I know

You, You, You and You, Yes You!

Whatever you are going through, Iknow,

Whatever you are thinking about now, I know,

Whatever you are worried about in life, I know,

But how did I know? I am I a genius?

Am I omniscient, omnipresent or.. All knowing?- No!

I will tell you how- it is because

I know that you know not, 

That I know that which you know you know!

See, I know that you are worried about your next meal -  high cost of living

See, I know that you are worried about your next employment opportunity,

I know that you are scared about the rising taxes in our society,

I know that you are worried about the growing wage bill in our economy

See, I know, I know that you are worried about the growing insecurity,

I know that you are worried, but you dare not speak,

I know that you are silent because you are a coward!

Because you can afford a meal and fuel to fuel your car,

Because you know care less about the whereabouts of your neighbour,

Because you know knot the joy that lies in Lacking

You cannot know the sacrifice that comes with giving.

Was it not you who refused to vote in the previous election, 

On the pretense of being busy at work?

Was it not you who traded your vote for a ½ Kg of Sugar,

And instead voted in Mheshimiwa Magendo?

Was it not you who killed Kamau, Cherotich and Otieno,

Saying they were not natives,and their names betrayed them?

Was it not you who changed the ‘People's choice’ to suit your personal choice?

Was it not you who voted in Mrs Matata because of her millions and ability to buy public office?

Tell me, Was it not you?

Was it not you who employed your sisters to a job she knew nothing about?

Ah… she will learn on the job, right?

Was it not you who cut into pieces the CV of the qualified candidate for that position?

But why? 

Is it because your feared you might lose your position? Or 

Is it because he/ she was not known to you?

Was it not you who allowed the thief off the gate,

Because you thought nothing of yours was stolen,

Only to get into your house and find all your money gone?

Now see,

See the results of your ignorance,

See the results of your carelessness

The public lands our kids used to play on are now private, 

Public funds are now nowhere to be seen, but in private pockets,

Our public schools are now dead, our children have nowhere to school

Public corporations and institutions are now bankrupt

Our roads, impassable,

Our water taps - dryspell

Our streets are burning with resistance,

Our leaders read us well enough, 

And now for our blood, they thirst,

But still, you dare not speak -  coward!

Now see, 

Public debt runs into trillions, with no public benefit to boast off!

See, they have pushed you off your job! Ha! Ha! Ha!

See, they’ve added thousands upon their salaries, allowances and mileage,

Tell me now, are you enjoying with them?

Excuse me sir, 

Was it not you who promised to tarmac all our roads in the Village, 

To build stadia in all cities to promote our sports and culture 

Was it not you who promised to employ our sisters, brothers, friends, parents and relatives?

I am talking to you.

Was it not you who promised to grow our agriculture?

To provide free water, free pesticides and fertiliser?

Was it not you who promised better healthcare and free education for all?

Was it not you who championed for societal inclusivity? 

Answer me!  Because I thirst.

I thirst for the truth,

I thirst for development,

I thirst for my people

Many years after my African colonial Independence,

I am still enslaved by my own people- Neocolonialists,

People who speak my language,

People who walk my roads, 

People who breathe my air, and feed on my Money

People I trust!

Where are they?

Where are all the goodies you promised?

The schools, factories, employment, roads and development?

Where are all the free things you promised us?

Oh, but how can I be so stupid to forget,

I your campaign speeches you said, “I promise You...” 

Little did I know that it wasn’t ‘you-me’,

But it was ‘you’- your family and close friends in the crowd, Right?

Courtesy of your hard work, 

You have done as you promised,

And indeed you gave them everything for free,

And free you left us,

Free education, free of housing, 

Free of healthcare and standard road networks,

You left us free of passports while you freely fly worldwide,

Enjoying everything free at the expense of our poor people !

I refuse to sit and watch, 

I refuse to let you ruin my today, 

And complicate the future of my unborn daughter,

I refuse to be taken for a ride, 

I refuse to be controlled by you.

But I will not let you know,

That I Know you that which you know,

And that  which you don’t want me to know .

Like rain I will pour,

Like thunder, I will strike!

Like the wind I will destroy, 

I will reclaim all that belongs to me,

All that you stole and hid within and without,

I will milk you without the milking jelly, and 

Suck you without lubrication

So you feel as we did - me, and my people

And in this way, you will know

How I knew that which you didn’t want me to know.