The Unsung Talented Heroes of Meru

Happy 2019 to everyone, I hope the New Year is taking you well. I have also been well. Njaanuary was not as bad as some had predicted. Happy we can see the Month of love on the horizon.

Meru RFC Players having a team talk before the start of their league match. Photo/Felix Kinyua

First things first, I salute the Meru entertainers, I once did an article about the Meru artists making Meru 'Grate'. Almost 2 Years later, some are in the game while others have hanged up their boots.  I would be so unfair if I fail to mention Vinnie Mkali. I met him recently and he played me some of his tracks of Meru renditions to popular Bongo hits. The kid got talent, do not lose focus.

http://merudailies.blogspot.com/2017/05/meru-people-can-also-sing-these-are.html

Nassizu Murume (left), one of the Meru's performing artist at a past event.Photo/Getty Images

Apart from Music, there are numbers of talented young people in the ever growing town of Meru. Just like any other town in Kenya, gifted youth are slowly giving up and talents going to waste. Unemployment rate for the young people is so high, desperation soon leads to depression and later to drugs. Talent such as the great 'Mtalii' who was once described as a wonder boy by former Kenyan National Football Team Coach Ghost Mulee. Kibirichia High School were playing against Upper Hill in the Kenya Secondary Schools National championship that time.  Mtalii's free kick made Upper Hill 'poach’ him and soon he was playing alongside Michael Olunga the Harambee Stars talisman, they were classmates by then. The lad's football skills were unmatched in Meru, he was literally the 'Messi'of Meru football.  After High School Mtalii came back to Meru and played for a few Football clubs around town, with no support and unable to raise money to support his mother from the little income he was getting from football, Mtalii gave up. He is now a Miraa loader at Maua town while his former teammate is flying Kenyan flag high Playing International football. Meru Leaders what is wrong with you? Such a waste!

Give credit where due, Elias Murega the Municipality Member of County Assembly, since his election he has put effort to revive the Meru football. His hard work has greatly influenced Meru football. There are 2 Meru teams currently participating in the National division 2 League and they are performing well.  There is also a plan on the line to acquire Thika Football club by the Meru County government according to information on the local press. Last year 4 young players got signed up to play for the Kenyan top side including my village mate Melvin Muthomi, big up for joining professional football my friend. Slowly we will get there.

Melvin Muthomi one of the young players who was recently signed by Kenyan top tier Thika United last year. Photo/Felix Kinyua

With the increase in daily activities, celebrations and events, the need for professional photographers in Meru cannot be overlooked. It is hard to know who is real and who is fake nowadays. Everyone who can afford a DSLR camera are now ‘Photographers’. Triple E Photography are the best in the game for all shoots. The group professional approach to photography makes them stand out amongst the others. The crew is time conscious, polite, well-mannered and the quality of the pictures and the way they do their Photoshoot is on another level.  They know what they are doing.  A recommendation to anyone wishing to hire a photographer this year for any event. Like they say 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. It is also one of the photography houses supporting local talents by actively covering and documenting events for top Rugby and Football clubs in Meru.

Arts such as Drawing, Paintings and drama are picking up in Meru.  Although few understand the work of arts, those who do are getting a treat of their lifetime.  25 Year old Brian is one of the artist making heads turn in Meru.  His drawings and wall paintings have been attracting attention with the art lovers. He is the guy to go too ukitaka graffiti or any other form of drawings  in the houses, cars, Matatus and buses.

It is my belief that with good leadership Meru has great talents of young people and with good support.  The future looks bright for our County.

Felixkinyua35@gmail.com