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From Doubts and Fear to Faith and Action (A Funeral Dress for Nyasuguta)

 




‘God bless the work of my hands… I have done my part, I leave the rest to you…’ Thus begins my prayer as I go to print. First, some excerpts:

Sally
I killed my landlord. He had been stressing me out. Like that day he locked me in with Sally as I was behind in rent payments. Let me tell you about Sally and you’ll agree that killing the landlord was a noble idea…

 

A Woman Scorned: Part I
Nakuru. The city, recently incorporated, of a hundred adjectives rushing on to a thousand. Nakuru. The city of peace, war and presidential fiats. Handshakes and political proclamations. Suspect samosas, pussies, meats and their traders. Gangs and police brutality. Nakuru. The city for a con seeking a fresh start at life. The zealot sweeping the roads of Jerusalem as the highest of the Lord’s priests prepares to make a triumph entry to the city for some hired miracles. This time, on a convoy of fuel guzzlers and a phalanx of bodyguards and chase cars, for the ass is become obsolete…

 

For the longest time, I have had self-doubt, leading to self-sabotage, even when others – the kind ones – have told me that I am good. Call it the imposter syndrome. Then again, this is the year of doing. The year of action. The year of shipping out. So, as a precursor, I did the hardest thing for me, something I’ve always wanted to do: stand in front of people and make them laugh. And I did, and the reception was promising.

So, next week, unless otherwise, this book, an anthology of short stories, will be out, probably on Nuria Bookstore. The cost, 1500/-. 1500 bob. KES 1500. Kshs 1500. I promise it to be a worthy read. A treasure trove of new thoughts and memories. A priceless memento and gift for those nearest and dearest. Most importantly, I want you to walk with me in this creative journey. Then, one day, we’ll look back in triumphant at what we’ve been able to accomplish together – you, the reader; me, the author – at the world stage. Perhaps, then, you’ll cash this your first edition of ‘A Funeral Dress for Nyasuguta’ for a million dollars on E-Bay.

And so, I end my prayer:

Baba tembea, tembea nami
Usiku wa kiza, tembea nami
Jua lichomozapo, lituapo
Kusini, kaskazini, magharibi, mashariki
Katika misimu yote Baba
Elohi nakusihi, tembea nami.

(Father walk with me
In the dark of night, walk with me
As the sun shines and sets
In the South and North, West to East
In all seasons Father
Elohim I beseech, walk with me)

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