Azimio spokesman Makau Mutua provides insightful observations regarding the perception of one nation by another and how citizens express their sentiments.
He castigates the derogatory remarks made by former US President Donald Trump about Black and African states. In contrast, Mutua notes that Americans often express great admiration for Kenya, particularly its hospitality, wildlife, and the allure of African safaris. However, he is perplexed by the self-denigrating worship exhibited by Kenyan visitors to America. While curiosity and marvel about another civilization are normal, he finds submissiveness before another culture a form of self-humiliation.
Mutua questions the “majuu” terminology Kenyans use to describe the United States, a Sheng word loosely translated as “up there” or “heavens, the skies.” This term, he explains, originates from the use of aeroplanes to reach America. He cites a recent spat between Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and CNN journalist Larry Madowo over the deplorable state of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Murkomen’s reaction, telling Madowo not to badmouth his native Kenya simply because he now lives in “majuu,” prompts Mutua’s loud laughter. He laments the perception of the “superiority” of “majuu” over “machini” (Kenya).
Mutua asserts that Kenyans have a significant problem of externalizing their ambitions, believing that nothing good comes from their country. This manifests in the importation of fake goods and the veneration of the West despite limited knowledge about those countries. He decries the worship of whiteness and the betrayal of Kenyan football, with even illiterate villagers rooting for English Premier League teams instead of supporting local teams.
Mutua criticizes the labelling of African languages as “vernacular,” equating it to a derogatory term. He advocates for teaching Kenyan history and culture in schools as a proud heritage, citing the example of iconic writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o who is often castigated for writing in Gikuyu. Mutua contrasts this with other nations that take pride in their native languages and highlights how Tanzanians exhibit greater national pride than Kenyans. He attributes this to the nation-building efforts of Julius Nyerere while condemning the “tribal” society perpetuated by Jomo Kenyatta.
Finally, Mutua says that Kenyan visitors to the US engage in what he terms “visitor-picture pornography.” He disputes the practice of Kenyans posting pictures of themselves with huge smiles upon arriving at American airports, seeking to showcase their arrival in “heaven.” He also condemns the impersonation of professionals such as nurses posing as doctors as a criminal act. Mutua calls for an end to this “picture pornography” and urges Kenyans to stop being “coconuts” – black on the outside but white inside.
I stopped listening to this…
I stopped listening to this guy a while back, near 2012. We were campaigning for Obama’s second term when in a diaspora meeting in DC, he was quoted castigating Obama for not attending that diaspora meeting.
Did Mutua not lie that he…
Did Mutua not lie that he was still a professor at Sunny State University long after he had been fired? You talk about a “coconut”!? Mutu’s ”coconut” is both white on the inside and white on the outside – a mere white lie coupled with several black lies! For real Mutua and your pornography!
Murkomen is living in the …
Murkomen is living in the “majuu” of embezzling funds from the ordinary Kenya. The roofs are still leaking at the Jomo Kenyatta Village Airport! Cows like Murkomen can never live in a dry cow shed. He prefers to have his feet wet with cow dug and urine at all times.
Is there much difference…
Is there much difference between Madowo and Murkomen? These two fellas are one and the same things – bunch of country ( rural bred) bumpkins! The level of ignorance between the two is simply astoundingly stupid and hilariously silly.
Sad that you assumed rural…
Sad that you assumed rural bred is inferior. Is being flooded in mathare like a frog and having no toilet and fighting bed bugs all night superior?
You tell us know it all!…
You tell us know it all! Everything is relative at best. Stop having a cow you can’t even afford.
For the first time in…
For the first time in history I have agreed with this educated fella.To add on it we worship Jesus/mohammed who are foreigners n we think this brainwashed majuu of worshipping the west wazungu kingdoms will end???Never.May our African Gods visit most of us to remove us from such mentality backwardness n modern slavery thoughts.
Anybody on here who knows…
Anybody on here who knows the West will attest, its not what they were made to believe.
Thanks to technology Cucu can see….she actually lives better than most white people and has some peace of mind than all white people.
Now we know Kenyans wipe white people feces in group homes to make the ends meet.
I agree with this 100%. This…
I agree with this 100%. This is however because most folks in these countries came from upstate str8 to these countries. Watu wa ushagoo
It has nothing to do with…
It has nothing to do with Ushago. I was raised in Ushago, which am very proud of, infact just came from inspecting a sugarcane farm huko kwetu in the Bukusu Nation. Somehow we have been so manipulated for so long that we can’t be proud of ourselves. I recall some deans in a Tennessee school trying to diminish my and my family’s achievemnents mbu ‘Coming from where you came from, you should count yourself lucky’…eeeh? Nooo, I told the Mr. Man. Where do you think I come from? Last I recall, my father had us living in a 5 bedroom house with a servants quater, a driver, house boy and housegirl and we ate fresh food daily. Could he say that of his family? Bure kabisa. I am proudly a villager. What is sad, is that some Kenyans, including Mwakilishi, Diaspora Messenger, and KSN media owners online, took joy in my predicament throwing bigger stones at me during my prose court battles…but look where they are? I knew I was right. I stuck it out. And the UNIVERSE agreed. My fellow Africans, take back your provide. Kuna wazungu wazuri, respect and work with them. But if you meet a disrectful one who slaps you on one cheek, make sure your own slap back sends them six-feet-under. Do not apologize and live your lives meek and pitiful. And always remember to unapologetically love being African. Being African has nothing to do with the skin of your color. God bless you my people. Lets keep taking our pride back.
Nameless city boy/girl @BFW,…
Nameless city boy/girl @BFW, well you can attest that you are hustling the same way if not worse with the country folks. At least they were taught how to hustle working in the country farms while you just sat on your dirty ass doing pretty much nothing significant! There is nothing special growing up in Nairobi or any other city! Free your small mind and better things will follow…
Just came to Sense
Just came to Sense
The word majuu has no…
The word majuu has no meaning in any Kenyan native language expect a language which is spoken in urban areas.
I agree wholeheartedly with…
I agree wholeheartedly with what Makau is saying. How many of you here will deny that when you visit Kenya, especially if your accent has become Americanized, you are treated with a different level of respect and admiration.
Wueh, labda wewe. I get the…
Wueh, labda wewe. I get the opposite reaction
They only view you as person…
They only view you as person with seemingly easy access to $$$, you are simply a source of easy funds. He is right in that the US is viewed by too many in Kenya as the promised land. I’d blame the lack of patriotism or foresight on the part of successive generations of Kenya’s leaders. They’d rather fill their pockets and stomachs than deal with correction and actually work towards an economy that benefits all Kenyans. The notion that a larger national cake means more for everyone escapes them.
The economy of Kenya belongs…
The economy of Kenya belongs to the biggest thief in Kenya (Ruto) and his other corrupt thuggery thieves! Eg, the case of fake fertilizer, lies and a lot of empty promises! They don’t have the time to think about the ordinary Kenyans.
@Mkandizi, Sure – You will…
@Mkandizi, Sure – You will even agree with everything the Satan says to your old granny! Can you have a mind of your damn own instead of agreeing with a lunatic? Don’t be silly!
For once I agree with the…
For once I agree with the guy. Speak up Mutua and receive credit where due. The sports fanatics irk me the most. We bought Messi, Fati, yesus, saka and more nonsense. If you don’t have a share in the company then switch off your TV and learn to create wealth for your self and nation. TV is the number tool for control and manipulation and dumbing minds into zero
Even a homeless Kenyan…
Even a homeless Kenyan living the hardest life on skidrow or any other encampment might receive a guard of honor when he lands at jkia. That’s the reality of brainwash and belief that wealth is out there and not within the boundaries. Just look at how counties governors are stealing billions and buying apts in Dubai like there’s no tomorrow. Same stealing in national govt and civil service. If there was no wealth then banks would not be declaring billions in profit every year.
He is slamming the West as…
He is slamming the West as if he did not hide there for several years while criticizing the Kenyan government.He went back to Kenya near election time anticipating his buddy Raila would award him a plum job with all the support he had given him.Well Raila did not win and has even gone silent as he hopes to get the AU job now that any hope of him becoming president is as good as dead.Just like Joho, Junet and all other Raila minions they do not know what to do with themselves Raila militarisms of demonstrations and strikes kept them in the lime light.That is Kenya for you somebody today and a nobody tomorrow.His political influence if he had any is waning at his age hawezi rudi majuu ata doo nini run his mouth which is exactly what he is doing
Makau is probably correct to…
Makau is probably correct to a great extent. When asked where you are from it is preferable to say Kenya and be proud of your countries achievements and positive traits. Never negative. You could say we have great athletes and very nice national parks, very friendly people and a great culture and cuisine. You could also say you are a chief in your own way as you had a car a house with servants fresh produce in your back yard and that life is cheaper over there. On the other hand a job is a job as long as bills get paid. Never under rate or look down upon a job. That is one thing Makau should have. That is respect for all professions.
Westerners are now retiring…
Westerners are now retiring in Africa like there’s a heaven there due to less rules, organic and clean food, fresh air, low pollution in environment and products, low cost of living, availability of stuff from the West, tourist sites, internet, etc.
Haki si Mutua ni fala. Ati…
Haki si Mutua ni fala. Ati audacity yaku lecture wakenya. First off, he’s a non starter. Why does the publisher have to post anything this fala has to say, ama is the for the thrills when there are serious issues to focus on. Seriously Martin Olage, I know you have a Joe to do, but don’t waste your efforts on the likes of this empty debe.