KenyaOnAShoeString

Alcohol has long been part of Kenyan life. But how it is made, consumed, and understood has shifted dramatically across time. From its ritualistic, sacred roots in indigenous communities to its transformation into a widespread social escape and public health crisis, Kenya's relationship with alcohol is deeply tied to its history, politics, economy, and cultural evolution. This piece traces how we got here — not in metaphor, but in fact. 1. Pre-Colonial Period: Brewing and Ritual Long before colonization, communities across Kenya practiced traditional brewing. Alcohol was not only accepted but woven into social and spiritual life. Different ethnic groups brewed various fermented drinks: Muratina among the Kikuyu, made from wild fruits and honey. Busaa , common among the Luhya and Kalenjin, made from fermented maize and millet. Mnazi (palm wine), tapped by Mijikenda and coastal communities. Uji ya Kigage , a mildly alcoholic porridge used in both everyday and ceremonial contexts. T...

We often talk about what makes relationships work: love, communication, trust, compatibility. But we rarely talk about what holds them up behind the scenes—the invisible forces that shape their rhythm, power dynamics, and emotional texture. These forces don’t show up on Instagram captions or wedding vows. They don’t get celebrated or posted. But they are there. This is what we call invisible infrastructure — the quiet, often-unspoken systems that carry the emotional, logistical, and psychological weight of a relationship. When they are healthy, they hold a relationship up. When they are imbalanced, they silently pull it down. What Is Invisible Infrastructure in Relationships? Just like cities rely on hidden systems like drainage, wiring, or internet cables, relationships also rely on behind-the-scenes labor: Emotional labor – Who checks in more? Who remembers important dates? Who notices mood shifts? Mental load – Who keeps track of plans, birthdays, family obligations? Social effor...

Almost everything in our culture is goal-driven — including love. But what if life isn't a checklist? Step by Step — To Where? Let’s look at the common cultural script, especially around relationships: Date — but not for too long. Find “The One.” Get serious. Get married. Have children. Buy a house. Retire. Die knowing you followed the plan. Sounds… empty, right? But this is what many people are sold as a successful life . And we’ve absorbed this at such a deep level that even our emotional experiences get turned into to-do lists: “If we’ve been dating for X months, shouldn’t we…?” “We’ve had sex. What does it mean now?” “I love them — so that must mean we should be exclusive.” “We’re married — so I shouldn’t be feeling this way.” But what if the entire idea of "the next step" is the wrong framework for being alive? Where Did This Goal-Driven Mentality Come From? The obsession with goals isn’t human nature. It’s a product of syste...

The Love Feels Alive… Until It’s “Secured” It usually starts with excitement. Endless late-night conversations. Long walks. Flirting glances. Curiosity. Depth. Desire. And then — something shifts. Maybe you move in together. Or get married. Or call it “serious.” Suddenly the rhythm changes. The conversations shrink. The silences stretch longer. The daily interactions are about bills, chores, or kids. The laughter becomes rare, the touch becomes routine — or stops. And you find yourselves sitting next to each other, scrolling on separate screens, not out of conflict — but out of quiet disconnection . What Went Wrong? The relationship didn’t break. It just got absorbed into a faulty cultural script — one that tells us: The goal of dating is to get into a relationship . The goal of a relationship is to get married or “settled” . After that, you’ve arrived . The problem? That’s when most people stop trying. Because our society tells us the relationship...

Let’s say it happens. You — or your partner, or friend — connect with someone else. Deeply. Emotionally. Maybe even sexually. Does that automatically mean something is broken? That love has ended? That someone was fake or unfaithful or lost? Not necessarily. Connection does not cancel connection. This isn’t electricity — it’s human energy. And human energy multiplies , not divides. The Rush to Abandon One for the Other Here’s what often happens: Someone feels seen in a new way. Their soul lights up in this fresh connection. They suddenly feel alive , new , desired , understood . And they take that feeling to mean:   “This is real. That other relationship must be dead.” But this is a trap. What they’re often experiencing isn’t truer love — it’s novelty , reflection , an uncovered aspect of self that the new person evokes. And instead of integrating that part into their life and growing , they throw the old thing away to chase the new mirror. The tragedy? It...

Imagine you’ve been dating someone for four years. Things haven’t been good for a long time. You’re constantly stressed, arguing, and deep down, you know you’re not happy. But every time you think of leaving, a voice in your head says: “But I’ve already put so much into this relationship…” That, right there, is the sunk cost fallacy . Now imagine if, instead of hanging on, you stopped and asked yourself one simple question: “Would I choose this again today, with a clear mind and a full heart?” If your answer isn’t a resounding "Hell Yes," then maybe — just maybe — it’s time to let go. What is the Sunk Cost Fallacy? The sunk cost fallacy is when we continue to invest in something — time, money, energy, even emotion — not because it still makes sense , but because we’ve already invested so much. It shows up in our lives like this: “I can’t quit this degree now — I’m already in third year.” “We’ve already spent so much on this business; let’s keep pushing.” “I...

"The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story."  — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie We’ve all heard it before: Thailand, the Land of Smiles — a friendly, beautiful paradise beloved by travelers. And perhaps, like me, you've also come across the darker headlines: scams targeting tourists, alcohol laced with drugs, even black market egg-harvesting. A tourist once described it as a "scam paradise." Yet the planes still land, the resorts stay booked, and travel advisories remain light or non-existent. Influencers still post dreamy sunsets in Phuket. The world moves on. Now imagine if those same headlines came out of Kenya. Or Nigeria. Or Zimbabwe. There would be travel bans. Embassy warnings. Cancellations. Panic on the streets of TripAdvisor. Cautionary articles in every major Western outlet. You might even hear the words “failed state” being tossed around.  Why the difference? The Dan...