Once upon a time..

There was once a Kenya that stood tall

When town and country basked in the sun

A bastion of peace we chested

Stability our shield and defender.

There was once a Kenya that. neighbours envied

When we meant more than Mara, Maasai and mall

Our buildings pierced the skies

Plenty a refugee were found within our borders.

There was once a Kenya that led by example

Traffic lights, yellow lines and meter maids were the order

Kitu kidogo was covert almost shamed

And there was no honour for thieves.

There was once a Kenya that was adored

Where safari and sand were the place for summer

Our tongues wagged karibu or jambo

And we believed our hues of brown made us one and not which one.

There was once a Kenya that believed in ideals

When our love for green was not in our purses

Intergrity wasn’t glassed nor put on policy papers

And we loved utu and not unajua mtu.

There was once a Kenya when we thrived

Not on mediocrity but on aspiration

Where mwalimu was the honourable and utumishi served and maybe protected

And a Kenya Bus ride didn’t lower your pride.

There was once a Kenya when one could dream

When home was not always where the hut was

With kisses and wishes free of the kitambulisho

And our heroes were built of character and not of gold or chai.

Maybe that Kenya was for a time. Perhaps, just once.

KevO