Ladies with 'rungus' on Nairobi streets: Boldness or desperation?

It’s a photo that remains etched in my mind. A group of young ladies armed with rungus guarding their premises against looters along the streets of Nairobi.

The rungu would ordinarily be used as a jembe handle for those who visit the rural areas.

Why did these ladies go to that extent? It has two sides. It was desperation, they could lose all that they had if the looters got their way.

Two, they had no faith in the security forces who carry guns, not rungus. I noted lots of security guards in downtown carrying rungus which looked new on Tuesday morning. Who was the supplier? 

Let’s be real. With lots of joblessness, lots of citizens have shifted to informal business, Jua Kali. It’s their livelihood.

Some have left their villages to come to the city and try their luck, some using borrowed money. Why would they not defend their livelihood? 

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The government should ensure our businesses, properties and lives are safe. The images of citizens guarding their property spawned some conspiracy theories.

Why not leave the looters free to make any support for protests painful? 

Why not let citizens realise only the police they distrust can protect them? Others argue that “dawa ya moto ni moto,” violence will stop violence. 

Psychology matters in times of crisis. We may never know the truth of what transpired in those tense days.

What next?

The economy brought Gen Z into the streets. The same economy might get them out. Once entrepreneurs, the parents of Gen Z or themselves find themselves making losses because there are no customers or fear looters, their support for protests could wane. 

Remember 80 per cent of Kenyans work in the informal sector, very vulnerable to any economic shocks.

What we can’t dispute is that economic reality is driving politics. The aftermath of these demos should be reforms in our social-political system to make our economy more vibrant to create more jobs, generate more tax revenues and create a generation that is less bitter and more optimistic.

Though women carry guns as policemen or soldiers, we should be kinder to our
ladies. They should not carry rungus. 

Would you celebrate seeing your wife or girlfriend armed with a rungu? Despite changing gender roles, our women deserve better than defending premises using rungus. 

Can the rungu-armed ladies talk to me? I will buy them tea at a place of their choice – as long as they bring their rungus along.