The nation was shaken by the news of the slain Leeds student Carilton Maina who was shot dead by police who while visiting home in Kibera.
He was in the company of three other friends but he was the only one who was shot after they were from watching a football match in Kibera, Laini Saba.
It even caused the youth to demonstrate the killing of the young student who had a bright future in front of him but the peaceful protest was prematurely abandoned by police after they lobbed teargas into the crowd that was en route to Vigilance House, the police headquarters.
In light of everything that went down in the past few days in regard to the death of the Leeds University student, Carilton David Maina, one Kenyan from Kibera living in Diaspora in America called Yema Khalif poured his heart out on how Kenya has lost one of the future prospects who would have elevated Kibera to the much needed “next-level” and a bonafide role model to the youth and the children from Kibera.
This is what Yema Khalif had to say;
EVERY KENYAN MUST BE OUTRAGED! #JusticeForCarilton
Kenya, my pride my joy my love my country, I love you.
It hurts the way I love you because I know you will never love me the same.
Kenya, I know kibera slum has nothing to offer you.
But please give us a chance we will make you proud one day.
Kenya, I admit my parents messed up when they refused to steal your resources.
They thought they were smart for choosing to live in squalor in kibera.
I blame my parents for not knowing how to plunder you.
I am so mad they decided to born me in kibera slums.
They sealed my fate in this wretched place.
Given the choice, I would have chosen to be born pale runda palace.
Because, me too, i want to eat pizza in a lamborghini.
Because I am so tired of my rich neighbors and relatives always saying to me “huyu ni mtoto wa nani ameparara hivi”
Kenyans must know….
For a slum youth in Kibera, getting a university scholarship to study in the USA or UK happens once in a blue moon. In fact, it rarely happens. And when it happens, whoever gets the scholarship usually becomes an instant celebrity since this is a huge opportunity.
And so the hope and the dreams of an entire community is bestowed on that individual.
Even though going to study abroad is a great opportunity, leaving your family and country of birth for a country you barely know is not a great feeling. There’s many immigration challenges in these foreign countries (if you know you know).
And so when we come home for breaks like Christmas, all we want is to enjoy our time with family and friends. We want to enjoy that ugali and omena that we missed so much. That pilau fry na maini that makes us see heaven. That mrenda matumba na sukuma wiki that warms our hearts. When we come back home, we just want to hang out pale baze and chana some veve or catch a movie at the local video show. Yaani when we come home hatukujangi na kisirani.
Carilton Maina came home from the UK to enjoy the holidays with his family. Unfortunately, his life was cut short by the Kenya police.
Kisirani tupu!
Carilton’s mom will not enjoy the fruits of her labor. She probably sold fish kwa barabara for many years hoping her son will take care of her one day.
Probably, his dad was eagerly to experience the feeling of a tailor made suit. He was waiting for his son to bring him a pizza so he can know what that tastes like.
Kibera was waiting for Carilton to bring home British expertise so we can improve our community.
Sadly, Kenya you’ve killed our sun by killing our son.
