"TRIBUTE TO MOHA"

4th August, 2014,

First I thought my phone was lying to me, how can this be true? It must have been a case of mistaken identity. Another call, then another and am forced to call Abdi.

" Niaje, Abdi, hii story nasikia kuhusu Moha ni ukweli?" I ask.
As I wait for his respond on the phone, I wish he tells me its a rumour but...
"Ni ukweli bana, Moha alipass jana usiku. Ni kama alivamiwa na wasee flani uko kwao..." I feel like the world is against us, he narrates to me a sad story of how the whole thing happened. I am yet to be convinced about it, facebook posts and whatsapp messages keep on popping and forced to accept its true.

Today I say it again, R.I.P Moha, three years later. I promise I will say  it again and again till we meet, God knows where and when.

Being admitted to Chewoyet High was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It's a school that gave me more than I deserved,(that's a story for another day).  If you happened to be there between 2009 and 2013, then you know of one Mohammed Abdulaziz Lopeyon, a proficient footballer and a faithful Muslim.

Death is immortal they say, but on 4th of August, 2014 it proved its  immortality to the people of Alale in Kacheliba, Chewoyet High, and more so to me and many more who knew Moha at personal level.

Today it has been three years since he passed and he is still in our minds with no sign of going any soon. Every other time I meet with my classmates we never fail to mention him, how he was just humble and optimistic. We always think life could be different if he was around.
I therefore write this two letters to console ourselves of what happened.

To Moha:

  I write this to you with tears in my eyes and sorrow in my heart. Mrs Kibet never taught us how to write letters to the dead but I had to learn so that I can send you this letter.

It has been long since we last met, I remember we were in Chewoyet, Nothern field, Watching Chewoyet play football against Kapenguria Boys at the finals of term two B county sports. At that time I was a teacher at Propoi Girls. You were happy and energetic, you wanted to be in that team and play against our all-time rivals, Kapee. I never knew that was going to be the last time we will be together, I would have wished you goodbye. You were happy Chewoyet was recognising talents and doing great in it.

Two weeks later am told you are nolonger with us, please tell me where you are when you get this letter. I have unfinished business with you. Infact the entire East wants you, Malasi claims you were not in class the last time he was in for vectors, Alimoi has your quarter loaf, Kipuno wants you for the Math group, Abdi and Hemedi are waiting for you at the Mosque. Our team is playing against West and your position is vacant, come and fill it.

For your information I no longer do Maths in my life, nowadays I write, that's why am writing this to you. When we meet don't ask me about moles, Physics or Bio. Ask me about writing but not grammar, that's for Mrs Kibet and the language department. I write for you and those who understand me and my language. I inform people, but am still a leader. Remember voting me as your student president? I still believe I can lead like you just believed in me that time.

In the mean time, let me believe you pursued your dreams where you are. I hope you still have the urge to learn, and you found someone like me who is not afraid to tell you when you are wrong. Who tells you he is not sure about Locus but still teaches you better than your teacher. Don't tell me you killed your talent, I want to see you play a winger against the devils in the football tournament when I join you, by the way your team Arsenal won F.A against Chelsea. Your passion for football will never die, I will watch it to remember you.

As I finish writing this, I want to assure you we are still united. The entire East wishes you the best. When we join you we know you will be an elder and you won't see us get harassed, you will take care of us. Especially me, you will pay for the days I defended you from Akuts and Kwelikweli.

Just relax, we shall join you sooner or later. In the mean time enjoy yourself.

We miss you,

From Maritim, your student president, your classmate and your friend.

To the rest of us and I:

I know it's painful to remind you of Moha, at the same time I know you have gone through what I have been to: memories of Moha, dreams with him as a participant and much more.

I know there are people who will cry when they read this, cry no more for Moha is waiting for us. One day we shall unite, we will be part of him or he will be part of us. Moha is with us, so if you ever promised him anything, kindly fullfill it for he is watching over us with the angels. He is with us I believe.

As I conclude, remember life is immortal, we are not special: its just that we've been given a chance to change. Your tommorow is not assured, so let us remain in peace. Let us be what he would have wanted us to be; United, peaceful and optimistic.

Yours loving Maritim Brian, alias Culprit.