By the Idler-in-Chief At the Nyagenke Group of DEB Primary Schools, academic creativity has reached a level only the angels can interpret. The other day, a pupil was asked to “write a poem in five lines.” The young scholar, driven by Nyagenke literalism, believed that he obeyed the instruction faithfully. He wrote POEM in big, […]

By Shem Onderi Nobody needs it.It reflects my inner self—my emotions, poorly.It exposes the part of me that rises beyond normal.My anger lasts only a short while,Too brief, yet it leaves great destruction. It boils beyond measure.I wish I knew where it resides within me,So I could extract it completely—or leave but a tender root,That […]

By Shem Onderi They pinch me, for they were made for someone else.Oftentimes, they are uncomfortable on my feet.The owner lends them grudgingly,With the agreement that they shall be returned soon —After the journey. You see, my wallet will not allow me to have my own,Not even one pair.With borrowed shoes, the owner demands them […]

By the Idler-in-Chief This column exists to make you laugh, but I do not expect laughter today because it would be the surest sign that one’s mind has lost sound. You see, the Nyagenkeans have unanimously agreed that death is stupid. Snatching Agwambo from the world? That’s not strategy but stupidity on a celestial scale. […]

A Tribute by Nyar Murima — Wangari Mwai The quiet waters ofNam Lolwe —They are no more.Only harsh waves of tears,They crush and hurtThe shores ofNam Lolwe. The winds in the waters ofNam LolweCan’t stop their roaring cry.The waves rise and runAcross the ever-dry sandy shores ofNam Lolwe. High waves rise in murmur,Rising and falling,All […]

By the Idler-in-Chief If the gods of Nyagenke ever wanted a theatre, they needn’t look further than our campaign trails. Forget drama, forget comedy; what we have is a fully-funded spectacle of steel, fuel, smoke and dust. The election bell is far from ringing but the Nyagenkeans have already been invited to line up, clap, […]

By Shem Onderi Everything here is done under pressure.Every step must go right, without mishap.Quick decisions—sharp, precise—the professional mind stays upright,never carrying in the worries of home. Here, everything must work.A life hangs by a thinning thread,and only the attendants know the way.The patient is purely in their hands. They sit, they stand, they pace,ready […]

By the Idler-in-Chief If you think the Nyagenkeans are just ordinary villagers, you clearly have never seen them on a Saturday night at the Nyagenke Extra Time Bar. These are not mere fans; these are self-declared billionaires, club owners, managers, coaches, and FIFA presidents—at least until the final whistle blows. They troop in wearing jerseys […]

By Nyang’au Araka To some people, content creation is a side hustle while to others it is a full-blown career. Standing out in the crowded world of TikTok and Facebook takes talent, consistency, and sometimes…real tears. This is illustrated best by Daniel Ondieki, the man behind the Facebook page Echumbi ya Gusii (the Salt of […]

By the Idler-in-Chief Unknown to you, my grandson had 32 spikes in his mouth when Tokyo branded trousers became a big thing in Nyagenke and beyond, in the late 1990s. By spikes I mean teeth though honestly, one needed real spikes to defend himself from the jealous stares that followed anyone wearing the fabulous Tokyo. […]