Samwana

  Photo curtesy of Azimio TV From ancient times to modern democracies, music has played a powerful and strategic role in political journeys, serving as both motivation and message. During the Exodus, Miriam, the sister of Moses, sang a triumphant hymn that uplifted the Israelites and strengthened their resolve as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. Her song was not mere celebration; it was psychological reinforcement, reminding a weary people that their struggle had purpose and divine backing. Similarly, in Africa’s resistance history, the Bukusu-led Dini ya Msambwa movement under Elijah Masinde used songs as tools of defiance against colonial intrusion in the 1940s. Their chant “Amba mutalia,” loosely translated as “Catch that Italian,” mobilized communities emotionally and psychologically, transforming resistance into a shared cultural expression that could be easily remembered and collectively sung. In Kenya’s electoral politics, music has consistently been deployed as a pe...

  25th July, 2025 started like one of those ordinary, kind mornings. I woke up feeling good, helped my daughter get ready for school, and dressed casually in shorts and a polo shirt. The day looked light. My plan was simple: drop her at school, pass by my kiosk to check the diary, then go back home to dress properly before starting work. I dropped her off and passed by the clinic, which is just near her school. As I flipped through the diary, the calm of the morning quietly slipped away. There was an urgent early appointment in Runda that needed my attention. I quickly changed into my scrubs and headed out. Back at the clinic later, another demanding case awaited me. It was a pet export matter that only I could handle. By afternoon, the clinic was busy, and I stayed on to support the team. When a grooming pickup was needed in Lang’ata, I volunteered without hesitation. That decision changed everything. In the compound were two dogs. Olaf, the small one I had come for, was visibly s...