Unveiling “The Veil of the City”
Story za Kanairo
By now, you can conquer with me that Sol generation’s Nviiri and I got one thing in common: We are all storytellers. I can’t stress how much I treasure telling stories. Stories have inspired the whole section of this space since its inception. Perhaps, the biggest selling point of D.A-Got Thoughts is that truth is stranger (and better) than fiction. After all, real-life stories are the most fascinating.
As a writer, I can’t help but stress the immense power that words have over our lives. You see, history will tell you that words have the might to start wars and topple kings. World renowned leaders, from the legendary Raila Odinga, the great Barack Obama, and the immortal Martin Luther King Jr., will tell you that words have the potential to spark a revolution, empower people, and express thoughts. Words remain one of the most potent of humanity's tools.
As I pen this, it is close to 61 years since we cut the umbilical cord from the shackles of the mkoloni. Despite the white man tracing his path back to his roots or mzungu kurudi ulaya as it is well-articulated in the Mau Mau acronym, the son of the soil didn’t quite get the independence that his forefathers diligently fought for. Neocolonialism is at its zenith and the villainous spirit of the white man has pitched tent in the hearts of many, from viongozi to the common mwananchi. It’s a man-eat-man society, and the way things are unfolding it’s no longer Live and Die in Afrika as Sauti Sol sang in their third studio album. Now it’s: Live or Die in Afrika -especially with hii serikali ya hasora. Talk of Betrayal in the City.
I have not come to bore you with some ancient history. I am not even politicking. Hizi ni pure facts. The writing is on the wall. Being a mwananchi mzalendo at the core, I have learned the immense power of words to inform, inspire and connect with others on a deeper level and that’s why today, I am thrilled to unveil a new segment on my blog titled “The Veil of the City”.
Why The Veil of the City?
Remember Prezzo? In his hit song “My City My Town,” he boldly proclaims: Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi is the place to be. But let’s pause for a moment and consider: Is it truly the place to be? This city has its own unspoken rules and regulations. To survive in this concrete jungle, you must “send” yourself. As they say, “Lazima ujitume gathee.”
You’ve got to do whatever it takes, and I mean EVERYTHING, whether it’s by the book or bending the rules. Halal or haram, it doesn’t matter. The goal is to live the Kenyan dream: Dream ya Kutoka kwa block. The Nairobians got a say, the enemy is Poverty, KRA and the DCI. It’s a tough reality.
The experiences that hii kanairo imetuonyesha, wacha tu. No wonder they coined the phrase Nairobi ni shamba la mawe. Implying that the city is a place of pleasure and perils. A lot goes on in this small yet big city. Some people are ever ready to reap where they didn’t sow-ever eager to karibisha you Nairobi. Lazima ukae rada, or else utalala mteja ama ndani.
“The Veil of the City” suggests a hidden meaning. In this vibrant metropolis known for its energy and diversity, there are, however, countless stories and experiences that often go unnoticed or unexplored. There is a deeper layer of reality, secrets, and mysteries concealed beneath the surface of Nairobi. Just as a veil can(partially) hide what lies behind it, the title implies that there is more to the city than meets the eye. It suggests deeper narratives, emotions, and societal dynamics are waiting to be uncovered by those willing to look beyond the obvious façade of urban life.
Consider it as a sought of anthology, a collection of short stories that paint a clear picture of what happens in the city. It’s also a collection of peculiar behaviors that are unique to Kenyans. From conmen pretending to be calling from Safaricom to the habit of waking up and blaming the government, “hii serikali yetu,” or jump-starting your remote by giving it a few taps on your palm, and telling a seller “wacha nifike hivi narudi” after wasting their precious time (even though they said “kupima ni bure”), the list goes on in this series.
It will be bold, reminiscent of Molo MP, Kuria Kimani’s audacious claims that the proposed 16% tax on bread is due to diabetes concerns. It’s safe to say when a clown sits on the throne, the whole kingdom becomes a circus. Above all, get ready to laugh as we raise voices, raise eyebrows, and raise the bar for a better world with ‘The Veil of the City’ segment.
And if you think I am a liar or exaggerating, let me remind you what John-Allan Namu told the current Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mithika Linturi: perhaps you should take a hard look in the mirror. To everyone else, come ni washow vako za wakenya.
And what better way to kick off this series than by fulfilling a promise I made in 2022? Because, unlike your government, I keep my promises.
The first in the series will highlight how “Nilikaribishwa Nairobi”
The Story will premiere on 7th June 2024 exclusively on this platform.
If you are new to this corner of the web or have just discovered this space, I am thrilled to have you on this journey—Karibu sana. To the veterans-those of you who have been with me from the beginning, I want, to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. You are the heartbeat of this platform. Without your presence, there wouldn't be D. A~ Got Thoughts. Who else would I have shared my thoughts with? No audience, no show. Ero kamano ainya. Thank you, because without you, this platform would have been nothing more than a ghost town, like Malindi or Gaza.
Once again, here’s to the jolly welcome, bells, and whistles in tow to the premier edition of the Veil-of-the-City!
As usual, live fully and love wholeheartedly. Remember to live is to love, and to love is to live. So:
Live and let live.
Adiós
“And If I'm going to make it worth it then I got to go hard. I got my city on my back, if you feel me holla back, I do this for the 254flow”
Camp Mulla-Hold It Down (254Low Tribute)
Can't wait to read how you were welcomed to kanairo 😂 ... I am truly happy you get to unveil an extra section to your blog ... Question, will we now be receiving more than one blogs every month?
Open a YouTube channel man.we ni mnomq