Life. Seasoned with perspective.
“Life is fragile, yet filled with simple moments that restore hope and meaning. This reflection reminds us that happiness and optimism are often found in the ordinary experiences that surround us every day.”
“There are many things competing to kill you every single day.”
Those are not my words, but those of a close friend. His argument is simple. Life is fragile, unpredictable, and fleeting. Therefore, we should endeavour to enjoy it as much as we can while we live. A point I wholeheartedly agree with.
Think about it. How do you explain that someone survives a plane crash and a car accident, while another collapses and dies while walking along the road? How does one ingest lethal poison and live to tell the tale, while another chokes on a fish bone during a simple meal of ugali and fish? That is life. Uncertain. Unpredictable. Precious.
This past week has been a mixed bag of emotions.
Let me begin with something I saw online that deeply disturbed me. A video showed high school students travelling in what appeared to be a public transport vehicle. What shocked me was not merely their presence, but their actions. They were openly smoking bhang and engaging in disturbing behavior while still in school uniform. To make matters worse, they filmed themselves and shared the footage online.
I was left with many questions. Were there adults on that bus? Where were the teachers? How did these students feel emboldened to behave this way in public, fully aware that they could easily be identified?
Let me be honest. I am not naive. I had my share of misadventures in my youth. However, the brazen display of indiscipline and the apparent absence of fear or consequence is deeply troubling. It should concern every parent and every citizen.
Then there are the rising cases of organized goonism across the country. As we inch closer to the 2027 elections, this trend is alarming. If left unchecked, it could become the spark that ignites chaos.
These issues are not isolated. They are symptoms of a deeper malaise. They reflect rebellion, frustration, and desperation. They also point to a society grappling with leadership challenges and unmet expectations. Like children acting out in a household, people seek attention when they feel unheard.
It is a sobering reality, especially when we remember that in 2002, a Gallup International Survey ranked Kenyans among the most optimistic people in the world. More than three quarters of the population believed the country was headed toward a brighter future.
Somewhere along the way, we lost that optimism.
Perhaps it is time to reclaim it.
And I strongly believe that this journey begins with each of us. It starts with self, moves to family, spreads to community. Before we know it, we will be speaking again of a better Kenya.
On a personal level, the past week has also been stressful. Increasingly, stress feels like the order of the day. I have therefore made a deliberate decision to find healthy ways to diffuse it.
And so, as always, I return to my happiest place. My family.
It is the school holidays, and for the next two weeks I remain on Baba and Mama duties. This past weekend, we retreated to the farm to check on a project. Truth be told, I focused on the work while the children pursued their own adventures.
Fresh air has a magical way of restoring the soul.
The highlight of the visit was watching the children play with a neighbour’s cat. Their laughter filled the compound as they chased it around with boundless excitement. By the end of the afternoon, I found myself under pressure to get them one of their own. It is a negotiation I suspect I may eventually lose.
Nearby, dogs ran freely across the fields, their tails wagging with joy as the children joined in the chase. Their laughter echoed through the countryside. Amid the playful chaos, I stood still for a moment, breathing in the crisp air. It was pure therapy.
What made me proudest was not the project I had gone to inspect, but the sight of my children enjoying themselves without a care in the world. No screens. No pressure. Just innocence, freedom, and happiness.
Afterward, we took a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood. We greeted friends, admired new developments, and simply enjoyed being present. What the children did not know was that this simple outing was deeply healing for me.
In moments like these, the noise of the world fades away.
I have reached a stage in life where I am intentional about protecting my peace. Stress is no longer part of the portion I am willing to accept. I am learning to step back, recalibrate, and focus on what truly matters.
Perhaps that is where the healing of our nation begins.
Not in grand speeches. Not in viral outrage. But in homes. In values. In responsible choices. In nurturing the next generation.
From personal wellness to national renewal, the journey is interconnected.
If we raise grounded children, build stable families, and lead responsible lives, we will gradually restore hope in our society. Happiness is not always found in grand achievements. Often, it lives in the simple things, a child’s laughter, a walk in fresh air, and the quiet joy of being together.
Maybe we do not need to search too far. Perhaps optimism is already within reach, waiting for us to notice it.
And maybe, just maybe, we will return to a time when we proudly declared ourselves the most optimistic people in the world.
Because despite everything, life remains a gift.
And every single day, we must choose to live it well.
About the author:
Kibisu Mulanda is a media executive and strategic communicator with over 20 years of experience in television, NGO storytelling, and youth-focused content. He is the Acting Head of Switch Media Ltd and teaches media at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). A Certified SIYB Trainer, he blends storytelling with strategy to drive social impact.
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