BY LOUREEN ALMA
Barabara zetu ni kivuli cha giza
Tunatembea kwa darkness
Feet zikitremble on potholes
Juu next step is a total blur
I speak for every bulb that died in silence
For every girl rushing home in fear
For every youth covered by shadows
Juu hata shadow yako haina guaranteed safety
Njaa imekuwa mob
Youths wakageuka wakaingia uhalifu
Wakapata the best opportunity ya kuraid watu kwa shadows imecretiwa kwa barabara zetu za giza
Wameweka floodlights
Lakini hazingai kama tu nyota zetu za ndoa!
Streetlights zikasimama
Zikafa kimya kama polls za stima
Nikiask for my security as a citizen
Just as stated in the constitution of having equal rights like the barbies of milimani wenye nyota zao zinangaa kwa barabara zao
Naambiwa climate imechange
Yet I was once someone’s sunshine akitafuta kura
Dead bulbs kama macho yaliyofumba
Floodlights zimesahau kazi yao
Zinangoja tu ma-officials wakumbuke days za campaigns na ahadi za uongo
“Nimetenga…”
Wakati sisi tunatembea kwa hofu
“Jamii yote sasa iko salama”
Hizi ndio zinaskika kwa speaker wakionekana
Lakini sasa ni sisi na giza
Ni sisi na viboko vya uhalifu
Ni sisi na hofu ya usiku
Lakini baada ya elections
” Budget bado, vumilieni kidogo”
Ndio quote inakumbia kila base kutuliza wasee
Hii siyo stima tu imeenda ikadie
Ni matumaini yetu yamezimika
Our taxes glowing only in empty speeches
With our streets glowing with darkness daily
Tukipoteza our next generation kwa uhalifu
Juu ya provided opportunity under these darkness
Za kupiga watu ngeta wkitoka job mausiku
Giza linacheka
Viboko zinatuzingira
Kwa watoto wamezaliwa jana
Wakitaka kuomoka na sweats zetu
Juu wamenyanganywa riziki yao
Wakati tunalipa kodi
Tunalipa mwangaza pia
Lakini tunapokea kivuli ambayo ni endless pit
We demand lights
Si floodlight za events na publicity za influencers
Si streetlights za selfie za TIKTOK na kupewa tenders
Tunaomba mwangaza wa kweli
Respected, Repaired and Maintained
Maana giza ni rafiki ya hofu
Ambayo inameza Youths wa leo
Na mwanga ni ahadi ya usalama
A guaranteed security for safety
Promise is not a bulb until it shines
Na maendeleo siyo picha kwa TV
Development si headlines
Mwanga kwa roads zetu ndio inatupeleka nyumbani salama
Changing the mindset
