THE UZALENDO DAY!

  From the matatus and radio stations across the nation, patriotic beats and hymns dominate the air. It is the day when other genres of music take a back-seat and our Uzalendo beats become a national chorus. Miniature flags and national colors in all forms flush the environment and the entire nation is in a patriotic mood. As the President enters the Nyayo National Stadium in his ceremonial car, we all stand up. Ululations and cheers relegate our worries and problems to the backseat! It is Madaraka Day!

  Despite being the victims of terror-loving souls and blood thirsty vampires who take fun in pounding us with grenades, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), illegally owned guns and all manner of crude weapons, we brave the chill and become patriotic for a day. Even the near-impossible cost of living, un-ending corruption laden-scams and sagas, disappointments and heart-breaks from the government cannot deter us. Politicians shed their cheap political skins for a day and feign the people’s interests at heart! It is Jamhuri Day!

  Hard-bitten Kenyans who wake up early and sleep late, those who trek to Industrial Area in their swarms each day, just to eke a living, fill the Nyayo National Stadium. Even our dedicated and disciplined police men and women, for a day leave their tough and deplorable working conditions and put on splendid performances in front of the President! They can afford a healthy smile, a far cry from their harsh conditions at work.  The Kenya Defence Forces show off their military might and the Kenya Air Force in particular leave the entire nation gasping in awe and disbelief as they display their might and power in the air. It is the President’s Day.

  Patriotic Kenyans, come from all corners of the republic, just to perform a play or two before Baba wa Taifa and it is really an honor (I once performed before former President Mwai Kibaki at the State House Gardens, while in the university). Then the president caps the sunny day at Nyayo National Stadium, with a well-scripted speech that suddenly reignites the hope in an otherwise disillusioned state! This is the moment that those who thronged the stadium and followed the action from the comfort of their television sets had been waiting for.

  However, as soon as the President in his armored escort leave the stadium, announcing the end of yet another national Day celebrations, Kenyans quickly put on their old skins. We all open our eyes only to meet the insecurity, high cost of living, scams and scandals in the government, the evil of corruption that is a national sport and the tough Kenya, that is a far cry from the delirium and ecstasy that had filled Nyayo National Stadium moments ago, for the celebrations.

  Maisha ni magumu’, Tunaomba serikali iingililie’ and others are some of the tag lines that Kenyans murmur to each other and wake up to the next morning, after a day of showcasing patriotism, albeit the hell on earth that we live in!

       Reach the writer at jeanmutua@yahoo.com, mutuamaundu14@gmail.com