WESTERN DELIGHTS

Kisumu and its 'pull factors'

It is a well known fact that Kenyans barely take leisure travel seriously. I was guilty of the same until the time I enrolled at Utalii for a diploma in Travel and Tourism Management. Like majority of my countrymen, I envisioned a visit to upcountry as the epitome of being away from home. The good thing is that the perception especially of domestic tourism is changing, albeit at snail's pace. The government is doing the best it can with sensitization campaigns geared towards this especially through 

KTB’s 'Tembea Kenya' campaign. The media too is doing well with KTN’s Nature Diaries a good example.

In the course I study, we visit all the Kenyan tourist circuits and the last one is amazingly very rich, the youngest of all the circuits and sadly the least promoted and visited. Welcome to the Western Kenya Tourist Circuit.

Some of the attractions in Western Circuit

As its name states, this is the vast region west to our beautiful republic and should not be confused with Western-the administrative province. It spans from the golden shores of the biggest freshwater lake in Africa; Victoria to the high altitude slopes of Iten that Kenya’s world beaters in athletics mostly hail from and train at. Northwards it stretches to the agriculturally rich Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya’s ‘food basket’ with its undulating slopes carpeted by maize and wheat plantations. This gives way to the spectacular Cherangani hills that wind down in a surreal spiral of evergreen forests and crystal clear streams of water.

Kitale and its nearby attractions

Westwards to the town of Kapenguria lies the iconic Mt. Elgon that is rich in flora and fauna of all kinds, spectacular caves and salt licks that elephants utilize as you watch from a safe distance. One can also climb to the summit of its three peaks using both Kenyan and Ugandan routes as it sits right at the border. One can then head into Nyanza province and attractions are diverse and plenty; ranging from the homestead of the grandmother of the most powerful man globally, US president, Barrack Obama in Kogelo, Siaya County. This can be complimented by crossing the famous Yala River as it powerfully roars towards Lake Victoria and just before reaching Kisumu, Kenya’s 3^rd largest city; one can marvel and even pray at the astonishing rock formations famously known as Kit Mikaye.

The city of Kisumu is not only rich in fresh fish from the lake, but also plays host to one of the most rich sanctuaries in the land, the Kisumu Impala sanctuary that houses all the Big 5 apart from the elephant among other attractions. One can then pop into the Kisumu National Museum and get a chance to experience a Luo traditional homestead, aquariums of different kinds, snakes from around the continent among other cultural and historical artefacts.

In Kakamega one can view the exquisite rock formations that is the crying stone and the natural rain forest; the only one of its kind in the country while other attractions in the region include the  Saiwa Swamp, tea plantations in Kericho and the Kapenguria museum.

Infrastructure improving in this 'virgin territory'

Words are not enough but for an experience of a lifetime, visit the Western circuit and Tembea Kenya!

TRIBE ALL

I absolutely love football. I play it less often now, realized sometime back I’ll never make it to play for the Arsenal but that hasn't reduced my passion for the beautiful game. I watch football on TV more than anything else, talk about it almost every day whether with friends in college, at home but mostly online. My favourite team Arsenal happens to have the best blog writes who also are many covering many aspects of the North London club. Well, constant winning of awards makes me so say by the aforementioned writers. Sometime I was reading an article about ‘tribalism’ in football. Actually, it was the headline that caught my attention. It was a moment of reality of just how uncontrolled passion, while good and care-free fun, can result in disaster occurring.

The ugly side of football

The article was written after St. Petersburg club in Russia, considered to have the most violent and aggressive of fans (read racists) had attacked those of a rival team and maimed several. The writer was repeating a story that happens when most rival fans collide and blood is shed. He called it tribalism and that made me think deep of our local situation. See, in football, it’s part of the

experience to have a feeling of belonging with fans of the same team while making mockery of those of rivals especially after beating their team. Also, a lot of unbiased and negative feelings and enmity develop against any other team, more so that of rivals. To many fans, that’s just part of the experience, I included but psychos exist and so do they even in society.

Unity in diversity

There are more important aspects in life than football. And more serious issues that need addressing like tribalism. No one chose what race, nationality or tribe to be born in unlike football where one chooses. No one should gloat over the tribe they belong to but that’s acceptable in football. Growing up, the truth is it’d never hit me of my differences with friends I grew up with. All that changed in 2007. We all know what happened then and how worse it has become. I log onto Facebook and the posts I see in relation to the same make my stomach turn with ire. I heard some kids outside the barbershop I go to turn violent and abuses were hurled between them. Besides the usual ‘mbwa’ and ‘jinga’ words, the name of the other kid’s tribe was used to pull him down.

What have we become, Kenyans? Considered the most optimistic people in the planet, 10 years later we’re probably among the polarized of people. United we may seem but that’s because we choose to speak in hushed tones and now more behind out keyboards, spitting hatred against each other on social platforms. We can blame the leaders but the buck stops with us at the individual level. It starts with you, and me. Ball’s in our courts now.

One Kenya

Like footballers who earn mind-blowing amounts of money, we cheer them on and hate on them when they prove disloyal by moving to better paying clubs. Like politicians who seem ever agitating for more pay, we get duped more often than not. Their utterances make us hate each other, and unfortunately even kill each other. Makes me wish we’d live by the rap line sang by a popular hip-hop musician; WE’RE ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.

Yesterday, I attended a match between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Nigeria’s Super Eagles. We did lose at home from a freak sole goal but I also learnt something at Kasarani. All of us were draped in the national colours cheering on our team. I couldn't tell whether the people around me were Luo, Kikuyu or any other Kenyan tribe. We joined together, singing, jeering and having a good time; as Kenyans. How I hope this would flood over in other aspects of our lives as Kenyans. I choose to act. Hope you do the same and as incense spreads a sweet smelling aroma of peace, love and unity. For this three need to define us as a nation.

Until another time, I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.

CHANGES

Old glory days..

Fashion changes. Ever.

“Where did our Arsenal go?” is a phrase I've seen many times from deluded fans of the football club I support. You see, dear reader, this famous and big club has failed to win a trophy now for a third of the period that the current giant, Manchester United went through and it’s normal to feel agitated and complain. 8 years without a trophy is no joke and it requires massive loyalty to still support such a club, but that’s a story for another day.

The world has been changing since its formation. Whether you believe in the Darwian theory or the creation one, the bottom-line is our lovely planet is dynamic, always has and will forever be. A geology-obsessed fellow I am, I can for sure give evidence of the constant change that has taken place in our world. Another change that’s always been there is in man.

The human species is a funny lot. Either we never reach the point of contentment or we’re too adventurous to settle with the normal. At the same time, a contradiction of sorts is when we’re told that people dislike change. I am not so old but I’ve lived quite some time to bear witness that change happening in our world today is too fast for most of us to handle. Whether in fashion, how people relate or even in the way we worship God nowadays, the change sweeping in our societies is too fast. Maybe I am old fashioned as some friends point out to me but I propose we take a reality check.

Even facebook aint the same no more

I logged onto Facebook the other day and the first line of this question resonated in my mind, well, with ‘facebook’ and not ‘Arsenal’. Not so long ago the most popular social medium in the world was an avenue of meeting new people, posting experiences and feelings and such originally intended uses. But on my timeline was the photo of a nude man and what was written shocked me. You know what I’m talking about. Prostitution is now marketed on social media, blasphemy advocated for in our timelines and moral decay exhibited for all to see.

I watch TV and almost get sick, not because I am a holier than thou kinda person but even something as innocent as a love song is portrayed in such a wicked manner that one ends up longing for the days of boys bands when lyrics sounded as is if straight from Shakespeare and not the referring of ladies as ‘female dogs’.

Changes, changes, changes.

Process seems to have been discarded a long time ago in our age. Everything seems to be done as fast as possible. That’s what the world demands. Why wait for your marriage night to give your virginity to your soul mate, they ask? Why learn to cook yet you can buy readymade food in a supermarket, they suggest. Why stand by your morals and remain single you are told, rather subliminally…I actually have no solution to this rushing train called change. It actually is inevitable. But maybe someone will choose to be different. To be a speed bump among your peers cause that’s what we utterly need, speed bumps.

OBAMA - (not) MADE IN KENYA

Happy New Year, dear reader.

In awe of politician's shallow talks

Back in 2004, I’d just joined high school and this almost unknown guy by the name of Barrack was making his name heard over our airwaves as the son of a Kenyan immigrant to the United States and who was seeking to be the Senate representative for the state of Illinois.  Like a snow ball picks speed and increases in size, so did his popularity grow. Even a now extinct beer brand, ‘Senator’ was christened to ‘Obama’. We all know how history played itself out, if you do not, you might want to check who’s currently the most powerful individual in the world.

At that time, The Standard newspaper publication on Sundays had a pull out called Society and in which one caricaturist aptly drew a comparison of political campaign styles of Kenya and the U.S of A. Sleeves folded, a keen crowd and smiling faces portrayed Obama while a pot-bellied guy was addressing a rather rowdy crowd to exemplify the typical Kenyan counterpart. Perhaps the greatest contrast laid in the words being uttered. Michelle’s dad was speaking of democracy, healthcare and such matters of sobriety. The other dude was literally talking of nothing sensible but quite evoking with a guy in the crowd wondering out loud when a teargas canister will be lobbed to disperse the crowd, or a rival crowd shows up armed with stones and machetes.

Violence that killed 1,300 people

9 years later and a lot has happened in Kenya’s political scene. The hate speeches in campaign rallies have gone down; lest one finds themselves live on CNN, al-Jazeera et al facing international crimes. But I wonder if the hearts of the ruling class have been transformed or it is fear thet they are operating from.  One of the men I look up to, a guy by the name of Anyangu Yohana once said ‘Freedom is not worth having if it doesn’t include the freedom to make mistakes’ and I concur with him. Listening to political banter makes one realize that nothing much has changed in accordance to our attitudes. Sadly, tribalism seems to be so deeply rooted, not even the death of 1,300 people after the controversial last general election seems to have made us sober up a bit as Kenyans.

Looking at the six almost ten presidential aspirants, I personally see no better or ‘Obamasque’ one among them like Peter Kenneth. Not only with his cultured mannerisms, coherence of speech and a good track record with the people he has represented before, but even in his demeanour and sound policies he’d like to implemented if he was elected the CEO of this great nation. Sadly, we all know he’ll not even be among the top three for the majority will vote for ‘our people’. Truth be told, that guy was spot on in that cartoon publication in ’04. We seem to be a nation dazzled and almost held in a trance by the political heavyweights. It’s like when they hold a microphone, they instantly become entertainers who enchant us with their shallow speeches, funny dancing styles and belittling the other aspirans. This needs to stop. Now.

The caption says it all!

I have a theory. Hearing of so many people who use their money to fund their campaigns then lose out and eventually get sick, miserable and deep in debts, I wonder what if corruption is a never ending cycle due to such circumstances. I mean, upon gaining a political seat after spending your millions that you’d previously worked hard for, you’d want to get it back, right? Yet the buck stops with us, as former US president Truman put it aptly. We are the voters. We are the people who determine which fellas we want. We employ them. We are the bosses. Unfortunately, it’s the other way round it seems. Branded helicopters hover over and about our skies as they seek our votes but the same effort is rarely seen when the electorate are in trouble like famine, floods and war.

It’s approximately a month to the forthcoming general elections. I see no much change according to how things seem to be spiraling to another imminent disaster like we had five years ago. It seems like a 50-50 race of two men but referred to as horses now. Sadly, the race seems to be based not on differing policies as the ideal situation would call for but rather political clamour for leverage. As you decide to cast your ballot, reflect deeply. And as many of us already have our minds made up, let us resolve that as close as the election will be, we’ll accept the outcome. At the end of the day, we are a democratic nation.

 I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.

KAZI NI KAZI

Kazi ni kazi...any work is meaningful

A fortnight ago, I was lucky enough to hop onto a trip to the classy Bogoria spa resort with member’s of my college’s German Club. To say it was massive fun would be an understatement. But the journey back was riddled with a major problem as our bus broke down with a mechanical problem. To worsen the situation, this was in the intensely hot area of Marigat. Slight consolation came about us being close to a group of women who sell honey and watermelons along the road. Alighting down the bus, I thought of the traders as being lucky for getting a few customers for in my naïve mind, no one bothers to make such purchases. Munching away and enjoying the juicy melons, I asked one of them if they hardly make money in such a ‘harsh’ area. She said I keep my eyes open. Well, to cut the long story short, in a span of around two hours, a substantial amount of vehicles had come to a halt and the women had sold enough commodities to make the enterprise worthwhile, amidst the scorching sun.

Think outside the box, or just have no box!

As we left for Nairobi, I had several flashbacks of situations I've come across where seemingly unfeasible situations have individuals who cash on them and earn good money. There was a time I was walking towards Eastleigh and just below the Pangani Girls’ iconic flyover came across some rugged looking fellas counting wads of money in big denomination notes. I was curious suspecting they were goons but realized they are cart pushers whom you’d barely look at twice for their job seems ‘dirty’ and meant for the hopeless in society. As I walked on to buy some of the jerseys I sell, I resolved to always have an open mind when it comes to money making.

I think society and the formal education system has brain-washed us into believing the notion of ‘white collar’ jobs being the ultimate one can get in terms of a career. It reminds me of a report sometime back in the dailies on Nairobi’s deceptive divide and the irony therein in terms of wealth. You see, once someone crosses Tom Mboya Street towards the government buildings and iconic places, the glam seems evident yet the most money is in the opposite direction! The West seems better than the East, literally! But maybe it is time your bubble got burst. From simple calculation, in River Road, a tyre dealer may earn up to 30 times more compared to someone on an 8-5 job in a posh office somewhere towards the ‘leafy suburbs’. In Eastleigh, for example, millions of shillings (Not Zimbabwean of course) exchanges hands daily making it the most traded market in probably the whole region of East and Central Africa.

Part of palace owned by Mr. Waititu in Nyandarua

And this trend seems to be on the rise with more people opting for ‘biasahara’ than ‘kuandikwa’. There was this Professor in Holland who opted to become a plumber after a simple repair in his drainage system made him curious to research and discover that the ‘dirty’ plumber guy earned way much more than he did! At home, we have Mr. George Waititu who had a glamorous job as a Managing Director for Synovate which paid well and made him a public figure, releasing opinion poll results on national matters but who astonished many with the countryside lodge he developed back in his rural area, and which has a potential to make him among Kenya’s elite hoteliers. At only 39 years old, he has a facility that is both grand and majestic but he chose a location that may not seem viable which clearly shows a high risk involvement; something crucial if you are to delve into business!

Ethical practices and education are also necessary!

I bet what set all these entrepreneurs apart was a passion, a desire for excellence in whatever they did and that drive for seeking income in an alternative way. Kenya’s middle class is slowly becoming the most important segment of the population. This is especially in terms of productivity and the numbers of people who are crossing the gap to be among this class is on the rise daily. As a nation, we lag behind with uniformity of incomes having among the worst of parity between the high income earners and those who get just a paltry sum of what they deserve. We cannot afford to whine any longer. Expecting the government to always sort us is ridiculous I think. It has its part to play but wouldn't it be easier if you and me considered ourselves the government and worked hard in whatever capacity to build our land?

As always dear reader, I remain Njabia the 3^rd.  Have an enterprising time, won’t you? And if you would like a business opportunity, do give me a call and we could be partners for an idea I have. 0726-146-101 is the number. Holla!

Beautiful Republic

At 'Kona Baridi' i.e Cold Corner, near Ngong

I am a Travel and Tourism student. I love my course because it adequately covers what I am almost most passionate about. God’s grace enabled me join the best institute that offers Hospitality and Tourism learning in Africa. That not only means I occasionally interact with foreign students (that sounds discriminatory), but also offers a chance to travel far and wide mostly for research, familiarization and fun! This is a post about a recent trip to the Kenyan Rift Valley, a natural phenomenon of exquisite beauty and a geological masterpiece produced by millions of years of intense volcanic, tectonic and faulting processes. This we capped by paying a 3 day visit to the world renowned Maasai Mara Game reserve; host to the 7^th natural wonder in the world, the annual cycle of wildebeest’s migration to and from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Menu: Kenya...spoilt for choice

With colleagues after going through the gorge

Day 1 saw us travel to The Bogoria Spa Resort. Enroute we visited the flamingos’ paradise that is Lake Nakuru and got an aerial view of the Rift Valley near Kijabe. An elegant establishment owned by Kenya’s second president and less than quarter of an hour’s drive to the famous Lake it’s named after. It also prides itself for having the only natural spa in the entire world that constantly bubbles out water at 37°C, the human body temperature and as such, a pool has been built that offers not only the warm water but also healing properties for the skin. That was fun, trust me; swimming at 0200HRS in that water is unrivalled. Next day, we got the chance to visit the nearby Lake Baringo with its 7 islands including one which is dwelt by one man, his 5 wives and 27 children! Lake Bogoria is marvellous with its characteristic long and slender outline but more so the thousands of flamingos on its shores and geysers that spring over 20 metres high. Boiling eggs in its hot springs was also massively fun, and so was the partaking of themJ

Hell's gate and the spa's swimming pool

After two nights, we departed for the other lake town of Naivasha passing the Equator as we travelled South not to forget the spectacular Lake Elementaita just past Kenya’s most famous ‘nyamchom’ (grilled meat) location, Kikopey. The night was an eventful one and energy levels high as we planned an early hike in the absolutely fascinating Hell’s Gate National Park. This was to be followed by the two hundred kms journey to the Mara. For any man that hopes to propose marriage to a lucky damsel soon, I would suggest you do it at the gorge in the H.G.N.P…it began as a crack. This then developed and the erosion processes over millions of years has made the gorge a site to behold. We had a local Maasai guide and the hike through various spots took our breath away; from visible volcanic plugs, to rocks bearing hot water and steep descents and ascents coupled with the eerie feeling of being totally surrounded by wild animals is unrivalled. Let us just say it’s a smaller version of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Lakes Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru and Magadi

Heading to Mara along the very straight Maii Mahiu-Narok Road, you’d be mistaken to think a ruler was used all through. We passed in between two volcanic mountains. Suswa on the left is extinct but the more spectacular Longonot is dormant; meaning it may just blow up anytime with no prior warning! The drive was long but we got to relax for two nights at Sarova Mara, a marvellous hotel built right inside the game reserve.

Locomotion; our tour bus in various locations

The drives in Mara are to die for and unique. Early morning we went to witness the unique Balloon Safaris. Basically, you pay 420 US$ (35,000 KSH) for an unforgettable experience composed of an hour in the air watching either animals, the African sun rise from far in the horizon or taking awesome aerial pictures. I give up. My words cannot describe just how amazing it is. It has to be done at dawn because then the sun has yet to make the air hot which would prevent the hot air rising up. The Mara River swarms with crocodiles and hippos and is a site to behold as thousands of animals cross for greener pastures, literally. After visiting more hotels and sites, our cameras were now full of pictures holding immense memories and it was time to drive back home.

One of the seven wonders of the World

Dear reader, Kenia ist schön  (Kenya is beautiful, German). Plan and get away from the city sometime. Explore the nation that is surely a Beautiful Republic. I remain, Njabia the 3^rd.

MOBBED TO DEATH

Where is that Rascal?

Amazing reader, how art thou? Hoping all is well in your world. If you are familiar enough with Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, then you may be in the know of the latest and probably best statue to commemorate a past hero of this great nation; yeah the almost perfect remake of Tom Mboya just at the center of the city, adorned in full African regalia with flamingos complimenting the landmark, just like in his native Rusinga island home. A tranquil place with designated seats for use by the public that for a few minutes turned into a scene of chaos and almost murder. This was sometime back as I waited for an acquaintance along Nairobi's Moi Avenue.

I wonder if he survived...

Prior to that incident I am about to narrate, the whole country was shocked and left in a daze after an innocent pastor in the Coastal town of Mombasa, together with a colleague had been brutally murdered in public after being confused for criminals. All that happened in daylight as a mob baying for their blood had broken the 6th Commandment and taken away their lives in cold blood. I remember feeling pity on the man of the cloth’s wife as she was too shell-shocked to accept what had befallen the father of her children and a shepherd of the human flock who worshiped at the Mombasa Melchidizek church of Buxton.

Back at the Nairobi incident, a similar occurrence almost unfolded before my eyes. This petty thief and a dumb one I have to say; had the nerves or rather stupidity to try and snatch a woman’s handbag at the  bus stop adjacent to the 3 star Hotel, The Ambassadeur. A place ever teeming with people, both departing and boarding buses for certain Nairobi destinations and an awful lot of unoccupied mortals; either idle or awaiting someone. A single blood-cuddling shout of alarm from the victim-to-be was enough to spring hordes of men into action, chasing the man as he crossed the few roads and into the reception of the Hilton Hotel for deliverance as he knew, just like you may know, the proverbial 40 days for a thief had come to a close.

The loss of a loved one pains to the core

The crowd baying for his blood were able to inflict enough beating to just about leave his life hanging by a thread and a few more minutes would have effectively reduced the world’s population by one was it not for the arrival of the police. He was whisked away but how lucky because hundreds more have lost their lives in similar circumstances.

As a kid, one of the most eerie moments were coming across a scene with a burnt tire; all the way that just wires showed and some bones of a thief burnt to death, with the aid of the said tire and petrol. Personally I know of two individuals, one killed by an angry mob after being cornered after some stealing exploits and another shot to death by police who opted not to capture and try him in court. These were both young men barely out of their teens and by virtue of personally knowing them, I stand on the side opposing 'mob justice'. I put it in quotes as that is no justice at all.

Jesus: He who is without sin, throw the first stone. (All flee)

Probably, you've seen how mob justice is meted and you may be on either side of the divide. Having property that you've worked hard for stolen or harm inflicted on you is a great boost to participate in mob justice but please, I beseech, that person crying out for mercy could be your relative, close friend or future spouse…before throwing that stone and splattering blood and brains all over, take a thought and allow compassion for fellow man to override the anger and rage of the moment. There are laws of the land, made to deal with such, and a God above, who declares vengeance to be His.

Thank you for your few minutes, wonderful reader. Till next time, I remain Njabia the 3^rd.