This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
As Kenyans, we are witnessing a disturbing trend of politicians who claim to be part of the Hustler Nation, yet their actions and words are a far cry from the struggles of those who truly embody the spirit of hustling.
It's been barely two years since the last election, and already, we are seeing a nauseating display of political hubris from those who should be working towards fulfilling their pre-election campaign promises.
These politicians are shameless in their public utterances, disrespecting the sanctity of holy places and exchanging insults before altars and tabernacles. They have even enlisted the support of some members of the clergy, who should be protecting the sanctity of the church.
After recruiting the last line of civilian protection against societal ills, these politicians have branded themselves as saviors of the suffering folk and representatives of the Hustler Nation. However, it's unclear when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission held an election for suffering Kenyans to elect their president.
Real hustlers live hand-to-mouth in squalid surroundings in slums, queue for hours at Huduma Centres, and trek tens of kilometers to and from casual jobs. They cultivate the virtue of humility, often forced to beg for alms from well-wishers to make ends meet.
A true hustler would never promise their fellow hustlers 500,000 jobs every year if they didn't mean it. They would also never defend people who divert public money meant to improve the lives of fellow hustlers, especially if it's done in bad taste to seek self-aggrandizement.
Real hustlers cannot afford basic education, forced to take their children to substandard learning institutions. They take years to save for their child's schoolbag and one year for a geometrical set. You cannot claim to be a hustler if you have never taken a loan to pay school fees for your child in Grade One.
Businessmen in downtown Nairobi closed their shops to attend a protest march addressing the rising cost of doing business and the state of the economy. If you didn't see you holding a placard and shouting at the top of your voice how this government is bad for business, you have no right to speak on behalf of those feeling the pain of running businesses in this country.
A woman gave birth in Uhuru Park after failing to raise Sh10 for toilet use. She had been fired from her job and thrown out of her house for failure to raise rent. If the women in your life cannot relate to this level of suffering, you have no moral authority to call yourself a hustler.
You cannot hold a high position in the government that has impoverished Kenyans and still claim to be the savior of the same people you have killed with bad government policies.
As the author so aptly puts it, 'You're either a hustler or you're not. You can't have your cake and eat it.'
