*sigh*

I’ve never been on a boda-boda as I had partaken of the tuk-tuk experience but by the time I left for distant shores, boda-bodas had not yet hit town yet. And I have to say that that is one treacherous ride! You think you know, when you see them weaving through traffic with total disregard for life, limb and the guy selling CelTel airtime but until you’ve sat on that chair, you have never really envisioned your skin (with shea and cocoa butter) re-purposed as a brake pad. Once you sit on that chair (after being informed that the fare is “two thouthand”), I guarantee you that you will go through the following stages:-
- sit side-saddle and hold chair with one hand
- get the guy to stop and sit astride with hands holding on to the back of the seat
- Hold the drivers chair and every other second try and flick away the drivers helmet straps that are slapping your face
- Hold onto drivers’ sides
- Clutch driver in deaths’ grip

I kissed the ground (not really, but I wanted to) when I got to where I was going…

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So ridiculously glad to be back in “Africa”.
So ridiculously tired trying to come back to Africa.

For all those I owed a phone call/ dinner/drink before I left, mea maxima culpa. For the rest of you all who are straddling this part of the Equator, drinks are on… um.. KM.

But as I look at those photos, I also feel a twinge because even as a sojourner, I see in these photos, moments stuck forever in time where I witnessed the generosity of strangers, broke bread with my American “in laws” , re-connected with my African “brothers and sisters” from Bujumbura and Lilongwe.

I have dipped my fingers in the reflecting pool, seen and been moved by the rows and rows of names carved in the Vietnam memorial. I have seen the blue ridge mountains in a dying summer and been struck by the sheer majesty and beauty of this country.

And as I walked on the windy observatory of the Empire State building, I’ve been inspired afresh as I saw the proof of what it means to be human. Our ability to dream, conceive and bring those dreams to life.

And I see and are grateful for the water, or USDA beef that allows some alchemist women in this country, to give birth and raise sons that re-define what is to me, the epitome of supreme black wonderfulness (aka “His succulence”).

So kwaheri y’all. It’s been real. I have nothing but love for this land and the people. I have learnt a lot, loved a lot, lost a lot but ultimately gained everything. Shukran and asante and thankee kindly for the lessons and the love. I may not have done it all my way (as it was mostly Uncle Sam’s way and Uncle Bill’s way…) but regrets? I have none.

I’m out…

The analysis has on the situation has been done by some more knowledgeable about the situation that I. See them here and here. Others more well spoken than I have given their take on what can be done.

What I DON’T know:
- Who won the presidential election
- What the hell Kibaki is thinking
- What the hell is wrong with Kenyans?!!!

What I DO know:
- No Kenyan, while in Kenya, should not walk or hide in fear in the country of their birth. That is unacceptable and we should not condone any acts of violence - heck, any threats of violence!! More to the point, all Kenyans know that it this is wrong. It is also a crime in Kenya last time I checked.
- You cannot and should not subvert democracy even if it seems expedient to do so.
- Wengi Wape: Even if it makes you sick to your stomach to see how moronic (in your view) voting patterns of your fellow Kenyan might be, you must abide with the decision of the majority
- We cannot and should not ever, ever be ruled by fiat
- Democratic, safe countries are wealthier, safer and more prosperous countries
- Democracy is not, like a sweater, something that you put on from time to time. It’s like breathing- you do it all the gaddamn time
- All criminals that participated in the killings of their fellows Kenyans should be brought to justice. They should be tried in a court of law and if found guilty, should have the book thrown at them so that, in the words of Chief Inspector Wariahe “Wawe funzo kwa wengine”
- That Kenyans, we who have been building a country in relative peace, we can rise above this madness, embrace our problems and deal with them rationally.

I don’t believe in the lowest common denominator approach to leadership for Kenya. I believe that Kenyans deserve and are entitled to better. We have known better. We were unbwogable remember?

I believe that the way out of this quagmire has to be approached with a sober, sincere and honest need to craft a lasting solution to this problem as this is not a trifling problem. The lives and sadly deaths of Kenyans affect me profoundly. Any Kenyan’s death diminishes me, because I am Kenyan.

36,913,721: Kenyans that can make a difference. Non violence can and will make a profound difference.

(edits 1/31)

If you’re in the States, you can send a check to the International Federation of the Red Cross (ifrc.org) in New York and on the the memo line, make sure that you put “Kenya Red Cross: Kenya Crisis” so that the money goes to these efforts. They’ll pass the money on to the KRCS.

The address is
800 Second Avenue
Suite 355, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017

I’m also trying to see how to make an online donation and once I get that info, I’ll post an update.