Some of KSB’s articles and comments voice out a lot of hatred towards Kenyans by Kenyans. I read the article about a Kenyan lady raging with anger because her fellow Kenyans whom she invited for a funeral fund raising for her Nigerian boyfriend did more “rubbish” talk than cash contribution.
Another lady was infuriated by her fellow Kenyans who thought she didn’t deserve a loan her boyfriend had taken for her. This particular one sounded interesting. More like a movie. A comment on the young couple, Njenga and Wambui, left my mind looking for answers because of the hostility used. As an x-Swedish illegal resident who now lives in Kenya, I would blame idleness and indifference to “personal growth” as a major input in all this kind of “mouth watering words “
Some, like myself, pick phones to call friends out of boredom and idleness .With no development issues to discuss, one, two, three words about who is doing this and that dominate the conversation. Unfortunately the baton is unwisely passed on and on until it dangerously lands on the ears of the subject of gossip. By then, the message is already so altered that the person is left craving for the blood of the gossipers.
Interestingly, it is a tradition which the Kenyan society is indifferent about; they fight, insult and love each other as the powerful gets more powerful and the country sinks. They act like one major tribe that discriminates against each other – an envious tribe.
No Kenyan smiles when another one rises, but they laugh and celebrate when another one falls. What a community! If you still want some proof, think of how news about the unlucky case of deportation spreads like bush fire on a hot sunny day, reaching almost the whole community in hours. Why can’t the same speed be used to spread positive and rewarding news? WHY?
Those who feel offended by the horrible culture and fights especially in Kenyan parties prefer to shun them, and end up caved in their cages, solitary and miserable. So the definite solution is not running away but seeking that answer that will unite and reinstate the once loving Kenyan community.
Where are the wise men and women? Can they save the situation by posting positive motivational and advisory articles on KBS? Can the community engage in other beneficial activities to avoid idleness? Something like on line course requires just passion and willingness to start. Unless there is unison in responding to “yes we can’’ slogan by Obama, the hatred will only grow worse as our children wait eagerly to inherit it.
Shiku Steve (shiku@sports4change.org)
About the Author
So true and well said. God help us. Don’t we get tired of bad stuff? Can we really pursue a peaceful cause that will leave a legend for our children?
As Osewe said may be we need some sort of atornment day where we put the past behind us and take the present and the future with a different passion. Thanks Shiku
Shiku: Thanks for your piece that is spot on about the Kenya-Stockholm social setup. It is so refreshing to read your views currently as an outsider, though a former resident here. Idle minds are prone to destructiveness, hatred and all the other negatives you have mentioned. Many Kenya-Stockholmers are wary of discussions that will challenge their intellect and prefer to gossip by reproducing stories to make them juicier online or via telephone.
Some Kenyan men assume that they are the best political analysts when supporting their godfathers in Kenya’s key political parties i.e.: Party of National Unity (PNU), Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), or Narc-Kenya. These men will punch you for being constructively critical of a political leader whom they support just because they share the same tribe. They are never objective but merely passionate of their tribal link.
When Mr. Okoth Osewe announced that he had published a book about the 2007 presidential election concerning Raila Odinga’s loss to Kibaki, tribal alignment took course in the comments under file at KSB. Some straight away branded him a staunch supporter of Raila by virtue of tribal and party affiliation. Imagine this was long before the book launch, which many of those critics never attended.
Osewe’s book is now selling, yet I have not read any comments from his tribally-inclined critics mentioning anything objective, let alone claiming that they have bought and read the book or have an opinion about it. Such people are not grounded enough to be objective with written things, thus thrive in chipping in with anecdotes recreated over bottles of beer at the common “Kenyan pubs” in Stockholm (VASA or ALICE Bar).
A comment about Osewe’s book at a “rival blog” questioned how far he had gone with his “best seller”. Shiku, Osewe’s book put on focus the lack of flair among some Kenyans whose comments depicted what you have mentioned about hatred in our community. Much of this borders upon the tribal rivalry brought about by Kenyatta’s regime which pitted the Kikuyu against the Luo; a sad trend that has been perpetuated by successive Kenyan leaders.
Many Kenya-Stockholmers are allergic to public seminars organized by Swedish organizations concerning Africa or Kenya and would rather spend that time (even if the event is after regular working hours), sipping beer or gossiping. Such people “flourish” in whining, yet cannot contribute to the betterment of their own communities in Kenya or private life in Sweden.
There are Kenyans who are currently reliving the degenerate lifestyles of some first generation Kenyans in Sweden. That generation had people who came here directly from Kenya, the former Soviet Union or USA from the late 1950s to 1970s, yet never made use of the vast opportunities offered in education or the marketplace. They are the men and women who now beg for free beer, cigarettes and money at pubs or privately in Stockholm, and have given up in life. They are awash with stories of how beautiful/handsome they once were, having been labeled as “exotic” by the Swedes.
Many of them are divorced, elderly and don’t have any contact with their “point-five” children who have kids with white spouses, thus obliterating their “black blood”. These men and women are lonely, financially broke and miserable in Sweden, without a base to return to in Kenya. Gossiping on the telephone or writing demeaning comments at KSB is one of the few alternatives of interaction they are left with.
Shiku, you have suggested online courses to occupy these idle minds. However, I can emphasize that many Kenya-Stockholmers are allergic to studies. Sweden literally offers free education, yet over the years, the rate of studying short courses or enrolling in educational programs at the ubiquitous institutions of higher learning among Kenyans is very low.
I have heard of some claiming that they do not want to take student loans that will tie them up since they want to return to Kenya, etc. This is pure ‘BS’ because education is a life-long project and it does not matter whether eventually one uses it to acquire the right job in the discriminatory Swedish labor market. With education, you improve your general knowledge and become more objective in many aspects, thus transcending pettiness. The same Kenyans are more than happy to purchase Plasma-TVs and other household items on credit, because they want to be seen as trendy. Education is therefore never on their front burner.
Unfortunately, many young Kenyans in Stockholm lack motivation or the spirit of “personal growth”, having mentally acquired lifestyles ‘borrowed’ from American (entertainment) idols who are doing fine due to hard work. These youngsters spend many hours discussing their bling bling which they think were dropped from heaven, yet in reality, many American idols are successful due to sleepless nights in the cutthroat business. We Kenyans can only succeed in Sweden if we get down to serious business, regardless of the institutionalized barriers.
President Obama’s success is basically out of hard work, yet some Kenyans shout his name emptily, instead of taking bits that may motivate and inspire them to bring change.
Unity among us is elusive and might only work if we shed the tribal emotions and embrace our diversity. You are right to mention that some people avoid Kenyan social events because they are places used to settle scores with assumed enemies after drinking alcohol. Certain well-known Kenyans have inflicted serious injuries on others and have even done time for trivia generated by hatred. Such incidents normally remain “top stories” at KSB for a long time. This is not the same about articles concerning developmental issues that hardly get substantive comments or attention.
A KSB rival blogger recently claimed through a commentary that he was going to showcase his ‘developmental progress’ since coming to Sweden, because he saw that others were “bragging” about their achievements. If this is how some of us think, then we have a long way to go as a community.
woah! is all I signed heavily and loudly after reading this article.Shiku,this is a very informative piece.The Kenyan community is sinking because of gossip,envy,arrogance and indifference.Yet,like you’ve stated many think they can evade this by coiling lonely in their own created misery.We are are far away from home and we need to unite not disunite.As an illigal x-swedish residence,it sound like you can have real good pieces.Can we read more on your life in Sweden as an illigal resident? it can help many who are in the same state
all the best.
Masiero
Shiku,I know you are a strong lady,but I dint know this side of you.Great piece.Good advice.While I dint know you were in Sweden-more so living illigally,you made the best decision to come back.You are an assert in Kigumo-much have been achieved due to your dedication ,commitment and love of the less priviledged in our society.In Kigumo we have already shown that we can! kuddos!
Thanks Shiku for pointing on many things which I saw in my ex-boyfriend from Kenya whom I had a relationship with for five years. I am Swedish and always wondered why he would spend many hours at various Kenyan blogs insulting people from other tribes because of political or social differences. He always told me not to interfere with his opinion since he had the right as a Kenyan to do so.
He was also on the telephone for many hours mentioning the names of Kenyan political parties and the president, yet these issues never brought any change in his life. They always remained on the blogs as mere hateful comments. After five years, I gave him a long lecture and kicked him out of my apartment.
My work has taken me to Kenya several times and I must testify that although my ex-boyfriend worked in Stockholm, he never sent any money to his family in Kenya. Instead, whenever I visited them, I would provide money for food and other needs.
Those Kenyans in Stockholm who like gossiping should stop and be involved in activities that will uplift their people from poverty. In today’s East African Standard newspaper, the story of a Swedish woman called Ingrid Munro has been featured showing how through her organization called “Jamii Bora” (Good Families), she has provided microloans and built a new town (Kaputiei) for several Kenyans who were once living in the slums of Nairobi.
For those lacking motivation, spend time reading the efforts of a person like Ingrid to get inspired. She is doing great work compared to the ever-squabbling Kenyan politicians whose empty gospel is preached online by many in the Diaspora.
According to Ingrid Munro: “One cannot lift a person out of poverty. There is no country in the world that has raised itself out of poverty through charity. What we offer to Jamii Bora members is access to a ladder that they can climb up to take themselves out of poverty. But the climbing they must do themselves.”
Jamii Bora: http://www.jamiibora.org/missionvision.htm
Slum dwellers exodus to promised land: http://www.eastandard.net/news/InsidePage.php?id=1144016306&cid=159&
Jamii Bora Scandinavia: http://www.jamiibora.se/
Thanks a lot Shiku for your critique which I hope will be an eye-opener for Kenya-Stockholmers. I have checked your website http://www.sports4change.org and am impressed by the good work you are doing to bring change in Kigumo. You are a good example of those who left the Diaspora to make a positive impact in Kenya.
I hope that your words will motivate many so as to reverse their negative thinking and engage in progressive issues. Keep up the good work for change in Kenya.
Busted.Aren’t we? Eeer gossip ,gossip gossip is what have created a no kemyan community in Sweden.Interestingly what I know for sure is When someone spreads lies about you ,you’re no in it.Never.Gossip-be it in the form of rumour that’s sweeping the whole community or gripe session between friends,reflects the insecurity of those who initiate it.When we make negative statements about others behind our backs,we often do so because we want to feel powerful-and that usually because we in some way feel powerless,unworthy, not courageous enough to be fortright.Hurtful words also send the message –both to ourselves and to those with whom we share –that we can not be trusted.if someone is willing to tear down one ‘friend’ why wouldn’t she/he be willing to disparage another ? gossip means we haven’t emboldened ourselves to talk directly to the people we take issue with ,so we praise them-this is seen as committing a little murder,in short gossip is an assassination attempt by a coward.
We live in a culture obsessed with gossip –who is wearing what,who is dating who,who’s entangled in the lastest sex scandal,who has been deported ,who gave who `papers’ was it real genuine love,or was it fake paper love? What would happen if we declare our homes,our relationships ,our lives a gossip –free zone? We’d properbly be surprised at how much time we’d free up to do the work that’s significant.We boarded different planes with different purpose.The purpose for sure was not to come and build gossip camps –Lets build our dreams rathan than tear down others.We’d fill our homes with a spirit of truth that makes visitors want to kick off shoes and stay a while.And we’d remember that while words have the power to destroy,they also have the power to heal.As Shiku has put it lets leave a legend of oneness.I read alot of boldness in your piece,as an x-stockholmer,you have proved that there is even a greener pasture back home,as attested by Njuguna who says you have done Kigumo people proud.Thats what leadership is all about.
Chiku, I loved reading this post and it brought to mind a recent article in the New York Times about women bullying women in the workplace. Not surprisingly, men can be bullies in the workplace but they reported that 40 percent of the bullies were women. While the male bullies take an egalitarian approach, putting down men and women pretty much in equal measure, the women chose other women as targets more than 70 percent of the time.
One reason women choose other women as targets “is probably some idea that they can find a less confrontative person or someone less likely to respond to aggression with aggression,” said Gary Namie, research director for the Workplace Bullying Institute, which ordered the study in 2007.
I agree that we need to see more positive motivational articles, not just on KBS but everywhere. I am so thankful that here on PulseWire we have fostered a community of support, where women are not only applauded for their achievements but encouraged to reach for the stars. Your post is a great reminder of how much further we can go if we join hands and support each other.
I just finished reading the blog and thought it was interesting. I think that will change and in not that long a time actually. I think each woman who comes here, even if she just reads and is not active herself yet takes some goodness back with her. Seeing that there are many people who are ‘real’ is one way to make this happen since sometimes it seems like everyone has some secret motive for being nice to you and you wonder what they want and the more friendly they are the more you worry it is something big!
The fact that we are everywhere is also another good thing since we can begin to believe it is universal so it makes you more tolerant of those closest to you in a new way. Where you begin to think that good will happen and stay so become glad when one makes her dream come true and truly support them so they can keep doing it instead of seeing it as some sort of gymnastic feat where you wait for the landing to give her a score.
Thanks for such an interesting article to read. It is true that we need to mind our words more. Especially since many of us feel like friends now so speak more freely and easily with each other since we have built trust over time with each other. If we wonder what someone meant we can go look up their journal and see what else they wrote to help put their ideas into perspective.
Also, it seems hard sometimes when someone does change their life to see them differently. But that is another post…
hugs,
Maria
Some and most of us kenyans call it gossip.
BUT WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BTW GOSSIP,CRITISM,MY IDEA ,PROPAGANDA OR MY THOUGHT?
Wake up guys it is time to face the other side of your other kenyan who does not agree on your way or ideas and look through things on an opposite side.Infact,we are used and taught to receive news and ideas from one side.When you say and do the opposite way you are gossiping or opposing.
Our kenyan society will never bring in new changes and ideas because of this attitude.The generation from the 60s and below should set new things and ideas and work them out.We are brought up as unique people, who are also taught that everyone is a contributor and has something in store to offer to our society.Eg if you attend a harambee utoe mingi ama kidogo ama usitoe you are always recognized as great guest.Let us face all challenges that face us in all ways,all times and no matter where we are.
I admire some of Tuju`s and Kimunya`s ideas which we brushed of and assumed as usual which were supposed to benefit us .KIMUNYA came to London trying to show us what role we have been playing in Kenya,eg revealing to us how much money we send to kenya,kenyans abroad sends lots of money daily,which is one of the biggest percentage of foreign income that comes in in our country.
My question how come we missed that?
Kirigo, you started off your comment very well but fell off by mentioning Tuju and Kimunya. These two are yesteryear’s politicians who are corrupt to boot, save for their smooth faces and expensive suits.
We Kenyans in the Diaspora need to chart our course to know what we want, instead of waiting for wasted Kenyan politicians to laud what we have always been doing in terms of remitting money to the Motherland.
There are gossips who smear people’s names negatively and there are critics who shape up social matters. There is a very big difference too between one who gases around with empty words that bring no benefit to Kenya-Stockholmers.
Chiku explained clearly by citing examples of Kenyans who are happy about the failure of others, yet will never praise the success of the same. These are the characters that need to wake up and shape their own failed lives.
Many stories at KSB typify the everyday loser who will never change for his or her own benefit. It is such people that waste time at pubs or on the telephone talking ill about others yet don’t make use of the opportunities offered in Sweden to improve their lousy lifestyles. You have seen them at various Kenyan events and they will never discuss anything worthwhile.
What is this kirigo trying to tell us? Shikus discussion is a great piece which can bring positive changes yet she is trying to sarbotage it with her shallow ideas.All the other nine comments are very positive and interesting, thats what people want to hear.But kirigo tunakunjua,YOU ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST GOSSIPERS IN STOCKHOLM AND THATS WHY YOU ARE CHALLENGING THE ARTICLE.
I think Peter was very hard on Kirigo and appeared more to be having personal scores to settle with her rather than addressing the issues she raised. She wanted to know the difference between gossip, criticism, propaganda, an idea and a thought. Instead of addressing these issues, Peter appeared to have gone personal by accusing Kirigo of being the biggest gossiper in Stockholm without producing any evidence to this effect.
This is what I call stupidity or narrow-mindedness. I think Kenyans should stick to issues instead of expanding them to attack others under the guise of free speech. Larry disagreed with her without being personal or abusive. What Peter was doing is that he was spreading propaganda that Kirigo is a gossiper because he provided no proof. This is wrong.
Mtaka Yote, you are trying to enter into an argument which you do not understand. Both Peter and Kirigo are sworn enemies because Kirigo thinks that Peter is a useless snob while Peter thinks that she is a gossiper. What you are reading here is more than what meets the eye for people who know the two personalities. In this case, you are right that Peter is wrong because he tried to make an accusation by putting what Kirigo said out of context and by deliberately going out of the main issues Kirigo raised. This should show that Peter has a hidden agenda.
Kirigo, I also agree with Larry and Mtaka Yote that you diverted from Chiku’s subject area. Meanwhile, you wanted to know the difference between some terms that you wrote to contextualize Chiku’s article. Here we go:
GOSSIP:
1. A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others.
2. A rumor or report of an intimate nature; b: a chatty talk; c: the subject matter of gossip.
PROPAGANDA:
1. The spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.
2. Ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause; also: a public action having such an effect.
CRITICISM:
1 a: The act of criticizing usually unfavorably (seeking encouragement rather than criticism); b: a critical observation or remark (an unfair criticism); c: critique.
2. The art of evaluating or analyzing works of art or literature; also : writings expressing such evaluation or analysis (an anthology of literary criticism).
3. The scientific investigation of literary documents (as the Bible) in regard to such matters as origin, text, composition, or history.
IDEA/THOUGHT:
1. A formulated thought or opinion.
2. Whatever is known or supposed about something (a child’s idea of time).
3. The central meaning or chief end of a particular action or situation.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Let us not derail Chiku’s article by personalizing matters. We should also understand Janice Wong’s comment about the wrangling between women so as to figure Kirigo’s woes.
KSB: Well said. Obviously, Kirigo’s contribution is being exploited unnecessarily by “busy-bodies” and her key point is slowly eluding some commentators as they focus on the peripheral.
Peter, Shiku touched my tender toe “Some of KSB’s articles and comments voices out a lot of hatred towards Kenyans by Kenyans”……., “the country sinks” ,I quote Shiku.
And Peter am not blind or deaf.
No matter what one says or writes and does do not agree with your fellow kenyan ,it is received with hate and abuses.Let us strive to challenge each other,get to see the bottom of issues or see the other side of the idealogy.
Our kenyan education is nice and complete,but I find it is a key to our lack of good argumentation.We are made to only strive to be the best,whereas our society today deserve us to be unique,creative and researchers.How can I bring up an idea or my own research if am not prepared well?Osewe`s book is a good example,he said if you do not agree with him write about the other side.
Today someone has lifted up my dream,DUAL CITIZENSHIP.Let us stand with him,Kajwang.Larry ,I said “I admire some of their ideas”,not all the ideas of Tuju and Kimunya.Let us call a spade a spade,not a big spoon.
Kirigo, your second entry is clearer than the first. I never opposed your admiration of some of Tuju’s or Kimunya’s ideas but simply wrote that you got off track by citing them. I follow Kenyan politics vividly and cannot recall any good record or policy they have left, other than pocketing huge sums of money. I also prefer straight and bold talk. Quite a lot of what you voice has already been mentioned by Maina Mwangi.
Larry ,I read through all Maina Mwangi`s too and who gave a push to my thoughts since Kimunya was in London for a confenrence that was meant for the diasporas.I got the info about the conference too late that`s why I missed it.
Chiku, keep telling Kenya-Stockholmers the truth because some seem unaware of their horrible habit of gossipping and hating other Kenyans.
“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.” — Admiral Hyman G. Rickover
ha! Iam literally laughing coz guys are fighting in my `bedroom’.Some of the comments are stern negative.Kinda saying ,we dont gossip nor do we hate each other,but we oppose each other and give ideas.A big lie! This is fear of change.The law of thinking says:You are what you think you are and your thinking is determined by the people you associate with,the books you read and the work you do.If you associate yourself with negative ever idle- minded people-gossipers,you master in their profession.If you allow an negative thought to overlap your mind,you become one big negative `cabbage’if you think positive you get successful.In this case ,critics,ideas propagandas and thoughts if misused ,jump automatically into gossip class.What do I mean here; like Elaine said,a word become a gossip if it cant be voice out openly and directly to the said person.If your intention is to bring about change,by positively or negatively opposing ,put your views direct without any fear or intimidation.No matter how brilliant your idea is,it will forever be classified as gossip if you spread it unwisely.If you want to see a changed society,cite the wrongs and dig out a solution.
Good people ,do not run away from this.Get a solution and build a positivley and friendly community.
Iam surprised how indifferent people can be.Believing and writing that we are taught to receive things only from one side of the coin is trully crazy.The question is ,by who? and why should you,then,obey gullibly?
I agree with Shiku,that any idea,critic ,propogada or thoughts talked in behind backs,is refered as `Mucene’.While its good thinking,that an old woman shouldnt sleep with a young man its gossip if you say it behind her back.If you sternly believe your views are correct-voice them out directly.The hard paining fact is-we have alot of `mucene’poison which has blemished our community.Pulling against this is pushing towards adversity of change.Lets all `Raise up’
Huyu Shiku inakaa amepata regrets kwa nini alirudi Kenya.Gossips tells what others think of someone else and what one has done.One who thinks about what others are saying always shows lack of cconfidence,so Shiku bring up something concrete.
Gossip hasn’t always been considered a bad word. The word gossip first meant godparents or a familiar acquaintance and was used to describe someone who told of a family’s news and developments. In Shakespeare’s time, a gossip was also someone who sat with a woman through childbirth, perhaps to talk, offer comfort, or to help her pass the time.
Now it’s defined as “rumour or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature” or as “idle talk or rumour, esp. about the personal or private affairs of others.” Someone who fits the stereotypical image of a gossip bears names like rumourmonger and blabbermouth. They’re viewed as busybodies, as nosy and meddlesome. Somewhere down through history, the word’s original meaning became tangled up in rumour-spreading and idle talk.
As our communication technologies have sped up, so has the spreading of our gossip. Whip-quick messages zip around us all day long about this person or that one, this celebrity or that politician. Where word once travelled via word of mouth that may have taken hours or even days to reach its listeners, it now travels in seconds via Facebook, Twitter, blogs, email, cell phone, text messages…
Why do we gossip?
Humans love hearing and talking about other humans. Frank T. McAndrew must especially love hearing about humans. As a professor of psychology, McAndrew has gained popularity based on his work exploring the intricate clockwork of human interactions and finding some patterns and possible reasons for gossip. He recently published an article in Scientific American summarizing the theories on why we gossip and explaining some of his research findings.
Researchers theorize that life in small tribal groups may have forced our ancestors to adapt and gain some pretty sophisticated social intelligence. Imagine living among a small group of people, competing for resources and for friends and allies. Sounds a little like high school, doesn’t it? You’d have to figure out who you could trust and who would make a good partner. Among our ancestors, those who survived and thrived were those who could predict and influence the behaviour of the people around them. This took a bit of talking and a lot of listening and watching.
As with our ancestors, gossip can be quite helpful and instructive:
It helps us bond with our friends: The act of gossiping – talking, listening, sharing secrets and stories – bonds us together and helps us to form friendships and distinctive group identities. Though women more often earn the “gossip” label, both genders take part in the habit with equal gusto. The study conducted by McAndrew showed that we’re all keen to hear and pass along any bad news about our rivals or any good news about our friends.
Men are more likely to share gossip only with their romantic partners, while women will whisper with their lovers and their friends alike. Both men and women seem to prefer talking about and hearing about people of their own gender.
It teaches us lessons: Most of us relate better to stories than to raw data, and gossip is a form of storytelling, an interpersonal folklore. But instead of “Once upon a time” we say, “Did you hear about so-and-so?” By hearing and sharing these stories, we learn about the social norms and conventions of those around us. We learn how to act – and how not to act – in certain situations.
It keeps us in line: Gossip can actually be a kind of deterrent or a punishment against those who deviate from the norms and values of a group. It’s tough to be the one being negatively gossiped about or the one excluded because of a nasty rumour, so the social pressure keeps us from veering too far away from the group. Positive gossip can also encourage cooperation among people in a group.
Too much pressure can, of course, be a bad thing, and gossip has great destructive powers. People use gossip for their own selfish interests at the expense of others. Subtle social cues can turn to hostility or manipulation and quickly trigger anger, shame, and resentment.
http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4945&channel_id=11&relation_id=27879
Betty,I read through your piece with admiration.Its so informative.I like open dialogue.Yes,there is negative and positive gossip,that affect us according to how wisely or unwisely they are communicated.
Dame, gossiping is not about what you think others are saying-its literally reaceiving irrational rumors about this and that about you from a certain source.There is nothing as concrete as encouraging change in whatever way.In every society there those who are known to block change.or rather what they believe will affect their usual way of living.In t this case I can strongly read blockage of `gossipers’ they want to remain so-their comments voice out intimidation and fear.Fear of a free-gossipers society.This will create a no-life to them.Thats why Dame choose to translate gossip to regret.Arg!
On my comment I did say Shiku is a blessing to our society.
I was infact shocked to learn she once lived illigally in Sweden.Kigumo vision association -an association by area professionals and business people-is tight because of her commitment.
Dame,When people gossip about you,you need not ,think about what they are saying.Words just move and reach your ears. altered and maddening.
I lived not in Sweden for life but love.There was no life for me.Not a day.-I just couldnt get my niche.I have a life now.A life I dearly love and treausure.I have changed many lives by words and actions.I was challeged by Author Mike Kamanga,in his book `seeds of hope’ he asks,what foot prints would you leave behind if you die today? would anyone in your community/nation ever remember you? or will you just be one big party of ants and its over?
This fished me out of me,myself and I thinking.I live for a larger community.In a women networking site-the worldpulse-www.worldpulse.com-I wrote a piece on (seeds of inspiration) there in details I narrated about my live in Sweden.In conclusion I mentioned the number of lives I have touched,and every reader thought I needed not to go to Sweden in the first place,But I kept responding -I went for love not for life.
What an interesting article Shiku.It seems Kenyans every where have a beef with each other.I live in a small but developed village in Botswana-Maun.Here,negativity is the norm of the day.Slip your tongue about something or some body,and every villager get it in no time.There is no room for `I dnt mean that’ words just move wild.I call it celebrating evil.
Positive things has no impact.Infact achievers are refered as arrogant.I have a lodge and most Kenyans are resistant to spend their pulas.Reason Mike will gain,he will climb a ladder higher and leave us down.So,they spend their pulas in other restaurant owned by locals and whites.
just like Shiku stated,most people I included shun Kenyans parties for dislike of after party gossips and rumors.My question is, are other nationals like us or is it a KENYAN problem?
Anyone out of the box please tell us .
Shiku,Dame need picture explanations.Just give him/her a ride to Kigumo,when he/she visit Kenya.Start with orphanage dining hall then Muthoni’s house.There are so many who by passed this family and never noticed a need of a decent living,Some orphans are about to eat from a warm dining hall courtesy of your dedication.
Dame, Shiku sweat for change and the needy.Not regret!
Mike,This unwise mouth watering words is a common disease to many nationals not only Kenyans.Interestingly, we somehow think watanzania huongea sana.Back home,people are classified in tribes even before they consider your potential.Abroad we classify people according to achievement,and you have not achieved anything if you are still `paperless’ thus classification number one is `paper’ and `paperless’.This to me is the root of all `evil rotten mouth watering words’.A huge giant to spot and kill with an arrow.
Betty ,you have written,good.Gossip save life,exposes who is a true friend or enemy,who means well,reveals your competitors and if we believe on gossip we could not have had IDPS in Kenya today.
Juma
Iam interested on this `paper’ and `paperless’ classification and would like to dig out more on it.Please mail me anything on it at-shiku@sports4change.org -yeas,for a write up.
Thanks