This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
It's been a few months since Fiolina brought her nieces, Electina and Honda, to stay with us. I had thought they would return home after Christmas, but they were enrolled in Mwisho wa Lami Primary School, where I serve as deputy headmaster. Fiolina convinced me to let them stay, and I accepted them as my daughters, treating them with love and respect.
However, things took a turn for the worse when they asked to talk to me alone, and it became clear that they were being influenced by Fiolina's harsh behavior. They wanted to be paid for their work at the Drelina Mini-bakeries, which I had started with Fiolina. Electina said, 'Thank you for starting the mandazi and chapati business. It keeps us busy.' Honda added, 'Especially Branton. He used to do nothing, except eating.'
But what really got my attention was when Electina asked to be paid for her work, saying, 'As the chief chef, we were wondering if we could be paid something however small. To just say thank you.' I was fuming, but I managed to control myself and asked them what they wanted to do with the money. They wanted to buy clothes and go buy mandazi from the market. I realized that Fiolina was behind this, as she had been asking me for money every day, thinking I was making millions from our little venture.
That evening, I gave Fiolina a piece of my mind, telling her that the business wasn't making as much money as she thought, and that I would reward her handsomely when things stabilize, but not the girls. Fiolina insisted that we should pay them, but I refused, saying that their father should refund me for their upkeep and fees.
Yesterday morning, I woke up at 7am, ready to pick the mandazi and start distributing. But when I went to wake up Branton, Electina and Honda appeared from their bedroom, still sleepy. Nothing had been prepared, and I was mad at them. They apologized for oversleeping and said it would take long to prepare the mandazis since they had forgotten to knead the flour the day before. I was shouting, and Fiolina came to their defense, asking, 'Kelele ni ya nini asubuhi?' I kept quiet, not wanting to argue with her.
But that was the final straw. I decided that Electina and Honda would have to return to their parents. I have been generous enough, and it's time for them to go back home.
