Walking barefoot—a common past life for many,a perfect reminder to adults of yesteryears. Bare feet mean zero distance with the earth:stones pricking,mud squelching between the toes,burning soil too hot to bear.Every wound a direct injection to the body. At the school parade, rows of bare feet stretched for inspection.No mention of uncombed toes,too dirty for […]

By the Idler-in-Chief Here in Nyagenke, we have learnt to measure politricks not by the yardstick of truth, but by the springiness of tongues. This wisdom was freshly confirmed last week, when Doktari Timua of Jericho, a man who insists on introducing himself with the full title, “Doktari,” even when only buying sukuma mwaka at […]

By the Idler-in-Chief You already know that Nyagenke Technopolis has always been a place of experiments. Long before your town discovered expressways and parking boys invented “Pay or I Scratch Your Car,” the Nyagenkeans had perfected the art of improvisation. But even I, the certified Idler-in-Chief, was unprepared for the latest invention: the human waste […]

By the Idler-in-Chief You already know that Nyagenke Technopolis has always been a place of experiments. Long before your town discovered expressways and parking boys invented “Pay or I Scratch Your Car,” the Nyagenkeans had perfected the art of improvisation. But even I, the certified Idler-in-Chief, was unprepared for the latest invention: the human waste […]

By Shem Onderi From afar, Lake Victoria shimmers blue,Clear to every watching eye.Once, its creatures thrived in harmony—Each grown fish a prize for the fisherman’s gaze. Rivers once hurried freely to your embrace,Crystal streams, pure and untainted,Grumbling only in their rush to join the vast waters.Lake, you sustained humanity and life alike. With your borderless […]

By Shem Onderi Some chose this calling,others were driven here by circumstance,some were summoned by the government’s decree—a profession splendid, yet uncertain. The staffroom is a mosaic of paths,a patchwork of dissimilar journeys.Some slip away to other trades,doors opened by the very staffroomthey once belonged to. Here, colleagues with diverse combinationsand differing schools of thoughtsit […]

By Shem Onderi The king was loved far and wide,Gifted with exemplary skill.His judgments were wise and clear,Yet the people, in their talk,Would brush past his words as though they were wind. On the ballot, they would not have him—For in the assembly his speeches came slow,The Speaker’s cry of “Order!”Filling the pauses he could […]

By Shem Onderi The paradox of scarcity and abundance—An absurd duality,Dangerous to any society,Perilous to the human soul. Scarcity exposes; it deprives.It strips the outer self bare,Outgrows the human frame.In scarcity, you crave more—To earn, to get, to survive.It is a demon, a cursed seasonThat humbles the proud. In scarcity, the mind races—Thinks, overthinks, rethinks—A […]

By Obaigwa Alex It feels so wonderful to see your friendly face—It makes me dream of whisking you away to another place, Where no one can find us, no one can intrude,Just you and me wrapped in eternal solitude.You’re the only one whose love comes without a price—Thank you, my love, for giving me a […]

By Dories Kwamboka I was raised where dreams spoke in hush,In a home where love wore modest hush.My mother stitched hope into every thread,With hands that shaped the life we led. She knocked on doors with weary feet,Took any job to make ends meet.She pieced together school fees owed,And bore our grief with strength she […]