A Fervid Defense of (Some) YouTube Ads

 

A Play button experiencing a violent deconstruction. A symbolism of YouTube, perhaps? Photo - Dall-e

It's Not What You Think

Ah, YouTube ads.

The bane of our existence; like finding a wet and soggy chip in your chip packet or biting into a stone while eating a tasty hotdog.

YouTube ads - that thing that makes us who refuse to subscribe to YouTube Premium shake our fists in frustration at our phones and computer screens when that ad interrupts our five-minute video for the sixth time – only this time, the whole 40-minute ad is playing.

Who wouldn’t want to skip that? I certainly would want to skip that.

This post is not about that type of ad.

Instead, I write about music ads.

The Rapid Rise of YouTube Music Ads

I can’t quite put a finger to it, but music ads, especially full music ads, have been on a rapid rise over the past few years (I don’t have the numbers though lol). YouTube ads in general, have increased significantly to be honest.

But I have never quite noticed so many music ads before as I have noticed over the past year. Perhaps they have been on the increase for much longer, but I only became aware of them shortly before.

I don’t remember when this came to be, but I became aware of just how many music ads I had been getting on YouTube when one of the song ads that I let play (sometimes I let ads play as additional support to my favorite content creators) made its way to my YouTube playlist a few months (or was it a year and some months?) ago.

I am not mentioning the artist’s name or song, not because I want to maintain some exclusivity for some deranged personal gratification, but because I don’t remember clearly what the song was or who even the artist was. Ironic much? I enjoyed the song then promptly forgot about it and the artist, what a way to make your point, you are probably thinking.

Indeed, this wasn't the strongest way to make my point. Still, what I know is that, for several months, I had this song, which I discovered as a YouTube ad, on my playlist, and that made me happy.

Since then, I have been letting music ads play more often than not to gauge whether I would vibe with the artist or, at the very least, with the song. This has led to me discovering some memorable songs. And, not to repeat the mistake of the first time, I have sought out the artists who leave an impact. My embrace of YouTube music ads is a far cry from the past, when I often thought that music that was advertised was somehow inferior to music that I discovered organically. Let it naturally make its way to my playlist, dear artist, old me said.

But in this age where more and more people are getting opportunities to pursue their dreams, it's no longer enough to make good music; you have to part with a few coins to be seen in this endless void of the ever-evolving technological zeitgeist in order to stand out in the saturated online space with ever diminishing attention spans. 

And I think artists buying ads for their music is a good thing actually. It helps them reach their target audience, or intended audience, without having to waste years rotting in the endless, yet still ever-expanding, YouTube space, waiting for the unforgiving and unpredictable algorithm to maybe, possibly, hopefully, pick it up and begin pushing it.

And from these paid music ads, I have listened to music that has gone on to be some of my favourites.

Some of My Faves from YouTube Ads

Ndikwenda, by Kenyan artist Lano Musician and Greek producer Stavros Zacharias, is one of the earlier songs that comes to mind as one of those that encouraged me not to skip music ads. Come to think of it, it might have been THAT song that made me think twice about skipping music ads.

Since Ndikwenda, I have encountered various artists. Some of them gave me a flash of joy with their music, which I soon forgot; others, though, have become some of my favorite artists.

Gloria Bash, a young, petite woman from Congo with glasses covering half her gorgeous face, sang her way with her soothing, angelic voice into my heart with Toza Bien.

Interestingly, it took several listens for Toza Bien to click, like the realization that you are in love when you see the object of your affection on the seventh date. Or like relishing the true mastery of the chef who made the food you are eating at the seventh bite. I don't know why I used seven to make my point, but I just did.

Anyway, since then, Gloria Bash has managed to cascade her way into my ear with her magnificent Mbele, an anthem with strong vocal performances from her and her collaborator, Yvon Yusuf. She then further wriggled her way into my psyche with the glorious Cascade, a song that sounds like it would make for a sick TikTok viral dance video. 

F Supreme Mabungu and his electric dancers also danced their way into my memory with 6_9, which reminded me a lot of the chants that we would make back in the village during Christmas festivities called malago.

Then, there was Teslah, another Kenyan artist whose two songs, Tujibambe, a Christmas/festive song sampled from Oliver Ng’oma’s Bane in collaboration with the sensational Iyanii, and Ndiguikare, a love song released this past Valentine's that wouldn’t be out of place in a sex playlist, also made their way to my consciousness through a YouTube ad.

J Kree’s reflective My Space, is another music I discovered on YouTube ads that's on heavy rotation now. "My energy sharp like a razor blade, cutting off ties just to concentrate". Whew! Hold it there as I give it another listen.

Then there is Tanzania’s Kenny Guitar, whose song, Mariana, heavily influenced by Spanish ballads, with the Spanish guitar playing prominently throughout, also caught my ears as an ad. This is a song that I see playing at my wedding as I serenade my lovely wife.

Then, there is also Martin’s Doudou (fun fact: his name is actually Martin’s with an apostrophe), to JZyNO’s uptempo Profeh, all the way to Sabrina (no, not Carpenter) from Cameroon, the list is long, and the songs *Chef’s Kiss*.

I think I wouldn’t have discovered these songs otherwise because I am as safe as I can be with the music I listen to. I am so safe that safety experts take Masterclasses from me on how to be safe.

And it hasn’t just been ‘small’ artists who are in on the action. Just as I write this, listening to my playlist, I’ve gotten an ad for The Weeknd’s Open Hearts. I had to skip it, sorry. No, not because it is not a good song, but because I had watched too many ads prior, and so I was suffering from ad fatigue. He is one of many established artists who are turning to YouTube ads to reach wider audiences.

Diamond in the Rough

Indeed, the rise of YouTube ads continues to be a frustrating update to the once beloved video platform, but, man, I cannot help but think of just how many opportunities it is currently providing for new artists who want to reach newer audiences. Or how many opportunities it gives those of us who are risk-averse musically to discover new artists and new sounds.

I certainly have listened to a lot more variety of songs since I began letting music YouTube ads play, and I think I would let that continue. I mean, I don’t feel at any point in my life would I have ever listened to Serbian artist, Electra Elite, whose powerful vocals grabbed me by my collars, sat me down, handed me my earphones, and made me listen to Nista Licno from an ad. Sounds violent, I know, but it was a good kind of forcefulness, the kind that seems to make you sit down and enjoy something almost in hypnosis.

Perhaps this is one more reason for me to hold back from subbing to YouTube Premium, and I think it is one of the most compelling reasons. Now of course, not all music ads are great, but I will take my chances to find the diamond in the rough.

Still, though, YouTube ads remain a pain in the ass! Ultimately, even this half-hearted defense of music ads is not a call for you to not skip ads or not to use adblockers. The emergence of ads has ruined the YouTube experience more than improved it. I am just trying to find the positive in an otherwise shitty experience.

 

Is This The Turn of Kenyan Sports or Just a Fleeting Wonder

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What a terrific fortnight! These are some of those so incredibly great periods that make one don pride of being Kenyan with a wholesome embrace and a matching sheepish and optimistic grin.

From Harambee Starlets' swim through adversity to Women's Afcon to The Rugby Sevens Team, Shujaa, winning a rugby series main title for the first time in 114 tries. In the euphoria that comes with moments like this, it is tempting to get lost in the moment but I choose not to. I'm a cynic that celebrates with a smile and perhaps a five minute jiggle, so, after trying to hold it in, I finally lay it all out. What does the women's football achievement and Shujaa's Singapore Sevens win signify for the respective sports?

Starlets, in current state have no future

Let's start with the Starlets history making appearance in The Women's Continental showpiece to be held in November. The replay at Kasarani was nothing short of spectacular. That they eliminated Algeria, one of Africa's football powerhouses just iced the cake, which yes, we want to have and eat, and maybe even binge on. But a lack of proper structures means that this showing is more likely to be a one-off. Kenya has no proper women's league and no women's youth team. While football administration in Kenyan football has been poor, management in the women's side has been incomparably mediocre, so dismal that it can only be compared to itself, and that's saying something. The current team slept in lodges and cooked for themselves using firewood while in camp ( anyone who has used firewood knows how tolerable they aren't). The players allowances have been delayed more than a few times, the only surprise being when they are actually paid, let alone on time. Meanwhile, their under-performing male counterparts, who slept in five-star hotels and were paid handsomely, conspired to lose their most important games to ensure that they won't make it to the next years event, as has been the case since their last Afcon appearance in 2004. However, we should lay down proper foundations to ensure that this glorious moment is not just left at the mercy of history. Our women have shown that our negligence is not deterrent to their spirit and we should use that to build the sport to world class standard. The spirit is there. The desire to succeed stands us in good stride too. The dream is not far off either. Let's use these to build a reality and make this historic moment a regular event. Hell, maybe it can get our girlfriends interested in the sport. Win - win everyone. Right?

Rugby Sevens has a future
Need I repeat the memorable howl from the commentator, said in typical Mzungu twang fashion: A youu! A youu! (Oyoo). It was a moment that captivated and united  a nation still struggling with ghosts of hostile and negative ethnicity. With the winning of gold a foregone conclusion in long-distance running, this rarefied win in Rugby provided fresh air and opened us up to new possibilities on what our sportspeople could do if just given the right push. It also lent corroboration to the argument that Kenyan coaches are just as good as any other professional coaches from outside the country we so often are guilty of fawning over. We won this title with Benjamin Ayimba, after a gamble with Mike Friday and Paul Treu. Who's the genius now? (No offence to Mike and Paul). And with the like of Oyoo (A you) and Wanyama, there is reason to believe that the future prospects are just as hot as the veterans (No homo). And also, seriously, I believe its about time our local television stations took to airing the Kenya Cup, the rugby fifteen league. That is the belly of our rugby. Watching them will add meat to the bones we are currently wielding in celebration. Can you imagine the pride and arrogance you will exude when talking to a foreigner about our rugby league? Just name dropping players like they are hot ( again, no homo). Okay, might as well stop using hot altogether, sorry.

Meanwhile, the reality of the matter is that a majority of Kenya's populace is footballcentric. Harambee Stars might crawl into a sewer, wallow in the murks and emerge a stinking mess of human regret but will always be revered and forgiven. But hey, can't have your cake and eat it huh? Well, it seems like the football team can keep the cake as the Starlets and Shujaa keep the wins. Also, holy shit! Harambee Stars under 20 (men obviously. Women have no under 20) risks a ban from CAF for fielding ineligible players.
The saga continues ...
But tribute to the Starlets and Shujaa sevens team for their historic milestone. They deserve every incentives and celebration that comes their way. And whatever happens at the women's Afcon in November, there is no doubt that the ladies are champions in more ways than one.

THE PROBLEM OF WE, MEN

In this new world, men have come under criticism from the womenfolk for being tad a bit too soft or unmanly. It seems to be true even as we remain impassioned to the claim and we ought to take action because there is cause for concern that the views by our women are true.

It is pertinent that we stop blaming feminism for our failed masculinity. Women are not to blame. We, men, are the culpable party.

Following ground breaking progress that we have witnessed and even been part of in the past two or three decades, and with a projection of even greater strides ahead, it is unfortunate that we still insist on raising our boys the same way our grandfathers' grandfathers were raised. In that era of yore, it was definitly encouraged right from birth that bossing women was not just a choice but nature. Afterall women then were viewed as discounts of humanity. It was easier to get women to do things for you by either shouting, demeaning or even beating her. In fact the latter was encouraged and perpetuated by inaction against the offenders. And the women then knew no better, taking it wholeheartedly.

Between then and now, however, there has been a paradigm shift in policies and values, in views and beliefs and in reason and behaviour. Women have learnt to stand up and fight for their rights. For the right to be treated, not as equal to men, but in a fair manner as productive and important members of society. The modern woman today is independent, vocal, visionary, educated, enlightened, empowered. She epitomises the strides humanity has made. However, the trouble is that we have remained relatively left behind as men.  The seismic shift seems like a gaping hole we somehow glided over blindfolded, in our partriachial parachutes.

Feminism is not the death of masculinity. Indeed we should see it as a compliment to us. It has exposed the shortfalls of the partriachial, male chauvanistic society from whose perilous grasps we have emerged. Hitherto, men have been used to being unchallenged. Whether deserving or not, honour was bestowed unto us by virtue of our sex. We were fathers but never raised the child(ren). Some of us were lazy yet slept well fed. We beat women but suffered no consequence. The meteoric rise of women has caught us flat footed. Reason is that, while many older women have been at task trying to raise girls above the shackles of a traditional society, the older of us have remained nonplussed, foolishly believing that the tradition serves us well. There are few, if at all any, mentorship programmes for young boys on how to be and act in this modern world, especially on how to handle the modern woman. As before, we seem to expect our boys to totter and stumble about and somehow find their way somewhere along the way. Don't cite examples of how you turned out fine yet you blundered your way blindly to adulthood. Chances are, most of us aren't even as well adjusted as we would like to believe or deceive ourselves. How would it feel to marry a woman who earns more than you? What do you think of a man that earns less than his wife? We feel threatened by women who earn more, hold higher positions than us. Yet we shouldn't be. A woman will always want a man that leads no matter her position in her career. Unfortunately, there is not many of us out here who can wrest the initiative. We want things delivered at our feet like before yet all that is gone. More and more women are beginning to earn more than us and there is no reversal. 

It is no secret and if it is then it is a well known one. We need to change how we raise our boys now. The reason women bemoan men of today is because we have remained in yesterday. As a man raised 'the traditional' way, when you meet a woman who challenges you, your whole world is thrown upside down, like your whole universe has crossed dimensions into another existance. So you try and impose your ways on her only to find her unwilling to baulk at your force. Truth is women have never been okay with the brawl. It was fear that kept them quiet all those years. Now they are more enlightened, empowered and dare I say, better than the women of yesterday. It is time we began raising our boys and mentoring our young men on how to embrace responsibility and the new dawn of femininity. Most of us men were raised badly. Many of us were not raised but just staggered into adulthood without attaining maturity. It is difficult to change the monkey of old. Instead why not the mature of us begin to mentor boys to be men. Real men.

For us to shed this tag of 'modern men are weak', we need to begin by raising responsible boys, boys capable of being men, men capable of handling the modern woman, a woman who does not look to be completed but rather, to be complemented. For us to pay them the complements that will make them swoon, we need to be on the same page as them.  Lets start now. Its urgent!

On an unrelated note: congragulations Konzolo for the birth of your son, Ambuzi. May you raise him to be a Real Man.

SOFAPAKA NEED TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER

In recent years, Kenyan Football has been on a rennaicance of sorts and in the thick of the resurgence of the game from the unrelenting murks and bogs of corruption, was Sofapaka F.C.

Birthed in 2002 as a men's team for a fellowship, Sofapaka  proceeded to the nationwide league ( Kenya's second tier football league) in 2004 under the stewardship of current chairman Elly Kalekwa. Their penchant for upsetting odds continued as five years later, Sofapaka found themselves in the Kenya Premier League and boy,did they announce their grand entry or what! In their maiden voyage, the Sofapaka ship set on sail and rattled, erased and rewrote the history books by becoming the first team to claim the KPL title in their first try.

From there on however, the odyssey has been topsy turvy, but their exploits in CAF Confedarationd cup in 2011, one that saw them overcome Egyptian powerhouse Zamalek(in the process breaking Kenyan team's jinx against North African opposition) and steamroll all the way into the play-off put them in their own place in the records of Kenyan football of recent times. Those heights have never been reached, neither have they come close to being reciprocated yet the 5-0 whitewash in the hands of Tusker f.c was a new low for the once illustrious epitome of good management, belief and fortitude.

In their current form (which even bad is too good to quantify), finishing above fifth will be more than a miracle. Infact, it will be a travesty of the hardwork that other teams are putting in, which Sofapaka blatantly didn't put against Tusker. The two penalties they missed just bespoke the disquiet in Sofapaka camp. That the legendary and evergreen John Barasa would be the man to fire the blank in one of the spot kicks killed all hopes and Ezekiel Odera came and buried them by missing the second.

For some time now, the tides have buffetted Sofapaka seriously and never had it been more in-your-face than over the weekend when Tusker made light work of their (Sofapaka's) status and bookmarks in history. Simply put, Sofapaka were outfoxed, outfought and outdone. They were taken in rounds then left inebriated, left on their own to stagger and stumble home in total darkness, with only their hope for a better future illuminating the way.

This loss put their total losses this season, after 19 games, to four, one short of the total losses last season (after 30 games). This season, they have let in 24 goals, three less than the total last season. Last season they scored 49 goals. This season, with 11games to spare the have 24, and their psyche, or total lack of, shows that unless attitude changes in the Batoto Ba Mungu camp, even hitting 40 goals will be more a result of fate clumsily stumbling about than of the team's and their coach's deliberate effort. Every good record from last season risks being left seated upon its anus come the end of the season.

Coach, Sam Timbe, a reputable coach in the region, must have been so ashamed of the defeat that he couldn't resist the urge to resort to folly excuses and pseudo-reasons. 
Losing players should never be a reason.  Gor Mahia, so far unbeaten this season, lost their top scorer for two years running, Dan Sserunkuma yet still score plenty and win plenty as if its their middle name.  Its hard being a professional sportsperson, I get it, but the weekends no-show from Sofapaka was discouraging.

Sofapaka is a storied team whose legacy shouldn't die.
They should carry on with their scabbed wounds and march with them forward until the storm subsides. Losing 5-0 is disappointing but losing 5-0 following such a dispirited and detached effort could portend tougher storms for Sofapaka to weather in coming weeks, months and, God forbid, seasons. So they should take it in their strides and march forward while showing some resilience.
 
Photo:courtesy Standard

GOR,UNDER FRANK NUTTALL,SET TO RAISE STANDARDS OF KENYAN FOOTBALL

    Gor, leading the league by a clean 12 points, are in pole position to underline their status as Kenya's most eminent football club but its the fairy tale manner in which it is shaping up that provokes  thought.

Slightly over a decade ago, it would have been ignorant, unwise if not even criminal to think that Gor Mahia, one of two Kenyan footballing gems(the other being arch-rivals AFC Leopards) would even come close to recalling past glories. It was a period when Kenyan football had ebbed to its lowest tide, embroiled in the murks of its chronic wrangles. With Gor Mahia and AFC staring down an abyss, so did the adornments that garnished Kenyan football. The sport was barging through the rains and the storm threatened to discredit the achievements of the two collosal teams. For Gor Mahia, their Africa conquering memories of 1987 then seemed like bad reminders of how deep they had sank and how high they couldn't reach and how far off the pedestal they were. Of course the fall was hard and unforgiving, scathing and scarring.

Yet ten years on, with Kenyan football offering a front of stability, Gor are on the verge of another milestone- clinching a third successive KPL crown and become Kenya's most embelished club with 15 titles. And not just that, but they appear on course at the back of an unbeaten run. This one seems pre-ordained, destined and bound.

Going into a mid season break, Gor Mahia, after 15 games, are top on 39 points with 30 goals scored, only six conceded and no loss to their name. On its own, the statistic bears no significance. But compare this: their winning campaign last season after 30 outings, yieded 43 goals , 60 points and five losses. By this season's standards, that's pedestrian isn't it?

In their current form, K'ogalo could finish with well over 70 points and over 60 goals scored, laying to waste and laughing in the face of recent records. No loss would then add glamour to the show. In their current form, they could wrap up the league early enough, something that's an anomaly in a league with the propensity of going down to the wire. Yet another milestone.

They have been outstanding, brilliant and epic. They have been ridiculously and outrageously good, yet, no poetic wax can do justice to Gor's imperious impetus. Their 5-0 whitewash of Nakuru All Stars was a full display of their devastating fluidity in attack (Meddie Kagere's goal, anyone?) while the 0-0 draw with Sofapaka and the 1-0 flooring of Tusker showed their flexibility to switch from flair to grit to get things done.

Coach Nuttall has made the difference. He could be what Kenyan football and not just Gor Mahia, need. His tactical nous is on song mostly and he has brought much cohesion to this Gor outfit that others simply can't match. A holder of UEFA 'A' licence and UEFA Pro licence in coaching (eligible to coach teams in Europe), Frank Nuttall is probably a man overqualified for this job. But his high standard could lead to better professionalism among our coaches as coaching, not lack of talent, is what makes continental glory elusive.

With talent and a good coach, Gor look set to lead a departure from precedent mediocrity. Unless the chasing pack raise their game, playing catch up with Gor will be like trying to play catch-me-if-you-can with a cheetah. While their mettle has yet to face the toughest and most labourious of tasks - the continental hurdle - the grounds on which their current form is founded is firm enough to sway even the stalwart skeptics.

A well trained coach in Nuttall, massive talents in Michael Olunga, Meddie Kagere, Ali Abondo, Collins Okoth among others, this is a team set to define an era, recall and better Gor's storied past and usher in a new, better dawn for Kenyan football. Marry in money to all the quality they have and scaling the apparent insurmountable heights of continental championship could be done. Already a class above the rest in KPL, its up to the others to catch up and do better. See, the bar is raised. But then such far fetched reality will only be achieved if the club can hold onto the coach and their best players. That's where the fluke of Kenyan football is - Instability.

  

photo: courtesy

UNITED STILL LONG WAY OFF PODIUM GLORY

Following Lous Van Gaal's moving and thoroughly entertaining end-of-season speech, many United faithfull supporters were left in upbeat spirits about future prospects under the Dutchman, but has the team's performance all season long been enough to rattle nerves?

After 13 games, United were wallowing in unfamiliar territories with a meagre return of 10 points, despite a formidable outfit that included record signing and the previous season's Champions League winner Angel Di Maria, the prolific Robin Van Persie and the industrious Wayne Rooney.

Despite this shaky start, United picked up pace to go on a seven consecutive winning streak that restored some much needed belief in a place bereft of it. But there was a tiny problem, just a pinch-in-the- ass problem- United's performance in these games was wanting, so much so that it even left some fans displeased and visibly agitated. Sure they were winning but there felt something missing- that conviction of a United team seemed lost. The performance against Arsenal, if not for Arsenal's profligacy and recurring naivety, was a certain loss, same with the 2-0 win against Southampton, which defined luck to whole new heights for the Red Devils.

After the new year there was some improvements in performance and this was evident in the 2-1 win over liverpool. The 4-2 drubbing of city rivals Man City then sent out a statement-United were back! But were they, really?

Three succesive losses that were offset by the 1-0 loss at Chelsea showed that no, United are far from the finished article. The barren draw against Hull on the final day of the season shows that even next season could be too soon for United fans to fantasize about the Premiership let alone the Champions League.

For lengths this season, much to the boredom of even their fans,United's game has been pretty predictable- languid passing as they guide the ball to blind alleys, back pass galore, then launching a long ball to Fellaini's hair. Instead of a Barcelona-esque clockwork mysticism, United are playing a dull, pointless passing game with constant lateral harmless movements.

Their loss to Chelsea should be a reminder that they don't need so many passes to win. Leave Barcelona characteristics to Barcelona, unless of course United relocate to the Catalan city.

The likes of Fellaini and Ashley Young have shown just what they are capable of, but for United to offer some imposing presence, Van Gaal should hit the market big time for some world class talent.

Meanwhile the likes of Januzaj need maturity injected into them before they can even sniff the bench at Old Trafford. Falcao, while only a fool would doubt his talents, just need new beginnings that don't involve Manchester United. Van Persie has been declining faster than a rolling stone on free fall and he shoul also seek an alternative team.

However there is reason to believe in the future just as there is a need to be patient.

courtesy of 
BBC Sport

CHELSEA WORTH OF THE TITLE

Call them boring. Call them unlovable. Call them gruff and ugly. Call them the bus. Hurl at them a tirade of insults from the darkest murks of human thoughts. Then after that, call them EPL champions.
There was a presage to all this, and its amazing how we either totally missed it or blatantly ignored the signs. The writing was on the wall when Chelsea went fourteen games unbeaten, an exploit that helped them solidate their place at the top despite some lethargic showing in 2015. Marquee signings of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa quickly settled in, running rings around helpless and countless defenders and its obvious that they, alongside the mercurial Eden Hazard were and will be in coming times the vertabral point of Chelsea's success. All this happened while teams like Manchster United and Liverpool still tried to come to cognizant with this thing called winning. 

Following the implosion of Man City in 2015, the only team that had shown glimpses of matching Chelsea, it was rather obvious that it would take a miracle then one more to upset The Blues.

To be truthful, save for their early season run off-the-block, Chelsea have barely been pleasing. They haven't been eye-catching. Some have labelled them boring. Yet in the same breath, they have simply been outstanding. Breathtaking on some instances. Devastating on others. Consistent through out. That they have only lost twice by the time of writing goes a long way to prove that they are a formidable outfit and it could take a few more years before Chelsea face some serious competition.

Arsenal lacked the fortitude and only showed some seriousness when there was nothing to be serious about. United still appear hanged over. Manchester City still seem not to know what to do with all that money. Liverpool meanwhile, are still trying to shrug off the mid-table stench that's fast becoming their identity. That leaves Chelsea as the only complete team.

They may not be everyone's cup of tea but Chelsea need not even worry what sort of tea the others enjoy so as to suit their taste. They have shown qualities of true champions-grit, consistency, defiance and using your opponents weaknessess as much as your own strengths. Mourinho has always been a tactical coach and he has proven that Chelsea are a team that embrace his philosophy more than any other.

It is his genius use of Chelsea's good defensive opacity that has led to them being labelled boring, but most importantly, being crowned EPL Champions for a fifth time.

Boring? Boring would be Chelsea winning the title for the next few years as the other teams look on and sulk in silent rage.


photo: courtesy

LONG TERM SOLUTION KEY TO CURBING INSECURITY

Tit- for- tat should not be looked at as the solution to our insecurity malaise.

In the wake of Garissa attack, a lot was said.Following the Mandera quarry attack, yet more was said.Before that, a lot was said following the Lamu attacks and long before that, the Westgate attack drew scathing and tough utterances.Beneath these harsh words were what seemed like assuring statements but barely assuring.

The Westgate attack was heartbreaking for lack of a better word.Never had our vulnerability and mortality been put to perspective in such brutality and cold savagery.We were exposed as a soft spot.It would never happen again, we promised ourselves and the government assured us of the death of the attackers.The Mandera bus attack brought the statement from our Deputy President that 100 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in retaliatory attacks.After Lamu, several suspects were rounded up only to be released later.Following the Garissa attacks, we were informed of KDF bombing two Al-Shabaab bases.This should be reassuring, but is it? Should it be that we are only reactive, acting tough only after being hit? Are we supposed to feel safe when 100 al-shabaab militants are killed soon after four or five of their own lay to waste our own?

We should react first more so after issuance of travel advisories.As it has come to be, travel advisories have preceeded the recent major attacks, acting as a presage yet we choose to ignore them.Instead of dismissing these advisories  we should consider them a warning.One was issued before Garissa attacks, another during the series of Lamu attacks.That's no fluke.Sure some foreign embassies tend to overreact but we ought to take this as a warning sign, the dark clouds before our storm.Our knee-jerk reaction to terror only works against us.

Our reaction to such emergencies too is at fault.It is not reassuring that in the Garissa University attacks, some of the victims were killed as late as noon in an attack that started at dawn.And our security officers were even yet to make any foray as late as 2 pm.Fatalities will always happen in any attack but our reaction soon after receiving the news is paramount to preventing a bloodbath of the scale of Garissa, Westgate or Lamu attacks.To reach triple digits in a single attack of sporadic shooting is a travesty of our security.

However it is reassuring that we are striving to curb this menace from its roots- radicalisation and it is important that teachers of Muslim religious classes and Muslim leaders in general do more than just tell us that Muslim religion does not condone violence following an attack.It is important that whatever is taught in madrassas is monitored as the Garissa attack mastermind Mohamed Mohamud was a teacher of these classes. Many more are hidden amongst us and we should name them no matter the affiliation.

BARCELONA FAR FROM VINTAGE SELF

The Catalans looked set for a 2-1win over Sevilla only for a late Kevin Grameiro goal to throw a spanner in the works for Barcelona.

Deflation prevailed following the final whistle at Sanchez Pizjuan stadium and from the looks on the Barcelona players faces,it was evident that their implosion had cost them dear.It was't a defeat, yet it felt like one in impact and magnitide,all Barca players rueful of the chances that they lost.Barcelona had started in lively style and it was Lionel Messi (who else?)who put Barca infront with a trademark curl from the right.It was domination from then on and Neymar stamped Barca's authority in the game with a peach of a free kick that sailed over the Sevilla defensive wall for the second.Sudddenly it looked like Barcelona would upset all odds and become the first team to beat Sevilla on their own backyard this season.They ought to have,they were supposed to and with a 2-0 lead in the opening half hour,they were destined to.Yet once more they showed that vulnerability that has become all too common this season as they allowed the hosts back into the game.Bravo would have only himself to blame as he allowed Banega's 30 yarder to fly through his fingers and half the deficit before a Pique error allowed sub Gameiro to make good his calling with a well taken goal to restore parity.At that,it was difficult to imagine that once upon a time,when Barca took the lead,the game was as good as done.Now,not anymore.As with all good things,that peak had its time,served its purpose and had retired to a holiday home with a pension,leaving behind a bland taste of normalcy.Yet it still didn't feel right.It shouldn't.

Following the end of the golden era-2009 to2012-under Pep Guardiola(now at Bayern Munich) Barcelona have found it hard to to equal,let alone better the heights of their best ever period.It was bound as  all glitters fade with time,but it is appalling as to how abysmally ordinary Barcelona have become.Wherever there was brilliance now there's only good.Where there was exceptional now rests  usual.Even Messi seems to have been dethroned as the best and looks contended to nip at the gate of the palace he once occupied.Plainly put,this is the most ordinary Barcelona team of recent times,one that couldn't even put its foot down against Sevilla.It was poor to blow up a lead like that and expect to be labelled worthy champions.For a team looking to win a first trophy in over a year,that was a shoddy display.

While it would be ridiculous to expect a match of Guardiola-era outrageousness,the manner in which Barcelona now labour in matches hardly elicit much positivity.Awe has turned to meh.There shows glimpses of the class of the old,but hardly consistent enough to satisfy the thirst for the usual unusual Barecelona trademark.Where there was crisp passing now there is just passing.Enrique is doing a good job of varyiny Barcelona's style of play but does it have to come at the expence of class and brilliance?Barcelona blow up when it matters most.They did it at Sociedad on january 5th.Then they were at it against Malaga a few weeks later.It could have happened at the clasico but Suarez spared them the blushes.It happened against Sevilla.Barcelona had a chance to stamp authority,they didnt.Folllowing the draw,nowhere were the celebrations louder than at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real Madrid faithfuls roared at the virtual shot at glory following the oops! moment of their great rivals.This blip could turn out to be a full blown gaffe come season's end and it would be a case of a strangely familiar déjá vu,where it was so close yet still as far as Madrid.The air of invincibility has deserted Barcelona,leaving them vulnerable to frequent falls.While far from mediocre,they are still way off their best ,a sign that much task lay in  wait for Luis Enrique and his charges.