As the sun dipped below the horizon on this serene Saturday evening, an air of anticipation filled the atmosphere. The city was on the brink of transformation as the impending curfew loomed, and the streets were a hive of frenzied activity. Pedestrians hurried along, their hurried footsteps echoing with an urgency that defied the encroaching darkness.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city’s pre-curfew rush, I found myself standing by a dimly lit window, my surroundings bathed in semi-darkness. It was at this very moment that a remarkable sight caught my attention – a face, delicate and captivating, was framed by the window’s edges.

Despite my natural short-sightedness and the dim light, the beauty of the face shone brilliantly. Her hair, meticulously styled, cascaded down one side, while the other side revealed the flawless, unadorned canvas of her skin. Her features were a symphony of perfection: beguiling eyes, a nose of exquisite symmetry, and lips that possessed not only a delightful shade but also an enticing allure. It was a visage that defied the limitations of my vision and left an indelible impression on my heart.

As I continued to admire this enchanting face, it felt as though time itself had paused, allowing me to savor the moment. The bustling city outside faded into a distant murmur, and all that remained was the captivating image before me.

With a gentle, fleeting smile, the face behind the window slowly turned away, disappearing into the night. In that brief encounter, I had witnessed a fleeting glimpse of beauty, a moment suspended in time. The memory of that radiant face would stay with me, an enduring spark of fascination in the midst of the city’s chaos, a reminder of the unexpected moments of grace that can be found even in the most hurried and uncertain of times.

@okelododdychitchats

In life, the threads of existence are woven with both joy and sorrow, love and loss. It is a journey that takes us through the vibrant spectrum of human emotions. In the following words, we explore the essence of life, the pain of parting, and the elusive concept of the afterlife, all through the lens of heartfelt prose and poetry.

Shilton Dinda’s departure from this world happened just the other night. Let’s pause for a moment of silence. But before I proceed, let me leave these words for you, my brother. I hope you can access and read them in the afterlife. It takes hope to believe that the departed can still see, hear, and read, even if they can’t talk.

To Shilton,

A noble soul now finds peace, at rest,
Claimed by life’s harsh and unyielding test,
In the quiet of mortality, talent’s flame subsides,
I’m speechless, my sorrow I can’t hide.

Asego Yenga mourns a profound loss,
In this grief’s depths, we’re firmly tossed,
The pain runs deep, a wound that won’t mend,
I search for words, but sorrow won’t end.

Rest peacefully, Wuod Miranga, embraced by slumber’s grace,
Your spirit soars in a better place,
Though we weep and our hearts are heavy with dread,
Your memory lives on in our souls, forever widespread.

@doddyokelo

Is there an afterlife? As a child, I heard that after death, we go to heaven, a place of eternal peace, filled with milk and honey. I hope those stories weren’t mere myths. I hope they’re true because, firstly, I want to meet God face to face and ask Him many questions. Secondly, I long to reunite with family, friends, and loved ones who left this world prematurely to join the living in heaven. I want them to welcome me with joy, guide me around, and make me feel at home. I don’t want to be a stranger in heaven.

Growing up, I didn’t fully grasp the concept of death. I believed it was an eternal slumber for those who endured intense pain, given that sickness and accidents caused it. My dad’s passing in 2002 when I was just four years old desensitized me for a while. I thought it was as natural as the sun rising and setting. I believed it only targeted adults who had lived a bit. But when my playmate and dear friend, Abubakar Sidik (Abu), left us in 2005, the pain hit me deep. It felt like someone was melting hot plastic on my tender heart. I wept, knowing we’d never meet again. However, my mom consoled me, assuring me that Abu was in a better place, and we’d meet in the afterlife. My only concern was whether he’d remember me and where I’d find him in the corners of heaven. The concept of the afterlife gave me hope.

Life went on, and people continued to leave our world, stolen away by death. The grim reality began to sink in, and I started to worry. Who would be taken next? I fear death, and who wouldn’t?

Skipping ahead, our hearts, or at least mine, continue to suffer at the hands of death. I keep questioning and trying to solve the puzzle, the enigma of death. If God loves us, why would He allow our lives to be so short? And if heaven is a better place free from suffering, why are we here on Earth if He loves us? I haven’t found the answers yet, just as I’ve never considered death to be normal.

We’ve lost many people, some in unimaginable ways, like Cynthia, Olela, Hillary, and Phill, who were here one moment and gone the next. It’s very traumatic. By the way, Phill was one of my best friends; he passed away in 2017, and his memory still lingers in my mind. I haven’t fully come to terms with it, even six years later. It’s still haunting and saddening. Death is painful, and every time a soldier falls, it’s like a piece of me breaks. It’s a long-lasting heartache.

To cut a long story short, good souls have found rest, never to return, yet I still don’t comprehend why or how. The puzzle is as perplexing as rocket science, remaining unsolved. It leaves us with nothing but pain. In these moments of reflection, we’re reminded of the fragility of life, the profound impact of loss, and the enduring questions that linger about the afterlife. Perhaps these musings offer solace and understanding, or maybe they are but stepping stones on a path to deeper comprehension. Regardless, to those fallen soldiers, we will always miss you. I wanted to mention each of you by name, but the list is long. The thought of you still brings tears to my eyes, and my heart still aches. It feels unfair, but they say it’s life, and God has a reason. Keep resting in peace, my people

@okelododdychitchats.

Memories, delicate as a caged bird, flutter within the confines of my mind, refusing to be forgotten. They wander the corridors of my thoughts, like specters, leaving no space for other recollections to find a home.

Yet, at the mere mention of her name, the specter of pain reawakens, its relentless grip refusing to let go. It’s a torment that I detest, but who truly revels in such agony?

I find myself ensnared, a prisoner to the echoes of her love. The desire to move on is there, but it’s as if invisible chains hold me captive, preventing me from escaping the haunting shadow of her affection.

It’s as if her love was etched into my very skin, an indelible tattoo, a constant reminder of what was and what can never be again. Every attempt to break free from this emotional straitjacket only leads to more anguish.

The crux of the matter is, she’s no longer by my side; her heart now resides in another’s embrace, and I’m left grappling with the lingering phantoms of our lost love.

@okelododdychitchats.

I absolutely love rhumba music, especially Fally Ipupa’s tunes. But, you know, sometimes on those tough days, I end up listening to those heart-wrenching Luo gospel songs. It’s weird how my music mood can flip so fast, just like how your day can go from happy to sad in a snap.

I’ve got this kind of funny idea that when I play those sad songs, it’s like God is nodding in sympathy up there, not really listening, but giving a little pat on the back, saying, “I get it, buddy.” It’s a bit unrealistic, I know, but we all have our quirks.

But here’s the thing, does it actually make me feel better? Does some magical miracle happen? Nope, no miracles in sight. These songs just make me even sadder and gloomier. And it makes me wonder, why do they even make such sad songs in the first place? I mean, who came up with that idea?

The toughest part, though, is how hard it is to switch from those tearjerkers to something like Fally Ipupa’s upbeat “Mayday.” It’s like going from a cozy blanket to an icy snowstorm.

Now, picture this: It was a regular Sunday, and I was just minding my own business when I got hit with a bombshell. Anna, the confidence-boosting babe of mine, suddenly drops a text bomb: “It’s over.” Then, to add insult to injury, she goes and blocks me because her phone apparently decided to join the breakup party too.

I mean, really? Nothing out of the ordinary happened. I have a sneaking suspicion that my dwindling bank balance might’ve had something to do with her swift exit. And I’m willing to bet my last dollar that she ran off to that “cousin” of hers, the one she visited every Friday to Monday morning. You know, the guy she wouldn’t stop raving about, the one she exchanged those dreaded “I love yous” with.

So, naturally, on that lovely Sunday, it felt like the perfect time to indulge in my go-to sad song, “Dag gi geno.” I reached for the remote, ready to switch from my brother Vin’s Ferre Gola obsession, “Court Circuit.” I thought maybe, just maybe, God would see my pitiful state and send Anna back like he did with manna from heaven for the Israelites.

But then, as I was about to make the switch, it hit me like a lightning bolt. I was essentially asking for divine sympathy to help me break a few commandments yet again, to give in to the temptations of the flesh. Where do these thoughts even come from during such trying times? Guiltily, I dropped the remote, letting Ferre’s “Court Circuit” take over, and I scurried off to my bedroom to have a premium crying session.

So, in conclusion, my journey through the realms of rhumba, tear-jerking Luo gospel, and heartbreak has taught me a thing or two. Life’s like a musical rollercoaster, and our tastes can flip faster than a pancake in a hot skillet. We may think God’s up there, giving a sympathetic nod to our musical woes, but in reality, it’s just us trying to make sense of it all.

But when the music dies down, and the tears flow, there’s a silver lining. Sure, Anna left, and my heart aches, but I’ve found solace in singlehood. It turns out you don’t need a thick babe to groove through life. Sometimes, the best company is your own, your tunes, and a carefree heart.

As for those crazy thoughts that pop up in challenging times, well, they’re just a part of being human. We’re all a little weird sometimes, especially when our emotions are on a rollercoaster ride. It’s all about finding your way back to sanity, even if it means shedding a few premium tears.

So, my friends, embrace the symphony of life, ride the emotional waves, and remember, it’s okay to dance to your own rhythm, with or without a partner. After all, in this journey of life, the music keeps playing, and the show must go on.


@okelododdychitchats

He fell in love again, bright, cheered up and full of hope he looked
Into her eyes, a 24-year-old Luo girl, skin kissed by the sun
She bore the grace of neither slim nor fleshy, a blend of beauty and curves so divine
Her legs were exquisite, he marveled at her legs, and the elegance of her sculpted neck

He kept gazing at her neck, like an artist captivated by his muse
An obsession that knew no bounds

Was it truly an obsession?
He couldn’t tell, but he found himself lost in thoughts, whispering her name in the oddest of places
In the depths of his slumber, her name slipped from his lips
Pictures of her adorned his screens, her presence etched in his mind
He dared to declare, “I love you,” a phrase once imprisoned, now released with ease

Pet names, the kind lovers share, began to flow from his lips
He transformed from a “Taliban” to a simp, inching closer to saving her name with heart emojis
Yet, a teasing laugh from his friend, Laurent Adongo, brought him back from the edge
Leaving the name hanging, emoji-less, out of a blush of shame

He fell in love again,
Defying his firm resolve, he had sworn never to love again
He had even said, “Over my dead body,” but destiny had other plans.

For in the unpredictable dance of fate, where hearts and souls entwine,
He discovered a love more profound than he’d ever known,
A love that defied his expectations and reshaped his very being.
In this unfolding chapter of life, he learned that sometimes, our hearts lead us down uncharted paths,
Guided not by choice, but by the unseen hand of destiny.

@okelododdychitchats

At the tender age of four, my father departed,
Leaving an enduring ache within, reality had me thwarted.
I questioned God’s love, in moments of despair,
Why would He cause such sadness ?

I knew so little then, innocence held my view,
Unaware and exposed, my young heart feeling askew.
I thought he slumbered, within that closed domain,
But why in a wooden box, in silence’s long chain?

I called to him, my pleas unanswered, left me sad,
Why doesn’t Daddy respond? A feeling, so bad.
Rejection’s sting, it struck me, a pain so sharp,
He was gently laid to rest,
Beside my grandmother’s house, in a rectangular hole he lay,
I gazed around, grown-ups weeping, their tears held at bay.
I wondered who had hurt them, for in my childlike view,
Crying meant someone was beaten, but why were they all so blue?

Confusion wrapped my thoughts, my sister by my side,
She whispered, “Daddy’s gone,” a truth I couldn’t hide.
“What is this death?” I asked, in my innocence so sweet,
Soon, I grasped the truth that Daddy couldn’t wake from his sleep.

Love for him, aching within, his care so complete,
He signed me up for karate, I wanted to be like him.
But now we were a family with one hand, forever incomplete,
My mother, at twenty-six, a widow’s fate to meet.

I still miss him, his presence in every way,
But fate can be unkind, taking loved ones away.
It’s why I both fear and don’t, the concept of our end,
But our mother, she stepped in, as our rock, our dearest friend.

To Dad, may your soul rest in eternal peace’s embrace,
Life with you would have been different,
You chose a strong woman, and in her, we found grace,
A superwoman, both dad and mom, in one loving face.

@okelododdychitchats

She possessed the face of the most enchanting women,
Her voice, a melodious symphony that outshone trumpets,
A smile that could outshine even the brightest stars,
Her complexion, a flawless canvas, a portrait of perfection.
Her figure was a masterpiece, sharp and sculpted, reminiscent of fanta bamboocha, women in their prime.
Her beauty had the power to stop the rotation of the Earth itself.

She was a vision of such stunning allure,
A beauty that could make anyone question their own existence in the image of God,
For her beauty was nothing short of divine,
Yet, beneath the surface, there was something amiss,
People who delved into her world found nothing but her physical charm,
No intellect to engage with, no wisdom to impart,
They criticized her hygiene, lamented about her perfectly-manicured yet impractical nails,
Her house in perpetual disarray, with food rubbing shoulders with dirty socks.

She was a sight to behold, a temptation impossible to resist,
But being with her, they found, was a discomforting ordeal,
They came, they saw, and they added to her list, her body count,
She must have suffered in silence,
Why didn’t they simply tell her?
Perhaps, she might have changed her ways,
For we all know that at that stage, there was little hope for her mind to evolve.

@okelododdychitchats

I was engrossed in one of Biko Zulu’s pieces on men and marriage, and let me tell you, I adore Biko Zulu – well, not in the “let’s get married” way, but I have mad respect for his work. In Africa, you see, a man can’t just go around saying he loves another man, even if it’s brotherly love. But I owe my admiration for Biko’s work to my brother, Stephen Ochieng, AKA Bache or if you like SOO_Ochieng.

So, I delved into Biko’s words, reading between the lines, and what I found was a revelation. It’s so darn normal for us men to bear our burdens in silence. We carry these heavy loads and perish quietly – like suffering in silence is our superpower. You see, as an African man, it’s like a cardinal sin to open up about your struggles, whether to your buddies or someone you hold dear to your heart. In our society, it’s practically written in stone that men shouldn’t be vulnerable. Go on, break that mold, and you’re labeled as weak, and nobody wants that on their name.

Don’t get me wrong; these aren’t just my thoughts. No, siree! It’s what our African society believes in. None of us wants to let the side down. I certainly don’t, and neither do you. So, I won’t be the guy who puts a dent in the armor of societal expectations. I’m not about to spill my financial woes and admit to being broke. That’s not how an African man rolls, my friends. But aisulu…

In this wild ride called life, it’s like the only way to score a touchdown is by being swimming-in-money successful. Forget all those tales about acing the national exams and securing your golden ticket to the Land of Success. It’s a beautiful lie. The real world? It’s more like a labyrinth of absurdity, and I mean it’s a real maze out there, folks. Sometimes it’s colder than a penguin’s kiss, and it can get depressingly gloomy. Success isn’t just handed to you on a silver platter; you’ve got to snatch it like the last piece of pizza at a party.

Now, I’m a young fella in his mid-twenties, and I’ve been on this never-ending quest to find my path. I’d like to say I’m making enough, but hold your horses; I’m not living the high life. My pockets aren’t exactly bulging with cash. I mean, I’m making enough to pay the rent and leave me with a handful of coins to survive on. Yep, that’s right, just enough to keep the landlord happy. I sometimes roll the dice with my transport and food expenses. But let’s get real, all they see is a well-dressed dude, thinking I’m living the dream. Ha, if only they knew that my second-hand shoe business is my lifeline, often collapsing due to my uncanny ability to snack on the capital.

With the meager earnings I scrape together, every now and then, I want to show my body some love, you know, apologize for the tough times. And during these moments, I’d love to have a charming lady by my side. They say life’s a tad dull without some female company. Is it true? Well, I’d love to let her in on my financial status, make her feel comfortable, and maybe even give those blue Subaru owners a run for their money – quite literally with my two-wheel footshoebishi. I want her to be content with my financial situation, but is that even feasible? Not really, my friends. The life I’m living is no hand-to-mouth existence; it’s more like scraping-the-bottom-of-the-barrel broke. The only thing that keeps my spirits high is my killer fashion sense, but let’s be honest, you can’t chew on style when hunger strikes. So, fashion, step aside, and let money take the wheel!

But here’s the kicker – I’m not just craving money to squash hunger pangs. With money, those growls will turn into purrs. I want to savor the finer things in life. Who doesn’t want to revel in the sweet joys of life, unless you’ve taken a crash course in madness? Beyond a cozy home, swanky cars, and smart investments, I want to impress the ladies, explore every nook and cranny, and dance the night away at those swanky shindigs. I want to savor my youth, just as the Bible advises, and in the wise words of Swahili, “Ujana ni Moshi.” I want to live it up, not waste it.

But here’s the catch – I’m flat broke. I can barely keep my head above water with these measly paychecks, and don’t even get me started on the taxes imposed by our “nabii” government, trying to tax a nation into prosperity – like trying to squeeze blood from a stone. My saving grace might just be finding some wisdom in the depths of this financial quagmire. So, to my fellow comrades of my age, you know, the ones comfortably ensconced in your luxurious cars, leading the high life, please, for the love of all that’s holy, share your wisdom with us, my friends! We’re all in the same leaky boat, navigating these turbulent waters, and we could certainly use a guiding star to help us chart our course through the stormy seas of financial distress.

@okelododdychitchats

In the window shades of life, there exists a yearning, a yearning so profound that it weaves itself into the very fabric of our hearts. It’s a yearning we all share, a desire that dances with the stars and lingers in the shadows. It’s the wish, the fervent dream, to be with that one special person, to hold them close, to be the answer to their unspoken questions.

I wish I could,
I wish I could see you every day,
For in your presence, my world finds its way.
I wish I could hold you by my side at any time,
To feel your warmth, your spirit, so divine.

I wish I could respond to your calls at any time,
To hear your voice, your laughter, so sublime.
I wish I could speak to you all day,
In your words, I find solace, come what may.

I wish I could be the answer to all your life questions,
To guide you through uncertainties, make suggestions.
I wish I could be the solution to all your problems,
To ease your burdens, as life ebbs and becomes.

I wish I could be a relief to all your pains,
To wipe away your tears, your worries and your chains.
I wish I could be your smile at all times,
To see your joy, your happiness, your chimes.

I wish I could be your everything,
Because, girl, you are the best thing,
That has ever happened to me, my precious jewel,
My unweathering flower, my heart’s renewal.

And I wish, with all my heart, that this feeling never changes,
For you are my love, my light, in life’s endless exchanges.

@okelododdychitchats

In quiet moments beside her, I cautiously drew near,
Unaware she’d sense my presence, her perception crystal clear.
Her gaze, like spears of lightning, penetrated my core,
Leaving me dumbfounded, unable to meet her eyes once more.

My heart raced wildly, uncertain if it was a ruse,
Her eyes, a gentle furnace, left me perplexed and confused.
As minutes turned to hours, my longing grew profound,
But I dared not glance upward, my gaze tethered to the ground.

Yet, the unspoken tension between us seemed to grow,
A connection, an allure, impossible to forgo.
In the stillness of that moment, an unspoken tale,
Where hearts danced to the rhythm of an invisible trail.

Should I break this silence, or let it linger on,
Unveil the emotions we share, in shadows they’ve withdrawn?
In that profound stillness, our destiny remains unsure,
Two souls bound by unspoken words, a deep allure.

@okelododdychitchats