She sat calmly on the concrete stair case together with a battalion of Kenyans who had been charging the whole week for the finals of the Africa Challenge League where the Kenyans were to take up their Tanzanian neighbors. Immediately I arrived at the scene, I was updated by agents that Her Excellency “was present” to support the Kenyans so my first task was to establish how I could make my way around the crowd to shake her hand and to congratulate her for honoring an official invitation from the leadership of the Sports Association of Afro-Scandinavians (SAAS) which organized the tournament.
Beside her was the second in command at the Kenyan Embassy, Mr. Andambi, who also sat on the hard concrete as George (also from the Embassy), assumed the role of a Paparazzi. An innocent observer could not notice that Kibaki’s representative was actually in the crowd because there was no special arena, seats for madosi, visible security personnel or any symbol of State power. Instead, Purity blended comfortably into the crowd to join in cheering the Kenyan team. Occasionally, the flag-waving Kenyans booed the Tanzanians, rebuked the Referee or engaged in a chorus of chants depending on the situation in the field.
When a Tanzanian made a spectacular move, the Kenyans would shout “Hatu pigi kelele… hatu pigi kelele” (We are not going to cheer…!) while when it was a situation where a Tanzanian player appeared to have roughed up a Kenyan, the crowd would shout “Huyoo, huyoo…, a common chant when chasing a thief in the streets in Kenya. Sometimes, they called for the referee to be “arrested” when they thought he was unfair to the Kenyans. Shouts of “Shika yeye” filled the air when he blew the whistle unnecessarily.
Unfortunately, the hopes and expectations of the huge Kenyan crowd appeared to have been dashed by half time because by then, Watizedi were already leading by 3-0. Hopes appeared to rise again during the second half when the Kenyans scored a goal but despite prolonged encouragement, the Kenyans failed to make it and the game ended in a 3-1 win in favor of the Tanzanians.
Although the Kenyans were very good, the Tanzanians appeared to have been very experienced. The Kenyans had not been training together for a long time while the Tanzanians were well versed with one another in the field. Another disadvantage was that the Tanzanians appeared to have seen many Januaries (eaten loads of ugali) as opposed to the Kenyans, some of whom are first generation Kenyans in Stockholm.
Even the Brazilians Lost in the World Cup
Despite the defeat, the presence of Ambassador Purity at the scene made it look like it was the Kenyans who had actually won the game. Kenyans continued to shout and praise their players well after the game was over.
For a break, and probably responding to KSB’s “Politics of Vitenge”, Purity donned a Pakistani/Asian attire, much to the amusement of Kenyans who appeared to have been enjoying every moment of her presence at the match.
It was like Purity had pulled a big surprise and did exactly what Kenyans have been asking her to do – show up at least when something big is happening within the tiny Kenya-Stockholm world. Sam Pippo did not prepare themselves to see a big trophy that was lifted by the Tanzanians together with medals that were distributed to the players. When time to hand over the trophy came by, the Guest of Honor was almost automatic. Purity was the highest ranking State personality (at the African and Swedish levels) at the function and she was effortlessly given the honor of dishing out the medals together with the big trophy.
She then availed herself for a photo opportunity with key players in the situation, took a picture with both teams before Kenyans began to line up for their turns. If you were present when Raila Odinga was in town and witnessed how Kenyans were lining up to take pictures with him, the situation was almost the same on Saturday.
This confirms what has always been recorded here at KSB – that as the Kenyan Ambassador to Scandinavia, Kenyans are interested in interacting with Purity to accord her the respect she deserves as the representative of their government while using her presence to further their collective objectives.
Obviously, she cannot attend every occasion within Kenya-Stockholm but by attending the football match after the Kenyans had reached the finals, she was not only boosting the morale of the players but also touching base with the grass roots.
“This is what we would like to see”, a jovial Kenyan told KSB as Purity mingled with her countrymen, away from the office.
Purity deserves a note of congratulations by rising to the occasion and meeting the expectations of every Kenyan who was at the function even though our team lost.
In the end, the Kenyans consoled themselves by saying that even the Brazilians never made it during the World Cup so even if the Kenyans lost, someone must always miss the trophy in the finals of a football match and the Kenyans were no exception.
A final note of kudos goes to SAAS for the meticulous organization of the tournament. KSB also takes this opportunity to congratulate all Kenyans who have been supporting the team since it was set up together with all those who have been involved in one way or another with the team.
Okoth Osewe
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