Hostage

I went to my former university yesterday to visit a friend. I boarded a public service vehicle (matatu) and was appalled when we ended up seating four in a row instead of the law-prescribed three. This meant that either the cops on the highway were absent or corrupt. The latter proved to be true, for as soon as we approached their roadblock the matatus slowed down enough for the conductor to hand a crumpled shilling note into the hands of a female cop. The driver then said a casual ‘hello’ to the other cops on standby and we drove off. The matatu was in unroadworthy condition and I prayed that we would get to our journey safely. There was steam coming through the bottom layer and dust flying everywhere. My fellow passengers didn’t look disturbed so I thought I would keep my pompous comments to myself.

I drove back in another matatu from the university to Kisumu and went through the same thing with the overcrowding and the police handout. Another depressing part of the journey had to do with the terrible state of the road. Whereas the government is to be commended for their efforts in tarmacking as much of the country as they can with whatever finances the our new colonial masters (China) provide, the quality of the work is shoddy at best.

I was utterly disgusted because the deplorable state of the road from Oyugis to Kisii and the overcrowding and rampant bribery echo those of the Kisumu-Maseno route. 

I immediately thought of the amounts spent on electioneering and the processes our leaders subject us to as they attempt to clear their names of wrong doing. I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that those who desire leadership of the country have their own selfish interests at heart and yet the development of this nation seems to rest on their shoulders. God help us.