Kwanza, Risto (za) Nai Ni nini?

“Hii ni risto ya kuristo Nai.”

Language holds inordinate power in how we view our world, how we claim things as our own, and how we remember.
Yet, in Nairobi, a city that has lost 22% of its green spaces in under 18 years, when we speak about nature or conservation, often stuffy, colonial language is used, almost always proper English, hardly ever the Kenyanised mix of English and indigenous languages that are common to our everyday life. This disconnects us from the world right next to us. Nature does not sound like us. Nature has become an “other” to the urban Kenyan. It is not part of our story.

Few Nairobians will think of these green and in-between spaces as a right, yet, they are. Not a privilege, a right. Haki yangu, sio, bahati yangu. We are part of nature, not separate. This fragmentation is fodder for disconnection.

Yet, if we dared to stop in the middle of the rat race for survival, we would maybe begin to ask questions and make certain connections. What has nature got to do with our general well being? How has the city changed over time? What are we losing? Wait! Where did all those trees that lined that stretch go to? Haiya! How come I have to travel kilometres to enjoy a space that offers the language of nature in all its nuances?

Well, that’s what Risto (za) Nai is all about. Risto (za) Nai is a project designed to re-ignite a sense of wonder and connection to nature among Nairobians in our language. Our ways of knowing.
Our project is an act of love, and of rebellion.
Risto is ‘story’ said backward in typical Sheng, and, ‘restore’ spelt as it is pronounced.

How can language, stories, voices contribute to the reclamation of green spaces? Sasa decolonisation inaingilia wapi? We join hands with existing re-greening efforts in information sharing and co-education to answer these and more questions. Storytelling and igrow (re-greening activities) will be Risto (za) Nai’s toolkit to remising, imagining and growing.

• In being true to decolonization, this process will not be done paternistically by individuals who “know” but instead a diverse group of residents including artists, informal sector workers, urban planners, pedestrians, ecologists and others.
• Together we will write and right the narrative and reconnect ourselves.
• You are deserving of a space that allows you breath, rest, play, create and belong.
• Nairobi! Arm yourself with pen and jembe, karatasi and spade, mbegu and microphone, keyboards and mbolea…#ikoKaziNai

OUR STORIES MATTER, AND THEY WILL BE HEARD
OUR NATURE IS OURS, AND WE WILL RECLAIM IT