest” friend one could ever wish for

You’ve given me all the reasons in the world to keep a smiling face

That’s why I’d rather have good and bad times with you

Than with someone else hates and despises me

Just thought I’d let you know, that even as you’re a million miles away from me

I will, till the end of time keep you safe in my heart and memories

And you will always, always and forever be ...

My reasons to smile

CREATE A NEW BRAND 2015

Like the sun rays through the sky, so is the dawn of a new year.

Finally, 2015 has opened its doors, with everyone up and about making resolutions that ideally makes no sense, trying to get straight their goals and objectives for the year, well let’s put that aside for now as you and I both know the essence of resolutions is as good as eroded with the mere mention of it but one thing for sure, the year might seem heavily bounded at starting point, one thing I see myself not doing is telling you how to live your life coz it is never a guarantee but a blessing and gift from God as heaven for once will never wait a day o’ two for you to realize you need to stop existing and start living with no regret of yesterday.

The time is therefore ripe for you to strive to be a better version of your previous self.  And that’s the more reason why this year you need to build yourself up a new with the previous version of you in mind, ranging from the heartbreaks to the bedroom, to you and nutrition, image and income.

It doesn’t really count whether or not you’ve rubbed shoulders with your boss, friends and family, broken up with relations and even divorced your partner, but one thing for sure, standing out in today’s crowded of a competitive market place is essential. It’s however very funny how we constantly compete for cheap attentions while the only thing that can make you and I stand out are the same things our competitors find impossible to duplicate: your personality.

How then do you intend to bring out and create your own unique brand? When you’re too scared to take the risk in living your life, initiating the fast step to move away from living under other peoples shadows, when you worship your fellow beings coz you see yourselves inferior to them, when you allow yourself to wallow in the miasma of self-pity because you have developed a low self-esteem or when you’re too scared to summon our dreams ‘o light coz you’re too scared to fail…. Tell me, how then can you create your own personal brand and let your stars shine bright this year when you constantly forget that your personal brand is the influence and attention you command in the image you portray, how you look and present yourself, how you talk and relate to those around you, just like the ingredients of your favorite liquor, are the little things that makes you unique and valuable.

Is it not enough that you try copy pasting others characters and life styles, while underscoring you own achievements and potentials and constantly allowing yourself come second forgetting, that just like the best products in our market, all of us should develop and create a unique personal brand to engage our target audience and build brand loyalty.

Time has finally come for you to stop following trends and become your own trend and pace setter. For you to live your life and become the Director of your personal image; to create your own unique brand that radiates influence, confidence, credibility and persuasive power regardless of what haters and lovers think of you. It is time to start channeling your thoughts towards a direction that will fully communicate the new “YOU” that you’re looking to bring aboard in how you talk, network, and personal etiquette.

Just as like Tupac sang, “For wars come and go, but my soldiers, they remain eternal,” so should you not allow your failures be permanent and soldier on for greater success. The time is apt for you to remain consistent in the way you carry out yourself at all times, from your language to behavior and dress code.

 Everyone has a future and everyone has a story, good o’ bad but unless you find the story within the actual story you intend to tell, will you be able to create an impact on others and bring out this new brand you want others to relate to this year.

Opportunities they say, knock but only once, and so is 2015. Consequently, literary package yourself from the clothes you wear to your make-up as they visually and silently influence your audience, use the psychology of color to enhance what you say and wear clothes that will greatly flatter your body size.

The country is changing in all imaginary angles and so, should you realize, make clear and understand exactly what you intend to sacrifice and who you intend to sacrifice it for this year, for how long and if it is worthwhile. Fully calculate what it will cost to achieve the intended goal and choose support instead of sacrifice.

Truth is, we are similar regardless of our size or physique as within each one of us lies a unique beauty and grace, though, finding that beauty however, can a time prove difficult. Just like Cinderella first recognized that her problem was not her evil step mother as it was easier for her to hide out cleaning the house than it was to go out and find happiness. But until that time, you and I fully realize that creating a new personal brand needs nothing short of being ourselves, living our lives, dreaming big and starting small because the sky, is never the limit.

Am not asking for too much I believe, but what am simply saying, in order to fully realize yourself this year, allow yourself out of the miserable cocoon of regrets that you embedded on yourself the previous years, create time for yourself, relate and understand who you truly are and what achievement you’re looking forward to. It is time you focus on the small and simple dreams in your life. Remember, it is no sin to dream big, the only sin is to dream and sleep on it.

2015 is therefore a year to let go your disappointments and regrets, it is a year to stop analyzing others and start progressing your life appreciating all the criticism that comes along, a year set to build on your short comings and improve on your personality.

That is why, for this year, I urge you to let go yourself and re-live your life within your dreams and goals with no regret or resolution, just you and yourself, have fun and make the most out of it for there will NEVER be another 2015

Happy New Year 2015

WHAT NEXT AFTER CANCER MONTH

It is so amazing how each year various organizations and media houses and the country come out in full support to embrace cancer during the cancer month, but what next after the month of October? Do these campaigns stop or are we simply forced to hold our horses until October 2015 for new campaigns, education and public awareness on cancer?

Last week I had the pleasure to sit and talk to the principle research scientist from KEMRI Dr. Peter Odada Osumba where I got to learn that there are over 100 types of cancer in and across the world with a 50% life time risk of developing cancer

The less than one hour discussion I had with daktari made me realize that there is a big disconnect between the government and various medical practitioners in the country as well as the local wanainchi who clearly are in the dark about cancer, the various types, courses, symptoms nor preventive measures.

Cancer is the next big thing after Ebola as it courses more deaths than Aids, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Am not trying to freak out anyone nor do I have the time to waste in spreading propaganda, but truth is over 20,000 people die daily of cancer related complication but still no one is keen to address them. There is a new type of cancer rocking called Burkitt lymphoma, also known as “kissing cancer” that was first reported by NTV’s Ouko Okusa on September 27^th in Homa-bay.

It is so funny how we every tenth month of the year we claim to come out to confront cancer in the country, but what is more funny is that despite the country importing cancer drugs at a cheaper price, suppliers add their profit margins and decide to sell the drugs at a double price that is, way beyond the reach of low income earners or should I say the common wanainchi as the likes of Senators, like Anyang Nyongo run off to other cheaper countries for their cancer medication. So what exactly are we fighting with our hospitals this expensive? and what kind of awareness are we creating with expensive billboards across the roads? Why go to the extra mile of using cancer as a scapegoat to raise money for the rich kid-guys in the block only for them to sick medication in India, Dubai or South Africa. What about that mama in the village who’s not able to raise Ksh. 8M to seek the same cheap treatment in the said countries or are they just another statistic that these rich folks opt to use to get the treatment they need?

Early this year, a middle age man was arrested and is currently spending some time at the Kisumu’s Kodiaga prison for neglecting one of his children suffering from Burkitt Lymphoma because he adamantly believed it was a curse imposed on him by his step mother. With another rejecting an already treated child because he too believed it as a curse. This are just but some of the few incidences that I have come across.

I mean, whose responsibility is it to ensure that, that mama mboga, the young village children or the boda boda guy at the village market is well equipped with the necessary knowledge and information about cancer? Did you even know that that according to recent studies multivitamins increase the risk of cancer and heart diseases with more skin cancer cases being due to indoor tanning than lung cancer is due to smoking? And buying that already cut Sukuma wiki “kwa jwala” because we’re too lazy to do the chopping ourselves also increases the chance of cancer.

Let’s then wake up and open our eyes to the harm our laxity in cancer awareness is having on our society and bring back the national public sensitization program to reach out to every individual across the country.

WITH A NEW MONTH, COMES A NEW YOU

There is always a sole ease that comes about in the name of a new month that is often overlooked. Trust me, it isn’t resolutions, so let’s just put that aside for now. Resolutions are for that one man who understands not the self-disgust and disappointments of breaking each and every one of them possibly after celebrating Valentine’s Day or wedding anniversary or better yet a birthday. You and I both know the essence of resolutions is as good as eroded with the mere mention of it. But one thing you need to understand about a new month is heavily bounded in the starting point we each have: what we did bypassed the previous month, is as good as hell our starting point this November.

One thing I see myself not doing is telling you how to live your life, coz heaven for once will never wait a night or two till you realize you need to stop existing and start living, but as an old monk once quipped, we need to strive to be a better version of our previous selves. And that’s the reason a new month guide is a plus to anyone who cares to get one. Build yourself up a new with your previous self in mind, ranging from the boardroom to the bedroom, to you and nutrition, your income and image.

It doesn’t count whether or not you’ve rubbed shoulders with your boss, friends and family, but one thing for sure, standing out in today’s crowded and competitive market place is essential. It’s so funning how we constantly compete for cheap attention while the only thing that can make you and I stand out are same things our competitors find impossible to duplicate: your personality.

Trust me, Your personal brand is the influence and attention you command in the image you portray, how you look and present yourself, how you talk and relate to those around you. Just like the ingredients of the vast food, make-up and drinks you take, are what makes you unique and valuable. They are what you want people to think of you. And just like the best products in our market, all of us should develop a personal brand to engage our target audience and build brand loyalty.

Time to become the Director of our image and life; time to create a personal brand that radiates influence, confidence, credibility and persuasive power, forget what haters and lovers think of your and start directing their thoughts of you. Communicate this new “YOU” brand in how you write, email, through your business etiquette, networking savvy, public speaking and interviewing skills.

Just as “yours truly” best brands are market consistent, so should your personal brand. Be consistent in the way you carry yourself at all times, from you language to your behavior, to the way you eat. Trust me; you can’t possibly kid yourself that you can have the best etiquette and image at work between eight and five only to loosen your tongue in a cheap pub in the evening. Remember, your brand is always on show even when you think you are not being watched.

Opportunities knock but only once, and so is November 2014. So literary package yourself from the clothes you wear as they visually and silently influence your audience, use the psychology of color to enhance what you say and wear clothes that will greatly flatter your body size.

It is always prudent to be clear and understand what exactly you are sacrificing for, for how long and if it is worthwhile. Fully calculate what it will cost to achieve the goal and choose support instead of sacrifice. Even as we drive into the new month with a lot of motivation, no plan, and a little understanding of what we need to put in place to make our goals a complete success.

That is why, for this month, I urge you to let go yourself and re-live your life within your dreams and goals with no regret or resolution, just you and yourself, have fun and make the most out of it for there will never be another November 2014.

KCA CONDEMNS THREATS AND SUBJECTIVE CONFINEMENT OF JOURNALIST

The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) has strongly condemned the persistent threats and the recent arbitrary arrest and confinement of the Star Newspaper journalist, Justus Ochieng’, based in Kisumu City. 
According to the KCA Chairman William Oloo Janak, the threats and recent arrest of the journalist have presented a grave threat to the press freedom and safety of journalist’s security in Kisumu and the entire country.
Speaking through a press release to media houses earlier today, Mr. Janak said that KCA and Kenyan journalists will not sit and watch as security officers threaten and intimidate members of the media in an attempt to silence and stop them from exposing the ills security officers commit against citizens.  
The media association has demanded that immediate action be taken against the police officers involved in this case including urgent investigations into the activities they seek to cover up adding that they will not relent in demanding for the persecution of the officers.
Janak also noted that the Kisumu based journalists has faced increasing threats since September, for writing a series of stories, which have exposed a clique of rogue police officers who have been accused of involvement in robberies of members of the public who withdraw money from local banks.
Janak however called on the Kisumu county Police and National Police Service Commission leadership to state whether or not they condoned the incident and other cases of increasing threats to journalists in the region and across the country adding that the journalist fraternity was keenly watching this trend with a view of collectively defining how to relate with the security organs. 

“STAR” JOURNALIST’S LIFE IN DANGER

A Star Newspaper journalist based in Kisumu has expressed fears over his life following a confrontation by three flying squad unit officers protesting over the back to back story he did exposing a deadly criminal cartel within the city said to be under the full control of the rogue officers.

Justus Ochieng, who earlier last week stormed the troubled Kisumu central police station accompanied by more than 30 journalists under the umbrella, Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN)  made their way to the new regional CID boss office Moses Ndindi where the journalist gave a detailed account of what transpired on that fateful day before his statement was recorded in the office of the new OCS John Githela.

Ochieng alongside his colleagues led by the Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN) secretary general Allan Obiero, this afternoon headed straight to the CID’s office to demand for a quick investigation and action on the officers alleged to have threatened his life.

Addressing the press in his office, Ndindi who could not clearly state how long the investigation process would take, promised to conduct the investigations in the shortest time possible urging Ochieng  to remain calm as no harm would come his way.

However speaking on the same issue, the Kisumu City Resident Voice Chairman Audi Ogada however gave the police administration two days to conclude their investigations and have the culprits arraigned in court. Adding that Kisumu residents are tired and will no longer Condon any laxity by the police in ensuring that the public rights are observes.