THE SLUM NIGHT HUNTERS

THE SLUM NIGHT HUNTERS

 “Danger lurks in the dark “a wise quote from the wisdom of the old, but this goes contrary to the law of nature whereby some creatures are meant to survive and benefit in darkness while others are a sleep or resting after a tiresome day. While walking in the ghetto at night there are several beings you are likely to meet on your way home:  

Mangwero: Maasai.These are the main chief guards in the slums. They ensure security mostly on big shops and bars. They don’t look like the ordinary Maasai’s because their clothing is a more modernized, although   they still carry their weapons. They are likely to have more than two weapons with them including: an axe (small and light to fit on hand), a rungu, daggers and spears. These guards are rare to be seen during day

time but when night falls you are often to meet one or two in every street. A part from guarding they also act as bodyguards for those who are afraid of walking in the dark or in fear of robbers. Also, they earn money by getting small amount from those who own kiosks and business along the roads hence protecting them when their owner’s has gone to sleep.

 Makarao: Police.They have  more than twenty names depending on their operation,service and cloth  they wear."The blue boys" these are once with blue uniform that resembles the Kenyan traffic police uniform."The beasts" they are those with no uniform, they look like ordinary citizens and don't carry big guns.Also because of their dressing they catch people unaware most of them are merciless hence the name 'beasts" given to them in the ghetto."The kombatos" they are the once with the ordinary uniform that resembles the navy's uniform,they are easily identified from their beautiful dressing and big guns from a distance.Most of them apart from patrolling and ensuring security they are always looking for away of earning from those they meet,So when you happen to meet with them at a certain time,you  will either give them a small amount or they will ask you to  give them what you  were from stealing at that time,tell them where you are going to steal and where you live with your gang.Others will ask you to identify some of the drug dealers and tell them which drug you use.If you don't answer either of their question and you have 'kitu kidogo'(some cash), you will be chained and taken to police station.

 The bad boyz:Madigo:Thugs.These are boys between the age of 18-30,most of them being those that dropped out of school and are drug addict.They always move in groups,from 2 to 10 or even more carrying deadly weapons.They always hide in dark "choches"(corners)as they wait for the police or maasai's to pass,also they hide as they wait for their 'prey' those they are gong to rob.They use "ngenta"mostly to a single victim,a style whereby hand is put between your neck and pulled upward,this will leave the victim unconscious due to lack of oxygen.As the the victim struggles to gasp some oxygen,they rob and disappear in different directions.Some with fierce weapons like guns they always attack even the maasai's and a bigger number of people.They are always in need of mobile phones and money,because the mobile phones always have ready market.The worst thing happens when they find you with nothing at all,they always beat you mercilessly and leave you with major injuries.

The night runners:These group of people are neither thug,maasai's or police but are always walking up and down in the street.

 The poko's:these are ladies and school dropout girls that sell their bodies,they aren't married hence looking for some men.They always walk from street to street till where they will be welcomed.Most of them are friends with the thugs and police hence aren't afraid walking at night.

 Drunkard:These are those that have become more addicted to alcohol to a point that they can't sleep on time.They mostly become the "major" prey for the bad boyz and police.

 Finally the last group comprises the drug dealers.They are always walking up and down from street to street in search for customers.Most of their customers being the poko's and the bad boyz and their number one friends being the police because when they meet the police have to smile.

Although the witches and sorcerers are known to rule in darkness,the ghetto has supreme dark rule "survival for the darkest"