JOURNEY OF A PEACE WORKER

Beginnings in Peace Work Burnout is not something that happens overnight. It builds slowly, almost invisibly, as one pours heart and energy into work that feels too important to step away from. Looking back, I now see how my own journey into peacebuilding began with both promise and peril. In 1995, I joined the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) as a support officer in Eldoret. At first, my duties were simple: handling logistics, finance, and data management. But peace work in Kenya during the 1990s was no ordinary assignment. Almost immediately, I found myself accompanying staff into volatile regions—places scarred by political violence, cattle raids, and community strife. Our field trips took us to the Uasin Gishu and Kisumu/Nandi border areas, Turkana, West Pokot, Marakwet, and Laikipia. My role quickly shifted from office-based support to the frontline distribution of relief food for communities devastated by conflict and drought. Those early days were eye-opening. I...

 When I die, lay me to rest in the gentle embrace of my rural farm— In the rich, red soils that have fed generations, beneath the open skies I once called home. Let mine be a resting place not of cold stone, but of life and renewal. Beside my grave, plant a tree—one that will stretch its branches toward the heavens, A haven for birds to nest, sing, and shelter; a symbol of continuity and peace. And beside that tree, plant a bougainvillea flower, Its vibrant petals dancing in the wind, a reminder of beauty in all seasons. Let the roots of both reach deep into the earth, As I return to the land that nurtured me and find eternal communion with nature. I do not wish to be remembered in silence, but in the rustle of leaves, In birdsong at dawn, and in blossoms that bloom with each passing year. In death, may I still be part of life—woven into the land, Living on through every branch, every petal, every breeze that sweeps through the farm.

In June, when days were long and bright, I constructed a new home in sight. At our rural farm, a little three-roomed delight, A dream come true, a place to rest and take flight. The farm has been one of the places I hold dear, A haven of peace, a place to banish fear. The scent of fresh earth and the sound of birds in the air, A place to build memories, to share and to spare. With each brick and each beam, the house began to rise, A labor of love, a testament to the skies. The roof over our heads, a shelter from the rain, A place to call home, a place to love and gain. The month passed by, and the house began to take shape, A structure of strength, a place to escape. The windows and doors, a warm and cozy space, A place to laugh and play, a place to embrace. And now, as the sun sets on the horizon, I stand here, proud of this little home I've made. A place of joy and love, a place to call my own, A little three-roomed house, where I am never alone.

For those who know me, it's not a secret, I am a lover of music.  My  passion for music knows no bounds! I have a deep appreciation for a wide variety of genres, including classics, contemporary hits, jazz, afrobeat, pop, religious music, and more. Allow me to share my thoughts on how I view and experience music. Music, is a marker of memories,  It is a language that transcends all fear. Music, like love, are two things that know no boundaries.  They are a harmonious blend! From the rhythm of the heart to the soul, m usic speaks a language we all know.  It's the beat of life, the pulse of love, a  universal language, sent from above. In every culture, a melody sings, a  symphony of life, with heartfelt wings.  Music and love are a duet, so fine, t wo things that know no borders, divine. In the moments we share, we find our grace, with music and love, we embrace. The memories we make, we hold so dear, with music and love, our hearts are clear....

Procrastination, oh procrastination! You are my second name. You are my  constant companion, a never-ending game.  I delay to put  up things, with a heart full of shame. My tasks and responsibilities are left unclaimed. The clock ticks on and the deadlines near, but I sit here and stare, without a fear. My mind is a jumble, my thoughts are astray, as I waste the day, in a haze of gray. Oh procrastination, why are you are my curse? You are a habit, so strong and hard to traverse. I know I should stop and take a stand, but you keep holding on my hand. Ok, so I'll sit here and waste the day with you by my side, in every way.  Procrastination, my second name, you are a never-ending game of shame and blame.

As the first light of dawn painted the sky in soft hues of gold and amber, I stood at the edge of my homestead, watching the world awaken. The crisp morning air carried the sweet scent of dew-kissed grass, and the distant calls of birds heralded the promise of a new day. For me, dawn was not just the beginning of another day; it was a time of reflection—a moment to pause and consider the path I had walked, the joys I had cherished, and the trials I had endured. In my youth, the rising sun had symbolized endless possibilities. I had once run barefoot across the green fields of Sergoit in the Rift Valley, my laughter echoing with the whispers of the wind. Those were days of boundless dreams, of friendships forged in the golden glow of morning, and of lessons learned beneath the great acacia trees. The world had seemed full of promise, and I had embraced it with an open heart. As the years passed, the sun rose high in my life, bringing with it both warmth and shadows. I became a man of pu...

In a world filled with discord and dismay, Where hate and anger reign for a while, Let us find peace in each other's way, And let love be our guiding smile. Let us put aside our differences, And unite as one, without pretenses, For in unity, we'll find our strength, And our hearts will be our greatest defense. Let us respect each other's views, And tolerate the paths we choose, For in diversity, we'll find our way, And our love will shine like a ray of light. Let us treat each other with kindness, And show compassion, without blindness, For in the end, we are all the same, And peace will be our final aim. So let us strive for peace and love, And let it reign in our hearts above, For in peace, we'll find our way, To a brighter day.