Kama Mbaya, Mbaya!

Kama Mbaya, Mbaya!
These words were prominent in conversations of young Nairobians some time back. Too bad they disappeared from the lips of youth due to the rapidly evolving nature of urban slang. But did you know, they were uttered back in the days before Kenya existed? You don’t believe it? Read on and see two instances they unexpectedly shaped the destiny of a nation.
Its somewhere between 450-500 B.C. By what men thought was a strange twist of fate but we now know was divine destiny, a Babylonian beauty of Jewish descent rises from obscurity to be queen of one of the greatest empires ever, that of the Persian “King of Kings” Artaxerxes. A prominent member of the King’s ‘kitchen cabinet’ had hatched a plot to destroy Queen Esther’s people, by making him sign a bill that couldn’t be amended, which gave an order for the extermination of the Jews.
The fate of the Israelis was in Esther’s hands. It had finally dawned on her that she hadn’t been appointed to “exchange cultures” as this king was fond of, but to rescue her people. She had to take action, kama mbaya,mbaya. If I perish, I perish. Those were the words she uttered to show the determination with which she would fight for her people, knowing that what she had in mind could result in certain death for she wanted to enter the king’s court against Persian protocol.
From where did she get the courage to defy the norms of the state? Dear reader, let me point out a historical fact that you may have overlooked.
This king had several queens and an array of concubines. That’s why she couldn’t enter his court as she pleased for she wasn’t indispensable. In light of this, the position left vacant when queen Vashti was dethroned didn’t have to be filled. The kingdom affairs could continue normally, as the king continued enjoying the “services” of his queens and concubines, who were undoubtedly the most beautiful women in the civilized world which he controlled.
It was for a different reason that she was there. A king higher than Artaxerxes pulled the strings behind the scenes. She knew who he was, she was closer to him than she was to Xerxes. She totally trusted Him. She knew he couldn’t create such a position for her then dump her when she needed him the most. Xerxes is long gone but this king still reigns. He is the Almighty God. If you know Him personally, learn from Esther and act on his word without fear, and follow the path of your purpose He’s crafted out for you.
If you don’t know Him, I believe it’s wise to be close to power.
And the second instance of kama mbaya, mbaya?It happened earlier, but will expound on it in a later article.