Walking into my local pub in the evening for a dose of two cold ones and a game of pool, I can’t help but notice how conversations have shifted over the last two months. A sports bar where until recently, the only din was football banter, has completely turned into a citizens’ assembly.
The usual revelers with whom I mingled and argued fiercely about English teams have morphed into lawyers, medical practitioners, physical trainers, teachers, accountants, and an array of professions that had otherwise lurked in oblivion, were it not for the prevailing issues and the change in the nation’s political conversation.
“I’m afraid, Nabii is ready to risk it all,” Ronoh said, putting his beer on the rail and positioning his cue stick. The game had gone on for a minute and as usual, I was trailing. Ronoh, a pharmaceutical salesperson, had until a few months ago been a darling to the regime, until his company had to go under, over unpaid bills and a debt hole.
“How do you explain the proven cabinet nominees, how do you explain investors fleeing the market due to unfavorable policies, how do you explain the blatant corruption and negligence in government agencies? Don’t get me started on the impending Kenyatta National Hospital Scandal on the treatment of protest casualties, the force used to terrorize citizens in their residences! Can’t You say something?” He rounded on my silence as he hit a ball in fury.
“Rage on brother,” I replied casually taking a long swig.
“Last night I looked into the JKIA issue. A statement by KAA clarifies the same, but come on Adani Group! Their trail of financial crimes and scandals stretches from here to Mumbai. The fact that it is the only private investor considered for the refurbishment and lease of our national asset screams “underhand mafia deals.” I’m beginning to suspect, the Arror Kimwarer damn scandal that is coming back for a second bite must have been a hit by design,” he raved on, holding the cue stick so tightly I was afraid it would splinter.
“Say something, mate,” he implored me, visibly livid.
“I’ve always said something. If you’re looking to me to appease your fury, I’m afraid you’re barking up the wrong tree. I’ll only fuel it out of control,” I replied, taking my turn on the game.
“Did you expect the nominees to be any better? Political deals have always defined our criteria for government composition. Agwambo has always been an opportunist and as Miguna puts it, a ‘conman’,” chimed in another patron joining us at the game.
