Revelation from afar
February 8, 2008 by Seasons
I was in Wellington New Zealand last week for the IRB sevens. I met a Kenyan guy who was a friend in college way back in 1993. This dude campaigned for Kenneth Matiba in 1992 and when he lost, he got disillusioned and migrated to the USA. He was visiting his brother in Australia and decided to come to New Zealand and watch Kenya play.
After catching up on each others lives since we last met, we got to the subject of what is going on back home. This dude despises Kibaki. I actually use the word despise politely; the word I should use is Abhor. You see, he blames Kibaki for Matiba’s loss in 1992. This is not the subject of my post though.
My friend referred me to listen to a Kikuyu song by John DeMetthew that was done some years ago explains the genesis of what is going in Kenya today. This songs explains that events as far back as the killing of JM Kariuki and TJ Mboya will come to haunt the people of today.
This song is on Youtube and is titled ‘Uguo niguo kuri’( That is the way it is). Although my Kyuk is not that good, I have managed to understand the gist of the message. If you cut through the many parables in the song, you will understand why many people blame kyuks for the current state of affairs. This song was supposed to bring out that we cannot continue ignoring what is happening around us and be able to secure our future. We cant be proud of the past regimes who allocated huge tracts of land to their own friends. Politicians have used this history to bring chaos forth.
This singer is relatively young but his message is so deep, you would think you are listening to a sage like Kamaru. I have heard of John DeMetthew but never listened to his music before. I had to come so far away to learn about a Kenyan musician who is so talented.
Once I get back, I will get a translation for the song and post it here.
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In the meantime, I wish Kenya the best tomorrow in San Diego.
I’d appreciate reading the translation. We can’t blame all Kikuyus about what is wrong with our country but you would be surprised at how deep the undercurrent of resentment and hate against Kikuyus runs in people’s veins.
I wanted to blog about it but I know it would turn my blog into a free for all so I’ll let sleeping dogs lie.
salaalaalaa!
That song is conc!
I can’t wait to have you post the translation so I can be sure I understood it right.
I have a lot to say so instead of clogging up your comments i’ll post them on my own blog.
Thanks for sharing this with us. its a lot of food for thought.
Am not Kikuyu yet i can speak and understand it fully still i love the kikuyu songs they have a lot of message almost like country music. Off to listen will be back to post what i understand