"SONKO" IS BORN OF CAPITALISM

In the new Kenyan lingo, we are made to understand that anyone who acquires wealth dubiously is dubbed a "Sonko". The name has gained so much popularity that even kindergarten children are fighting over the name. Perhaps, the more "appropriate"  one for the innocent little ones is "Sonkolet"! With this kind of trend, we shouldn't be surprised if a few mothers may have picked the new name for their newborns. I suppose that in the name of equality, our women who qualify, may as well  go for the more gender sensitive title of "Sonkoness"!
Anyway, this clamor for a name, ostensibly meant for dishonor is rather ridiculous and disconcerting! However, there is a good explanation to this trend. Slavery, foreign religion, colonialism and capitalism brought in a new change to the African traditions of dignity and honor. For instance, during slavery, one didn't need to worry by selling others to slavery provided they were Africans. Thus, as either pious Christian or Muslim, you needn't worry about incurring the wrath of your god, never mind the African god. The colonialist freely ex-appropriated African resources for his own benefit and that of his country.
The newly crowned African Chief had no qualms following in the footsteps of his master because he believed his actions were blessed so long as he did it in the name of the "Crown". On the other hand, the "Man of God", the missionary, could do exactly what his compatriot, the administrator, was doing to the African in the name of expanding the kingdom of God. Therefore, "Sonkos" arrived a long time ago in this country but the new African elite and rulers have taken the title to "higher levels of glory", by robbing the commoner to amass his personal wealth. By so doing, he has managed to sanitize and glorify theft to be acceptable to all, including innocent children.
You see,  all around us these days, we have the good company of Sonkos who earlier on supplied expired drugs to our hospitals, supplied obsolete equipment, supplied chalk dust as water treatment chemical, sold pubic land , buildings and toilets, awarded fictitious tenders for supply of government inventory including arms, exported non-existent gold so as to earn export compensation, imported rotten food for the hungry, created IDPs so as to benefit, ad nauseum. These are our leaders, captains of industry, MPs, church ministers and our fathers generally. They are all happy to be referred as Sonkos because they drive the latest make of Mercedes Benz, live in palatial homes, throw lavish parties, holiday in the French Riviera, bank offshore, have companies registered in the Isle of Man, Cayman, or whatever. They do this  so as to earn recognition and create personal wealth at the expense of the country and its inhabitants. Let's not forget that they also marry "beautiful" women and have the chubbiest of the children. They visit prayer houses regularly, play hard, "work" hard and kill others sometimes. This is the world of capitalism that is controlled by  true Sonkos. Karibu!