Women Empowerment in Kenya! Think again!

I recall growing up my uncle used to send Christmas cards from the U.K and say "life isn't a bed of roses ". I guess it was to let us back home that he was doing ok but even in th

e proverbial land of milk and honey, life had it's ups and downs.

I now have come to fully understand this saying when I think about women in Kenya myself included.  One would think with affirmative action both in jobs and politics women were  getting fair play. This however isn't 100 percent true. I cannot fail to recognize how far we have come as women especially black women. We have come far from injustices such as slavery with our own Lupita Nyong'o getting an Oscar for depicting how heart wrenching it was.

Just the other day at the LYP dinner we had 2 very eloquent and established women speak as key note speakers and only 1 gentleman. Back in the day, the woman's place was in the kitchen. It' s about time anyway when we think about it. Women are really amazing creatures however way we look at it.

I am of the strong opinion that Kenya still has a long way to go. 

Cases in point :

1. Stripping of women
These incidences that sparked the #mydressmychoice (which I fully supported in my online capacity) campaign truly saddened me. What was beyond comprehension was why we are even debating whether or not women should be stripped! I just had to watch those videos to truly feel the depth of the atrocities committed against these women. It's after I saw the brutality of them all cowardly crowding to attack the women that I sincerely lost faith in humanity for a while. Whatever the woman had done, short dress or not was stripping her the answer or a show of crude and thirsty behavior by idling men (the devil's workshop indeed).

2. Assaulting of a woman in the matatu
I just watched exactly 2 seconds of a video circulating in the internet about a lady being sexually molested in a matatu. It was clearly disturbing and I ask myself am I safe in my own motherland?I am overly suspicious of Kenyan men be it in the matatu or on the streets worst of all at the bus stops. C'mon let's face it, can you blame me when even married men are in the front line of perverted men!

 

3. Assault and murder of a female student in Lower Kabete.
This one was super close to home as I am a student at UoN Lower Kabete.  She was apparently cohabiting with a white man who had assaulted her once before but she eventually ended up dying. Now before we are quick to judge why she stayed on after the first assault,  why she was cohabiting with the white and honestly unattractive man in the first place, ask did she honestly deserve to die?

It truly saddens how wary I have to be these days.

We all know the   "naomba serikali" phrase won't get us anywhere as women so we have to take all possible measures to protect ourselves and most of all pray very hard for the Almighty's protection.

I am sincerely contemplating buying a can of pepper spray and don't dare judge me but with Ole Lenku and Kimaiyo at the top of the policing/ security matters I just don't feel all that safe!

Daring To Be Different

I have been itching, dying for something to post for a while now but I just got some new experience over the weekend and I am eager to share. It so happens that I was invited to a League of Young Professionals dinner on the 15th of November at the Hilton Hotel. Funny enough I had not heard about them before but I came to learn that is a forum for young professionals to share and network.

When I got the invite, I was truly elated because just between me and you the ticket  fees of Sh 3500 is a little steep for a student. Anyhow, being a girl my first worry was what am I going to wear being that the dress code was red carpet. I agonized about it for a while but lo! and behold things came together. I have my people to thank for that, they helped with a few pointers on what to wear. Below are a few pics, forgive the setting and all, I literally had to ask one of the staff at the Hilton to take  the pics plus my phone was low on charge.

 Well I know one day I will make it big and paparazzi will be lining up just to get a shot of me but for now, let my 8 MP camera do it for me.

So anyway, where was I? Oh the dinner, so I arrived at the Hilton and was in the company of an acquaintance. While there  I got to meet some new people and reconnect with some old friends. I would be lying if I said I was a networking ninja but baby steps right?

I happened to be seated at the same table as one of my role models Caroline Mutoko. I was a little star struck. Kept stealing glances at what she had worn, how she was reacting to other speakers. I was in awe I must admit. Back to the program, the night started off with a key note speech by Dr. Laila Macharia , an amazing woman, who talked about Africa as a continent, its future, anticipated changes and challenges and what part we have to play as young people. I always hear people call each other  "learned friend" heck even I did that recently during a class debate but trust me she is learned. I just kept admiring her eloquence and she just oozed wisdom and insight.

Next up was Caroline Mutoko who spoke about different by distinction. Her speech really got to me, she kept saying better is ok but it doesn't cut it. Different is the key to success. Being different by being yourself as we are all unique and all have something to bring to the table. She condemned mediocrity and settling saying if you are not yourself you are robbing others of experiencing the real you. This does not add any value to you or anyone around you.

This really hit home for me because as a person, I have always wanted to be perfect. The perfect girl, perfect role model, perfect big sister, perfect daughter, perfect student and the list goes on and on.I have realized the best way to be happy and to be perfect is to just be the best I can be. In my search for perfection, I have hidden all I considered imperfect from the world. I have suppressed my voice just to avoid rocking the boat. But guess what, only the Crazy Ones actually make an impact on the world.

As for being a blogger, I have been a little mediocre, I have always written from a less personal stand point, I guess not really wanting people to know everything. For Pete's sake this is the first time I have posted my own picture on My OWN blog! I promise to change all that, although this doesn't mean as a reader you will get an all access pass, hehe we all need our private moments right? I will however make it more personal.

Back to the dinner, Heshan De Silva crowned the night by giving his life story and moving beliefs and personal philosophies. Gotta admit I am impressed by how much he values his faith. Note to self-revive my spirituality.  Anyway, my take home from his speech was how he did not instantly gratify himself even after making it big. He waited! I was challenged to practice delayed gratification which well is not my best subject. I have a real problem with saving especially but so help me I am a changed girl.

I have been trying to put myself out there and well I got the chance on this night. They called for the most confident ladies to strut it and they would choose three best dressed ladies. I mumbled a prayer and walked to the front in my four inch heels which I am just getting the hang of. I was trembling but put on a brave face. The judges deliberated, and at some point I saw them looking in my direction. My heart was pounding !  I was going to be chosen! So I waited to hear my name but sadly they picked the girl standing next to me. :-( Why ? Why? Why? Anyway I clapped for her so maybe next time, that was not my happy ending to the night. All in all I am proud of me that I actually believed in me and walked on loud and proud!

I ended the night with some more shots I will proudly share.... oh and I had forgotten to mention that the MC for the night was DR Ofweneke the comdeian, quite a funny man ! I had an amazing night all the same.

P.S. I don't handle rejection all that well so I might have made a stop in my dinner dress at Brew Bistro for a quick one ! OMG! and I encountered a full on gay guy and had to admit to myself I am not as open minded as I thought! The fact that he made a pass at my boyfriend did not help the situation .

Gotta go! This post is too long anyway!

My Two Cents on False Prophet Kanyari

Kanyari, Kanyari, Kanyari..... where do I even begin! This man who insists on being called Dr Prophet Kanyari is in the worst case sociopath category in Kenya. Now if you still don't know why we are all up in arms especially Christians you need to watch Jicho Pevu/ Inside story (Prayer Predators) on false prophets.

In a nutshell the so called " only prophet in town" and the son to a convicted fraudster(Lucy Nduta) charged with extortion of HIV positive victims, has been preying on innocent but ignorant poor faithfuls. He is well know for his TV and radio broadcasts with the famous slogan "panda mbegu" (plant a seed message).

I thought long and hard before writing this blog post. First on my mind as a Christian the good book tells us not to judge others as only God can and remove the speck in our own eye first. Secondly, I wouldn't want to increase publicity towards Kanyari.  After all they say any publicity is good publicity. If the court drama that ensued when his mother (Lucy Nduta) was taken into custody is anything to go by the accusations could increase sycophantism among his followers. 

What I mean by this is that, Kanyari given his track record is one to liken his exposure to Christ being persecuted.  He will most probably come out saying phrases in the bible such as "no prophet is accepted in his hometown". 

Anyway as you can tell, I have put my reservations aside to give my two cents on the whole matter. It is not that I am all too eager to condemn  Kanyari but I believe it is my moral duty to speak out. I definitely want to congratulate Mohammed Ali and John Allan Namu for bringing to the light the extent of moral decadence in some  religious institutions.

On the list of Kanyari' s crimes include:

• falsely prophecy: claiming to know about people's personal affairs
• claiming to heal HIV/AIDS through prayer
• extortion of money in order to receive prayer e.g . Panda mbegu ya 310 shillings
• falsified testimonies by coached parishioners
• tax evasion (come on Kenya Revenue Authority what are you waiting for! ?)

And many more (make sure you watch the clip)

One would think that a man capable of such sick schemes would be remorseful but oh no not Kanyari.  In fact during the interviews he maintained a straight face, occasional arrogant laugh and holier-than- thou attitude. 

What really struck a cord in my heart was when he used potassium permanganate to trick people into believing they had been cured of HIV/AIDS. There was one particular lady who seemed so moved, so happy and actually cried. What the expression on her face seemed to say was "my suffering has come to an end." Seeing how naive and gullible she had been actually moved me to tears.  I got so appalled that Kanyari would go on to ask for money. Hiding behind Malachi 3:10. 

The so called prophet and doctor who is actually a high school drop out has hood winked so many people it is just sad. At first, I thought politicians were the worst at misleading people but Kanyari is just the worst of them all. At least of the ones we know.

Another thing I found sincerely disturbing was how he fondled a woman's breast in the name of checking for ailment.  He further made her face the crowd while still exposing her bare breast. I am sure that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (the celebrated feminist and accomplished author) would be appalled beyond words. I daresay disgusted after all the bold speeches, including a Ted Talk with over 1.4 million views on YouTube about treating women with respect.

This so called prophet Kanyari should know that what is done in the dark shall soon come to light. Even as I write this I have my own skeletons in my closet, personal failures and misgivings that I am not proud of but when one decides to prey on others with their shrewd schemes, that is surely unacceptable.

Salvation Healing Ministry needs saving and so do all those people who do Kanyari's bidding. What was worth noting was how fierce the women in particular seem to guard this man and are so eager to please him. Knowing how harsh society is on women and how far we have come in finding our rightful place in society, it is just sad to see how they follow Kanyari blindly. They give blindly from the little they have yet Kanyari drives a Land Cruiser PRADO and A Range Rover Sport.

Speaking of women poor Betty Bayo, in as much as she has separated herself from the whole saga, she is still blemished especially being a woman. Her credibility has gone down the drain and I just feel sorry for her and all her gospel music ambitions with a rumored album release in the pipe line.

Kanyari has really done much harm to our already unattractive stereotypes as Kikuyu being money lovers. As if we didn't have enough examples now we can add Kanyari and his ignorance, claiming power of witchcraft to cause HIV/AIDS.

I can say so much about the Kanyari's of this world but let me just conclude by saying as Christians we need to be more vigil about the people of the cloth. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and please please don't think that any man walking on the earth's surface can be free of blemish such that you follow him blindly.

I end with a  Meme from social media humorous as it might be: the diabolism of "prophet Kanyari".