‘Obama, A Mamma’ poetry anthology launched
Author Paul Ngotho pictured here with Lenana School students during the launch. PHOTO| CAROLINE WAFULA
What you need to know:
In one of the poems, “Obama, A Mamma”, the poet celebrates President Obama using the Luhya traditional celebratory song title ‘mwana wa mberi’, which means celebration of the first born son.
He refers to Obama as the first son of Africa.
Mr Ngotho, who is a Chartered Arbitrator and Chartered Valuation Surveyor, said the poems touching on the controversial gay issue was written as a poetic response to Obama’s visit to Africa in 2013.
A poetry anthology celebrating US President Barack Obama, his recent visit to Kenya and past visits to Africa has been launched.
‘Obama, A Mamma’, contains 54 poems, among them a collection of poems touching on President Obama’s African roots, his leadership and some of the controversial issues that he has faced while serving as the US President.
The book authored by lawyer Paul Ngotho and launched at Lenana School on Sunday also contains other poems touching on relationships, hope, celebration, corruption, injustice and politics.
Out of the 54 poems, six of them are dedicated to President Obama. They are titled; “Karibu Nyumbani”, “The Welding”, “Mwana wa Mberi”, “Obama, A Mamma”, “Barack’s Ass”, and “Kwaheri Lakini”.
Here is an excerpt from "Kwaheri Lakini":
Eat samosas in town
Taste Mama Oliech's fish
I'll show you Njũgũna's
Where age-mates meet
For a bit of meat
And a pint or tot
For those who need one
To see the road
Breathe the air Dad breathed
Explore the streets he walked
See the streams he fished
Watch the swara of the Mara
Escape the lion's roar
Watch as eagles soar
FIRST SON OF AFRICA
In one of the poems, “Obama, A Mamma”, the poet celebrates President Obama using the Luhya traditional celebratory song title ‘mwana wa mberi’, which means celebration of the first born son. He refers to Obama as the first son of Africa.
Mr Ngotho, who is a Chartered Arbitrator and Chartered Valuation Surveyor, said the poems touching on the controversial gay issue was written as a poetic response to Obama’s visit to Africa in 2013.
“His gay agenda raised a storm in every country he toured and even in those he did not visit,” part of the poem reads.
The poem dissects the cultural contradictions between the US and Africa as regards the gay subject.
Other subjects in the poetry book are late politician JM Kariuki who was assassinated in 1975 and mother to football star Dennis Oliech, popularly referred to as Mama Oliech. The latter is celebrated for her delicious fish meals at her popular restaurant.
The author said his fauvorite poem titled ‘Beyond Lavington’ evoked deep memories of his life growing in a slum just next to the palatial Lavington residential area, one of Nairobi’s upmarket areas of residence. He wrote the poem in December 1982.
Beyond the comely courts
Beyond that veneer of serenity
Are all rutted roads
With no names
No tarmac
No lights
Just adjacent to
Our lovely complacent
And lively Lavington
Impoverished couples
Crammed between four walls
Contemplate privacy
Await as sleepless kids
Chat incessantly
All runny-nosed kids
Behind Lavington
Know for sure
Is that the world
Is an open sewer
Excerpt from "Beyond Lavington"
The author has already delivered a copy of the book to the US Embassy in Nairobi for delivery to US President Obama, also known for his love for poems.
The author has expressed hope that the book will inspire a love of reading and writing among the young people, as well as contribute positively to African poetry.
