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K T Arap Chepkwony 2, Moi Avenue, Nairobi (2025)

07/10/2025

Like The Sand Through the Hourglass

Like sand through the hourglass,
our days slip quietly away —
soft grains of memory,
of laughter, of lessons, of love delayed.

We measure life in tidy boxes,
each labeled safe, acceptable, done,
forgetting that meaning often hides
in the mess we’re taught to shun.

Once, I ate with my hands —
felt the warmth, the spice, the grain.
Life tasted fuller then,
before utensils of caution dulled the flame.

We learn to polish every edge,
to please, to fit, to stay composed,
but in doing so, we cage the self
that once danced barefoot in the unknown.

Perhaps the secret lies
not in control, but in surrender —
to let the sands fall where they may,
to love, to err, to remember.

For life’s true beauty isn’t perfect,
it’s the unplanned, the raw, the real.
So let the hourglass keep turning —
and may we learn to feel.

Because in the end,
each fleeting grain reminds us true:
we all deserve good things…
especially you.

06/10/2025

😂boy child, tell her, “Babe, those ‘people’ don’t do laundry for you, so let them mind their own business — besides, same color, different vibe!” 😎👖

06/10/2025

Religion vs Reality: Why Poverty Thrives in Most Prayerful Nations

(Let’s critique this topic maturely)

1. A Paradox Worth Examining

Across the globe — and especially in Africa — religion holds a sacred and powerful place in people’s lives. Streets echo with hymns, mosques fill with prayers, and nations begin their days invoking divine help. Yet paradoxically, many of these deeply prayerful societies remain trapped in cycles of poverty, corruption, and underdevelopment.

This raises a sensitive but necessary question: is faith being misused, misunderstood, or misapplied?
I do not mean to offend anyone; rather, I invite us to critique this topic maturely. This reflection is not an attack on religion but an appeal for honest self-examination.

2. When Faith Replaces Effort

Faith, in its truest sense, should inspire work, ethics, and compassion. True spirituality strengthens resolve, sharpens discipline, and motivates people to act. However, when prayer becomes a substitute for planning, faith loses its transforming power.

We pray for rain but fail to till the land.
We ask for prosperity but neglect productivity.
We fast for breakthroughs but ignore diligence.

God blesses action — not passivity. It is through responsibility that prayer bears fruit.

3. The Silent Thief: Corruption and Money Laundering

One of the unspoken factors behind persistent poverty in prayerful nations is systemic corruption and money laundering. Billions meant for public good often vanish into private accounts or are cleaned through illicit financial channels.

When public funds are misused, development stalls, and social services crumble — regardless of how much a nation prays.
Faith cannot flourish where accountability is absent. In such cases, poverty is not proof of divine neglect but a symptom of human greed.

4. The Commercialization of Faith

Another concern is the rise of prosperity preaching and the monetization of spiritual hope. In some settings, religion has been commercialized — turning sanctuaries into platforms of financial manipulation.

Promises of instant wealth in exchange for offerings may comfort the desperate but can also distract from education, innovation, and hard work.
When faith is used for financial gain instead of moral guidance, it risks losing its sacred power to heal society.

5. Balancing Faith and Action

Religion itself is not the problem. Faith remains a vital force for hope, morality, and unity. It can inspire compassion, philanthropy, and national progress. But faith must walk hand in hand with integrity, vision, and effort.

As the saying goes: “Pray as though everything depends on God, but work as though everything depends on you.”
This harmony between faith and responsibility is what transforms nations.

6. The Way Forward

To bridge the gap between religion and reality, we must:

● Strengthen institutions that fight corruption and money laundering.

● Encourage transparency and ethical leadership.

● Promote a work ethic rooted in faith — not superstition.

● Educate citizens that God blesses effort, not exploitation.

When prayer and productivity coexist, nations thrive. When faith fuels fairness and hard work, poverty retreats.

7. Conclusion: Faith That Builds Nations

The paradox of prayerful poverty is not a failure of God — it’s a failure of application. Faith was never meant to replace wisdom or work but to empower them.

As an African proverb reminds us:

“You cannot climb a tree by saying it has sweet fruits.”

Let us therefore pray, plan, and act.
Let us combine faith with accountability and integrity.
And above all, let us critique this topic maturely, learn, and grow together — for when religion meets reality, transformation begins.

06/10/2025

Boundaries at Work: A Lesson from HR

Having worked in close proximity with Human Resources, I’ve learned one valuable truth: HR serves both people and policy—but when conflict arises, their loyalty leans toward the organization that pays them. It’s not personal; it’s the nature of their role. Their main duty is to protect the company’s interests, manage performance, and maintain order.

That’s why it’s wise to be cautious about sharing your private battles—relationship stress, family issues, health struggles, or financial worries—with HR. Even the kindest officers operate within institutional boundaries. If you need a listening ear or emotional support, seek out a therapist, a welfare group, or a trusted friend who offers confidentiality without consequence.

Keep your workplace relationships professional. You deliver your best, earn your pay, and go home in peace. When personal matters affect your duties, share only what’s necessary to find a fair solution. And above all, invest in your own well-being—physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you don’t feed the cow, it won’t give milk for long.

Remember, the one who ties a knot must know how to untie it.
Your peace, your growth, and your boundaries are your responsibility—guard them wisely. You have heard

05/10/2025

Kaluma Boy: The Teen Whose Love Moved a Nation

A movement like no other.

In a world where fame often outshines kindness, a 17-year-old from Othaya, Nyeri County, has reminded Kenyans that compassion still reigns supreme.
Kaluma Boy, as he is fondly known, has captured the nation’s heart — not because he sought popularity, but because of his quiet and unwavering devotion to his ailing father.

While most teenagers are caught up in the carefree rhythm of youth, Kaluma’s mornings begin with a different kind of duty — one anchored in love. He wakes up each day to feed, bathe, and walk with his father, who has been paralyzed by a stroke. Without shame but with pride, he moves through his village — a young man who chose love over leisure, compassion over convenience, and responsibility over resentment.

His story, first shared on TikTok, has since become a movement like no other. What began as a simple act of care went viral, touching thousands — especially Kenya’s Gen Z. Young people from across the country journeyed to Othaya not for a spectacle, but for solidarity. They came to say, “You are not alone — your love is all over.”

The village stood still, not because of fame, but because of something far more powerful — the echo of compassion. Kaluma’s quiet acts of devotion reminded a nation that pure love, raw and selfless, still lives among us. Sometimes, the strongest hearts beat in the youngest chests.

Kenyans Gather for Kaluma Boy

This is how Kenyans gathered at Othaya, Nyeri, to support Kaluma Boy. The crowd was astonishing — thousands turned up in person, while millions followed online. The atmosphere was filled with song, prayer, and tears of joy.
Many were deeply moved by his humility and strength, saying he represents the true heart of a selfless generation.

Across social media, Kenyans celebrated the incredible power of TikTok mobilisation — the ability to inspire, connect, and act without boundaries. Kaluma’s supporters didn’t need any publicity or sponsorship; they were united by empathy.

And as the crowds dispersed, something profound remained — a realization that this generation is not lost. In fact, they have even proposed to build a hospital worth over Ksh 100 million — a facility for the people, by the people. Hope, once again, is being redefined by the youth.

A Life Transformed

Today, the story of Kaluma Boy has changed for good.

The young man has received a full university scholarship from The East African University (EAU) — a life-changing opportunity to pursue education and leadership.

Through the compassion of Bishop Ben and other well-wishers, the family has now moved to Nairobi, where they will live in a two-bedroom house. His younger brother will soon join a boarding school, ensuring that education continues uninterrupted.

Within just 30 minutes, Kenyans of goodwill managed to raise over Ksh 2 million to set up a mini-mart for Mama Kaluma. Her story too has transformed — from struggle to empowerment.

A kind businessman also blessed the family with one acre of land and promised to add more if needed. Mama Kaluma received a posho mill, which will be placed next to her new mini-mart, and she will soon join a driving school to learn how to drive and manage her new ventures confidently.

Bishop Ben has assigned a dedicated team from his brotherhood to coordinate the building of a new family home, expected to be completed and handed over by December.

This wave of kindness has turned into a national story of unity and transformation.

The Power of Humanity

Kaluma Boy’s journey — from a humble village caregiver to a national symbol of love and resilience — is not just a story about one family. It is a reflection of what Kenyans can achieve when they rise above divisions and act from the heart.

This is not merely charity — it is a rebirth of Ubuntu, the timeless African belief that “I am because we are.”

In the midst of challenges, economic struggles, and everyday pressures, a young boy from Othaya has reignited a spirit that Kenya needed to see again — the spirit of Kenyans for Kenyans.

His story is now a living testament that empathy still exists, that love still heals, and that unity still builds. Indeed, the story of Kaluma Boy is more than a viral moment — it is a movement like no other, a reminder that even in our modern world, humanity remains our greatest strength.

05/10/2025

The Haunting Legacy of Ed Gein: When Reality Outstripped Fiction

What might sound like the plot of a chilling horror movie was, in fact, a grim reality discovered in 1957 in the quiet town of Plainfield, Wisconsin. Inside a modest farmhouse belonging to Ed Gein, authorities uncovered a scene so disturbing it would forever alter America’s understanding of human depravity.

Gein’s home was filled with objects fashioned from human remains — furniture, clothing, and household items made from skin, bones, and even faces. Though not a prolific serial killer, his crimes were defined by their grotesque nature rather than their number. Many of the remains came from graves he had secretly exhumed, but at least two women — including a local hardware store owner — lost their lives at his hands.

Investigators described what they found as unimaginable: chairs upholstered in human skin, bowls carved from skulls, a box of noses, and a lampshade stitched from flesh. Gein later admitted that his actions were driven by an obsession with his late mother. His ultimate goal, he said, was to create a “woman suit” so he could quite literally step into her likeness — a tragic reflection of a deeply fractured mind.

Declared legally insane, Ed Gein spent the remainder of his life in a mental institution until his death in 1984. His crimes left an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring the creation of some of cinema’s most notorious fictional figures, including Norman Bates (Psycho), Leatherface (*

05/10/2025

The Roots of Online Toxicity: Understanding Why People Turn Hostile on Social Media

In today’s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for connection, communication, and self-expression. Yet, beneath its glossy surface lies an unsettling truth: online spaces have increasingly become breeding grounds for hostility, hate, and emotional harm. The question that continues to trouble psychologists, policymakers, and ordinary users alike is — why are people so toxic on social media? To understand this phenomenon, one must look beyond the surface and examine both human psychology and the structural design of the platforms themselves.

1. The Power of Anonymity

Anonymity is one of the most significant factors driving online toxicity. Hidden behind screens and pseudonyms, individuals often feel emboldened to say things they would never utter in person. This “mask effect” lowers social inhibitions and detaches people from the moral weight of their actions. Without accountability, empathy tends to diminish. A person might insult, bully, or provoke others online, feeling invincible because there are no immediate consequences. In essence, anonymity removes the fear of judgment — and with it, much of the restraint that defines civil discourse in the physical world.

2. Algorithmic Design and Outrage Amplification

The architecture of social media platforms also plays a pivotal role in fueling toxicity. Algorithms are engineered to keep users engaged for as long as possible, often by prioritizing content that evokes strong emotional reactions — anger, shock, or outrage. Posts that are controversial or divisive tend to spread faster, attracting clicks, comments, and shares. Unfortunately, this dynamic rewards negativity and conflict, as outrage becomes a form of currency. In such an environment, reasoned dialogue is drowned out by sensationalism, and users are subtly conditioned to engage through confrontation rather than understanding.

3. The Absence of Social Cues

Unlike face-to-face interactions, online communication lacks vital social cues — body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. These non-verbal signals play a crucial role in softening conversations and helping people interpret intent. Without them, even neutral statements can be misread as hostile, escalating tensions unnecessarily. Moreover, the delay between messages can distort emotional exchanges, leaving space for assumptions and reactive anger. In short, the digital medium strips away the human warmth that sustains empathy, making it easier for hostility to flourish.

4. Psychological Disconnection and Dehumanization

Another reason for toxic behavior online is psychological disconnection. Many users forget that behind every username or profile picture is a real person with emotions, struggles, and dignity. This dehumanization creates moral distance — similar to what soldiers experience in warfare, where the enemy is seen as less than human. On social media, this phenomenon manifests in trolling, cyberbullying, and hate speech. When empathy fades, cruelty becomes easier to justify.

5. Personal Insecurities and Emotional Projection

Toxicity is not only a product of technology but also of human emotion. Individuals struggling with insecurity, loneliness, or frustration may project their negative emotions onto others online. The internet becomes a safe outlet for venting anger or jealousy without facing real-world consequences. This “emotional dumping” contributes to a culture of bitterness and conflict. Ironically, many aggressors seek validation or power through online confrontation — a fleeting remedy for deeper emotional wounds.

6. The Need for Digital Empathy and Responsibility

To address the growing toxicity, both users and platforms must embrace greater responsibility. Social media companies can redesign algorithms to promote constructive engagement rather than outrage. Governments and educators can invest in digital literacy programs that teach emotional intelligence and respectful communication. Most importantly, individuals must remember that kindness and empathy should not be left at the login screen.

We must reclaim our humanity in digital spaces — to recognize that every comment, tweet, or post touches a real heart somewhere in the world.

Conclusion

Online toxicity is not an inevitable feature of social media; it is a reflection of human nature amplified by flawed systems. While technology has connected us more than ever, it has also magnified our insecurities and moral weaknesses. The challenge, therefore, is not only technical but ethical — to create online communities rooted in respect, understanding, and accountability.

Only then can social media truly fulfill its promise: not as a battlefield of egos, but as a bridge of shared humanity.

04/10/2025

Brotherhood and Betrayal: The Story of Thomas Sankara and Blaise Compaoré

Introduction

The story of Thomas Sankara and Blaise Compaoré remains one of the most striking paradoxes in modern African history: a friendship that began with youthful dreams of liberation but ended in one of the continent’s most infamous betrayals. Their bond, forged in military camaraderie and revolutionary zeal, carried the hopes of a new Burkina Faso. Yet, in 1987, Compaoré led the coup that assassinated his closest ally, abruptly ending a transformative era. Their narrative, therefore, is not only about brotherhood and betrayal but also about the forces — internal and external — that shaped postcolonial Africa.

Shared Beginnings

Sankara and Compaoré met as young soldiers in the Burkinabé army during a period of political turbulence. Both were influenced by pan-Africanism, Marxist-Leninist thought, and the revolutionary winds blowing across Africa in the aftermath of independence. Their friendship grew into a political alliance, rooted in a common belief that Burkina Faso, then Upper Volta, could chart a new course free from corruption, neocolonial control, and stagnation.

Sankara’s Revolution

In 1983, with Compaoré’s support, Sankara seized power in a popular coup. He immediately set out to transform the country. Renaming it Burkina Faso — “Land of Upright People” — was more than symbolism; it reflected his determination to instill dignity, accountability, and integrity. Sankara launched sweeping reforms: redistributing land to peasants, improving healthcare and education, banning female ge***al mutilation, and rejecting dependency on foreign aid.

These bold reforms won him admiration across Africa and beyond, earning him the title “Africa’s Che Guevara.” But they also made him enemies. Sankara’s refusal to bow to international lenders and his criticism of French neocolonialism put him at odds with powerful foreign and local interests.

The Breaking Point

The pressures mounted, and the unity between Sankara and Compaoré began to fracture. Compaoré, who initially thrived as Sankara’s right-hand man, became increasingly uneasy. Accounts suggest that foreign powers, especially France and Côte d’Ivoire’s leadership under Félix Houphouët-Boigny, saw Sankara’s radicalism as a threat to regional stability and their own interests. They are believed to have leaned on Compaoré to act.

On October 15, 1987, soldiers loyal to Compaoré stormed a government meeting, killing Sankara and twelve of his aides. Compaoré justified the coup by accusing Sankara of jeopardizing foreign relations and becoming authoritarian — but to many Burkinabé and Africans, it was simply the ultimate betrayal of a friend, brother, and comrade-in-arms.

Legacy and Lessons

Blaise Compaoré went on to rule Burkina Faso for 27 years, a period marked by stability for some but also corruption, repression, and growing inequality. Eventually, he was ousted in a 2014 uprising and fled into exile. His legacy remains overshadowed by the shadow of October 1987.

Sankara, in contrast, remains immortalized as a hero of integrity and justice. His ideas of self-reliance, pan-African unity, and people-centered governance continue to inspire activists and leaders across the continent. Statues of Sankara now stand in Ouagadougou, and his speeches circulate widely among Africa’s youth.

Conclusion

The story of Sankara and Compaoré reveals much about the complexities of postcolonial Africa: the fragility of revolutionary friendships, the corrosive nature of unchecked ambition, and the influence of external powers in domestic politics. Their brotherhood turned betrayal remains one of the continent’s most poignant reminders that personal loyalties and political ideals often collide in the unforgiving world of power.

Yet, while betrayal ended Sankara’s life, it did not end his legacy. His dream of a dignified, self-reliant Africa continues to resonate, reminding us that true greatness is measured not by the length of one’s rule, but by the integrity of one’s service.

04/10/2025

A Shared Burden: Lessons from the Minnesota Heists

Global Fraud, Local Pain

The post on the Minnesota Heists is both sobering and thought-provoking. It demonstrates how corruption and fraud, though often viewed as local problems, rarely remain confined within borders. What began in Minnesota as a program designed to feed hungry children during the COVID-19 pandemic has now exposed global networks of deceit, with repercussions stretching as far as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.

Two Sides of the Tragedy

The tragedy is twofold. In the United States, vulnerable children — the very ones the program was created to protect — were robbed of their lifeline. In Kenya, illicit money is reshaping our property markets, inflating real estate prices, and creating barriers for genuine middle-class families who dream of owning a home. What should have been wealth directed toward uplifting societies has instead become a tool for deepening inequality.

Parallels with Kenya’s Own Scandals

The similarities with Kenya’s own Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) scandal are impossible to ignore. In both Minnesota and Kenya, funds earmarked for society’s most vulnerable were siphoned off into private hands. Both scandals relied on complex patronage networks that exploited loopholes, often with the protection of political insiders. And both show the devastating effect when corruption is normalized within governance structures.

Beyond Ethnic Labels: A Global Problem

This is not simply a Somali story, nor an American story, nor even a Kenyan one. It is a global story — of how greed can erode social trust and destabilize communities across continents. The Somali identity of many involved should not blind us to the larger issue: criminality thrives where systems are weak, oversight is compromised, and accountability is absent.

Kenya’s Vulnerability and the Visa Question

The lesson for Kenya is urgent. If illicit capital continues to flow unchecked into our real estate sector, it risks embedding itself into our political bloodstream, financing campaigns, and shaping governance in ways that compromise national sovereignty. Likewise, the United States must reflect on how such large sums were allowed to be stolen under the guise of humanitarian aid.

It is within this context that many Kenyans are now asking: is it true that visas for Kenyans have been withdrawn? While this remains unconfirmed, even the perception of such punitive measures shows how transnational scandals risk straining diplomatic ties and punishing ordinary citizens who had no role in these frauds.

Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility

The tears of hungry American children and the despair of Kenyan families priced out of their neighborhoods are indeed two sides of the same coin. Unless Nairobi and Washington act in tandem — strengthening oversight, enforcing anti-money laundering frameworks, and dismantling transnational criminal networks — the cycle will continue.

Ultimately, this story is a shared tragedy but also a shared responsibility. It calls for humility, vigilance, and cooperation. For only when justice is upheld on both sides of the Atlantic can the dignity of those who suffer — from Minnesota to Mombasa — be truly restored.

03/10/2025

Stay in Haiti or Return Home? Kenyan Officers Await Decision After UN Vote

Kenya’s role in gang-plagued Haiti faces a turning point after the UN Security Council (UNSC) voted to wind down the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission and replace it with a stronger Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

The MSS formally ended on October 2 following the adoption of Resolution 2793, raising uncertainty over whether Nairobi’s 735 deployed officers will return home or transition into the newly created GSF.

The resolution—passed with 12 votes in favor and three abstentions from China, Russia, and Pakistan—authorized the GSF for an initial 12-month period, with more than 5,500 personnel, five times the MSS size. Unlike the MSS, which focused on backing the Haitian National Police, the GSF will operate under a Chapter VII mandate, giving it authority to conduct counter-gang offensives, secure strategic infrastructure, and re-establish state control.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the move, describing it as “a critical effort to restore order, protect lives, and support Haiti’s path to stability and democracy.” He emphasized that success would depend on international burden-sharing.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz also praised Kenya and other MSS contributors—including Jamaica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, the Bahamas, and Canada—for their sacrifices, but admitted the MSS “lacked the scale, scope, and resources” to dismantle Haiti’s powerful gangs.

Kenya, which sent its first contingent in June 2025, has carried the bulk of the mission, contributing nearly three-quarters of its personnel. But frustrations have mounted in Nairobi over broken donor promises and insufficient equipment. President William Ruto has previously warned that the MSS operated at only 40 percent capacity.

The deployment has also come with a human cost. Kenya has lost three officers in Haiti, including one killed during an ambush earlier this year.

Next steps remain unclear
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei welcomed the UNSC’s decision but stopped short of revealing Kenya’s next move. “This is a policy decision to be made in due course and will be communicated,” he said, noting that the transition reflects important lessons from the MSS.

President Ruto has indicated readiness for Kenya to remain engaged in Haiti but stressed that any follow-up mission must be backed by clear resources, reliable logistics, and a well-defined mandate. “If we are sending an additional security team to Haiti, the mandate must be clear … and we must have a predictable resource package,” he noted.

At home, however, pressure is mounting to bring the officers back. Former Presidential Economic Adviser Moses Kuria welcomed the UNSC resolution, calling it the end of Kenya’s “misadventure” in the Caribbean. He urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to redeploy the officers to Nairobi, where insecurity has been on the rise. “I appeal to the Inspector General to deploy the returning forces to the streets of Nairobi to put an end to daylight muggings and pickpocketings,” Kuria said.

For now, Kenya’s 735 officers remain stationed in Port-au-Prince, awaiting Nairobi’s decision on whether they will join the new GSF or return home.

03/10/2025

What do you call this sweet fruit in your mother tongue?

K T Arap Chepkwony 2

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