Formless, 5.5 Billion and Another Wife for Jamo

 Lately I’ve been wondering what I should dream about.

Maybe I should have become a teacher. Because there are lessons that clearly need to be taught. And retaught. And drilled into thick political skulls.

I never liked politics. Still don’t. But it is what it is. No pain, no gain. And politics is my pain. A pain I share with over 350,000 people in Taita Taveta — according to the last census.

Yes. 350,000 of us.

And for those 350,000 souls, we receive roughly 5.4 to 5.5 billion shillings annually as equitable share from the National Government.

Billions. Let that sink in.

And before the Tutam choir begins warming their vocal cords — relax. It’s not about how much you receive. It’s about how you use it.

From that 5.5 billion, over 2 billion goes to salaries. And when I say 2 billion, I haven’t even added the decimal points. Meaning it’s more than that.

Shout “2 terms!” all you want. Facts don’t bend.

Wakujaa has failed this county.

And Mwaruma is not a spectator. He is inside it.

You cannot claim oversight for ten years and only grow teeth when cameras are rolling in the Senate. Oversight is not theatre. It’s not a performance for viral clips.

He calls it Conflict of interest. Yes, Wakujaa may say his  criticism is meant to tarnish the “little” he has done. And I repeat — little — because I refuse to exaggerate what doesn’t exist.

If this was school, the report card would read:
“Needs serious improvement. Repeating class.”

My friend Jamo called me the other day.

He looked tired. Worn out. Like a man who had been wrestling invisible enemies.

He tells me some Asian guy had found a loophole in his resources. Something about iron Ore or sheets. Something he had forgotten. Something that might turn the tides for him.

He sounded optimistic though. “Things will change,” he said.

But that’s not why he called.

That day nilikuwa  Magweni. Not on palm wine anymore. I had upgraded my depression to something called Pasha. Foam first. Then effect. No fermenting process needed.

Leo nilikuwa formless.

So when my kadunda rang, I wasn’t even thinking about Tala loans. My mind was on Form. Philosophical Form. How do you move from formless to form-full when your environment keeps draining you?

Jamo says,
“Bro, come you see…”

I laugh. Formless laughter. Then I cut the call. I was waiting for another guy from Murima — he called us cousins. Former big shot. Ego so big he once bought an entire supermarket because he couldn’t wait in line. Told everyone to get out so he could shop in peace.

Yes. That arrogant.

But here we were entertaining him — because of Pasha.

Suddenly, an old Subaru parks a few meters away. I almost run. Subaru trauma is real.

Then I see it’s Jamo.

Relief mixed with suspicion.

Where did he get the car?
Iron sheet or Ore refund?
Or my Guy Just omokad?
Or just another loan disguised as progress?

Didn’t matter.

My formless heart began forming optimism.

Jamo walks toward me smiling. But the tiredness in his eyes betrayed him.

“My guy,” he says, grinning,
“I found another wife.”

Inside, I curse.

Not again.

And that’s when it hits me.

Its a cycle for Jamo Every Five years like clock work, he comes calling. optimistic

Taita Taveta County. My County

Every five years we find another “wife.”
Another promise.
Another smooth talker.
Another redeemer.

And we celebrate like this time it will be different.

Meanwhile, resources leak. Projects stall. Minerals disappear. Salaries swell. Accountability becomes cinema.

Let me ask plainly:

Mwaruma has been in oversight for ten years. Ten.

With all the rot in Samboja’s government. With all the mediocrity in Wakujaa’s government. Where was the consistent fire?

Oversight is not about speaking sharply in Senate sessions. It’s about preventing rot before it ferments.

He is a leaders who sabotages from within — like an education officer who undermines the principal just to inherit the office.

Leadership built on sabotage is not leadership. It’s ambition without responsibility.

In that same category, I include Bwana Godwin Kilele.

Sharp tongue. Strong criticism. Good speeches.

But is he for the people?

Or positioning himself?

There’s a difference.

We are 350,000 people.
With 5.5 billion reasons to demand better.
And we keep marrying promises without reading the prenup.

So here is the uncomfortable question:

Will we make the right choice this time?

Will we finally marry leadership that builds systems instead of draining them? That protects resources instead of redistributing them in the dark? That understands that 5.5 billion is not pocket money — it is destiny money?

Or will we celebrate another wedding… and meet here again in five years, tired, broke, and pretending we didn’t see the signs?

As Chávez said, “Once you educate the people, you cannot make them unlearn.”

We have seen the future, and the future is ours.
They think we don’t see. But we are faceless — and yet, we see.

Gods of Taita Taveta, let’s make it in our own image.
Next Thursday, stay tuned for our next episode.

For any queries or information, reach out to us at Voice of Taita Taveta
📍 X: @doctalve  FB: Alves Mwaregha
📧 Email: doctalve@gmail.com

— Voice of Taita Taveta