How
‘Bling Bling’ Will Get You Arrested in Kenya
First of all, a Genius of the Year
Award to whoever said Pizza makes everything better.
I mean political conversations are
hectic.
Whether it’s a political chat, a
debate, a confrontation, or a rally. As long as it is politics, bet your house
it’s hectic.
Well, only until you throw in the
‘magic word’ ....pizza
Ladies and Gentlemen, a standing
ovation for whoever invented it (history is yet to decide who that will be)
Last week Terrific Tuesday Pizza showed
up and showed out. Instead of enduring a hectic political anything, we
basically went right into it and effortlessly held the honorable members
accountable for every single issue that was brought up.
Honestly, initially I thought it would
be a bit hard having the conversation. Politics are known to be not just
hectic, but dirty too. And young people, let’s just say we could do with a few
lessons on emotional intelligence especially when it comes to our leaders.
As the pizza hit home, the microphone
went round the room. Questions were raised, answers were passed back.
It was beautiful to realize that the
young people in Kenya are concerned about our Film Industry. So much support
has been put behind Nollywood (you’re welcome Nigeria) by Kenyans that sometimes
you’d think you’re hanging out somewhere in Lagos rather than Nairobi.
It was pleasant to hear Hon. Johnson
Sakaja encourage the young people to claim their space in national leadership.
To identify what they are good in and believe in it and invest in it and polish
it up and push it forward diligently and never stop ‘till they drop! Coming
from a young man that started his political journey as a campaign driver for
the 3rd President of Kenya and now has the 4th
President’s ear, you bet I personally tattooed those words in my conscious.
Nominated Senator Hon. Martha Wangari
didn’t let us down with her wit and eloquence. She not only answered every
question that flew her way but also dished out her opinion on the other
questions and took a break to give words of wisdom to the young folk. She
encouraged us to get involved in legislative bills because she strongly
believed the future is in our hands already.
Pizza Inn Ngong Road was an idealvenue,
graced by Hon Ken Okoth, MP Kibra
Constituency, a performer that many young people admire for articulating youth
agendas( including urging us to not only eat the pizza but take a voters card)
and a good manager of Kibra’s CDF fund with diligence.
One would wonder why someone would want to deny youth such a good leader. Wait
a minute, who would think one question among many would take the temperature of
the room a scale higher?
I didn’t see it coming either but it
did.
The question on the victimization of
the youth by police officers.
The young folk stated clearly that it’s
wrong and unjust to institute severe punishment measures for petty crimes.
Theyposed, “how can one be arrested for loitering in their own country” or
dressing like a young person because they are young (doesn’t make sense,
right?)
While Honorable members acknowledged
there’s no such thing as loitering with intent to commit crime (much to our
satisfaction), Hon. Sakaja was also quick to point out the cost of wearing
certain outfits like ‘bling’ that are associated with gangs. Police officers
will naturally pick up on hints, whichever hints, to eradicate crime. Sometimes
it will involve a futile chase, sometimes a night in the cell for mistaken
identity, sometimes a bullet may be faster than the negotiations.
Let’s just say in a country where the
levels of crime perpetrated by youth are alarming and disturbing, you really
want to be on the safe side. It’s just bling.
The most exciting experience though,
was watching technology do what it does best, take us to those far from us and
that was so evident when our hash tag #AskMeAnything was the number one trending
topic on Twitter, bringing more people into the room than we had imagined.
Generally the conversation was
involving, clear and vision-driven because the aim of all of us was and still
is to make and see a better country for all generations; past, present and
future.
And that was well put by the talented Holy Dave in a Spoken Word
performance at the end.
So cliques and clicks, selfies and more
selfies and it was great ending to a great beginning.
I saw the power and strength and the
unity that flows through when everyone is given a safe place to process and
express what they feel about a particular issue. It doesn’t matter which side
of the court you’re playing.
In the end we are on the same team and
that is living out the vision we have for this great nation.
So, to everyone that played for #TeamKenya,
thanks.
And thanks again pizza, for doing what
you do best, making everything better.
Long live Kenya.
