Can I

In Kenya, where diversity thrives
Where different tribes exist, each with their own vibes
Can I be Luo, without being branded with pride
Can I be seen for who I am, and not what others decide

Can I be a Luo man, without being called a cheat
Can I walk with my head held high, without deceit
Can I be Kisii, without anger being my label
Can I break free from stereotypes, without any trouble

Can I be Kikuyu, without being called a thief
Can I rise above the assumptions, with belief
Can she be a Kikuyu lady without being feared as a husband killer
Can she lead with integrity, with respect revered

Can I be Kamba, without being called a witch
Can I live my life freely, without any glitch
Can she be a Kamba woman, without being seen as promiscuous
Can she be respected for her virtues, not seen as frivolous

Can I be Luhya, without trading everything for food
Can I break free from stereotypes, for my own good
Can I wear my dreadlocks, without being judged as a thug
Can I express myself freely, without getting shrugged

Can she have a nose piercing, without being called a slut
Can she have a tattoo on her thigh, without needing a rebut
Can I drive a Subaru, without being labeled as a fuck boy
Can I enjoy my ride, without causing any dismay

Can I be a man, wear my beards, without being seen as a dog
Can I be a man, without living in a fog
Can I be a Gen Z, without being seen as spoiled
Can I break away from stereotypes, without being coiled

Can I live in Roysambu, without being scandalous
Can I be judged for who I am, without being hazardous
Can she live in Umoja, without being a single mother
Can she be respected for her choices, without any bother

Can I be just me, black, bold, and beautiful
Can I embrace my uniqueness, without feeling dutiful
Can we break free from stereotypes, and just be
Can we live in harmony, and set ourselves free

So let us rise above the misconceptions and lies
Let us stand strong, with unity as our ties
Let us embrace our differences, and celebrate diversity
For in the end, we are all one, in this world of adversity.

@okelododdychitchats

A letter to Daddy

Dear Dad,

I hope we could meet somewhere around Nyamasaria,

I long for you to breathe again, even if it’s just one more breath,

I want to hear your voice one last time, to have it echo in my mind like a cherished songbird,

I want to see your beards, perhaps fuller than mine that stubbornly refuse to grow,

I want to touch your hands and feel their warmth,

I want to look at your face and find the resemblances between us,

I’ll ask you what you love, and what you’re afraid of losing,

I want to see your sense of style,

I want to scrutinize your smile and understand how Mum fell for you so easily,

I want to check if Stella’s shortness comes from you,

I want to study the pigment of your skin to see if my own might inherit its flawlessness,

I’ll speak to you as a man, the kind of deep, honest conversations a father and son should have,

I’ll ask you what values I should hold dear,

I’ll ask your views on polygamy,

I’ll seek your wisdom on taking care of a woman,

I want to show you my girlfriend and hear you rate her on a scale of one to ten,

With this brief moment, Dad, I’ll strive to know you better,

Please, just breathe once more, Papa.

With all my love,
Rateng’

@okelododdychitchats

Rain, Go Away !

Rain, rain,
it’s not mother’s washing day,
But,
please hold off for now.

Maybe return another day,
but when you do,
come gently.

We need your nourishing touch
to keep our crops healthy
and our roads clear.

But please, be gentle,
don’t flood our homes
or harm our families.

Let us go about our business in peace,
let your presence be a blessing, not a curse.

For now,
it’s best you go away
and give the soil a chance to breathe.

Our feet need relief from the mud,
our floors from the stagnant water,
and our roofs from the constant drumming of your drops.

Let us take a moment
to recover from the losses we’ve already endured as a country.
Just Go away for now !

@okelododdychitchats

Those Days

On bad days, when my heart feels heavy and my mind is clouded by shadows,
I turn to my pen.
Each word, each line becomes a lifeline,
a way to find my path through the fog of my emotions.

But there are days when inspiration eludes me,
when sadness grips me tightly and refuses to let go.
On those days, I find myself crying out into the darkness,
my tears soaking into the woven knitted material of my pillows,
the only witnesses to my silent suffering.

I long for someone to understand,
to share the burden that weighs so heavily on my soul.
Yet, in the silence of my solitude,
I am left to wrestle with my demons alone.

Hope becomes a distant memory,
a flickering flame struggling to survive in the midst of an endless night.
Sleep escapes me, leaving me to wander through the darkness of my thoughts,
haunted by the specter of despair.

But even in my darkest moments, I cling to the belief
that somewhere, somehow, there is light to be found.
And so, I continue to write,
to pour out my heart onto the page,
in the hope that one day, the shadows will recede
and the sun will shine again.

@okelododdychitchats

Value Hub Kenya

We find ourselves at Mint and Salt, a charmingly decorated yet cozy restaurant tucked away behind Kenya Cinema. The youthful ambiance suggests that they serve up some delicious eats. The music sets a lively tone, though a tad loud for conversation, prompting us to opt for outdoor seating. Outside, the scene is bustling yet relaxed, with hawkers, shoppers, and passersby going about their business.

I order a crisp, cold white cup while Mutuma opts for a mocktail, chilled to perfection. My acquaintance with Mutuma dates back to our days at Multimedia University of Kenya, where we shared mutual friends in the Bachelor of Commerce program. You know how university students always stick together, whether it’s heading to the cafeteria or back to the hostel after class? Well, that was the Bachelor of Commerce Class of 2020 for you. In those communal journeys to Chafua, the Multimedia University equivalent of a cafeteria, I got to know Mutuma and some of his classmates.

However, it wasn’t until a stroke of luck led me to a fantastic deal on a screen protector and phone cover that I truly connected with Mutuma. At a time when a screen protector alone cost as much as Ksh. 300 and a phone cover went for Ksh. 500 if you didn’t have the right connections, stumbling upon someone offering both for Ksh. 300 seemed too good to be true. Intrigued, I dialed the number on those modestly designed posters, and to my surprise, it was Peter Mutuma on the other end.

Our business transaction proved fruitful, as Mutuma delivered top-notch quality in both the screen protector and phone cover. From that moment on, I knew I had found “a guy.” Our bond grew stronger over time, cementing a friendship that began with a simple transaction but evolved into something much more meaningful. And that’s how I came to know Mutuma.

His phone has been ringing constantly since we met, a testament to either his busy schedule, the thriving nature of his business, or the high level of customer satisfaction. I’m not quite sure which it is. This time, it’s a call from Martha, ordering camping chairs in anticipation of the KCB Sponsored WRC 2024 rally. Mutuma efficiently takes her order and dispatches his delivery guy to drop off three sets of chairs at Martha’s chosen pickup location in Nairobi West.

With the business momentarily settled, I seize the opportunity to inquire about Mutuma’s entrepreneurial journey. He now owns a shop located at Kenya Cinema, 4th Floor, Shop B5, Moi Avenue. Taking a sip of his mocktail, he pauses before recounting the story of how it all began.

In 2017, his parents gave him Ksh. 13,000 to buy a phone. Eager to make the most of this opportunity, he ventured to town one Saturday and purchased a Sony Ericsson for Ksh. 10,000 from a seller in Luthuli. Pleased with his purchase, he returned to the green monkey and warthog-infested grounds of Multimedia University, thinking he had not only acquired a good phone but also saved Ksh. 3,000.

However, upon showing off the phone to his friend Karanja, who had a knack for distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit phones, he discovered that he had been sold a fake. Karanja advised him to return the phone, but when Mutuma went back to the shop, he found that the seller was nowhere to be found. Disappointed but determined, he realized he needed a new plan to get a phone. With only Ksh. 3,000 remaining, he decided to sell items that everyone in school could afford: phone covers and screen protectors. These accessories were in high demand among smartphone owners looking to protect their devices and add a touch of style.

His first customer was his then-girlfriend, who willingly paid double the price for the goods, impressed by his initiative. Word spread quickly, and soon, he was making more sales than he had ever imagined. With the help of Karanja, he created posters and strategically placed them around the school, further boosting his sales.

As demand grew, so did Mutuma’s ambition. He began thinking of ways to expand his business, even venturing into selling phones after ensuring they were legitimate and fit for sale. By 2020, his business was flourishing. However, like many others, he faced a setback when the nation was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He pauses to take a puff from his apple-flavored vape before expressing his concern about the impact of Covid-19 on his business. Like a soldier strategizing on the battlefield, he knew he had to regroup and adapt. At that time, his business was called “DnD Tech Africa,” initially standing for “deals and deliveries,” although many mistook it for “Do not Disturb.” Sensing the need for a more relatable name, he rebranded it as “Value Hub Kenya,” reflecting the quality and variety of tech products available at his one-stop shop.

He turned to platforms like Jiji, initially paying a monthly fee of Ksh. 3,000 to showcase his products. However, due to increased demand and the effectiveness of the platform, he now pays Ksh. 16,000 monthly. Additionally, he rented a shelf in town to give his business a physical presence and enhance its legitimacy. This move proved to be a turning point, as he diversified his offerings, ranging from cutting-edge tech gadgets to unique items that seemed ahead of their time.

When asked about taxes and the economy, Mutuma emphasized the importance of understanding buyer behavior. He believes that customers prioritize quality over price and value sellers who are knowledgeable about their products. Despite high taxes and economic challenges, he remains optimistic, noting that people’s addiction to technology ensures a steady demand for his products.

Mutuma’s commitment to quality and compliance is evident in his business philosophy: “Mpeni Kaisari mali ya kaisari” (“Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s”). Customers swear by the value they receive from Value Hub Kenya, often referring others to the shop. Mutuma, a true entrepreneur, has never been employed by someone else. While he doesn’t close the door on traditional employment opportunities, he finds fulfillment and achieves financial success through his entrepreneurial ventures.

As Lil Mama by Sauti Sol fills the air, we transition to discussing Mutuma’s other endeavors, including interior design, e-commerce systems, and digital marketing. His diverse skill set and entrepreneurial spirit make him a jack of all trades in the business world.

Check Value Hub Kenyas’s Website https://valuehubkenya.co.ke/ .

@okelododdychitchats.

Ian Gideyi

Sometimes I ask, what are thoughts? This is especially true when they are negative. Someone said something to an audience. The audience thinks, “Why are you so negative in life?” Get some positivity and you are like, “I was not telling you that to give your view. I was just speaking to free myself from these endless thoughts.” Again, what are thoughts for if the best they can do is fill us with fear and trouble our minds tirelessly? Is it for caution, not fear, as we may perceive it? What are thoughts and what are they for?

Ian Gideyi is a nice fellow. He is an air load Master in the Kenya Airforce. He studied aviation and chose to donate his skills to protect the Nation. Is he not a fantastic and patriotic guy? Ian is that person you will always want to be next to. He is funny, bubbly, and talkative. He is wise and careful. He likely learned this in the forces or from experience. I don’t know…. Before I get to his appearance, he is quite disciplined and has an “I don’t care” attitude. That sounds like a paradox to someone who’s cautious. Ian is a lot more interesting and never boring. He wears a clean haircut with a little more hair at the centre of his circular head than on the edges. We used to call this style “pank.” Nowadays they call it a “fade.” He is short and dark. His girlfriend will surely define him as handsome. That is what a girlfriend does, blows their own horn. In the fast place she landed in that box because she thought he looks good. I am proud to walk around the streets holding his hands. Save all the qualities a woman may look for in a man, looks is always a point.

I haven’t known Ian for long. I knew of him before I met him. I often heard of him from my brother, Vin. What I would say is, I want to meet this guy. I finally met him. The last time I saw him was on a Thursday evening. I was at his place at White House Court, Umoja. He was from picking his well-maintained Toyota 110 from the mechanic and I was from work. I returned his weighing machine. We had borrowed it to weigh Vin’s luggage. We did so to ensure they did not pass the weight limit indicated on the air ticket. We wanted to avoid the embarrassment to bring back home the extras from the Airport. The weighing machine at a point helped and we packed well not to go against the stated requirements.

That evening, our conversations covered many things. They were about everything but women. I mean, men always talk about women when they are alone. This time, we talked about Vin’s recent trip to Poland. It led to a discussion on being careful and ready for anything. The conversation reminded me of a day when Ian was talking to Vin on how life can be funny. You leave for work and then you come back when you are no more. Vin’s response was, “why are you negative?” Ian told him he was not negative. He said he was speaking reality with courage. At this moment, when Ian was sharing, I reflected on things that have happened. I thought of my first day at M-Gas. We were crossing the road with a guy we had boarded a matatu with. I saw strife and hard work on his face as he made phone calls. He went first. I don’t want to say he was not careful. Or that he did not look at the road before crossing. Because I did not see where that Government Pick-Up truck came from. It knocked him down and he was lifeless. His family were waiting for him to get back home. Now, they were to go check if it was him in the cold slabs of the government mortuary. I saw a lot of accidents along Mombasa Road and Outering Road. The best I could do is feel sad and empathize with the family. All the victims were hopeful at some point. They were out for various reasons. They hoped to see their families in the evening. They were not negative. It happened. I don’t know if it is fate or if it’s the devil who lurks around sometimes. I don’t know. It happens and may their souls rest in peace.

These thoughts came to me because of what happened on Sunday, 25th, February 2024. My question is why that date of all dates. I don’t mean that some dates are bad and others are not. I mean this was the date Vin was supposed to leave for Poland for a better life (He did travel that night). It was not a coincidence, I think. I still fail to understand what it was. Vin was heading to Ian’s place. Ian lives a stone throw away from where Vin and I lived. Vin was heading there to say goodbye to some people he needed to bid farewell to. These people impacted and still impact his life. He used the same route that he uses to that place…..

Then, on that day, the watchman guarding the nearby garage decides to leave his dogs untied. The dogs, upon seeing an enemy, Vin , decided to prey on them. Vin ran. A lady who was walking next to him decided to be calm, as we are always told to be calm when dogs chase after us. Vin escaped the dog bite(s) but hurt his leg’s palm. The lady received many bites. The watchman or garage owner should be sued for letting harmful dogs roam. The dogs attacked them on a public road, not on private property. They were just walking, not invading. This incident made me think. If Vin was bitten, he would have not traveled and the chance would have gone. It was just God working miraculously and I thank Him daily. I pray for the woman to get healed and get justice. This all brings me to Ian’s caution. He says life can change in a jiffy. I realize it’s not always fear of the unknown. Sometimes it’s caution! So as Ian puts it, “Brace for Impact.”

@okelododdychitchats

Just Drop a Comment

When do you find yourself grabbing that pen and paper? Is it during tough times when emotions are running high, and writing feels like a way to tackle the challenges life throws at you? Or is it in moments of pure joy, when even the ordinary things bring happiness, and you catch yourself smiling at everyone, even someone you’re not too fond of? Personally, I used to think I was most creative when feeling a bit down, not necessarily to express my feelings but to capture what I saw in small gatherings at barazas, the lively conversations in tailoring shops, the buzz in barbershops, or even the snippets of life heard in matatus. Writing about these observations used to be a kind of therapy for me. However, recent realities have hit me hard, filling my once-bright mind with empty thoughts that have taken away my usual good vibes.

I’m not looking for sympathy here, I’m just curious about how your year is going. Is it turning out to be good, or are you facing some challenges? While it might be early to ask, haven’t they said that you can sense the quality of a day from the morning? Let’s think of that metaphorically. From talking to a few people, it seems that, despite some initial confusion, many are finding this year to be interesting. What’s interesting is the lack of the usual flood of boring “happy new year messages” and the absence of big unachievable resolutions. Instead, people seem to be having more practical discussions, focusing on solid financial plans and pursuing their interests with passion.

Going through the current situation is a bit of a challenge for me, with the uncertainty of tomorrow hanging over. I’ve never been one to predict the future, and while it might seem a bit tricky, there’s a sense of hope pushing me forward. My plan is simple: prioritize things that bring me joy and stay away from things that bore, drain, or stress me. Essentially, I want to create a happy space for myself and those around me….

How’s your year going? Share your thoughts in the comments! Let’s connect every Tuesday or on any day that suits you (we can vote a day). I am thinking about throwing in some interviews and sharing stories about different places. Just drop a comment to let us know what you’re enjoying and experiencing this year, and also, what topics you’d like us to dive into. I’m thinking of adding some opinionated sections. So, drop a comment – your input is crucial in shaping our conversations. Feel free to join the discussion! Just drop a comment !

@okelododdychitchats