Post by Onyango Oloo on Jun 14, 2017 14:39:01 GMT 3
Yesterday as I was walking down in in downtown Nairobi heading towards Nyayo House, I witnessed something a bit new. Right opposite IMAX/20th Century on Mama Ngina Street, around the corner from City Hall I saw three different crowds.
Nothing strange about that.
The Bunge la Mwananchi like gatherings have been a mainstay there for some time now. Nothing unusual about the political speeches, predictions and exhortations.
What was “new” in a sense were the banners adorning the corners of at least two gatherings.
In the past you found a mishmash of hoi polloi engaging in heated discussions about a range of topics. But, generally speaking, you could not predict what was going to emanate from the next person’s mouth when they got a chance to open it.
What is different about the banners is their PARTISAN nature.
They all scream "NASA", “Raila” and other slogans espousing their anti-establishment credo. A few months ago, you saw a smaller bunch, mostly conversing Gikuyu with some Kiswahili, Sheng and English DEFENDING President Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and Jubilee.
Now it seems that this contingent has dissipated. Or maybe the pro-NASA street pundits are more vocal, aggressive and assertive. Clearly a superficial gauge on the sentiments would back up the NASA claims of 10 million strong-although one is not sure what percentage of the people have confirmed that they are registered in some polling station and will come out to vote for their MCA, MP, Women’s Rep, Senator, Governor or Presidential choice come August 8th.
The other place I noticed what was happening was in the matatus-especially to Kibra and other low income communities. The conductors, drivers and crew are bursting ear drums of their passengers with one pro NASA or pro Raila ditty after the other.
Popular ohangla stars like Emma Jalamo have composed witty tunes; other entertainers just want their songs to be NASA anthems.
It seems like a flash back to ten years in the past when revelers to Zanze, Garage, Katito and other mostly Luo dominated night clubs paid homage to what they saw as the imminent coronation of the son of Jaramogi as incoming head of state. Then Onyango Papa J, Omondi Tony, Musa Juma, Tony Nyadundo filled the dance floors with their hits extolling the virtues of Raila Amolo Odinga.
Since I have been living in Kirinyaga County for a few months-I have witnessed the rabid pro Muthamaki, Kamwana Uhuru fervour flavoured into deceptively sounding “gospel”hits- I recently spoke of Ben Githae’s tune.
So what does Kenyan popular culture tell us about the next election?
A triumphant Jubilee come back or the excited yelling in the streets of the victorious NASA troops?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Nothing strange about that.
The Bunge la Mwananchi like gatherings have been a mainstay there for some time now. Nothing unusual about the political speeches, predictions and exhortations.
What was “new” in a sense were the banners adorning the corners of at least two gatherings.
In the past you found a mishmash of hoi polloi engaging in heated discussions about a range of topics. But, generally speaking, you could not predict what was going to emanate from the next person’s mouth when they got a chance to open it.
What is different about the banners is their PARTISAN nature.
They all scream "NASA", “Raila” and other slogans espousing their anti-establishment credo. A few months ago, you saw a smaller bunch, mostly conversing Gikuyu with some Kiswahili, Sheng and English DEFENDING President Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and Jubilee.
Now it seems that this contingent has dissipated. Or maybe the pro-NASA street pundits are more vocal, aggressive and assertive. Clearly a superficial gauge on the sentiments would back up the NASA claims of 10 million strong-although one is not sure what percentage of the people have confirmed that they are registered in some polling station and will come out to vote for their MCA, MP, Women’s Rep, Senator, Governor or Presidential choice come August 8th.
The other place I noticed what was happening was in the matatus-especially to Kibra and other low income communities. The conductors, drivers and crew are bursting ear drums of their passengers with one pro NASA or pro Raila ditty after the other.
Popular ohangla stars like Emma Jalamo have composed witty tunes; other entertainers just want their songs to be NASA anthems.
It seems like a flash back to ten years in the past when revelers to Zanze, Garage, Katito and other mostly Luo dominated night clubs paid homage to what they saw as the imminent coronation of the son of Jaramogi as incoming head of state. Then Onyango Papa J, Omondi Tony, Musa Juma, Tony Nyadundo filled the dance floors with their hits extolling the virtues of Raila Amolo Odinga.
Since I have been living in Kirinyaga County for a few months-I have witnessed the rabid pro Muthamaki, Kamwana Uhuru fervour flavoured into deceptively sounding “gospel”hits- I recently spoke of Ben Githae’s tune.
So what does Kenyan popular culture tell us about the next election?
A triumphant Jubilee come back or the excited yelling in the streets of the victorious NASA troops?
Your guess is as good as mine.