@keguro.bsky.social are your Raat ki Ranis blooming too? I love that they make me think of you :) Sending salaams to you 🍃

(it really has been a particularly heart-wrenching week here...and the heavy rains look like they will continue 💔)

For the community here, beloved Zarina Patel transitioned last night. She of the big heart, freedom fighter, indomitable spirit.

The West said: fuck all y’all. We will kill with impunity and ya’ll can’t do a thing about it. The West has been clear and pronounced.

(rain!)

(was really proud to be a Kenyan girlie on Saturday - and emotional to be with the thousands on site protesting against femicide, and those there in spirit...yet in the words of Abigail Arunga - 'how can it be that we are marching to not be murdered. Seriously!')

42 is for ease... And also the answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything

The law is not the sum total of our freedom dreams. The law does not fix generational harm. What the law can do is hold space while we do the work. It documents histories, defines and acknowledges harms, and gives us language for the struggle. We know there is more work to be done.

Serving Nairobae Beautiful mural by Lindsay Dawn Adhiambo

(reading Makumbi makes me want to be in a relationship just so I can read all the juicy parts out to them)

@activecultures.bsky.social thank you for the wonderful surprise. I can't wait to dig in! Sending salaams across the waters

Today (for anyone who needs a moment to breathe) 💔 justabandwidth.bandcamp.com/track/save-m...

(it's wild how different this place feels right now from the other place...here ...maybe because of my TL...life seems to go on almost uninterrupted)

On my way to work yesterday, a field of Agapanthus demanded to be photographed and sent to you @keguro.bsky.social I am just the messenger. For you dear friend.

Meanwhile Charlo & Kamini are here, and the state is prancing around, laying out the red carpet, parading our wares for them to come & turn over & approve, and doing everything possible to make the visit comfortable. Sigh.

(I keep wanting to say it's too much...but it has been too much for decades)

I would like to be in the ocean with a salty cocktail in my hand

I JUST WANT THE DAY TO BE OVER 😰

(writing KaBrazen will humble you in ways you've never experienced before)

We at The LAM Sisterhood are back with another Sister Salon: These events serve as moments of grace and gratitude amidst difficulties. A space to breathe. The 4th Sister Salon is our way to honour the late *Field Marshal Mūthoni wa Kìrìma*, a freedom fighter, a woman, our cūcū. bit.ly/48AmZcu

For our Wau Eats mafans here We’ve been figuring out how to manage the ever-increasing costs of everything We want to make sure it isn’t more expensive for you to enjoy your Wau Eats, so rather than increasing prices, we’ll reduce the number of pieces in a pack Here is our revised menu

yesterday Mithu & I were reading a story & in it a giraffe boasts about how he's the tallest & the most useful thing in the world is to be the tallest I asked Mithu what he thought and he said, Masi I think the most useful thing is to be yourself

if I'm ever cool enough to be in a Blinky Bill video, I will become insufferable. i can promise you that.

Happy Day After International Podcast Day I got to do a bonus episode for Africa Podfest's Sema Nasi podcast, a missive from the Podcast Movement in Denver from a very jet-laggy hour where I gave in to the ramble youtu.be/I1e8U86Gdok?...

TODAY HAS BEEN A GLORIOUS STORY DAY! (yes, I'm shouting...what joy it is to have the time to write, to write with the ones you love to write, to write stories that you love...KaBrazen Season 2 is going to be so delicious!)

(deep in writing angst)

Our baby KaBrazen is now an award winner! With nominations in Best Podcast (overall) & Best Artwork, KaBrazen is officially APVA's Children's podcast of the year. 🥳 We are deep in production of season 2. We can't wait to share more. www.kabrazen.com

Day before yesterday we laid to rest Field Marshal Muthoni wa Kirima. The funeral ended up being hijacked by political shenaniganry But. It is also important to note... Her people showed up..and how!

I'm still taking in the fantastic conversations from last week's Macondo Literary Festival - the writing, the conversations, the vibes, the BRILLIANCE! the laughter, the fashion...I feel nourished, energised, inspired & grateful. "Kizomba is like Nyama choma.” Kalaf Epalanga (you had to be there)

So if bluesky doesn't do threads, how are people here weaving together longer form narratives?

I love reading great writing about writing—and so I curated a pocket collection of some of my favourite pieces by brilliant African writers. If you need some inspiration..or just want to read some brilliant writing - this is for you getpocket.com/en-KE/collec...

Tomorrow, amidst the state f***ery that is bound to ensue, we lay Cucu to rest, and hold space for her legacy, we name her, we witness, we claim her right to a truthful send off. Here, a most beautiful Tribute To Field Marshal Muthoni Wa Kirima africandigitalheritage.org/unequivocal-...

This weekend is the Macondo Literary Festival & I'm so excited :) In preparation for the session, I've been reading Whites Can Dance Too by Kalaf Epalanga & it's turned into a bedroom dance sesh - so the song for today's dance break is some kuduro youtu.be/wOMe-8Tf1Y0?...

Amplifying this for all the people who need to read this incredible piece...thoughtful, beautifully written and so powerful.

Macondo Literary Festival is back - we don't get a Nobel Prizer this time, but we get Makumbi (a FOREVER FAVE!) I get the honour of hosting the opening ceremony with Mshai & interview Kalaf Epalanga & Kossi Komla Ebri... & do an encore of 100 Years of Samosas Check out www.macondolitfest.org

In some of the trash that calls themselves national newspapers they are calling her Dedan's personal assistant. As (x) says, 'may they rot in the deepest circle of hell. Fuck them'

All day I have searched for words Field Marshall Muthoni wa Kirima, Cucu, WeaverBird, brilliant strategist, ferocious warrior, Maito, community builder, gentle soul You made us Words are not enough May you transition with ease, may you be free & received with joy Shukraan

Happy World Samosa Day friends!

Guys tomorrow is World Samosa Day! You know what that means... A bad samosa haiku from me! :) Stay tuned.

And then for the second night, it was this beautiful face jewellery by Epica Jewellery (on ig)

@activecultures.bsky.social alas, my Dubai travel plans fell through....but I see Barzakh is looking fantastic! Want to see if I can find my way over there for that with the L and M :) Sending warmth, and a song (something new from home) youtu.be/PgJ3qdnG3j0?...

Sunday night ghazal youtu.be/BlrRUmLc-Y4?...

Mithu is back home, with stories, giggles, and his annual haircut! He has spikes and is presently excited by hairspray.

Shaping Africa’s Climate Future: An Urgent Call to Center African Voices in Climate Research on the Continent features.csis.org/shaping-afri...

Beyonce was everything! I am still trying to process...it felt spiritual & healing & exhilarating & triumphant & transformative To experience her level of artistic excellence, mastery, joy..my goodness..she LOVES this thing that she does...I have left feeling so inspired - I want that for my life!

what needs to be tended to? And how do we tend to it?

The Queen asked us to wear silver. This glorious fit by Wangari Mathenge delivered - just look at that liquid silver

@activecultures.bsky.social hello friend with the most excellent taste...any recommendations for small intimate spots in Vegas to catch some live music - happy to get off the beaten path