the 'architecture' of a duka

Part of the legacy that was left behind post independence is the architecture of dukas that is, those kioks that line up streets in shags and a majority of our urban centres in Kenya. Yes, I'm talking about those flat faced shops. In there you'll find, a 'hotel', 'butchery', 'general shop' or 'general kiosk' and a 'posho mill' plus 'bar'. To be a owner of a 'general shop' in shags one must be doing very well or at least, seen to be doing well. They do firm a source of aspiration and inspiration to the youngfolk...

Of course, the dukas play a very impaortant role in ensuring that goods and services, and other provisions (like posho) reach the mwananchi up there in the rural areas. One cannot also forget that these buildings also do get branded with all manner of goods and services, cowboy; rexona; ugali; celtel; safaricom; all for free thus saving the shop owner a few more shillings. This also beautifies the 'town' if you may call it making it look like a rainbow of sorts. With the branding, only churcjes and cattle dips get spared.

However, I have alsways considered that the architecture of the 'general shop' is very colonial; backwards and un inspiring. Whereas I'm not a sociologist, I tend to think that the facade is even depressing and perhaps if we want to 'jivunia kuwa wakenya' then perhaps like we did with a national dress, have a copmpetition to design the national kiosk. That architecture that came from I-don't'know should be done away with, even fir the sake of a new century.

Of names, maiden names and hyphens.....

If my name is X Y Z, with X standing for my first name, Y for my middle name and Z for my surname, assuming that I come from the Mt. Kenya region, then it's easy to decipher where all my three names came from: X was by choice because my mother, father or neighbour liked it and hence it was given to me at birth or later during baptism. As for Y, that is the name of a relative that I have been given to carry. Z of course is the name of my father. That being the case, then it's obvious that all the three names are mine; that is my brand. The reason why in shags people tend to refer to each other by their middle names is partly out of respect(because you do not want to call a young boy by his surname name, particularly if the caller is the young boy's agemate). However, in other settings or environments-such as places of work, it then doesn't matter whether you call me X, Y, Z or a combination of these as long as you know you are referring to me, and I know that you are referring to me.

Then enters the hyphenations and maiden names. The first question to pose is: is it really necessary for a woman on getting married to adopt a husband's name? The Kenyan law does not provide as such and what we experience is a practice and adopted from I would think, England. To change or adopt a name in a forma way in Kenya is a long and not exactly cheap affair as one has to swear statutoty declarations and ultimately have the same officially gazetted.....The second question to raise is: What does hyphenation of names by married women signify? Her family tree? Reluctance to adopt her husband's name? The most used reason/excuse that I often hear is that by marriage a woman does not want to lose her professional identity because changing names midstream her professional carrer can be very confusing (and costly too) both to her, her colleagues and clients. Again brand issues -management and change arises here.

Another problem that arises post-hyphenation of names on marriage is the following: assuming that on marriage the lady name becomes ABC-D. Does the lady now have four or five names, or are they still three? that is, A, B, C,D; or A, B, C, -, and D; or A, B, C-D? Now if she was required to fill some form as required in our day to day life for insurance, pass port, immigration; job application, etc etc how does she do it? I'm keen to know!!

This being the case then it seems to me that the most sensible thing for a woman to do on getting married is NOT to adopt her husband's name at all. Change of name does not to my mind make a marriage or whatever relationship longer; and your kids are there to carry the names on.

In any event, lately, confusion does arise on what name to adopt, if any: the husband's middle or surname? Both??

Perhaps a way out is to propose a law to regulate naming, like in Switzerland and Sweden.