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MCA Gwinso

Whoever says Kenyans have a short memory does not know the people of my ward. My wardmates have this ability to remember that can put an elephant to shame.

They say this beast does not forget. Now my elephants’…er…sorry, my people’s sharp memory has put me in a rather awkward situation, giving me a lousy start of the New Year.

As you may be aware, I was first elected in 2013, when I resoundingly thwacked my opponents to become the first ever MCA for my ward since Creation.

I campaigned on the platform of education for all and promised voters that once elected I would ensure that no child missed school for lack of money.

Well, after winning the election, I realised that making promises and fulfilling them were different things.

It was not possible to meet the needs of the huge number of needy students in my ward. Somehow, I managed to convince my people that I was doing something to ensure education for all.

Come 2017, I was on the campaign trail once more. Now that I had not fulfilled my past promises, I had to find a way of wriggling myself out of the tight situation. 

I decided to work with definite timelines this time. So whenever I mounted a campaign podium, I would declare, “ I swear that by 2020, each and every needy student will get either a scholarship or a bursary. Lazima watoto wetu wasome!” I roared to thunderous applauses. Needless to say, I won the election again.

Well, 2020 arrived the other day, and my promises also arrived to haunt me.  I had hardly settled in the office after the festivities when I was informed that a group wanted to see me urgently.

“What do they want? Can’t they let me settle first?” I asked the receptionist, feeling a little irritated.

“I don’t know, but they look impatient, Sir,” she responded.

“How many are they?”

“About 30.” 

“I cannot speak to 30 people at a go. That will be like addressing a public rally. I can only see two at a time.” 

A few moments later, a man and a lady were standing inside my office.

“Happy New Year,” I said trying hard to sound pleasant.

“Not very happy, mheshimiwa,” a frown plastered on her face.

“Why?”

“School fees manenos,” the man put in. “You promised us bursaries  and scholarships for this year. Here we are now. “

My heart skipped a beat. So this was the 2020 I had been yapping about? To be sincere, it had sounded a far off dream!

“Mheshimiwa, we were expecting that by now, you would have released the bursaries. Remember schools are opening on Monday na tunataka kujipanga,” the lady said with disconcerting coolness. I felt cornered. The truth was that I had not remembered to look for bursaries or scholarships.

“How many are you,” I asked.

“Here we are about 40, but there are many more coming to see you,” the man said.

I saw red, but quick thinking saved me – or so I thought. “Let me go to the governor’s office and discuss the matter with him. I am sure we shall get somewhere. I will be back in a short while,” I told my guests.

“Do we wait for you here?” the lady asked.

“Of course,” bellowed the man. “We will not leave this office until we get the bursaries.” We agreed that the two would inform the rest about our decision first, so I wouldn’t have to address them directly. 

By the time I walked out of the office, the small crowd looked peaceful and assured. I just smiled and waved as I walked passed them.  

Of course there was no governor’s office I was going to: I was heading straight home to get some peace. I was in no mood to begin the year with squabbles.

On reaching home, I was astonished to find an even bigger crowd waiting. On inquiring about their mission, one of them stated that they had come to check on the bursaries I had promised them.

“Oh, I see,” I said calmly. I will not even get into the house. I am going straight to the governor to discuss the matter with him, just wait for me here,” I said and walked away.

I headed straight to fellow MCA Matayo’s for advice. About three hours later, I called the office and my house to give instructions that anybody interested in a bursary should apply formally and present strong evidence of being needy.

The date for submitting the applications would be announced later. Well, today, as schools are opening, I am yet to decide what to do. Ni kubaya.   – [email protected]