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Story and Pix by David Ogot snr. © June 2003
"Driver, simamisha bus nataka kukojoa!" (literally 'driver stop the bus, I wish
too urinate'), must be a familiar sentiment heard by traveler's on Kenya's myriad bus services
with the ensuing consternation of the driver who argues that they are barely 30 minutes into
the journey can't the fellow wait? The belligerent answer is usually 'no' accompanied by
threats to open a window and do what must be done. (Why buses are not able to organise stops at
regular intervals at the many available places, including petrol stations, that have proper
toilets, has always been a mystery. Maybe urinating by the roadside, or against fences and
walls has become a unique Kenyan culture.)
During my drinking days this was a constant problem I faced. Having been drinking right up
until the last minute before boarding the bus, my bladder would be bursting 20 to 30 minutes
later and the pressing need to stop for a pee became inevitable.
At this point most of the other passengers would be curiously silent saying nothing one way
or another with the rest shouting at me to take my drunkenness back to my seat and stop
interfering with the safari. Finally in consternation, the driver would pull over ordering me
to hurry up.
But then clawing at my zip as I scrambled out thankfully, I was always left bewildered as
half the bus tumbled out after me obviously for the same reason. Why had they not spoken up
that they too needed to relieve themselves? Why did they just sit and suffer in silence?
In his article entitled 'Can BAT keep kids of smoke?' in the East African Standard (25/09/02)
by Mutinda Munyao, (see photo above) the writer says "That BAT, NACADA and some members of the public are at
logger heads over the campaign are unfortunate." He goes on to say, "BAT has
reiterated that cigarettes are legal consumer goods like any other." And "while
they" (the youth) "are still impressionable, the BAT initiative needs to be
encouraged."
Finally the writer concludes "The company is only telling our youth, 'reign in your
smoking urges until you come of age'" BAT maintain that after 18, they can begin to
reason as adults.
Why, my million dollar question is, is it 'unfortunate' that NACADA and individuals
(me being one of them) are at loggerheads with BAT? Let us for a minute here forget about
obfuscation and doublespeak. Let us just simply get to the bottom line. Let us have
straight-forward facts so that we can then make and informed decision.
Fact: I am a recovering alcoholic. Thus I can never drink safely again for the rest of my
life. Neither can any other alcoholic. Yet never in all my awareness campaigns and articles
have I said close the breweries. In fact all I say is for those who have to drink, drink
knowing that alcohol is a drug and what its effects are. For the youth don't! It retards your
development at that age and anyway you can't afford it you have no income and for alcoholics
quit. Simple, clear, precise. Facts!
Fact. I smoked for 27 years. I got off with asthma. I was lucky, (so far!) But the cancer
wards at Kenyatta National Hospital are full of cigarette smoking victims. All over in public
(and some private) places smokers have been barred. Why? Because though you feel you have a
right to poison yourself you don’t have that same right to poison me. And who foots the medical
and emotional bills for all these sick and painfully dying people?
Yet when I inhale smoke in an enclosed or covered space, like a bus or matatu, movie theatre
or restaurant, office or my house I breathe in against my will up to 4,000, yes 4,000 chemical
substances.
Recently at a workshop on substance use organised by the Music Composers Association and
NACADA for radio and club D.J's, Prof. Peter Odhiambo an eminent thoracic and cardiovascular
surgeon mentioned some of these substances to a horrified audience.
They included hydrogen cyanide (a poison used to execute criminals in gas chambers), Acetone
(paint stripper), Ammonia, (floor cleaner) Methanol (rocket fuel) Arsenic (white ant poison)
and Napthalene (mothballs). There was also Butane (lighter fuel), DDT (insecticide) Carbon
Monoxide (poisonous gas in car exhausts), Cadmium (used in car batteries) Toluene (industrial
solvent) and of course the key addictive substance in cigarettes, Nicotine (insecticide,
weed-killer, drug.) Uugh!
Do the tobacco companies tell you this? How many BAT executives smoke?
The sad fact is that tobacco kills you slowly but surely. There is no doubt about that. Even
the smokers agree it's not good for them. How many do you know who lament daily 'I really have
to quit before they kill me!' I myself tried to quit for years. Now that I have my health has
improved tremendously. I do not then see what we are arguing about. It is as plain as black and
white. There are no grey areas here. We are rational human beings what are we debating about?
This is only causing confusion among the young. Cigarette smoking is deadly at any
age - period! Cigarette manufacturers stay away from our youth period! Whether in any guise. I
cannot advocate the right to poison oneself at whatever age.
As the National Coordinator for NACADA Mr Joseph Kaguthi constantly says this is not NACADAS
fight, or Kaguthis fight. The fight here is you and me. Because at the end of the line, the
cigarette manufactures laugh all the way to the bank, while we cough all the way to the grave.
The fact is that all over the world journalists, scientists and other groups have been
compromised by tobacco manufacturing countries to twist facts or to be selective in the facts
they present to an unsuspecting public. Others are bought out to fight for the cause of these
companies by confusing or diverting attention away from the pertinent issues. In Kenya where
there are basically two mass circulation newspapers (namely the Daily Nation and the East
African Standard) this would be a tragedy of the greatest magnitude.
For these reporters would not only be selling the health of the current generation of
youngsters but also future generations. I see no difference with this action then and the other
great crimes against humanity.
Instead of sitting uncomfortably yet we know our bladders are filled to bursting, let us all
shout "driver simamisha bus, nataka kukojoa!"
David Ogot is a freelance
journalist/producer who has personal experience with alcoholism. He can be reached at
goinghomedotcom@yahoo.com or alternatively at info@goinghomedotcom.org
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