Michael Mundia Kamau
P.O. Box 58972
00200 City Square
Nairobi
Kenya

29th April 2004

         KENYAN NATIONAL DRESS

The race for a Kenyan National Dress is on, with the full backing of
the
Ministry of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services and a full page
advertisement on page 19 of the "East African Standard" of 28th April
2004.
The Kenyan Nation is about to be defined by fashion merchants instead
of
allowing for the evolution of National wear by the people of Kenya. The
venture to identify a Kenyan National Dress is of no benefit to this
country, and is designed to reap huge financial gains for a select few.

More than a National Dress, Kenya today is in need of a National Health
scheme that will enable access of health care by the majority. More
than a
National Dress, Kenya today is in need of a National road network that
will
facilitate much needed communication and connectivity across the
country.
More than a National Dress, Kenya today is in need of National
undertaking
to revamp agriculture, commerce, industry and athletics, and in so
doing,
create opportunities for millions of deprived people.

There is a serious identity crisis in this country and it is hard to
see how
this will be cured by a Kenyan National Dress. We are a deeply insecure
country with no standards and this needs to be addressed before we
allow
fashion merchants make it worse. In the 1980s local comedian Benson
Wanjau
a.k.a. Ojuang Hatari, poularised the term "haraka" (be hasty), from his
comical use of it on the "Vitimbi" comedy show. Kenyans across the
country
were forever heard using Ojuang's comical threat. This fizzled out. In
the
1990s the use of the phrase "Do I say" was in generous use following
local
musician Poxi Presha's releases of "Otonglo time" and "Total Balaah".
This
also fizzled out. This was followed by excellent impersonations of
former
President Moi by local comedian Nyambane and the catch phrase "Na hiyo
ni
maendeleo"( That is development). Suddenly everything on everyone's
lips in
Kenya was "Na hiyo ni maendeleo". This also quickly fizzled out. One of
the
latest crazes in Kenya was the term "Unbwoggable" (Unbeatable), coined
by
local musicians Gidigidi Majimaji, and the rallying call of the ruling
National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) party, before and after the 2002
general
elections. This has been overtaken by "Fagilia", the musical hit by
Tanzanian musician, Mr. Nice. In between all these, Kenyans have
generously
embraced Conglolese musicians and music with a passion.

The social mood swings that are characteristic of Kenya over the years,
are
also a feature of our clothing over the years. Originality and
creativity
are lacking in Kenya. Founding President Kenyatta tried to institute
this
with "Harambee" (Togetherness), which registered marginal success.
Former
President Moi tried to institute this with "Nyayo"(Continuance), which
also
registered marginal success. Current President Kibaki appears to want
to
institute this by delegation, which is also registering marginal
success.

In principle, Kenyatta and Moi understood what it took to evolve
Nationhood.
It takes the involvement of each and every member of the community in
daily
ventures that are relied on for the livelihood, survival and future of
the
community. The success rate of these ventures determines and builds
widespread societal traits such as dress codes. The success rate of
these
ventures evolves identity.

The drive in Kenya should be towards building on the foundations laid
by
Kenyatta and Moi. This will ultimately evolve a Kenyan National Dress.
A
Nation true to it's people and ideals determines what it wears. Fashion
merchants do not determine a Nation, because a Nation is much more than
a
National Dress.



Michael Mundia Kamau