As I made my way to work this morning, I couldn't help but notice the long queue outside one of the school uniform shops in town.
Parents and their children queued for hours as they waited for their turn to buy uniforms. Printers also made a kill because a lot of the students here needed their admission numbers printed on their uniforms.
The students couldn't hide their joy and the thought of them in brand new uniforms and shoes was enough to make them smile.
It was clear they couldn't wait to join high school. But should they be eager?
Looking at them reminded me of a tiny 14-year-old, a number of years back. If you attended the kind of school I studied at, then you will know that joining form one was nothing to be happy about, let alone look forward to.
These students have no idea what awaits them! The first day is usually very exciting especially if it is your first day in a boarding school.
All the new students are squeaky clean and decently dressed. They all look like leaders of tomorrow, with each having big dreams of becoming an engineer or a doctor or a journalist.
The seniors, usually X-monos are on the lookout waiting to assist the newbies carry their boxes to the dorms. The usually dirty-socks stench in the dorms changes, and in it's place, a mixture of new clothes smell, soap and paint from the recently bought boxes.
I don't know why, but a majority usually run for the upper decker beds. You find a friend or two from your former primary school, and you even make new friends.
High school seems to be exactly what you thought it would be. This idea quickly changes a few hours later during supper time.
Unlucky for you if it is ugali day. Your taste buds having been used to mummy's cooking can't take the taste of the semi-cooked ugali and boiled sukuma wiki.
You have a few bites and throw away the rest. Nostalgia soon kicks in when you taste the breakfast porridge and the lunchtime githeri which comes with 'meat'.
Soon your possessions begin disappearing one after the other, and the once full metallic box is nearly empty, and probably has been 'butterflied'.
By week three, the once happy boy is no more. In his place is a sad, depressed and home sick boy, who can't wait for end of term.
The sorry part is yet to come. I don't know about 2016, but in my days, there was such a thing as monolisation, and trust me it was hell.
From singing lullabies to the seniors to washing heaps of dirty socks and even fetching water in darkness!
Mono is undoubtedly the worst year for a guy in boarding school. However, this piece is not aimed at discouraging you from joining high school.
It is simply prepin' you for what to expect. Yes, you will be bullied and yes, your box will be vandalised and even your boxes stolen but point is high school is the best moment of anyone's life.
You have a lot to look forward to.....go make memories!