Now before you start quoting the National Anthem or the Kenya Loyalty Pledge (by the way how come we never said this pledge beyond primary school parade/assembly?), I am talking of it in social terms of an achievable target for a University educated Kenyan who does NOT engage in grand corruption, to achieve in his or her lifetime.
For the Americans, their dream is a simple one:
1. A house you own in the suburbs, with a two car garage, a backyard on which the kids can play in and a white picket fence (low fence) over which to peek at the friendly neighbours.
2. 2.5 kids MAXIMUM (do not ask me what the 0.5 of a kid means)
3. The pretty, well educated All American wife on your arm that is the envy of many.
4. Ability to have at least one exotic vacation (meaning anywhere overseas - but Hawaii counts too) once a year
5. A new or late model vehicle for both hubby and wife
6. Enough of an income to e able to afford all the above and invest as well (but this elelment died long ago in the 60s when most Americans began to live on debt, credit cards and loans)
7. A stable church family and life to attend to on Sundays (this also long ago died in the late 50s.
So what is the definition of the Kenyan dream?
My opinion?
1. A house in the suburbs within 40km of Nairobi built with one's own sweat: anywhere between 1/8th of an acre to 1 acre in size, 3 to 5 bedrooms, a high wall with electric fence to keep out the jambazis, a security guard for good measure, a 20,000 litre underground tank to ease water woes and two decent cars parked outside.
2. A wife that is not a slay queen material, is well educated and bila ndrama mingi who won't make you dread going home from your business or work
3. Three kids MAXIMUM. All of them attending good academies that will help them secure their future very well.
4. A good church life and family for Sundays
5. A few additional investments in plots or apartments or other land acquired over a long period of time, to provide financial security. Perhaps a small farm further away from town for extra income. Very little money put in the casino (NSE) or other pyramid schemes like greenhouse plot deals or Unit Trusts, Cytonn and so on.
6. Ability to afford a vacation or three to the coast or a different destination in Kenya each time, and if you are doing very well, maybe to Dubai or beyond, once a year
7. Ability to support struggling or lazy/drunkard relatives in their time of destitution without enabling them to continue their tabias.
8. Ability to afford decent medical care in case of emergency, with NHIF as backup (thanks Jubilee!)
Ni hayo maoni yangu tu.
What in your opinion makes the Kenyan dream?