Happy Mashujaa Day!! Well we all know today
is Mashujaa day (in Kenya that is). Allow me to shed some light on this for
those of us not in Kenya or Kenyans. Mashujaa day is the 20th of October,
a day that Kenya takes time to celebrate the heroes who fought for the
independence of our nation. Mashujaa is
a Swahili word that means hero. It was previously known by the name “Kenyatta
Day”, named after the founding father of our dear nation Kenya. Mashujaa day is
the day we celebrate not only the heroes who fought indefatigably for the independence of our nation, but also the
heroes in our lives.
Having said that, this is a special tribute to a hero in my life
(what? Wipe that smirk off you face, I have the freedom to! If you didn’t write
your hero a post; well, it’s your loss!). Born a few years before me, he is the one man I have
looked up to all my life. As a toddler, I watched him play with other children
with envy. I mean, before I could walk, he would leave me in the house in the
morning and occasionally come back to eat with some sweat on his fore head. He made
me want to go out and play so much that my parents claim that I started walking
and talking so early, thanks to him. I can also boast that the few soccer
skills I know, he taught me. Yes, he taught me to play with my left foot, which
we all know not many people can do, which helped me play for the teams I have
played for, as a left wing striker. (Yeah, I’m bragging now). He trained me those days when I used to do
track events in primary school. He is still an athlete, in a way, and plays
soccer for a local team.
Ever since I can remember,
he got prizes every prize giving ceremony for his hard work and sharp brain. I remember
in primary school, they would award pupils who did excellently with chocolates after
each exam; and guess who would have more than twenty bars, and guess who he
would give half of them to? (If you answered “you”, as in, me; you are right!!).
Watching him being awarded at every prize giving, from primary school to high
school inspired me to work really hard to (if not for the goodies) make it in
life. This, he carries on till today in university. He is the only man I know
who has been scoring high academically since nursery school. (And he doesn’t
study that much; darn!!) He inspires me do my best when it comes to books.
He is the first person who introduced me to poetry, art and music
(he does not know this). Being a poet, artist (sketch artist and painter) and
designer, he keeps encouraging me to explore art and occasionally asks me to
accompany him to various art, music and poetry events (whoop whoop). He speaks and writes English so good that even I at
times cannot understand; I have to constantly consult my dictionary (those who
know him can bear me witness) if asked, I would say Patrick Lumumba tries to impersonate
him.
He has always been by my side. He has the strongest spirit I know
of, despite all he has been through (which is a lot). His life is an
attestation that hard work pays. He is the only person who has been on and by my side
since I came to be, my greatest fan. He has never missed any of my performances.
He inspires me to be me in so many ways.
I have always looked up to him and I turned out good (if we don’t count my
retarded nature). He is my Hero. He is
my brother, Murimi Kareithi (or as his peers also know him “Croemaestrus”). The
pioneer of the Kareithi Empire; the first of Kareithi’s offspring and the duke
of Kareithi’s Monarchy. This is a tribute to my brother. You are my Hero.
As he keeps saying to me, so do I say to you on this day; “Think, and let live; or die doubting” (don’t
ask me what that means).
Happy Mashujaa Day!! Celebrate your hero today!!
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