Modern Warfare is Fought Online

Hey stranger, here we meet again on the crazy corridors of my thought processes. It’s a strange world full of deadly contours of slippery ideas and a maze of inescapable high walled and granite hard attitudes that would render blunt the very tools of relativity that would try to dig their way into my mind to spit a little political correctness. Yes, I refuse to make a toast for all the spineless chatter boxes out there that have little to nothing of a standard of values to hold on to.

I have been exposed to a generation of people whose world revolves around what is fashionable and trendy things that do not hold much water in producing a solid character for the strange and hard knuckled world of adulthood. You know most adults would sometimes wish to go back to that place where one has fewer responsibility as a child, or even regress further back into the warmth of the amniotic fluid and bounce to the heartbeats of their mothers, but it’s too late.

Now that most of us are growing up, we realize just Haiya damn this world is so demanding; demanding your opinion. Even that, would be bashed and robbed of sanity while it's yet to move from your broke mental state unto the very harsh reality that is social media.

Think about it, why do people lie so much on social media. Trying to act all tough and all knowing…Call them small gods and the ever blazing trash talkers keyboard warriors of this age who will spill their agenda from the bitter feminazi to the loud hate filled atheist who will keep on going to Christian sites and YouTube songs typing “God doesn’t exist”. Not forgetting the less than wise brother or sister of a Christian who lacks wisdom in communicating His/her values and goes on a crusader mission on the internet quoting scripture left right and center with no revelation from God. Simply put “planting the right seeds in an open field full of sparrows…anyway God got His eyes on the sparrows too, as much as they would rush and eat the seed meant for the stony and footpath of hearts out there.

Oooh yes I have not forgotten the odd guys who eat conspiracy theories for dinner and a little radicalization in the morning. Forced to believe by poor reasoning that all the world problems are solely caused by the Jews and Americans…the North to be precise. Let’s not even go there, Thanks to “democracy and freedom” the green card you were looking for is coming home in a package of rainbow colors…kanyagia hio story.

I have just given you a little bit of what I Face on the internet every day, call the experience “traumatic internet experiences for the internet virgins of today” sadly most of the younger generation today broke their internet virginity quite young, this kids “ain’t loyal” to internet innocence, some landed on the web and literally got raped by the system, which one? You would ask, mmmmmh the adult entertainment industry, estimated to make $ 3,000 per second from a little curiosity from Tom, Dick and Harriet. Not just that but a lot of nasty and honestly socially maladaptive behaviors all learned from the click of a mouse and the gaze of uncontrolled eye.

All the above experiences and an overwhelming push for the: feel good, do what makes you happy and tolerate all except the Christians and trust all but the Muslim. Here in Kenya it’s deeper than faith it goes deeper into tribe and a little bit of race and political affiliation. The young person born today has a hard time speaking his/her mind without insulting, infringing on someone’s freedom  or simply offending the different groups of people held by creed, agenda, race, nationality or status in society etc.

The big questions will always be, how far do we balance our freedom of expression without starting an internet war with countless, keyboard warriors whose central command station is led of faceless phantom’s  ready to attack and go all ‘Spartacus’ on each other. Because there is a difference between freedom and licentiousness. I will choose to use the definition of freedom as defined as being the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved, because in this world you will always have the power or right to act, speak, or think as you want without hindrance or restraint, most of the mature persons out there know that what you speak or do will always produce deserving consequences That’s why we have the laws to protect you and others from those choices that might infringe on other people’s rights.

On the other hand being licentious is what most people are calling freedom today; where there is a lack of legal or moral restraints on the part of many people living in our world today. Most of our youths have joined the bandwagon of do that which pleases you and the results has yielded more hatred and division in our world. In fact, modern tribal warfare is fought online, with the warring parties defending their turf marked by a gazillion of flags representing the most interesting of their masters from the high and mighty of science and religion to Cars and movies with the most obvious being debates on same sex marriage, tiring stuff…very tiring conversations.

My point is that no human being can claim to be absolutely objective, neither can you be absolutely free, I mean every man serves a cause, a master of idea, we all were made with a capacity to worship something, some worship God, others give reverence and honor as they worship scientific theories and ideas, while some are stuck in a struggle with different ideas and other man made philosophies. A man will defend what he worships and will always try and be a martyr for his master. Learn this my strange friend, fighting over such a diverse array of ideas can amount to a helpless struggle if done without respect and the wisdom that is needed to communicate your ideas no matter how silly some sound with regurgitated knowledge and rote ‘spewage’ of facts that might not carry any truth.

So my two cents; hey cool down and find the wisdom in shutting up and learn to control what you type on you status updates. Secondly if you feel like sharing your ideas, do it respectfully and if you expect people to tolerate your ideas then learn to appreciate and tolerate divergent ideas but in all this be wise not to buy into everything and become a spineless buffoon who is too simple minded with an IQ of a constipated Baboon. Take your time, evaluate, ask and dig deeper…pray if you can and learn from the source rather than the countless heresies’ that are freely given by a people lacking in understanding.

So next time before you try to act all grown up and wise, and assuming a know it all attitude and try to fool yourself and others by following modern trends and act like you are the C.E.O of the universe, you know what…maintain your position and learn to speak when necessary, post when needful. For them who are free do not need to prove their freedom, the equals don’t need to try an act superior to feel powerful, neither do them who love God need to try hard defending Him, as someone said, you don’t need to defend the lion, just open the cage; the cage to me is the attitudes and mindsets that prevent people from getting right understanding of the depths and magnitude of the revelation of the Godhead, oooh yes I am a believer, honestly not the kind that cower and hide his/her beliefs. Applying what I have shared above, yea later folks.

By Justin Kipkemboi

How to remain awake in a hot afternoon class

15^th August 2011 its start of semester at Daystar University Athi-River Campus. I’m excited to be back to school; after all it’s my final semester. I hope you understand what I mean; having been in Daystar since January 2008 will electrify any student. Think of the assignments, the heat and the crucial of them all; three hour classes. I still can’t believe how I manage to endure these classes thus far.

I never thought of it looking from the outset. But after some serious scrutiny into my three or so years stay in Daystar, I know better. That’s why I find it necessary to share with you eight simple steps that you can apply to help you concentrate in a three hour class.

1. Enough rest: According to Sasson cutting sleep robs your body the rest it needs to recharge. Too little sleep also makes handling everyday stress much harder. Just like the three hour class could. Ensure to get enough sleep of at least six hours in 24 hours. Lack of sleep is also known to leave you with impaired work performance, lacklustre thinking skills and questionable judgement. If you’re cutting sleep don’t do it over long term. Catch up as soon as you can. So if you want to enjoy three hour lectures be sure to check on your sleeping patterns and adjust appropriately.

2. Eat sparingly: When I was in high school my biology teacher used to tell us, “don’t eat a lot of ugali.” This is because digestion of food especially starchy foods and meats takes a lot of time and energy to digest. As a result slows down other functions of the body. Sugars contained in starch are important for provision of energy that your brain needs. However, too much of it will surely slow your concentration levels. If you want to enjoy your three hour class, eat enough food to sustain you till the next meal time.

3. Gain positive attitude: Positive attitude helps cope more easily with the affair of life. “I know I will enjoy that class today”, how many times have you said this to yourself? Try it today, even for that class you perceive boring. It is very effective. Positive attitude involves motivating yourself, being inspired, believing in yourself and in your abilities.

4. Get in class early: Early arrival in class helps you adjust to the class environment and also enables your body cool off after walking from one place to another. This also assures you enough time to settle down and gauge if you are prone to sleep and devise measures to curb it, like opening the windows wide or taking a nap before class start.

5. Take a bottle of cold water to class: Water is very essential for hydrating and cooling off your body from heat. Every time you find out that your concentration is deviating, take a sip of water. By doing this it causes the body to jump-start through a process called homeostasis. Homeostasis is the maintenance of inside and outside environment. The body being warm and water cold, it causes your body to device means of adjusting to sudden change thus activating other body functions controlled by the brain.

6. Sit next to a student who asks questions in class: Social learning theory states that human being adopt behavior that they see around and closer to them. A student who asks questions in class will prompt you to ask questions or keep you in check whenever you seem to lose your concentration. Anytime a question is asked, the class and the lecturer will always focus on the student posing a question thus forcing you to pay attention in class.

7. Prepare early for class: Early preparation helps you digest and interact with the material before class. This will enable you enjoy class session since the information will not be new to you. New information at times can be boring and can cause you to lose your concentration in class.

8. Have a break when necessary: If your concentration level dwindles, take a five minute break from class. A break enables your brain focus on another activity which activates it. Consequently, it recoups your concentration levels.

Encounter with Kenya Charity Sweepstake Con

Saturday last week I encountered a man who was at pains to rip me off some cash and valuables. These days whenever I'm done with my days business in town (Nairobi CBD and its environs), I have developed the habit of taking my time at the bus station before picking a matatu home. I do this most of the time because I learn a lot from the ‘boys’ who man the station and shout their voice hoarse calling for passengers. More reasons for spending time at the bus station is a story for another day. Not the ladies though.

I had taken a strategic position outside Tusky’s Supermarket; the one close to Afya Centre where some matatus plying south B and Lang’ata route at times park rather illegally. A middle aged man around forty years of age approached me. “Where can I find KCS House?” He asked with a deep Meru accent. Even before giving a response, he went ahead and produced a Charity Sweepstake ticket and confided in me that he had won 200k and he was due to collect his cash price from the Kenya Charity Sweep-stake main office.

I told him I didn’t know the place but I asked him to give me a few minutes to Google it. “You mean this phone can show you where that building is?” He asked rather surprised. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and asked me if his can also do the same. Being a slow day I took the pains and explained to him like a child how to connect his phone to the internet and how to browse.

Like a 'good Samaritan' I offered to take him to KCS House along Mama Ngina Street so that he does not get lost. As we were walking along the moi avenue, the man introduced himself as Murume. He went ahead to tell me he comes from Mau Meru and the far he’s been to Nairobi is Wilson Airport to deliver miraa for export. “I even don’t have an identification card,” he added. Consequently, he wanted me to help him claim the prize money. I asked him why then did he not come with a brother or a relative to Nairobi. “I don’t want my father to know that I have won this kind of money,” he responded.

He narrated how he almost got robbed off his ticket with some Taxi guy along Luthuli Avenue. Allegedly he was willing to give him 50k and top it up with 100k after claiming the prize money according to unwritten deal they had brokered. He demonstrated how he had struggled with the guys to save his ticket. He alleged to have asked for help from a policeman who was close by before the guys took off.

Murume forbid me from making or receiving phone calls because it will seem like I am trying to involve other parties. The greed in me made me obey. He did not even want us to walk to the KCS House using the shortest route I know. He made us walk from Kencom House to Parliament Road then back to Aga Khan Walk. I became rather uncomfortable walking with him around town because he was talking too loud trying to portray how naïve he is.

We walked in to several KCS Kiosks inquiring about the ticket which I felt was too unnecessary. He even bought a card and scratched and inquired from the vendor about the term and conditions for winning. He brought up the issue of us going to a place (I don’t know where) to sign a deal. I told him that we can do from the KCS lobby so that I do not run away with his cash. He seemed uncomfortable with that. I added that I cannot go with a stranger to some downtown place to make a deal.

“Aki saa hii nikapata mtu hata kama ako na 150k anipatie mimi ntampatia hii card, si hata mimi niliinunua 20bob” Murume uttered. Here we were at Taifa Street next to Re-insurance plaza. "I know no one with such an amount at the moment," I responded.

As we were walking towards Kencom house with my newly acquired 'friend', he uttered with excitement, “Si ndio ile KCS House!” I couldn't see it properly because of the trees next to the International House. I wondered how he saw that. As if some force were driving me, I crossed the road and walked towards the KCS House; went and stationed myself next to the entrance waiting for Murume. He was nowhere to be seen. 

I later learnt that this is a ongoing con scheme around town. Its more than a decade old. My money and phone survived. Thanks to the silent prayer I made that morning after a Citi Hoppa bus almost run me over.

Blame Not the System

Of late, the Kenya’s education system has come under attack from various quarters. They say that it concentrates more on theory than the practical aspect of it. A good number of writers and those aspiring to be find a field day in attacking the system which probably they went through.

It’s high time we be proud of our education system; critique it in the most constructive ways. Instead of predicting doom, we can focus on the pros in it. This will give hope to the youths and the future generation. The criticisms have now given people reasons not to advance in their education. For those who are in the system end up giving it little focus on the excuse that the system is inferior.

I can proudly say that the system is not inferior as the critics would like to make us believe. If I may ask what yard stick are they using to compare Kenya’s system? In order to come with reliable and proper conclusion we have to compare our system of education with another and make relevant adjustments. We must also remember that, nothing designed by man is perfect.

What ails Kenya at the moment is our attitude and culture as a nation. Companies are unwilling to give fresh graduates internship opportunities. None the less, those that do, expect fresh graduates to perform more of less the same as regular employees, amidst relevant orientation and training. Some even go ahead to give interns chores such as photocopying, serving tea among others. Our graduates need opportunity, inspiration and motivation to perform optimally.

Crazy Peter Prattles

So what is the mountain deal

about the minister’s ailing son

that she breaks boiling news?

How comes it was not whispered

when Tina’s hospital bed crawled with maggots

and her eyes oozed pus

because the doctors lacked gloves?

What about Kassajja’s only child

who died because the man with the key

to the oxygen room was on leave?

I have seen queues

of emaciated mothers clinging to

babies with translucent skins

faint in line

and the lioness of a nurse

commanding tersely

‘Get up or leave the line.’

Didn't I hear it rumored that

the man with the white mane

and black robes

whose mouth stores the justice of the land

ushered a rape case out of court

because the seven-year-old

failed to testify?

Anyway, I only remember these things

when I drink,

they are indeed tipsy explosions.

Shades of Life

I see happiness and sorrow

Success and failure

All as my partners in life

From moment to moment;

A day may start with brightness

Like the cloudless sunrise,

The eye of the mind then sees the day ahead

With hope and cheerfulness,

Every task I tackle to win

Every challenge I manoeuvre to overcome,

At the end of the day

I scream hurrah!

A bright day may turn gloomy

When all tricks fail

The eye of the mind then appears faint

Like trying to strike a snake

Armed with a stick

And a weak spotlight

In a moonless night

I struggle to succeed

But I am challenged

Like a blind boxer

Who can’t see his target

Then chance may put my target

To my advantage

And then I strike once

And finish the challenge

Again I scream hurrah!

A bright day may end without warning

When chance create an accident

To leave scattered pieces of flesh

All caused by chance

And no time allowed for manoeuvre

All the efforts of years are stopped

Without consultation

Chance again may save the body from death

But leave the person to suffer forever

As life returns

Hurrah may be said gradually

Day after day in crescendo

Culminating when all pain is gone

The eye of the mind

May see happiness or sorrow

Through those we love or live with;

We get entangled to each other

Like creeping plants in a forest

 Challenged to win happiness

But too entangled to part from each other

On a bright day we laugh together

But the eye of each mind

Is secretly poised against each other

Like an angered cobra

Waiting for the moment

To strike the fatal challenge;

Happiness may come to some

When the fatal blow succeeds

The mind then rejoices

When it sees the pain caused,

The eye of the mind

May be fuelled with impatience and jealousy

To scheme others into failure

So that happiness may come as they fail

Or happiness may come

To feel one is the only one;

What a strange partnership

In happiness and jealousy!

All minds have eyes

Which improve through learning

So learn to better the world

Others learn to destroy the world

And common to all efforts

We pursue happiness.

                                      By Everett Standa

Kenya's vision 2030 unattainable

The pronouncement by the Ministry of education that learning in all public primary schools will be interrupted come Thursday is uncalled for. As a country, how dare we waste a day of learning, oblivious of the compulsory recess come 28^th February to 11^th March, just to pave way for political parties’ nominations? This portrays Kenya as a country that value not education. If the trend goes on like this, then vision 2030 is inconceivable. Come to think of it, vision 2030 is meant for whom? Not that I am against setting goals but in this case, I beg to defer.

We have positioned Kenya as a country that thrives on hopes and dreams. That’s why a few people will sit and decide we need a vision. This by all standards, is an attempt by our leaders to keep the have-nots busy hoping for the best as they, the leaders, enjoy the fruits of the country. To be true to ourselves, visions without action are fantasies’ that make a man in trouble feel good for the moment. One is even left to wonder if developed nations had such departments to arrive at where they are. I doubt.

Why waste public resources to put up a division headed by a fully-fledged C.E.O? Yet we cannot even finance our annual budget without help from outside. Nonetheless, the government is busy importing goods that surpass our exports by far margins. On this, do we need a C.E.O to advise? To know that we are being duped, ask yourself how old you will be come 2030. Even the crop of leaders who set this plan, I doubt if they will be strong, if not dead to stand conviction on botched plans.