Optimist

Chamgei. Bakule is a Greek name. Reserved. Only invoked when things want to go southern or northern. You call Bakule someone whom you went to Gaa sambur (home of Sampur) together and you didn't die there. The year we were going was 1998. The year was good. Elders had beat the stomach of a goat and everything was right. Korgob kogel had a child next to her. All signs in the sky and earth was very good to open girls and boys. It was also ripe to remove kitikab kirugik ak kweesik.  How we were opened and released is a story of another day. That aside, this is how I saved my Bakule from lefting school after being opened. An opened man in those days was purely dry and going back to school especially primary to be told to kneel down and bent forward like a cow was a total taboo, savage Cains was not a problem, he could endure even 100 strokes. It was February 1999. I had opened school, high school, mark it. Baringo to be specific. One of the biggest schools in Kenya nowadays. I had been ...

Historical Background of the Kipkochoi and Kibagor -  Kibagor family of tungo clan. The Kipkochoi and Kibagor families traces its origin through rich oral traditions preserved across generations. The two founding figures, Kipkochoi and Kibagor, were brothers and are regarded as the patriarchs of a large and closely related community. According to oral history, their ancestral homeland lies around Lake Kamnarok, along the Endo River, specifically in areas such as Kabutiei near Barwesa in present-day Baringo West. This region is widely recognized as the cradle of their lineage. Kipkochoi is believed to have belonged to the Kaplelach or Kipnyigei age-set, placing him within the traditional Kalenjin age-set system. In the mid-19th century (around the 1800s), the two brothers migrated southwards in search of pasture, water, and security. Their journey led them to settle in Mogoswok, particularly in Cheptorit/Kapchepketem, where they established permanent homesteads. This migration mark...

Historical Background of Kibagor Chebor  Kibagor Chebor of tungo clan  Kibagor is believed to have been born in the mid-1800 to Kaplelach ageset around the area near Lake Kamnarok,along the Endo River in what is today Kabutiei Location of Baringo North (  also see Kipkochoi ) .  Oral traditions passed down through generations indicate that Kibagor later separated from his extended family and began a southward migration. His journey took him first to Kapkiai village in Timboiwo - Baringo Central. From there, he continued moving south through Tenges before eventually settling at a place called Kapchepketem/Cheptorit, near Ngendui, within the present-day Cheberen location. He established his homestead near the Perkera River, a key geographical feature in the area. Kibagor lived the rest of his life in Kapchepketem/Cheptorit near Ngendui and later died of old age and join his ancestors . He was buried there by his children. Genealogy of the Chebo...

Life is full of unfriendly friends. Some people didn't die when the arrow was in their chest, they died when they saw who threw the  arrow.  Here are 12 Signs of Unfriendly friends; 1. Unfriendly friends plot against you at night and laugh with you in the morning. They smile a lot and act nice to you, but really, they are talking and gossiping behind your back. 2. They appear when they need you and disappear when you need them the most. They are very selfish and self-centered. 3. Your Success threatens them. They get upset when something good happens to you. They are highly covetous. 4. They blackmail you emotionally. Takes advantage of you. Cause you pain, hurt you and deceive you. 5. They always try to compete with you and make you feel they are better than you. 6. Unfriendly friends always criticize you negatively. They constantly point out all the negative things about your Life. They don't see anything good about you. 7. They discredit you and doubt everything...

Tell your children the truth! Tell them the truth! Santa doesn't exist! That satan is not black! Tell them that every race has its ancestors and also its equal (spiritual sphere)! Tell them our rites are not witchcraft! Tell them it all began in Egypt (advanced civilization, science, math, philosophy, religion, architecture). Tell them the first Egyptians were black, nothing to do with Hollywood movies. Tell them Christopher Columbus did not discover the Americas, that Mansa Mussa, the Malian, was the richest man in the world, that black Egyptians were the first to travel the world, that they discovered Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania! Tell them it's in Egypt that the meter was invented from the measure of a drop of water, that pi (3,14) and the number of gold were invented in Egypt as well as many geometric theorems attributed to Pythagoras and Thales, yet Imotep, the greatest of scholars, remains unknown to history books! Tell them that the Ancestor of Humanity was dis...

Someone graduated at the age of 22, but waited 5 years before securing a good job. Someone became a CEO at 25, and died at 50. While another became a CEO at 50, and lived to 90 years.  Someone is still single, while someone from his school group has become grandfather. Obama retired at 55 & Trump started at 70.  Everyone in this world works based on their time zone. People around you might seem ahead of you & some might seem to be behind you.  But everyone is running their own race, in their own time. Do not envy them. They are in their time zone, and you are in yours. So, relax. You're not late. You're not early. You are very much on time, and will achieve your desired goals for Life Be Encouraged.

Some years back, it was the most beautiful house in this community.  The owner was the richest man in whom all looked up to for support.  The vehicle was a cynosure of all eyes. It was like a dream come true when the owner added both house and vehicle to his list of possession. But today, the properties have grown old and in fulfillment of the natural law, must collapse for a new house to develop.  Should anyone be found living inside this building as it stands now, such a person is labelled as "insane" and must be kept at arm's length.  Nothing in life is worth fighting for. Your best clothes is someone's rag. Your account balance is someone's donation at a function. Your girlfriend/ boyfriend/ fiance/ fiancée is someone's ex. Every single prostitute you see in a hotel or on the street at night was at some point in time a virgin. So what is the squabble all about? Life is too small to feel bigger or better than anybody.  "We are all naked to ...

1. Smile A simple smile holds incredible power. Smiling not only brightens your day but also has a profound impact on those around you. It is a universal language that transcends barriers and spreads positivity. When you wear a smile, you invite happiness into your life and create a welcoming atmosphere for others. Smiling is contagious, and by radiating joy, you can uplift the spirits of those who cross your path. Remember that even in challenging times, a smile can be a beacon of hope and a reminder that things will eventually work out. 2. Be Kind Kindness is a virtue that costs nothing but has immeasurable value. By practicing kindness, you have the ability to make a significant impact on the lives of others. A simple act of kindness, whether it's offering a helping hand, lending a listening ear, or expressing words of encouragement, can brighten someone's day and restore their faith in humanity. Kindness creates a ripple effect, spreading positivity and fosterin...

Is forgiveness the key to your inner peace Asking for forgiveness You’ve no doubt heard the saying that holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die, which basically means that when you carry around resentments and grudges, the only person suffering is you. Studies have shown that when people focus on someone who has hurt or mistreated them, their mood spirals downward and they experience all the physiological symptoms of stress including higher blood pressure, elevated heart rate, sweating and tension in their body. Holding grudges is really bad for you. But letting go of those old grudges is sometimes easier said than done. In fact, it can sometimes feel impossible. When we see stories in the media about people extending forgiveness to the person who killed their child, for example, it almost beggars belief. Where do people find the capacity for forgiveness when they’ve lost so much? It might be that they practice forgiveness not for th...

This is another secret of Charcoal. Charcoal is something you must have on you all the time. In Case you never paid much attention, it's time to do it.  Here are the benefits of charcoal you never thought of: 1. Does your shoe smell bad? Just buy charcoal and put it in it. 2.  Do you have a bad smell in your room? Drop Charcoal that you think the smell might come from. 3. Does your refrigerator or freezer have a smell? Put a piece of coal in it. 4. Do you have a strong body smell? Just make a charcoal powder and use. Charcoal is very good to get rid of the bad smell. 5. Have you ever wondered why your parents always pick up the ashes of the coal pot to pour in the hen or toilet before sweeping? It was to get rid of the smell. 6. If you want your vegetables to be fresh all the time, make a solution with charcoal and leave your vegetables. 7. Nowadays, people complain about the use of fertilizer on plants and vegetables, making them unhealthy and toxic. If you have c...

The main actor of "The Gods Must Be Crazy", San Nixau Toma, was only paid $300, even though the film produced in 1980 made over $200 million. The Namibian 🇳🇦 actor was a bush farmer before he starred in the movie. He was paid $300 for his role in Part 1 despite the movie grossing $200 million. He was paid $5,000 for Part 2 after he negotiated. The movie was shot in Eastern Cape, South Africa with Namibian 🇳🇦 and South African 🇿🇦 actors but was about Botswana 🇧🇼. - My opinion: "You will always be wrong if you negotiate from a position of weakness." - The Animal  - San Nixau Toma lacked skill to manage well the little money he was paid for his appearances in various movies because he did not know the value of change. He had no formal education and came from a culture that didn't value material things money could buy and therefore didn't learn money management skills. He died a poor wretched bushman despite making millions of dollars for oth...

  Skills Rather Than Just Degrees. By Professor Isa Ali Pantami:  1. In today's rapidly changing world, academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to secure a successful career. 2. Skills are the new currency of the job market, and those who possess them are the ones most likely to succeed. 3. We must invest in vocational education and training, to ensure that our workforce has the skills needed to compete in a global economy. 4. The future belongs to those who can adapt, innovate and learn new skills quickly and efficiently. 5. A skills-based education system will not only benefit individuals, but also businesses, industries, and the economy as a whole. 6. We need a paradigm shift from a degree-focused education system to one that focuses on developing practical skills and competencies. 7. Employers today are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running, with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their roles. 8. It's time to rethink our ap...

1)No One is Perfect. The quicker this is realized the faster you can get on with being excellent.  Start every morning ready to fight harder than you did the day before and run further than you ever imagine. 2)Avoid over explaining yourself.   Be confident with who you are. 3)Keep balance in your life.   Write down what’s most important to you and show up.  Sometimes we tend to do the things that are most important to us when it’s written down. 4)Play the hand you were dealt.  Have the courage to face challenges head on it builds character.  Start looking for a way through instead of a way out. 5)Be a student of life.   Learn something new every day.  The day you stop learning is the day you become obsolete so keep learning. 6)No Excuses.  Stop making excuses replace them with ways to do better.  Excuses are a waste of time and energy. 7)Let others know where you Stand.   Be uncompromising and be up front when someo...

A Story - Spend time with people. I had spent an hour in the bank with my dad, as he had to transfer some money. I couldn't resist myself & asked... ''Dad, why don't we activate your internet banking?'' ''Why would I do that?'' He asked... ''Well, then you wont have to spend an hour here for things like transfer. You can even do your shopping online. Everything will be so easy!'' I was so excited about initiating him into the world of Net banking. He asked ''If I do that, I wont have to step out of the house? ''Yes, yes''! I said. I told him how even grocery can be delivered at door now and how amazon delivers everything! His answer left me tongue-tied. He said ''Since I entered this bank today, I have met four of my friends, I have chatted a while with the staff who know me very well by now. You know I am alone...this is the company that I need. I like to get ready and come to the b...

In the 1990's there was a widely circulated photo of a vulture waiting for a starving little girl to die and feast on her corp. That photo was taken during the 1993/94 famine in Sudan, by Kevin Carter, a South African photojournalist, who later won the Pulitzer Prize for this 'amazing shot'. * However , as Kevin Carter was savouring his feat and being celebrated on major news channels and networks worldwide for such an 'exceptional photographic skill', he lived just for a few months to enjoy his supposed achievement and fame, as he later got depressed and took his own life! Kevin Carter's depression started, when during one of such interviews (a phone-in programme), someone called in and asked him what happened to the little girl. He simply replied, "I didn't wait to find out after this shot, as I had a flight to catch..." Then the caller said, "I put it to you that there were two vultures on that day, one had a camera". * Th...

Why beat yourself up for things you can't change. Why trouble yourself so much for things you that are beyond your control. Will worrying make things better? Will fear make the challenge go away? Will murmuring and complaining bring the solution? Will giving up create another chance? You can do better than this! Calm down for a second! Grab coffee or take a walk. Drive around or just chill! Be realistic and refocus. You could be paying attention to the wrong things and attracting negative energy. If you can't change it or do anything about it, don't keep banging that door!

ADVICE . When you are at the top, be careful of the monster called PRIDE . Pride will make you look down on the people who haven't attained your level of success. When you are at the bottom, be careful of the monster called BITTERNESS . Bitterness will make you jealous and think that other people are the reason you haven't made it. When you are on the way to the top, be careful of the monster called GREED . Greed will make you impatient and make you steal or seek shortcuts. When you are on your way down, be careful of the monster called DESPAIR . Despair will make you think it's all over yet there is still hope. Be content with what you have and always remember to be a peace maker.  

Do something to change that thing that you know can be changed By Chris Mureithi (Motivational Speaker) On 29th october 2015 there was a power surge in my neighborhood and as a result, many of my neighbors who did not have surge protectors (including myself) lost their electronics; Tvs, fridges, music systems, chargers (hata za pin ndogo), anything that was connected to the power supply. At that moment KPLC adopted all the names on the dichotomous key thanks to these irate neighbors. I suggested to them that maybe we should file a complaint and seek compensation from kenya power and this was the unanimous response "hawa watu huwa hawalipi hakuna haja ya kujisumbua" and they all went quietly back to their houses in anger and no one sought redress for their lossed. Can you blame them? NO! Firms in Kenya have a reputation of not paying claims hence you could understand where my neighbors were coming from However, I decided to give it a shot, after all I had no...

AS TIME GOES BY As time goes by, You will loosen your grip on that rock, The one you always thought was home, And you will realise that home is not a place, It’s a state of mind. Let it go. As time goes by, You will learn to see yourself more clearly, The girl/ boy who was always too much of one thing, And too little of another, was actually Everything you needed to be. Let yourself out As time goes by, You will let the simple things become big, And you will allow the big things to become simple, And that readjustment will be, The day you really start to live. Let it be As time goes by, You will be forced to say goodbye many times, And your soft little heart will shatter but, It will still beat and that will bring you, All the purpose you need. Let it beat As time goes by, You will stop choosing wealth over peace, You will stop choosing money over time, And you will see that the treasures you need, Are in the smiles and the laughter. Let them in As time g...

HOW THE KIPSIGIS LOST THE KIPKOIMET AGESET By Kipkemoi Araap Korir One curious peculiarity of the Kipsigis just like the Nandi is missing an ageset and having seven Agesets instead of the normal Kalenjin holy number eight. While the Nandi miss the Korongoro ageset having been killed by the Masai, the Kipsigis miss the Kipkoimet whose fate we shall learn about in this sad narrative. So what happened to the Kipsigis Kipkoimet ageset? How come they have an odd number of Agesets which is against the Kalenjin norm? In the 1700s the Kipsigis had all eight agesets. But a misadventure by the Kipkoimet Ageset in the 1800s led to their  devastating massacre leading to the removal of the ageset from the cycle completely. Other Kalenjin subtribes have also deleted Agesets including the Nandi who deleted Korongoro after massive losses versus the Masai and the Tugen who deleted the Maina after a massacre by the Keiyo and the Masai. Today let us examine the fate of the Kipsigis Kipkoimet...