Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has been spotted a few times in our local country club lately. Incidentally, he doesn’t seem to mind too much that the membership is predominantly Kikuyu.
A South African friend told us:
‘I kid you not! It was only Raila Odinga speed walking on the running machine next to mine this morning!’
Someone else spotted him on another occasion and rather bravely introduced himself, even giong as far as proffering his hand for a shade. This unfortunately proved to be not the thing to do because Raila studiously ignored the gentleman.
Yesterday, a British friend saw Raila in the club pacing down the path to the swimming pool/gym area. My friend smiled brightly and said:
‘Hello!’
Which he felt might be the right etiquette in a members club, but again the gaze of Raila hidden behind dark glasses, while flanked by two body guards in matching African shirts (it was Sunday) did not flicker the remotest response.
The African style of leading is obviously a far cry from the UK/USA style of acting at all times as; ‘The People’s President’. Smiles etched painfully on faces and always a minute spared for a potential voter.
The diary of a British expat living in Kenya. News, views, debate and a healthy dose of trivia.
6 comments:
Karen or Muthaiga?
It must be Karen, he would never dare show his face in Muthaiga, that is Kibaki/PNU territory.
Shame on you, again. I knew you'd never publish my tirade against you about Raila Odinga being spotted in a club. Tribalism Expat Wife, wewe! Your husband must probably be a Mungiki financier and you a sympathiser.
But in the spirit of power sharing, I forgive you.
Dear anonymous,
Shame you are afraid to reveal your identity!!! I'd love to look at your website! I admit I am a total wimp and decided against publishing your tirade. Your very strong feelings were probably justified and I was probably too hasty in publishing a post that was too flippant.
However, I know that you are convinced that this blog has been written with a political bias, but don't forget expats don't get to vote. We can watch what happens but have no control over events - even though we have personally invested in this country. It was pretty frustrating to watch, utterly helpless, as things fell apart after the election.
My husband's company employs 50 Kenyans, all of whom fall into the 'Kenyan middle class' bracket, and the company is more than 50 percent owned by Kenyan shareholders. Not sure if any of them have Mungiki affiliations, but can't really see that that is relevant?!? No idea.
One of the most encouraging aspects of writing this blog is the positive feedback I've received from the Kenyan diaspora over the past year or so, most of whom live permanently in UK and USA and are married to foreigners overseas.
I'm sad that your attitude seems to come across as 'them and us' with reference to expats. Don't forget - we live in a global village now!
So glad that things seem to be very much on the up in Kenya now, and that you forgive me in the spirit of power sharing!
Best wishes and look forward to the next tirade!!
Aha, Frances Woodhams! Forget about the tirades and shame business, tuungane pamoja, tujenge nchi yetu!
Just FYI and at the risk of being labeled a RAO sycophant, do you know the Times profile on your blogging http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article3142494.ece was on January 7, RAO's birthday? RAO is Raila Amolo Odinga.
By the way, during the post-poll violence, the marauding Luos of Kariobangi and Mathare were identifying their Kikuyu "enemies" by this codeword (which is Luo for "hippo"); Kikuyus traditionally have pronunciation trouble with R and L. I haven't said there's a connection...
I happened on Expats Wives club and haven't been able to leave. As attractive as the women seem, there seems to be some "superiority" in the ranks. Africa needs understanding, compassion not the old school "imperial" attitudes. Rather than sitting having coffee, many people could be helped by your going into the community and doing something about AIDS, starvation, lack of educational growth, etc. Africa needs love not arrogance. Racism is wrong and I'm shocked at the racism on this website!!!!
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