NYERI'S ONCE FAMOUS TALENTED BROTHERS LIVING IN ABJECT POVERTY. DRUGS AND POLITICS

Its a bright Sunday morning as i proceed to do an interview in the home of *George Kamau,(Not his real name) a resident of Kiawara slums in Nyeri town. He welcomes me to sit outside his house on a huge stone outside his wooden shack, and as i prepare to remove my pen and book for the interview, he sits directly opposite me. After a few pleasantries, he turns , proceeds to remove a square plastic box  hidden behind a stack of wood. Opens the box, and to my surprise, is full of dry marijuana leaves ready to be rolled into bhang joints for his loyal customers. He looks a me with an awry smile and starts to tell me his life story and why he sells drugs for a living. I sit quietly and listen.

George*(not his real name) rolling Marijuana into joints for his customers.

George Kamau Wangui 30 years old , was born into a family of two other brothers. *Michael Gichange Wangui 25 years and, *Samuel Maina 38 years.(Not their real names)  They were all raised in Majengo slums in Nyeri town. This trio were once the most talented and famous acrobats around the defunct Nyeri District and beyond. Going as far as being recognized in Nairobi,Kitale, Eldoret, Mombasa, Thika, Machakos, Meru and other Kenya's big towns.

Today, 10 years later, this three brothers live in abject poverty in Kiawara Slums, Rware Ward in Nyeri County, with no formal education, albeit being talented, they survive on a day to day basis, not sure of what to eat tomorrow or the day after.
Their once star-studded life is no more and hope for a better tomorrow edges far and far as each dawn breaks.

George's wooden Shack in Kiawara slum

Their journey in the art of gymnastics started when they were in lower  primary School in DEB Muslim Primary School in Nyeri town barely into their teens.Orphaned at an early age after the death of their mother, they had no one to take care of them and as was the norm then,they dropped out of school due to lack of school fees and hit the streets of Nyeri town, to eke a living as street urchins. surviving on hand-outs and minor crimes. They engaged in all sorts of drugs and substance abuse including gum, petrol, glue, marijuana, Miraa etc. to beat idleness. This was before Samuel Maina their eldest brother encouraged them to practice the only talent they had, body contortion, gymnastics and acrobatics to seek a reliable income.

 With Samuel Maina being  the best in this art, he helped his younger brothers sharpen their skills and led them out of their daily drug-laden begging life into practice sessions at YMCA Hall, Nyeri town. Within no time, the three brothers were quite confident and this time round, they hit the streets of Nyeri town as performers with a name for their group, Fantastic Acrobat Group where they could earn a few shillings thrown by bystanders who seemed thrilled by their performances.

Apart from selling weed, George engages in farming in his squatter land.

To cut the long story short, they endured on with their public performances becoming better day by day, and sooner or later got invites in parties, weddings, public shows in front of politicians, ASK shows etc.  In those days, am told, the town council was more keen on talent and did not harass these young men as they hustled for their daily bread. In the early 2000, there were 4-5 talent groups in Nyeri town alone, whose names included, ABN talent Group,Drumbeats Africa(which I recall), and others whose names have escaped me. In those days, the council would give daily permits for this youths to perform unlike today where such talented youths are told that they are dirtying the streets!

This talented youths performed in big hotels such as Green Hills Hotel (see photos), Outspan Hotel, Narumoru River Lodge, Hilton Hotel, Nairobi Casino, Serena beach Hotel, Bomas of kenya as well as big institutions including universities and colleges.

Fantastic Acrobats performing at Green Hills Hotel Nyeri.

With a change in government, to the Kibaki presidency in 2002, things changed drastically.  Without any formal papers, and the government relentless efforts to curb insecurity by targeting youths in dreadlocks, they would time in time get arrested, especially in Nairobi and Mombasa, fined heavily and then released into the streets to be arrested by another dirty cop. With good earnings in Mombasa and Nairobi, the pain of leaving these cities was too painful for them,  they had to pack their bags and leave after spending a lot of money bribing policemen and seeing their job deteriorating. They knew, they had a place called home. A place called Nyeri. What they did not know, is that, upon returning home, they would, be in for a shock!

From Mombasa, to Nairobi and other big towns, this group made of only brothers used to pull crowds everywhere.

Returning home, the daily permits had been cancelled, the few talent groups were no longer performing and one was called a thug and an idler for being in the streets performing! The daily shows they once performed outside Wazee Hukumbuka bar in Nyeri town was no longer allowed and county askaris were on the lookout for them. They faced arrests,had no money for bribes and they could no longer perform anywhere and their dreams were shattered.

They had no one to speak for them, no manager to seek them the necessary papers or opportunities and they had no money in the bank as they didn't have financial intelligence on investments and savings. Within no time, they lost hope, they could not access the necessary licences to even perform in private weddings or parties and eventually gave up on their only talent. They had no option but to go back to the slums and look for a way out. Michael Gichange the youngest of the three brothers is now a scrap dealer, Samuel Maina the most talented of the three other is now a shoe shiner in town as George continues his illicit trade as well as farming.

Their only hope lies in the county government change in development and empowerment of youths like them and others out there with talent. They remain a forgotten lot, who are not begging for jobs but actually requesting for opportunities to be opened for them to earn a descent living.

They go ahead as to blame the current Nyeri County Government leaders for the empty promises they had for them in the campaign period which includes empowerment of talented youths. Am told by George Kamau, that the current rates of performing in the streets is to high for them as they are expected to pay between Ksh 4000 to Ksh 5000 per two weeks. Equivalent to about 10,000/= per month for performing in the streets!

Some of the talented youths in Nyeri whom i have interviewed before, believe that the government has not assisted them in any way possible, because they have talent and they are no jobs. they still insist that crime and illicit trades will prevail if nothing is done. The government has previously promised a million times on how they will help talent grow but nothing has ever changed. They claim that politicians only come to them for votes and have never returned to them to empower them or see how they are doing. They are afraid that the situation is getting worse everyday!

George's main dream is to build himself a permanent house, with small savings he works alone to fulfill his dream.

I personally believe that the current County government does not have any working policies for youths, especially in the slums. It should be noted that Nyeri county is in record for being the WORST in the empowerment of the youths countrywide. We have on many occasions seen other counties holding talent shows, sports activities (look at Rurin'gu stadium for example) dance shows etc. but NONE has ever happened here except the Miss Tourism fashion Show which is mandatory for all counties.. The question remains.. Is the County Government under Governor Gachagua  the biggest enemy for the development of the Nyeri youth? Whats your take on this.. please comment below and share your thoughts.

The writer is a co-founder of Rware Youth Rehabilitation Initiative, An organization that helps drugs and substance abusers from Rware ward Slums, Nyeri county live better lives through sports and talent identification. 

like our Facebook page by clicking>>>> Rware Youth

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For assistance in any form: funds, opportunities, empowerment of the said youths:
please text/call 0712340430. Your co-operation will be highly appreciated.

Plane falls in Kiawara Nyeri

A plane landed today at a place called Kiawara  Kieni Nyeri county.

 Before you think of crashed bones, burning flesh and wrecked aluminium in Kieni maize farm in the expansive Kyeni ward, then be surprised to know that the particular plane was locally made with tins and was being controlled by a remote control.  The owner, a man from the city, had actually come to the full realization that the plane he was making behind his house in Kayole could outdo most of the local cheap airline planes that head to Kisumu, Eldoret and other big towns everyday.

With the 135 kg plane in his lorry, he engaged his lorry at 180 km/hr and sped along Nairobi- Nyeri road very fast, so fast that he could have caused numerous accidents along the way. Rumours has it that the particular man did not even stop for inspection from the notorious Thika cops even after being ordered to stop several times.

Upon reaching in Kieni, he quickly unloaded his light aircraft, assembled it, up near a cliff in area where you can see the former presidents mansion and the larger Kyeni ward and set up everything.

He removed a big locally made remote control similar to the green simu ya jamii Safaricom public phones and started to make his dreams and visions a reality. He pressed a button on the remote and the plane propellers rose to life. He put a large grin on his broad face as he proceeded to it give it a pull. He hurriedly called a few villagers standing by, to come to his aid and they pulled until the engine had given full throttle. They released it. The small plane took off for only 10 metres and fell.

The innovative young man has visions of making the best propelled planes in the world. He envisions helping the aviation industry use remote controls instead of hiring pilots. The man is planning to sell his ideas and design to Germany, USA, Britain, Russia and other developed countries. He was heard saying that he will come again to the particular cliff again next year with a better plane.

The said man has been seen in Nyeri town drowning in alcohol at a particular popular bar.

Nyeri MCAs head to Mombasa for help in drugs war.

Controversial Nyeri MCA  Githaiga Njoroge

Last month, saw a number of our Nyeri leaders decide to head to Mombasa to get assistance from the leaders there on the best ways to tackle the drugs and substance abuse war that has become nearly impossible to defeat and is giving this leaders sleepless nights.

Leading this entourage was Nyeri County Assembly Forum Secretary General Githaiga Njoroge(who was once  criticised by Isaac Ruto for using tax payers money in 'unnecessary' foreign trips).

Helping a man deeply affected by drugs to his feet

As the entourage entered Mombasa, the Nyeri leaders were shocked by the levels of drugs abuse as the residents of Mombasa have nearly turned to Zombies because of this menace.

It should be noted that about 30 percent of the youths in Nyeri are drugs and substance abusers and don't seem like they are about to leave drugs any time soon.

The leaders met some of the  people affected by the vice in Mombasa and were flabbergasted to see that the situation there was far worse than here. The drugs that the youths there in Mombasa are using include,heroine, hashish, cocaine, morphine and opium which the Nyeri youth have not been seriously affected with.

Walking 'sleeping' zombies in Mombasa

A lady affected by drugs menace in Mombasa

Watch the full video here... Courtesy of KTN Kenya.

The question remains... Was it necessary for the Nyeri leaders to go to Mombasa on the tax payers money to find solutions of the problems of drugs abuse, yet there are better ways of doing it, right from here? 

Do you think the entourage was successful or was just a waste of time?

comment below.

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A Nyeri mother's bitter tears after son is put for life!

Today was that day that i normally despise. That day that i hear that my mum is schedule to go to the Nyeri law courts with his brother on a matter to do with ownership of a portion of land in Ngangarithi! I sometimes wonder why cant big mature people just sit down and talk to each other in a simple manner? Talk like how small children do? Without ill motives, understanding with consideration of the other? Without much bric a brac or gewgaws? #sighs#

One of the places in Nyeri most don't wish to be taken.

Apparently, my mums case was postponed for whatever reason and within minutes we were out of the courtroom to the compounds. As i approached the gates, I saw this 20 something old man with a triangular shaped face,large blood shot piercing eyes and a frowny expression.In his head were dirty brown locks with a receding hairline. He wore silver dirty jeans, a short sleeved polka dotted T shirt with unshaven brown beards. In his mammoth legs were undersized blue flipflops (slippers).

 In his hands were tightly locked handcuffs. He was being escorted by two, tall and tough looking  guards from Kin'gong'o prison. Coincidentally a 50 something woman appeared from the other corner, dressed simply in a kitenge garment. her eyes filled with sorrow and somehow sad. Her glummy, sullen and dejected look hidden behind an almond shaped nose. Her mouth dry, with pursed lips and appearing out of her greenish,yellowish kitenge scarf was grey skinny dull hair. 

A mother's tearful face after seeing his son's face for the last time.

She made out a shrill call for attention, and within a split second, the three men stopped and  turned. The faces of a son and mother locked on to each other. The wrinkled  hands of the elder woman shivered and shook. Her eyes got teary as she proceeded to meet her son. She shook her head in disgust as she proceeded forward to touch him.She opened her mouth as if to say something, but the sounds failed to come out, as if, her vocal cords had failed. She slowly reached to grip her son's hands but the hands fell. She broke in sobs and knelt down in dismay and distress.

Main entrance of King'ong'o Prison

The triangular-shape faced man with a frowny face, looked away and turned in shame and embarrassment. The guards held him more tightly, as if to punish him more. He proceeded as if to touch his mother's hand for comfort but his freedom was limited and he desperately failed. His eyes dropped and his eyes filled with tears. Tears of regret. He was towed away to the King'ong'o Prison bus, wailing and looking back every second. To see the last picture of a woman who loved him and who had high hopes for him.He was led away. Away from his mother, relatives, friends and the normal life you and I enjoy. Out into the gallows. Into lifelong incarceration, without parole. for a murder.

 A murder he had committed.. He had accosted a minor, attacked raped and murdered her. He pleaded with the courts after being read his  sentence and proceeded to say that he was drugged and could not remember anything on that fateful day. "No leniency or forgiven should be given to such individuals, you deserve to hang for as a punishment to others". Concluded the judge as he was being ushered out to King'ong'o prisons.

kingongo prisoners

Rware Youth Forum (what transpired)

The youth leaders in attendance at the forum

Yesterday 22/01/2015 was quite a learning day for the youth leaders in Rware ward, Nyeri County. The Nyeri Bunge Sacco led by the charismatic youth leader popularly known as Mc Myke, The National Youth Alliance Nyeri branch leader led by Election Njoroge Wachira, The Scouts Association Nyeri branch led by Grace Michuki as well as the popular 'Nyeri Ni Sisi' Facebook page were all in attendance at the IFAD Hall,(where the Education, ICT, Education and Sports ministry is located) just opposite the posh Nyeri Club.

Group photos of all those proposing for development of the Rware Youth

 In attendance too was Leah Thanje a knowledgable 3rd year Mt. Kenya law student who took the youthful leaders in attendance on the step by step account on how to start a business, how to start a Limited Company, how to apply for tenders etc. Fatma Hassan (The Uwezo funds lady) also shared on how one qualifies for an LPO, an LSO etc. All these trendsetters had all  conglomerated to offer free advice to the Rware ward youth leaders. They have now branded themselves as Nyeri County Youth Empowerement Programme

 The main agenda of the day included raising the socio-economic status of the Rware ward youths through the 30% government tender youth slot which, even after being started 10 years ago, has had no youth company in Nyeri County  successfully applying for the said tenders due to absence of information.

Leah Thanje on how to start a company

Charismatic Nyeri Bunge Sacco chairman Mc. Myke

About 15-20 group leaders were in attendance. I was awed to learn that there are garbage collection, boxing, bodaboda, metalwork, woodwork, fabrication and other self help groups in this county. The Nyeri county executive Secretary 'Waziri' Mr. Elijah Nguyo was there too. He talked and adviced youth leaders to be united (even as groups) to assist in the development of  Rware Youth. The youth docket in the County Assembly was represented by Hon. Salma Uledi (who is one of the most hardworking Members of County Assembly). She cautioned the youths on the dangers of being used by politicians in pushing for their agendas and proceeded to say that some of the politicians are driven by personal interest and only use us and then dump us later.

The days affairs were finalised when the youth leaders in attendance decided to form limited companies ( a requirement for one to access government tenders ) once they meet with their group members.

The Young MCA Hon Salma Uledi doing what she does best.

The Nyeri county youth  empowerement programme is on the road to all areas of Nyeri county wards doing this awareness campaign to all youth leaders of the county. This sub counties include, Tetu, Kieni West, Kieni East, Mathira East, Mathira West, Othaya Mukurweini and Nyeri town.


To learn more on when this programme will reach your ward please like Nyeri Ni SiSi facebook page by clicking here

To learn more on the factors affecting the Nyeri Youth on facebook click here

All photos courtesy of Nyeri Ni Sisi Facebook Page

IS THE NYERI YOUTH TO BLAME?

Nyeri county  slum youths face more or the same problems with other slum dwellers everywhere.
insecurity, unemployment, low participation in decision making,drugs and alcohol abuse, inaccessibility to financial resources etc.

It is time we came together as young people and start investing in ourselves. We should stop being complainers, and we must gain courage to start attacking the problems above.
we know we have problems and the more we keep talking about them, the more we are wasting time.

we need to stand once and for all and look for solutions. We have had numerous promises from politicians, donors, organizations, county government, national government and financial institutions on how our lives will change for the better.
Truly speaking, what has really changed?
Are our problems subsiding or becoming worse?

Are we the ones to blame?

Those are some questions we need to ask ourselves..
Why are we the worst abusers of alcohol?
why are we all rushing to chew Miraa at noon and spend most of our day seated complaining they are no jobs?
Why is there insecurity amongst us, and we know the criminals yet we keep them hidden in our midst because they don't hurt us?

We are the same youths who appear in national headlines stripping ladies, circumcising  other men(watch the video above)raping chickens and donkeys(the truth hurts)!


To read a University of Nairobi article on the factors influencing alcohol consumption in Majengo slums in Rware ward click here.

The question remains?

ARE WE THE ONES TO BLAME FOR OUR PROBLEMS?