My Difficult Childhood Unknowingly Drove me into Depression; Lily Okeyo

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“It is okay not to be okay”. This is a statement taken so casually but carries so much weight. It is estimated that 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression which is the most common type of mental disorder.  

Kenya happens to be ranked 6^th in Africa in the number of depression cases at about 2 million.  It is also estimated that 4 in 5 people who commit suicide are depressed at the time of their death. 

The most common causes of depression are biological changes experienced during pregnancy, genetic predisposition, psychological risks and social factors. (WHO, Kenya Mental Health Policy/Act 2014)

I Will Not Report

I will Not Report by Sarah Masive

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I know that a crime has been committed against me,

I know that our legal system has laws that should protect me,

I know that there are lawyers that would gladly represent me for free,

I know, but I will not report this.

Every other day we hear of such cases in court,

How the survivors get victimized again by supposed protectors,

This Poem

This Poem by ToonHood

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This poem is born out of shock, born out of torn wombs inspired by the torn souls of women and girls from countries and regions where war is the breakfast,t, lunch, dinner and supper, and bomb blasts and gunshots their daily bedtime stories.

This poem is born out of cries of women who when men fear bullets shot to kill them, they count shots militia aren't militaria, gangs, or rebels, that impregnate them and their minds with memories and depressions, so they run to give their wombs a break.

Dear Mama

Dear Mama by Kimwomi Brian

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I’m sorry I’m never appreciative for all the good things you’ve done unto me. Even though my love may seem unrequited to you, best believe my soul is humbled and meek before you. Many are times you’ve shown your selfless motherly love unto me even when the world was not receptive towards me. Always taping my back and assuring me for as long as my heart drums against my ribs I have no reason to lament.

I remember days when you’d serve yourself the lowest share and serve us plenty just to ensure we have more and don’t wake up at wee hours on empty tummies. Instances when we’d take ugali and cooked bananas for lunch, just because we had no vegetables to accompany a balanced diet meal. 

Scaling the Height of Patriarchy

Scaling the Height of Patriarchy by Stephen Juma

Women are considered the pillars of their families, homemakers, and contributors in society, but some continue to be subjected to oppression and discrimination in any male chauvinist culture.  They can, however, prove to be resilient and independent people who can overcome these challenges and rise to success in a patriarchal society. 

Women of Africa and the African diaspora have been through many challenges that include biased cultural practices, gender discrimination, sexism, racism, economic dependency, among others. Their problems always seem to stem from the fact that they are women.

Who is an Ideal Woman?

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A while back, I was invited to be part of a mentorship session organised by the alumni of Daraja Academy. The invitation was extended as a motivational speaker and I had a hard time preparing my presentation. 

As I reflected on my High School experience to pick a learning point, one thing came to mind about the autographs we would sign as we left school. There was one question that was common in almost all the autographs I signed,, what is your ideal guy or girl?

Dear Dad

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Dear Dad by Corazon  Kunyobo

Today the crowd wants to hear me sing your praises,

They know I'm a poet; a poem they expect,

But I don't know where to start from,

I don't know what to say.

Tell me dad,

Have I lost a father or a molester?

How do I face everyone and say I've lost a father?

A father who turned me into his satisfaction tool

Every time mother left?