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BOY CHILD WOES

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You can’t help but get pissed when you see women driving SUVs and living in leafy suburbs, while my boys are stuck in single room shacks. The only green they know is the sewage of their own shit flowing through Paipu and Umoja. Truth is, we lost this game a long time ago. The problem is we are still playing by the same rules while they keep winning. Instead of facing it, those with inferiority complexes turn on the ladies and dismiss their hustle. We do not admit they have become better dribblers in this ball game called life. Instead, we shout from the roadside as SUVs pass, calling them kept women, mistresses, “mapoko wa masonko,” “wife ya dosi,” or inheritance. Meanwhile, we waste hours at the car wash plotting quickies with Adhiambo or joking about Njeri moving from Umoja to South B. What we miss is that the same Njeri is saving every shilling to clear her Sacco loan for a plot in Kitengela. I am not here to tell men not to seek exclusivity with their kept women. Men need safe spac...

WOMEN AND MEN IN UNION

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The wife's first instinct once she gets home, is to tell you - the husband - about her entire day.  First, she'll diss whoever irritates her in the office.  You'll hear of the obnoxious HR, who gets double ration from Mama Chai.  "Imagine M'Babaz anakula mandazi nane tukikula mbili mbili ...." Your role as the husband is to shake your head, and mutter something like: Wololo 😊 Stacy, the Secretary, has never been in her good books since she drunkenly hugged you in that office party, circa 2010.  This time, Stacy has begun a side gig - selling bras from the boot of her Vitz.  "Babe, imagine anakuletea Size D ninunue. Mi nakaa kuvaa Size D? Nkt".  She'll dive into office politics. How so-and-so is still drawing hardship allowance though it's a year since they transferred back from Dadaab.  "Ile siku atanijaribu, atanijua. Nitasimamisha huto tupesa na vile loan imemkalia...." 🙂 You, the husband - know very well she's the major pro...

IT IS LIFE

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In Class 5 at Itongo Sengera Primary School, our teacher of English was the headmaster, Mr. Mosongo. He was a man from my village… and the most white-looking black man I’ve ever seen.  One afternoon after break, he strolled in with English Aid, that tiny little book from hell, and his signature warm smile, a smile that vanished instantly and turned into horror when he got annoyed.  Now… next door, in Class 6, Mr. Morimbocho was forcing pupils to understand .. And no, he wasn’t using a microphone! His mouth was the microphone. And because Class 6 had no door — like most rooms in our school — his voice blasted right into ours.  Honestly, if the school wanted to raise money for doors, they could just rent him out as a sound system for church crusades. Anyway… Mosongo started teaching. The topic was Countable and Uncountable Nouns and the focus of the day was uncountable nouns.  Water, milk — uncountable. Money — uncountable.  He added examples like, "How much water...

STOICISM

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"From good people you’ll learn good, but if you mingle with the bad you’ll destroy such soul as you had."  - Musonius Rufus, quoting Theognis of Megara, Lectures, 11.53.21–22 Explanation: - Musonius Rufus, through the words of Theognis, emphasizes the profound impact of our social environment on our moral and ethical development. - The quote suggests that associating with virtuous people leads to learning and cultivating goodness, whereas spending time with those of questionable character can have a detrimental effect on one’s soul or moral integrity. - It underscores the importance of being selective about our associations and the influence of others on our personal growth and ethical stance. Practical Action for the Day: - Reflect on your current social circles and interactions.  - Consider the influence these relationships have on your character and values.  - Make a conscious effort to spend more time with people who inspire and encourage your personal and moral growt...

HOW NOT TO FLY

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An aeroplane cleaner was cleaning the Pilot's cockpit, when he saw a book titled,  "HOW TO FLY AN AEROPLANE FOR BEGINNERS (Volume 1) He opened the first page which said: "To start the engine, press the red button...". He did so, and the airplane engine started. He was happy and opened the next page. "To get the airplane moving, press the blue button.  "He did so, and the plane started moving at an amazing speed. He wanted to fly, so he opened the third (3rd) page which said:  To let the airplane fly, please press the green button.  "He did so and the plane started to fly. He was excited! After twenty (20) minutes of flying, he was satisfied, and wanted to land, so he decided to go to the fourth (4th) page... and page four (4) says; "To be able to know how to land a plane, please purchase Volume 2 at the nearest bookshop!" MORAL LESSON  Never attempt anything without complete information Half Education is not only dangerous but des...

KEN FOLLET BOOKS

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Non Series The Modigliani Scandal (1976) Paper Money (1977) Eye of the Needle (1978) Triple (1979) The Key to Rebecca (1980) The Man from St Petersburg (1982) Lie Down with Lions (1985) Night Over Water (1991) A Dangerous Fortune (1993) A Place Called Freedom (1995) The Third Twin (1996) The Hammer of Eden (1998) Code to Zero (2000) Jackdaws (2001) Hornet Flight (2002) Whiteout (2004) Never (2021) Non-fiction On Wings of Eagles (1983) Notre-Dame (2019) The Century Trilogy Fall of Giants (2010) Winter of the World (2012) Edge of Eternity (2014) The Kingsbridge Series The Evening and the Morning (2020) The Pillars of the Earth (1989) World Without End (2007) A Column of Fire (2017) The Armor of Light (2023

FAMILY TREE