Queues That Matter

In the journey to break barriers, I haven’t been solo. I am in a long line in my generation. I know because the evidence of the life upon me isn’t what I would wish for my consequent generation. 

All of us are in long lines.

You are in a long line waiting for that Super Metro to fill up so that you can get home. You patiently sit, listening to a podcast or music that offer an escape because raw dogging life isn't for the weak. On your left is a fellow Kenyan sitting against an open window oblivious of the fact that ownership of his phone is about to be forcefully transferred; you want to warn them, but you're tired and detached from giving a fuck about other people's woes - your own have already become a heavy burden. 

He has three girlfriends. He knows or not; about the fact that he is managing a queue while being in one. He is barely managing his finances. He queues for loans in banks where he finds others queueing - for car loans, mortgages, weddings etc. He queues to register for a gym where he hopes to reset and chase a life he thinks worthwhile but then he meets another girl. He decides to visit her in Rongai, poor drainage almost drowns him at CBD, he swims across River Mombasa Road while biting on to the bouquet of flowers like his life depended on it. He barely makes it and decides they best way to dry off while staying on the mission risk his life on boda-boda ride to Rongai. 

She queues while shopping for the house with a man she hates. In the salon she gossips as she waits to be tendered to. She knows she’s next when she sees a man offer misogynistic or sexually abusive comments to a woman next to her. In the sea she still swims alongside other fish also waiting for marriage, but she is terrified of it. Society offers no reprieve because break-ups are the order of the day and mtaachana tu is the energy that has been allowed to linger around relationships like a foul stench in a serene niche, anyone will eventually be forced to leave. She's not herself when with friends and lowkey hates them but will never tell. She is an empowered woman who wants society to do away with the traditional roles of a woman, but men should retain theirs.              

They are not spared from queues. Even when they fly abroad for better services, there’s always an inevitable queue. They are sick of traffic jams caused by the poor roads they built; they are always trying to overlap to hurry to Parliament before the handouts to pass a Bill runs out. Once in while you’ll read - so and so made a fuss: “do you know who I am in my country” when caught transiting through an airport in Dubai with bags full of Kenyan taxpayer money. They'll starve you and still make you queue for the same money; this is the kind of glory they yearn for, to be forever depended on, not to save a generation from poverty because no one will massage their ego when basic needs are met.

We are in many queues in our lives fighting battles that our forefathers never intended but the queue that matter's right now is just one. We wish for the likeness of Singapore, but ‘power’ laughs at our ambition like a parent detached from his duties. Time and again as children of this nation we have shown in great numbers and voice that we can rise above the situation at home and do better for ourselves. We have shown that HOME IS BEST and it our business to make it as so. So, it is our responsibility to stand in those long queues and register to vote because no one else will change our country. 

Bottom line is, a reset is needed. Everything we hate is tied to the quality of leadership we have.