The Mango Tree Experience

Mwakirunge represents Mombasa’s potential. Just as Mombasa’s potential remains unseen to most people, yet to those who, like myself, have been called to see that which most eyes do not see, to hear that which most ears will not hear and to conceive that which most minds will not conceive, that’s what we went to see in Mwakirunge. We saw potential, we heard potential and we conceived potential. And we did this as well by registering as voters.

Registration as a voter for me is not just about a thumb print and a BVR machine. It is indicative of a time that has come to restore dignity. The connection with the Wazee Barazani was an opportunity to connect with them and the things that I heard were not simple things. They were heavy things. When you hear old men telling you about the land that they have known since they were young boys, is land that they now now find themselves in a situation with where people will come and claim ownership to. As he stood by a mango tree that is over a hundred years old and planted by his grandfather and identifies that tree as an indication of their ownership or ‘title’ to the land.

"This tree is my title deed..." they would say.

I think I finally understood the stake to ownership that  people at the Coast have had to their land. I have often heard that individuals would often claim ownership over the tree rather than the land itself. But what I did not realize is that they meant that the tree comes from the land and every tree produces after its own kind and therefore you cannot have the tree without having the land.

However, what I realize is that this has been a process of economic disenfranchisement and that what’s changed are the systems of men from one where the land was identified by the tree. But a new system has come into play that they do not understand and by and large it is not their fault that they do not understand it, and yet it is their responsibility to learn. But they still hold on to their identification of the tree. That is their title deed.

Tendai engaging with some elders from Mwakirunge

I believe that this is the beginning of a dialogue. And as I said to them, I will tell their story on Facebook, on radio, on their debates. What has happened and has been said over the years is a disenfranchisement to the system.

It was significant to go with my son Gabriel who turned 1 today. Gabriel represents the shift in times and seasons. It was significant to go on the 5^th day as his life is an expression of unfolding times. It was also significant to go in the 12^th month as this is the number of the fullness of governance. For me today, the celebration of Gabriel’s birth day is an expression of a new beginning; a shift in governance. Mombasa’s life will never be the same again.