THE ADVENTURES AND MUSINGS OF A CRAZY PROFESSOR

  The middle class in Kenya has panicked. WSR is stoking a class revolution and as Kabogo would put it “Jeshi ti ngenu”.     In other words, Jeshi, aka the hustlers,    are not happy. They are the boda boda riders, mkokoteni pushers, wathii wa Mathrees, hawkers, and some layabouts. These lot have apparently got it in their heads that anyone outside this category is dynasty. This line of thought, at least, is the narrative being pushed by the middle class. They are afraid of encountering the hustlers who they say will set you on fire if you as much as sneeze in their face.    I am told the hustlers don’t like anyone who owns anything on wheels other than a wheelbarrow, a black mamba or a boda boda. Everyone else is dynasty. This includes fellows like me who own contraptions which, with a little bit of persuasion, can start in the morning and give you reasonable protection against nature’s elements as you move a long.  The middle class is up in...

I nearly spent Boxing Day behind bars courtesy of an innocent morning walk. As soon as my feet touched the cold floor, I knew I had to go for a walk    in spite of my limited knowledge of the geography of the neighborhood in which I had spent the night. The reality of the consequences of being indiscriminately fed by relatives and friends and my inability to resist the delicious dishes was beginning to have a toll on me. When I stepped out of bed, my knees complained with a dull ache. I thanked God I had not seen any weighing scales in my chosen resort. I am willing to call it a resort because it looks like one. Perhaps its the     effect of the environment conscious gazeebo whose design involves no concrete except a few recyled pieces of wood. The rest is live plants growing out of recycled bottles, cups, pots, Coca-Cola cases, and even a water dispenser all so professionally organised round a real tree. When the light comes on at night, you will be forgiven for thi...