Why Mediocrity Pays in Kenya

It must have occurred to you that content that would normally cause uneasiness is gaining traction on various media platforms, being celebrated, endorsed, and, surprisingly, gaining prominence and even reward in equal measure.

Recently, there has been a circulating story about a lady named Priscilla Wa Imani, also known as the whistling lady. I'm sure you've heard of her or seen some of her trending videos of her whistling at places like supermarkets, open-air markets, and, most intriguingly, media houses. Priscilla wa Imani whistled her way into City Hall, where she met Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during the lighting of the first shipment of medical supplies to various health facilities in Nairobi. Ladies and gentlemen, her whistling has secured her permanent employment at Keshan Investment Company, where she has been named the new face of their investment assets in the land industry. In confirming her participation in the organisation, Keshan director Keziah Njuguna described the move as promoting local talent and job creation. As we congratulate her accomplishment, a key question that many Kenyans have is whether whistling is a special talent that ought to be rewarded.

Ivy Chelimo is presently a member of the team that works in the office of Rigathi Gachagua, the vice president. She was taken in by the second in command for coining Gachagua to Riggy G. Despite being a law degree from Catholic University, Ivy's first job was based on common creativity rather than her academic credentials.

The two situations mentioned above are only a few examples of how fortunate Kenyans have secured wealthy positions out of mediocrity, giving a gloomy picture of what Kenyan society has become. Do you remember the Githeri Man? Martin Kamotho rose to prominence during the 2017 national elections. He showed up at the polling station carrying a plastic bag of Githeri. Martin Kamotho, also known as Githeri Man, immediately became a media favourite, gaining the attention of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. In a most ridiculed move, former president Uhuru awarded Githeri man with the head of the state commendation given to Kenyans who have excelled in profound spheres. Githeri man had excelled in carrying Githeri to the polling queue. It did not stop there, githeri man received several endorsements from reputable companies and was even rewarded with a piece of land in Ngong hills

Then there was the ugali man. When a video of him eating big quantities of ugali went viral, he became the internet's trending news. A betting firm then presented Charles Odongo, the Ugali Man, with a fully equipped modern gym. The same betting company provided him with a brand-new Toyota van as well as a five-million-dollar check.

“Okwonko na kitambi utawezana, nitawezana” I’m sure most of us can sing to this lyrics thanks to the now-famous Tiktoker Azziad Nasenya. Her pulsating dancing moves to this song by Mejja and Femi One elevated the stature of Azziad who was pursuing a course in communication at the Kenya institute of mass communication. That national fame played a big role in her current role as a radio host. She is also regarded as one of the finest content creator and actress. All these courtesy of dancing to the song

This list is not exhaustive of persons who have been rewarded based on mediocrity in the name of promoting local talent. Today we ask, how is whistling, carrying githeri and eating huge chunks of ugali an art/talent? We might as well say breathing is an art.

It's worth noting that Kenyans have had mixed reactions to the continued reward of these somewhat bizarre incidents. In a country where thousands of Kenyans with academic merit are tarmacking in search of work, how come we as a society are so eager to appreciate, tolerate, and handsomely compensate mediocrity at the expense of legitimate professionalism?

Don't you think it's past time to redefine art? How long will we stand by and watch as mediocre content is lauded and lavishly compensated?