To dads making selfless sacrifices for their families – Happy Father’s Day!

My third floor balcony overlooks a fish market. It’s nothing fancy, just a smattering of polythene paper stalls. The smell of fish sometimes is overwhelming, and the view is an eye-sore. But it’s the people in the market that are close to my heart. I like watching the vendors call out to their customers – each lady has a characteristic call – sometimes a whistle, a screech.

The most intense moments happen when the fishermen bring in their catch. This trade calls for a level of roughness, some bit of violence. A lot of the fishermen are usually tipsy, and will likely head back to the drinking dens after the sale.

Over time, I’ve noticed the rough, tipsy fishermen never sell all their catch. There’s always a bunch of fish sewn over their gills set aside from the sale. This is meant for their families. However carefree these men may appear to be, they always have their families in mind.

Their wives and kids come first.

This is what being a father means. From my balcony, I can see the pride and purpose in their steps as they first head home to deliver the daily bread, then stroll out for a stiff drink with their peers.

Back in the days, festive seasons would bring me a heavy cloud of sorrow. Christmas, Easter, occasional birthdays…name them all. I’d dread them. Because we always had to slaughter some animal. In the village, we’d be close to the animals we kept – and it’d take days before I got over it.

This ceremony was a masculine affair, and I still think of the chilly mornings. It was always early, before the children woke up. As the eldest son, sleeping in was a luxury. My father would rap on my door (my brothers and I lived in a separate house) – and whisper hoarsely:

“Ken! Ken! Go get the goat!”

I didn’t like it, but I’d jump out of bed. In those days, you’d be teased for days for a sign of weakness. In those days, it was deemed manly to show no fright at the sight of blood.

I’d grab the chosen goat and disappear into the semi-dark banana grove behind the main house. For a few minutes, I’d kneel with the goat’s head in my arms. I’d try to explain to the goat why it had to go down this way. I always felt like Judas Iscariot, with his 30 pieces of silver.

Shortly, father would appear with a knife and a small bucket. He’d wrestle the goat to the ground, and tie up his feet. He’d ask me to kneel on her back – to hold her down. Then, time would slow down…..

The overpowering smell of blood would hit me first. Then, the smell of sweat, and dung on father’s khaki overalls would join in. Nausea almost always overran me, and I would retch and vomit.

Father would look at me softly, and sometimes pat me on the head.

“Don’t worry, Ken. They die so that we may live”.

It’s been several decades, and these sacred memories never leave me. Memories of these solemn words, told over a bleeding goat.

Father is now retired, and no longer wrestles goats on festive days.

He now runs a butchery, albeit from home. He’d used a section of his pension, and I had acquired a Coop Bank loan – we jointly own this venture. His role is to source for live animals from the community – he’s gifted with amazing people skills. I take over from the slaughterhouse – distribution to various retail outlets and institutions, like hospitals and hotels.

It’s easy business, thanks to the New Co-op Internet Banking that allows me to manage my Co-op Bank account from one place. It allows real-time monitoring of payments to the butchery account through the Co-op Bank M-Pesa pay bill number 400200, and direct cash transfers via M-Coop Cash App.

I can also access banking features like statements, buying airtime and internet data direct from my account. The New Co-op Internet Banking allows convenient fund transfers to M-Pesa or any local bank account.

Towards dusk, I send the old man a message on his phone: Happy Father’s Day.

Fatherhood is a tricky responsibility and there’s no handbook, yet. A big part of who we are is a reflection of the fatherhood we grew up with…

From Size 8 to Wahu, Zari to Lillian Muli…Celebrities share the sweetest tributes for Father’s Day (Photos)

From Size 8 to Wahu, Zari to Lillian Muli…Celebrities share the sweetest tributes for Father’s Day

The world celebrated fathers were yesterday June 18th; Kenyans celebrities also celebrated their dads and husbands in different ways.

Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide to recognize the contribution that fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children. This day celebrates fatherhood and male parenting. [sic]

Kenyan celebs celebrated their fathers and husbands by sharing their photos on social media and saying a thing or two about them:

Emmy Kosgei: Happy fathers day to the most amazing man in my life,my ? amazing husband who loves and supports me not only that .. he is my spiritual cover!father to many and apostle to the nations.. God’s general.. love you,i celebrate you ❤ this day and always ! #nkem #dimm

Emmy Kosgei with her husband Anselm Madubuko

 

Size 8: To the best dad God can ever give to my little girl my husband @djmokenya you are indeed such a blessing to this girl. I will never love her as much as you do. Thank you for taking your place and position in her life. Hata Leo umenipa holiday sina mtoto yeeeeppppyyyy mamma days out ?????????????? thank you always I can never ever say am raising her alone ?????????

DJ Mo and his daughter

Faith Muturi Ngugi: Baba Lemuel..One of the things I was looking forward to in marriage was having you as a dad to our children. I’m blessed to have you as my hubby. I’m so glad we waited and thank God for blessing us with a son. I knew you’d be a great Dad and wow- you’re an amazing, involved, caring and fun father. Truly the protector, provider and priest I prayed for- my gentle warrior. From Lemuel & I we wish you a Happy Happy Happy Father’s Day. May God refresh you and increase you each day.

Faith Ngugi with her husband and son

Ciru Muriuki: Happy Father’s Day Daddeh! I love you! ❤❤ #dadsofdaughters #myhero

Ciru Muriuki with her father

Lillian Muli: Happy Fathers Day to the Father of my Child Moses Kanene we have an amazing son and he Loves you to Bits.

Lillian Muli’s ex husband Moses Kanene

Abbas Kubaff: Big ups to the ILLest palette-Knife Artist ….my Dad! Thats oil on canvas painting #Kericho from the top of the Dome! (#TBT1995)I learned from the best of the bestest…my only competition! R.I.P. paps. Ur boy is strong..miss u!.kaaang kaaang! #HappyFathersDay???

Abbas Kubaff’s father

Zari: Happy fathers’ day Le Hubby, may the Good God keep you safe for us. We appreciate all your efforts.? @diamondplatnumz

Diamond with his kids

Patricia Kihoro: Happy Father’s Day to my dad. I was named after him, Patrick, and he’s been my homie since Day 1. Yaani homie. I’ve talked to him about everything. Boys, booze, work, family, food! He cooks like a dream. He’s the dopest. He’s everything and then some. #FathersDay

A young Patricia Kihoro with her father

Wahu Kagwi: @namelesskenya you are an amazing father to the girls, and they are blessed to call you Daddy. Happy Father’s day, and May God continue to shower you with blessings and guide your steps! #intentionalfather #focusedfather #thatfamilyguy

Nameless with his kids

Lizz Konstantaras: Happy father’s day Alexandre! Our son is so lucky to have you as a dad. He inherited your sense of humour too.. never a dull moment with you two.. ?????????

Lizz Konstantaras’ husband with their son

Loise Hannigan( Yolo host): Happy Father’s Day Papa ❤️

Loise Hannigan with her father

Mwanaisha Chidzuga: #HappyFather’sDay to the worlds greatest dad..You lead,, the girls follow..Thank you and Be blessed

Mwanaisha Chidzuga and her husband Danson Mungatana with their kids

Lilly Asigo (Jua Cali’s wife): @juacaligenge you have been such a great father and I’ve always made sure you know this. I feel blessed and excited to go through this amazing journey with you again. #happyfathersday ?

Jua Cali with his wife

Akothee: see who is visiting ,the main man in my life , wengine ni kubahatisha , I love you dad Happy Fathers day jaduong , Ajos tinger motiii puro kata onge mafuta I needed this space today for real fathers who carried their families together, through thick & thin, you saw us through life I love having lunch with you , on this special day.

Akothee with her father

Bien: lHappy Fathers Day papa. I become more like you everyday. I love you to death. Thank you ❤️??

Bien with his father

Talliaoyando: For the sacrifices you’ve made and for the love you give unconditionally @MauriceOyando and @DirectorEzy, may God bless you. #HappyFathersDay

Talia Oyando’s husband with his son 
A young Talia Oyando with her father