GIKUNDA ASHFORD: It's not true Nairobians take more than they give

It is the Christmas season again.

It is the time of the year when city dwellers troop back to the village to reunite with their village folks.

There are many jokes, memes, TikTok and all manner of social media messages making fun of the visiting Nairobi siblings and relatives.

They claim that Nairobians carry back more food than what they take to the village.

As such, the social media messages are cautioning the villagers not to allow Kanairo (Nairobi) people to carry back more than they brought.

I want to dispute these malicious allegations aimed at creating a wedge between the two groups which have hitherto co-existed. 

It is not true that Nairobi people carry back more than their fair share.

Throughout the year, city dwellers contribute immensely to the village economy.

Whenever there are village functions, Nairobi people are invited and contribute generously.

The money that circulates in the villages comes from their siblings in the city.

Whenever the village people have issues that require financial assistance, they are quick to form WhatsApp groups and add their relatives living in Nairobi.

The Kanairo brothers and sisters accept these invitations and proceed to give a helping hand.

They always feel obliged to help their village counterparts without disgruntlement.

By doing so, the city dwellers contribute to the welfare of their village folks.

They diligently serve their rural communities by sitting and contributing both financially and their time.

They brace long and unwinding journeys to the village to attend harambees in aid of schools, churches and other projects.

Villagers only come to Nairobi when attending different ceremonies. 

If you look at every homestead in the village, there is a new project coming up.

The funds are largely stipend sent by city dwellers keen on uplifting their siblings living standards.

Despite the harsh economic conditions faced by city dwellers, they are conscious of their village folks as they always support them whenever the need arises.

City dwellers are therefore not parasites who thrive on their village folks’ ignorance.

Whatever little foodstuff they carry back to Nairobi is nothing compared to their huge contribution throughout the year.

To claim that they carry everything is therefore an insult and an insensitive statement. 

When the villagers are travelling to the city for the first time, we host and feed them.

Many villagers on their sojourn to the city are given a warm welcome by the ever-generous Kanairo brothers and sisters.

Some even have no blood relations yet they are accommodated in the city.

Life in the city is a daily struggle unlike in the village where the living standard is not too high.

Thus to find a Kanairo relative hosting and feeding a village folk is a true demonstration of love which should not be mocked using social media convenience.

I encourage Kanairo people to continue doing their part in transforming the rural economy. 

The writer is a MA student in Project Planning and Management at UoN

Edited by Kiilu Damaris