Comments on: Otieno Amisi – A Tribute, by Tony Mochama

By: Nobert Awino

Nobert Awino — Mon, 24 May 2010 07:38:18 +0000

smitta is one of the few young writers who has introduced what i may call ‘alternative’ writing, a rightfull deviation from the rigidities of the literature taught from the tattered photocopied notes by the always bored and least motivated uni professors.
smitta has eulogised his friend and ‘foe’ with a writting deep with meaning, it captures both the tragedy and the mood of the nation when the tradegy occurs.
if anyone has personal scores to settle with smitta, dont drag that here and dampen the mood of this wall.
i never met amisi in person, but reading smitta’s work, i get mental images of this man, and his positive contributions to the growth of journalism and literature!
How would i have met Amisi if smitta failed to pen this euology but instead went ahead to attack Kidha,Waug and the rest of smitta’s haters?

By: Ozymandias

Ozymandias — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:27:07 +0000

While I previously have not heard of Otieno Amisi, he must have been quite a fellow if what is written here is anything to go by and I think it is because all these people cannot be nuts. However I find it quite sad that this tribute was used as a forum for diatribe for “Smitta’s” or Mr Mochamas’ literary skill by the preceding observers. While everyone is entitled to think the world-or not of their favoured writers, its unbecoming to use someones tribute page and a good tribute I must say to douse it with such foul intonation. That said, where can I find some work by the late Otieno Amisi?

By: John David

John David — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:52:25 +0000

Hey, guys its absurd that a forum to pay tribute to a fallen literary giant was turned into a ‘tirata’

All the same, its a healthy debate. Thanks Tony keep it up and for those with other opinions, you are entitled to them and must speak them out like you did.

Lets not loose the focus though.

By: margaretta wa gacheru

margaretta wa gacheru — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:52:30 +0000

Thank you Tony for taking the time to pay tribute to a fellow Kenyan artist and writer. Nobody cares about petty personal peeves at this website. We only care about remembering Otieno and thanking you for taking the initiative to acknowledge his being an artist, a writer and someone who should not have died. Amidst all the other tragedies of those days, for you to take the time to appreciate the value of one beautiful Kenyan man’s life, is to be applauded. And for him to care enough about Tony to want to write about his book makes the bond between these two writers indelible and enduring. May 2009 witness to healing and restoration among Kenyans.
Peace, Margaretta wa Gacheru

By: tony mochama

tony mochama — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:12:14 +0000

Otieno Amisi, my friend and comrade, died on Dec 27, 2007 – the same day the country was busy slipping away. Thanks, Ngunjiri, and company who knew him.
As for my brodas Kidha and Odera, sorry guys for the ‘tirata’ (lovely word) but I don’t suffer fools easily, especially when they crash into a forum such as this and kiss their IQs goodbye. That’s just me – the way I am. So no apologies for malleting quitoes. Merry X-mas. TM SS.

By: Carl Odera

Carl Odera — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:17:46 +0000

Smitta,
Until I stumbled upon this blog today, and found a tirade of obscenities between yu and your ‘compe’, I didnt even know who you are.
I have developed a knack for Kenyan literature, but I didn’t like this volley of tirata.

I hope you get a language – lift brother! Soon.

Am still going to try to read you gangster!

By: Kidha Dan Kidha

Kidha Dan Kidha — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:42:05 +0000

Smitta, I must state in the strongest terms possible that your language, particularly in your response to Waug, was nothing but irresponsible. If you are out to make some influence in this world, a positive one, that is, then you must choose your words carefully. One day your son or daughter will read your pieces and what a pitty! If you continue this way, you will have no moral authority left to comment over issues… Make the difference, that much I agree but a positive one for sure. A word on the vodka would suffice: It has killed many and you are not superman! With love brother

By: Mercy Adhiambo

Mercy Adhiambo — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:49:45 +0000

I have always admired Tony’s work. Where can I get hold of Tonny’s book: “So what if I am a literary Gangstar?” I have walked around all libraries and bookshops in Kisumu but I have never seen that book. I want to read it…Otherwise, thank you for the nice piece of work. Your story moved me.

By: Jngunjiri

Jngunjiri — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:31:34 +0000

The fact that a forum to eulogise Amisi (RIP) has turned into a smitta-this-smitta-that shows that there’s something about Smitta’s writing that is just right. Smitta might have broken all literary rules imaginable – remember Literary Gangster? – but methinks that Smitta is a phenomenon that probably warrants closer attention – probably academic – that he currently gets. Remember also that the late Wahome Mutahi aka Whispers wrote in an almost similar fashion. The academia today is full of students studying his works.
Smitta don’t let the likes of Waug bring you down. Although I sometomes don’t get somethings you say in your column, I think you are onto something.
Word of advice: Go easy of the Vodka, for the sake of your liver

By: Neema

Neema — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:53:42 +0000

Strongly agree with Carol.

Smitta- Surely a person of your stature in the public eye needs to develop a thick skin. Why use a mallet to kill a mosquito? How tiring it must be to be you.

That said, Otieno Amisi will be missed.