Squeezed into the rough carcass of 15 seat mini bus, barely the size of a minivan, I share simple but interrupted greetings with fellow sardine-packed passengers through the boisterous conductor and the boombastic hip hop. Each matatu, the name given to them in kiswahili, is characterized by a theme which includes colorful imagery and a genre of music to match. Some of the most common; a Bob Marley-rasta-themed matatu, sporting the gold, green and black of the the Jamaican flag, blaring beach reminiscent reggae. Or there is the 'Arsenal Gunners' English Premier League (EPL) football team theme, English Premier League is the American Football equivalent in Kenya. Or representing their favorite rapper 'Weezy off the Heezy for Sheezy'. Or if you want to put your commute in the God's hands, probably not a bad option the way matatu weave through Nairobi traffic, the religious plastered option is a good one, example 'Blessed'. Admission only 20 bob or about 20 cents. Being smashed among too many patrons ignites conversation, the clogged arteries of Nairobi permit discussion to deepen.
"I am Somali but I am not from Somalia." A retired Somali Airline captain with duel citizenship, Somalian and Canadian. "When you divide by zero you have nothing, zero in education, zero in health, zero in everything. I can't be from some where that doesn't exist." We talk about the artistic tongue of Somalians. They speak in poetry as described by K'naan's in an interview with the editor-and-chief of the Globe and Bono. I am able to visualize his pain through his poetic verse even though English is his second or maybe even his third language.
"The Obama administration has let us, Kenyans and Africans down." I ask if it is because there was a high expectation for President Obama because he is of Kenyan decent? To my surprise, he explains, "we did have a high expectation and he is not meeting that expectation. He is not evening measuring up to President George W. Bush."
This coming from a Kenyan architecture student studying at the University of Nairobi. I have heard this sentiment over and over in the time I've spent in Kenya. This is a drastic change even from one year ago when Kenyans noticing the mzungu walking down the street, would make the assumption we are all American and would yell "OBAMA!". This time much different I never heard any yell the President Obama's name that was so commonplace during my last trip.
I heard this recurring sentiment that the Obama administration has let Africa down, I turned to another traveler "what are your thoughts?" Oscar, a Kenyan American who lives in Indianapolis and owns his own Risk Management consulting firm eagerly debates "It is time for Kenya to stop expecting handouts, they are old enough, they can do it on their own."
Analogous to a Masai male child who has to slay a lion on his own as his rite of passage to manhood so too Kenya is at the stage where they need their rite of passage, this is Oscar's opinion. Oscar is in Nairobi on business consulting with companies that are conducting business in Kenya. This is the first time in years that he has spent more than only a couple of weeks and he notes "things are really changing. It is amazing. There is a lot of positive momentum in Kenya."
It can be found that the most common mode of transit, with the most common people and having an open dialogue can be very revealing, thought provoking and challenge our perspective. When have you taken the opportunity to find out your fellow citizen's perspective? Take every chance you get.
"The Obama administration has let us, Kenyans and Africans down." I ask if it is because there was a high expectation for President Obama because he is of Kenyan decent? To my surprise, he explains, "we did have a high expectation and he is not meeting that expectation. He is not evening measuring up to President George W. Bush."
This coming from a Kenyan architecture student studying at the University of Nairobi. I have heard this sentiment over and over in the time I've spent in Kenya. This is a drastic change even from one year ago when Kenyans noticing the mzungu walking down the street, would make the assumption we are all American and would yell "OBAMA!". This time much different I never heard any yell the President Obama's name that was so commonplace during my last trip.
I heard this recurring sentiment that the Obama administration has let Africa down, I turned to another traveler "what are your thoughts?" Oscar, a Kenyan American who lives in Indianapolis and owns his own Risk Management consulting firm eagerly debates "It is time for Kenya to stop expecting handouts, they are old enough, they can do it on their own."
Analogous to a Masai male child who has to slay a lion on his own as his rite of passage to manhood so too Kenya is at the stage where they need their rite of passage, this is Oscar's opinion. Oscar is in Nairobi on business consulting with companies that are conducting business in Kenya. This is the first time in years that he has spent more than only a couple of weeks and he notes "things are really changing. It is amazing. There is a lot of positive momentum in Kenya."
It can be found that the most common mode of transit, with the most common people and having an open dialogue can be very revealing, thought provoking and challenge our perspective. When have you taken the opportunity to find out your fellow citizen's perspective? Take every chance you get.
