Why Doesn't Your Kenya Equate To His or Her's?

The age-old story of the blind men describing the elephant's shape based on their individual experiences finds prominence in our topic today. And as seen in the picture, every one of them shared their own truth, albeit, limited. The one that held the tusks thought it is spear-shaped. The side felt like a wall, the trunk and tail felt like a snake, and the feet like a trunk. Similarly, that is what Kenya is to different people.

Let us use the Easter holidays as the basis of the argument. Many unrelated activities happen during this period that starts on a Thursday (but officially Friday) through to Monday. For the devout Christian, it mark's Jesus's triumph over death on the cross. He declared that "it is finished". And indeed, it was.

For the golfers, this is the time for the century-old Tannahil Shield tournament at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, where nine teams from amongst invited clubs battle it out for honours at this prestigious event. A casual eye wondering around and perhaps also thinking aloud, would imgine that Kenya has no problems, the motor-vehicle-drive-in crowds comprised of the high and mighty across all age categories project a confident Kenya.

For the rally car enthusiasts, Easter has come back to mean an action-filled World Rally Championship event staged in Naivasha. Unlike back in the day when the three legs were spread out to different parts of the country. Those were the times the common man had a real-life experience witnessing the dizzying speeds of the vehicles driven by Joginda Singh, Shekhar Mehta, Hannu Mikkola, Michéle Mouton, et al. But times have changed and safety standards partly restrict WRC events to a closed circuit. As was the case then, and as it is now, Easter has come to be associated with the Safari Rally. An old friend purposely travelled home from the USA to be in Naivasha in time for the rally.

From a spectator perspective, the rally now is a bourgeoisie affair. The associated logistical arrangements for the majority coming from Nairobi are prohibitive. An ardent follower told me "siwesmake this time", for his pockets unfortunately, could not allow him to partake in this annual ritual. But we've had glimpses of the action through videos circulating online. We see happy people enjoying themselves. In their Kenya, "hakuna matata" . And they've been careful this time around not to share videos of their Vice Vasha nightlife. They've borrowed a leaf from Vegas, finally.

For a good number of Kenyans, Easter affords them the time to travel upcountry to be with their loved ones. And depending on which Kenya one was, things played out differently. Some travelled, others got an Mpesa financial boost sent to them, a few made do with a "happy holidays" SMS, yet many just moved on without fanfare as they marked Easter at best with a glass of river-fetched water.

Now that the Easter weekend is gone, the majority are financially washed-up like the fish left on the shores by the receding ocean waters, a very uncomfortable space to be in as they make for easy pickings for the low-energy-using hunters of all kinds. You have no telling which one will come for you. It may be best to lie low for a while until you anchor yourself back to the Kenya you are familiar with. One day, you just might manage to go around the elephant on your own and get to understand its features.