15/11/2025
THE TEACHER IN ME
Yesterday afternoon I was driving along a dusty road that passes through a small mabati estate. I found a group of about 10 kids playing on the road - aged between 4 and 7.
They kept playing till the car got too close. The teacher in me sensed I was about to encounter indisciplined kids. I could see some of their young mothers seated outside the houses.
As I passed, the kids mobbed the car. Two of them threw papers inside via the passenger window. One of them celebrated, "hiyo imeingia". I passed slowly, they followed the car, throwing soil on the roof and some trying to hang on the boot.
I stopped and took note of those who were not misbehaving. Then I came out.
The politician me, always carries lollipops somewhere behind the driver's seat. I pulled out four sweets, put them in the pocket then called the kids.
Interesting they all came. That's how you tell naturally indisciplined children, they don't run away.
I picked four who had not tempered with the car and gave each a lollipop, announcing exactly why I was rewarding them. The group went silent. You should have seen the remorse of the rest written on their faces. The youngest nearly cried. They were so hurt and disappointed.
I was not moved. I made it clear that indiscipline is never rewarded even when it's not punished. Divide and rule them.
I entered the car as they were begging and apologising, and drove away. About 15 minutes later, I passed back and found the kids still on the road.
This time they stood five meters away waving. My mind told me to stop and give sweets to all. Then I reasoned that if I gave them sweets, those who had been rewarded for good behaviour would now feel "unrewarded". I drove past and went away.
