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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all!!! 

I am a proud Kenyan, a mother and in my professional life I am Trust and Safety expert specialising in child safeguarding and protection.

From the Founders Desk, I have a few thoughts on our current state of the Nation. Let’s take off!

Lest We Forget !!! 

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? In Snow White we see an evil queen confirming her belief that she is the fairest of them all … 

What similarities can we draw from the recent Butere Girls “Echoes of War Drama”?  

“Mirror, mirror on the street, who’s ‘fair’ when justice tastes defeat?”
Inspiration:“A system cannot fail those it was never built to protect.” — W.E.B. Du Bois 

There is this song by Jaguar –  Kioo   

https://youtu.be/AYdpfpOPjkc?feature=shared 

….  

Let us start on a light touch – what is child safeguarding and protection? 

Child safeguarding and protection is a framework of measures designed to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence against children. It ensures their rights—as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)—are upheld in all environments, including homes, schools, communities, and online spaces.” 

A practical Description (For Parents & Guardians) 

Child safeguarding means creating a safe environment where children can grow, learn, and play without fear of harm. It involves recognising risks (physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation), setting boundaries, and teaching kids how to protect themselves while ensuring trusted adults act responsibly.” 

With this introduction, how does this meet the freedoms of speech 

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right enshrined in international law (e.g., Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) that guarantees individuals the liberty to express opinions, ideas, and information without government censorship, retaliation, or undue restriction. Protection refers to legal safeguards (laws, courts, and institutions) that uphold this right and hold violators accountable. 

However, The Freedom of Expression in the Kenyan Constitution 

Key Provisions (2010 Constitution): 

• Article 33(1):
  “Every person has the right to freedom of expression, which includes—
  (a) freedom to seek, receive, or impart information or ideas;
  (b) freedom of artistic creativity; and
  (c) academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.” 

• Limitations (Article 33(2)):
  “This right does not extend to—
  (a) propaganda for war;
  (b) incitement to violence, hatred, or discrimination; or
  (c) advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others, or incitement to cause harm.” 

• Article 34: Protects freedom of the media. 

• Article 35: Guarantees access to information held by the state or others (subject to national security/public interest). 

• Article 24: Allows rights to be limited if “reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society. 

Getting this background is important because it sets the ground for us to have an intentional and deliberate conversation. So, there was ( I use this in past tense because Kenyans have the memory of a warthog!)  an uproar emanated in Kenya specifically from the Drama Festivals – the play “Echoes of War” by Butere Girls – it truly caused mixed feelings among different stakeholders, the youth, parents, guardians, government then “others” but let’s look at this critically, what is the real issue?  

It seems different quarters have different feelings which is Okay BUT let us ask ourselves these questions:  

1. How many data enabled gadgets are in a typical home vs toilet(s)?  
2. What is the current internet coverage in Kenya??
3. How many social media and gaming platforms do you know as an adult vs your child(ren)?
4. Do you believe our children follow us on our social platforms? Dah!! 
5. Do they use the same internet we do – ABSOLUTELY, so Monkey see Monkey Do 😎 

Some may wonder, why are our children this expressive? What are they trying to prove or show?  I want to take you back to your youth, the 14,15, 16, Year old you, smile and ask yourself, did you go against the grain, did you just comply, or you were on the fence? Well, depending on your generation, you saw a few outliers there and you either spoke with them or they spoke for you.  

It is different now and the current Gen Z and Apha’s have quite a bit but for starters lest we forget – they were with us during the COVID 19 Pandemic and global shutdown and they experienced and watched global and local news, they were also here after the 2022 elections and subsequent “Maandamano Tuesday and Thursday” ( which some loved because no school for 2 days was a guarantee) and they consumed and consumed and they also engaged. They have seen what is happening in Ukraine, Pakistan, Israel (name it) and now, now they are expressing – this is NOT to say they have not been expressing- they are using larger and national platforms like now…  

BUT …lets flesh this onion out, we shall have teary eyes.  

1. What is the Kenyan Drama Festivals?
   The Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival is a series of student theatre competitions in Kenya, held from January to April each year, advancing through local, county and regional stages to the National Drama Festival.
2. Who sets the National theme.The institution mandated to come up with the theme for drama festivals in Kenya is the Ministry of Education. The Ministry, in collaboration with the Executive Committee of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival (KNDFF), sets the theme and oversees the competitions.
3. What was the 2025 Kenya Drama Festival Theme?THE KENYA NATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVALS 2025 THEME: Enhancing the Creative Economy through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development  
4. Who constitutes to the invigilator panel? In Kenya School Drama Festivals, the invigilator panel typically consists of secondary school teachers. This is consistent with the practice used in other examinations like the KCSE. The KNEC guidelines often specify that both supervisors and invigilators are drawn from secondary school educators.
5. Did you know that the winning play and different categories get to perform for the head of State at the big house on the Hill?  Let us not engage the politics surrounding the whole saga, what are we seeing and NOT talking about?  I can tell you for free that with our current mindset and reactions, WE ARE NOT READY FOR THIS GENERATION – I mean the younger Gen Z and Gen  Alpha.  In our homes, we are experiencing them day in day out and it is not easy, I can say this as a mother to a latter Gen Z and a booming Alpha – the comradery among these peeps, we have a lot of unlearning and relearning because they are pushing and pushing and they have information at their fingertips. They have local and global knowledge, and they have a voice that they are NOT afraid of using.  To digress a tad, using tear gas and live bullets where underage children are, is uncalled for and shameful for any Government. To our security agencies, shame on all of you for this, our children MUST be protected.  How do you reason with a global citizen?  

   It is simple, and I will share two very practical strategies:  

   1. Seek to understand them, for them to understand you.
   2. Bring them to the discussion table and encourage child participation. 

   Why is this important?  

   We get to have harmony across the different generations because the older generation certainly have one or two things to learn from the youth, similarly the youth have a lot to learn from the older generation BUT the consensus being things have changed. In Kenya today we have the 2010 constitution (it is no longer new) we also have digital natives with access to the internet and information and there is this thing called “freedoms”, so based on this – it is not the same ball game.  

   I feel like this plane is on high cruise so let me say this – fasihi ni kioo cha jamii so undoubtedly what we are seeing is a reflection therefore it is prudent for us – Parents, guardians, educators and leaders to ACCEPT that we will be called out.

   To the Ministry of Education, even if you impose more punitive policies, back in our homes and on online spaces, these children – your learners will VOICE their views their ideas and displeasures it is in school where we need to nurture, guide and support them to be respectful and diligent. 

   To parents and guardians, the government will NOT teach your child(ren) manners and/or values … The foundations are taught and demonstrated in the homes, societies and communities. It is up to us to also take accountability.  

   To our government agencies, it is your responsibility to protect and give us a solid foundation and infrastructure to prosper – please do this diligently with the BIC – Best Interest of the Child approach and frameworks in mind.  

    As I land this plane, what do we see the future looking like? If you have a smile or a gloom on your face, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT in the present to shift things?  

   When I asked you to reflect on the past, you threw yourself back to your teenage self – what are you changing for the future you envision to be a reality?

   Story time!

   Back in high school, I was that kid who jumped at every chance to be part of school events. I played basketball for the school team, but when the season ended, you’d find me in the Drama Club—or even busting a move as a dancer during music festivals. (Let’s be real, I also just loved any excuse to skip regular classes. 😆)

   But looking back, those experiences taught me so much—agility, teamwork, leadership, networking, public speaking, and even presentation skills. And the music festivals? They introduced me to beautiful Kenyan folk songs in different languages, so now I can appreciate a phrase or two (plus some cool history along the way).

   Here’s what I truly believe: Success comes from both education and social experiences. Parents lay the foundation with values and manners, schools provide the playground to practice them, and the world? Well, that’s the grand stage where it all comes together.

   So as we navigate this journey, let’s take a moment to reflect. If something doesn’t sit right with us, let’s adjust. And most importantly—let’s remember that the world we grew up in isn’t the same one our kids are living in. Meet them where they are.

   Remember, when you plant a tree – you may never get to enjoy its shade, but your grandchildren will – so if not for you, do it for the Gen Beta and Gamma  

   Lest We Forget:

   When Legacy Over Looks: 

   The measuring of its worth is by impact, not appearance.
   Maya Angelou once said – “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  

   This is a Mirror Twist: 🙂 “Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose light outshines us all?” 

    How are YOU/ WE making our children feel?