Never before has the moving of rocks been so symbolic. For the past three months, there have been rocks blocking Uhuru Park. Uhuru means freedom in Swahili. Uhuru Park is a park in central Nairobi—a gathering place for picnics, politics, freedom, struggles. Since the election, riot police lined the park, successfully preventing gatherings. The day the peace agreement was signed, the rocks were removed, the riot police disappeared. Uhuru Park is open again.
Si-mbaya means not bad in Swahili. It is a common response. when someone says "Jambo," hello, people reply by saying si-mbaya. Not bad. Even if things are bad, they say with a smile, si-mbaya. Its all a matter of context. I have my family, I have food, I have shelter. Not bad.