Old men leaving nothing to youth, fun included

By ANIL BAKARI

KENYA: Some young people were up in arms when the President appointed grey-haired men (there were no women) to head parastatals.

Well, they have the right to make noise, but their fury is misplaced and misdirected. I mean, where do these whiners live?

The truth is wazees (old men) run the country. Think about it. They have the money, thus get best treatment from lasses; they drive the best cars; live in good houses and when you want to pay dowry, you must befriend them.

Enthusiastic

Now, turn the mirror to sports. It should dawn on you that wazees are now some of the most enthusiastic followers of English Premier League (EPL).

 The EPL fad has caught up with them and they are now shouting the loudest about Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

It dawned on me when I visited the village over Christmas and went to watch Arsenal play some team not worth mentioning. Seated at the front seats of the entertainment joint at the market centre were three retirees.

The retirees, who devotedly served the government for more than 30 years, were supporting Arsenal, just as many other young men in the room. During half-time, they gave endless opinion and analysis on the games, as young men listened keenly.

And each time the team threatened to score but did not, the wazees would find themselves on the edge of their seats, cheering — and jeering. And they celebrated, hitting high-fives when Arsenal finally scored the only goal in the game.

When the match ended, as young men retreated back to their huts to worry about what they would eat for supper, the old men walked to a nearby pub to down a few bottles of beer, thanks to their monthly pension and allowances they get from sitting on boards of different secondary schools.

Malaise

It is not just in the village where this Premier League malaise has caught up with the elderly.

Here in Nairobi, a neighbour, who ought to have retired but the government gave him a five-year bonus, has Manchester United and Gor Mahia jerseys, which he religiously wears every weekend unashamed. And he never misses a Man U or Gor match.

And guess where he watches the games; at a quiet club in one of the five-star hotels in the city.

So, why are the youth deceiving themselves that just because they are technologically advanced they have exclusive right to certain jobs, pastimes and places?  Listen here vijana (youth), wazees are here to stay. And they will keep stalking you. Deal with it!