The Rising Sunset.

First, lemme elaborate on the choice of the title for my previous article. Been asked to explain what I meant by ‘….The Sky Beneath.’ Well, this is a figurative description I came up with, which basically stood for having a Hell in Heaven. This is after creating a mental scenario of a union where one of the parties involved believes it’s the best thing to ever happen to them, but still experiences their worst times there.

Second, when I embarked on this writing journey, I believed that it would provide me with the opportunity to share my perspectives with everyone. To provide a glimpse into how I view the various issues facing us. This has never being a one-man affair. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible.

From the person who inspired me to look beyond the inner joke that “Joshua is an expert in documentation.” hahaha, to the person who used to proofread my articles before I shared them, to the person who told me of Medium, to the people who have taken time to click on the links I shared, to view, read and share. I must appreciate everyone who shared their comments with me via groups, or on a personal basis, or through a friend.

Although unsure of the impact, I am positive that these articles intrigued the small giants within you to believe in their power to fight all the dragons in our societies and personal lives. That, indeed, We Are All We Need.

Moving on,

Walked into the supermarket, SoundCloud in my phone carefully and, in my opinion, deliberately creating an amazing playlist, consisting of those fantastic tracks by The Chainsmokers which make you feel like buying a bunch of roses and cooking them!! The Feels!!!

Headed straight to get a 1kg packet of sugar. The shelves were empty!! So I asked the lady in a blue t-shirt:

“Habari yako? Hakuna sukari?”

“Poa sana. Iliisha leo asubuhi.”

“Na itakuja lini?”

“Itakuja tu. Lakini unajua Christmas imefika.”

After engaging her in a conversation, I finally got to know what she meant by relating the inadequacy with Christmas. In her words “Sukari huwa haiishi, huwa inapotea.” I won’t pretend that I didn’t know this happens everyday. I won’t mention who she believed to be responsible, because it seems that everytime the word is mentioned, impunity jumps up and down in pride. But I can say, that as I was walking out of the supermarket, past that huge artificial elephant, I couldn’t help but tell myself that:

“They are ruthlessly caning every sector of our economy, even that of sugar.”

So I had to get one from a shop nearby. I remember finding a seemingly elderly woman having a loud chat with the shopkeeper, with some bit of anger. Standing there, I gathered that she was talking about the huge cost of living. “Hata kama ni mtu wetu, ametufinyilia sana. Sindio?” as she looked at me.

I simply smiled. But from her argument I could tell her anger. She was mad. She was a citizen who felt hopeless. She felt powerless. And no matter how many campaigns will tell her that her vote is her voice, she wasn’t willing to shout. She would simply call, but not shout.

You see, no matter how debatable this can be, no matter which impressive counter-argument you may have, one thing I have come to acknowledge, is that the common man doesn’t experience all the amazing development strategies and five-point plans the government can come up with. No, the common man experiences market forces.

I kept asking myself how many people had given up to the many issues facing them: From the runaway corruption, the huge deterioration of morals, to the slow but gradual destruction of our social structures.

As a country,we are at a crossroads. We are on the brink….. And, the greatest disaster of a nation happens when hopelessness meets anger, in the presence of poor leadership that thrives on arrogance, selfishness and huge delusions of grandeur.

The post-war order is coming to an end. The new world order is finally here, and with it comes huge geopolitical, social and economic shifts. Volatile times ahead of us. With Kenya being part of the community of nations, how will we react?

I always believe in looking at the state of the nation from my own personal experiences. This is because I know that the nation is me. Kenya is not the president. Kenya is not the tribes. Kenya is me.

Kenya is you.

Like many, 2016 has to be the year that we lived. The year that we finally got the rare opportunity to go into the deep, dark tunnels within our living and personalities, and got to see what is down there. Like many, 2016 has to be the year that the pendulum’s chains broke.

Like many, 2016 has to be the year that I interacted with various people from different walks of like. And it is the year that I bid farewell to the rigid lifestyle structure called school, and cast myself into the ever dynamic structure called the citizenry.

The uncertainties. The huge and ever-conflicting experiences. The lessons. The misunderstandings. Well, it’s what you expect from a country with approx 40million people. And you are just ONE.

The best and most grateful part I enjoy about doing communications is the many opportunities I get to interact with people. Well, it also provides you with several opportunities to get out of office too, which is a good thing. And also gets you to understand how different people, based on their personalities, lifestyles, beliefs and weaknesses, need to be talked to. It is when you get to learn what time to be careful in your speaking, and also what time to be simply blunt. It is more social than professional.

With time you involuntarily view every opportunity to talk or listen to people as exceedingly precious. This is how you see life.

It is no hidden truth that tribalism is indeed a huge issue in our country that deeply divides us. But there is no notion that is as dividing as the ‘Stay away from negativity’ statement. That ‘Get people who will build you, and make you happy.’ As inspirational as it sounds, this is the greatest source of all the rifts. Little do we know that Negativity is our native, and that people become positive in life either by choice, or after an experience. Think about it.

Having a glimpse into the unfortunate and struggling stories is by itself depressingly uplifting. I have seen creative and innovative young people taking the bold step to start a business from scratch and yet watch it fall.

The disappointment of a young person who, in his/her steps towards gaining financial and personal independence, keeps taking once step forward and three steps back. The sadness of a mother whose efforts to provide for her family are more than the returns.

The frustrations of a father going from one job interview to the next with no job in sight. The crushed spirit of a graduate who, irregardless of the good grades in his/her transcripts, cannot find the ticket to join the working class. The disappointment of a person when juicy and attractive propaganda is more believable than the boring truth.

And yet I have never been so hopeful. So hopeful that it scares me. So hopeful that I’m kinda naive about it. The good that I’ve seen in us forever exceeds the bad. As a people, the numerous breaks we have will always be binding.

The Kenyan spirit is not found solely in our flag, the national anthem or the constitution. No. It is found and enshrined within our hearts. The love we have for one another even when love is the last thing we need. The resilience we exhibit in our own personal battles. The fragile bond that has defied the saddest of times in our history.

I see this spirit in the person who, after visiting her mum’s new poorly constructed home made the decision to start his own sustainable construction company from scratch. I see it in the girl, who despite her bitter past experiences, chooses to dig her heels in, become pretty in her own way and brace herself for better things to come.

I see it in the beautiful, young, physically disabled lady from a special school in Meru, who still believes she can make a difference in people’s lives one leap at a time.

I see it in the mother who always has her kiosk open very early in the morning next to Mathare Hospital, having stocked her mangoes and bananas ready to make a living by selling to pedestrians.

I see it in the true friends who are always there to help out one of their own in times of need. I see it in the family which, after an immeasurable loss, still unites strongly together with the hope of a better tomorrow. I see it in the group of young guys, who, despite their backgrounds and huge differences, still come together to make the world a better place one visit at a time, one smile at a time.

It was the beating of our hearts.

I see it in the guy from Bahati, who, despite his addictions, believes he has what it takes to spread awareness to the youths in the ghetto to let go of drugs and crime. I see it in the chain smokers, who in the face of the new tobacco rules, are finally waking up to reality and trying their level best to go loose.

I have seen it in the boy who would secretly drink himself to work and to sleep(simply because he thought his problems were bigger than those of others) finally breaking the habit and having it occasionally. Asante A. Katule.

It is interesting how there are people who wish they would trade places with you and have your problems for even a day. So, my brother, my sister, however hard it may seem, sober up and face your problems. You’ll win.

Freedom.

I see it in the strangers, who, irrespective of your surname and religion are willing to offer a helping hand. I see it in the Nairobi West vegetable vendor who, after silently noticing I had only three shillings in my hand and was about to alight the matatu, quietly handed me thirty shillings so I could pay fare. Not sure if she would ever get to read this but, Mama Mwende, Asante!!

I see it in the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to serve and protect us. They don’t know us. But, of all the careers out there, they choose to keep us away from harm.

I see it the NYS youths who, through the motto ‘True to Self,True to Country’ are finally getting a sense of usefulness and belonging to the nation and doing plenty of work on the ground.

I see it everywhere.

There are so many things good about us!! The future has never been this bright. The future belongs to us. Whichever the challenge we face, local, global or personal, we still have what it takes to solve it.

Never doubt the power in you to change you, to change a friend’s life, to change a stranger’s life, and to make your country a better place than you found it.

The work ahead needs all of us. The sun will rise in the morning. I choose to Believe. I choose Hope.

Happy Festivities.

We Are All We Need.