We're giving Away a Lexus! But Wait, Do You Look Like the President?

 

I passed by the social media streets today and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Two men, both Kenyan, were trending for rather peculiar reasons.

One Daniel Adongo, a former Kenyan international rugby player is now homeless and broke after losing his place in the NFL. 

 

The other Michael Njogo Gitonga, a President Uhuru-Kenyatta look-alike has been gifted a brand new Toyota Lexus by Maridady Motors.

If life was that easy, just looking like a celebrity and you have your rent paid, I wouldn't need to work for a day in my life!

Looking at these pictures I can’t help but think that Michael Njogo Gitonga alias “Uhunye” is being taken for a ride and is about to go down a very slippery road like that of Daniel Adongo.

You see, it is not a coincidence that both stories have come to the fore at the same time. There’s a lesson here for all who care to learn.

But before I go on with this lecture, let me put out a disclaimer; I have nothing against Daniel Adongo or Michael Njogo Gitonga, or anybody else for that matter who wants to get wealthy someday.

The ironic bit about the Uhuru look-alike though, is that as they stood there posing for a snap, a banner on his head reads, “Trust the Process.”

Which process? Whose process?  Did they even let him in on their process?

You see, it’s easier to be born poor, and most of us are, than to find yourself in instant wealth.

Wealth acquisition and management is a process. You just don’t stumble upon wealth and become a millionaire. Yes, you may be a millionaire for a few days but soon become a pauper again.

That’s why most people who win the lottery become poorer soon after. There’s no process. There’s no clear understanding of how to manage the sudden windfall.

Even the scriptures record thus, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow” – Proverbs 13:11.

The process is that simple; Little by Little.

For the people who have gifted Michael Njogo Gitonga a car it’s all about publicity and marketing. After this, Uhunye will be on his own.

Perhaps what they would have done for him before giving him a car, would have been to interrogate his lifestyle and know if the guy can afford to maintain a car.

But no, let’s do this quick while the iron is still hot and get all the attention before someone else takes him. It’s all about self-interest.

A house would have been a better gift than a car.

The internet age is a dangerous and delicate one. It’s one of instant gratification and speedy results. Virtues like patience, perseverance, hard work have long been thrown out the window.

No one cares how you acquire your wealth, all that matters is that you shine.

We are living in a very noisy and morally bankrupt age. Yes, there’s a lot of information because of the internet yet we could be the most ignorant generation of all time.

Daniel Adongo, was rising through the ranks nicely. He was headed for the stars. Playing rugby in Kenya, going through to play internationally in South Africa and finally he was scouted to play in the NFL in the US.

It’s said that the higher you go, the cooler it becomes. But with success the lonelier it becomes.

And probably Daniel found himself in a place where his “homies” were too far away and he could afford everything he wanted including company.

But not all company is good company.  Some of these people we call friends are greedy leeches who are only out to get something from you.

That’s when you learn that money can’t buy you everything; it can’t buy you good friends who can counsel and help you out. 

So here’s the deal. The two gentlemen are in totally different predicaments right now, but one of them could be following the other down the drain.

Both need help. One needs help to be restored from drug abuse and self-pity and the other needs help from falling into a deep and dark pit by finding their identity.

We must stop this culture of creating instant celebrities who are immature, weak-minded and emotionally imbalanced because of skipping the process.

Popularity or fame without maturity is like an addictive drug. If you don’t know yourself well enough you’d think that your life is all about your fun base.

The reality is that the majority of your followers, fans etc don’t really give a damn about you. Their only interest is that you give them a subject to talk about.

The marketers as well are only in it for the attention. And they know quite well I might say, that your fame won’t last, and are prepared for it.

As soon as you lose touch with reality, the butterfly flies away out of the moth! Incidentally this is also Maridady Motor's philosophy - the moth and the butterfly! 

I'd be careful on these streets!

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