In bad taste and other cardinal sins committed
by photojournalists
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T
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hey forget and are not perfect. Neither are we. So
we should not be unforgiving and steep them in unrealistic expectations as if
we do not err.
BY MUSYOKA NGUI
Last Sunday Cord leader and former Premier Raila Odinga was
caught by The Standard wearing torn shoes. The left shoe was described
as “laughing”. Mbugua Kibera was the keen photographer who captured the photos which
set fire on Twitter and blogosphere.
As one of our own, and with
admission of bias that comes with a sense of belonging, I liked Kibera’ shots. The
brown leather shoes were certainly of high quality. But not before Ida Odinga,
Raila’s wife came to the defence of her husband saying that Raila stepped on a
stone in the church compound that disfigured the shape of her husband’s shoes. If
the shoe was of superior quality why did it fail to withstand the pressure of
gravel?
Kibera took a full shot of Raila
plus three major close ups that contextualized the entire story effectively lending
The Standard a perfect scoop in the dazzling world of photography.
I love the shots to bits. They showed
gaping sole that not only exposed the human nature of the revered political
figure but also gave us key lessons to mull over after that embarrassing incident.
I believe it was mature for Raila
to choose not to sue The Standard for defamation even as the photos
battered his image. Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) claimed that he was just another Kenyan
reeling under the weight of hustle. One said Raila has been jobless since March
2013.
Baba’s infallible stature came
under fire as people questioned his sense of grooming and hitherto negligence
of his wife and security guards. As a
loving wife, Ida defended herself by saying she sanctions Raila’s dress style
before he steps out. She even recounted that she picks her entire attire from
wardrobe including shirts, trousers and coats. She dresses her husband.
FREE PUBLICITY
I think no one should be blamed
more than Raila himself. Did he not notice that his shoe was breathing? What did
he do? Ignoring it only made him garner
the much needed publicity. He exploited the media coverage to the last space
and time.
It is only recently at the Coast
that Raila was whipped by an old man. His security breaches should speak to the
VIP personnel to be more vigilant and cushion the leader from further goofs.
Wardrobe malfunctions happen
everywhere around the world but the attention they attract among celebrities
should remind us that they are just like us. They forget and are not perfect. Neither
are we. So we should not be unforgiving and steep them in unrealistic
expectations as if we do not err.
ULIZA KIATU
A shoe is the ultimate accessory.
Ask ladies. For men it can be just a tool to protect their soles and nails from
harsh terrain but the way we treat our shoes can attract harsh judgement. Failure
to brush your shoes can pass you off as unkempt while polishing your shoes may
grant you desirable image even if the rest of your body is poorly done.
Question is, after the flickers
and clicks of camera have gone and online banter fizzles out, did you put yourself
in Raila’s shoes? Can you fill his shoes-figuratively and literally? Uliza
Kiatu@H_art the Band.
The writer is a blogger at musyokangui.blogspot.com and a Fourth
Year Communication and Media student at Chuka University.
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