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. […]

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 Shem Onderi The class is a patchwork of ages,Stories gathered from every corner.Some arrive chasing escape—from poverty, from uncertainty,Others are here because a parent commanded it. Some stand tall, loud and bullying,Others sit small, timid, almost invisible.A few with swollen bellies,hunger written in their skin.Many are barefoot,their bodies pale, untouched by lotion. School bags […]

By Nyang’au Araka On Tuesday (16/9/2025), Kenya joined the global community in marking International Identity Day, with national celebrations held in Homa Bay. For Kenyans, the national identity card is not just a formality but a vital document that unlocks access to rights, services, and opportunities. According to Kenyan law, every citizen is eligible 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 Shem Onderi The decorations outside are never as attractive as they should be.The shape and size are painfully small —immensely small. To parents, a child is the greatest gift when alive.To society, it is its future —perhaps a future man of cloth, a poet,or a teacher to guide and enlighten. Children should not die;they […]

By Nyang’au Araka Once again, I stumbled upon the story of the hummingbird on Facebook this morning as told by former environmentalist Wangari Maathai. Thw story brought back memories of a leisure walk I took through Karura Forest some months ago. Walking under the thick green canopy that Maathai once fought fiercely to protect, I […]

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 […]