Majestic Mara

I had the privilege of going to Maasai Mara sometime back courtesy of the Mara Wildebeest Resort, an idyllic lodge of its kind tucked at the banks of River Mara that is on a transition path to its former glory when it was under different ownership and name. As promised, it was possible from the porch of the cottages to spy on crocodiles and hippos going about their business in the river unperturbed.The style is rustic, the setting is wild, but the experience is, to say the least, thrilling!

Vava-Voom!

We met in Nairobi on the planned Saturday morning and set off at exactly 8 o’clock in the morning in a procession of three safari vans. Carrying forth from the abnormally freezing temperatures of the capital city, I hoped in my mind that the weather in the Mara would be less harsh. Travelling with professionals from the tourism industry always brings with it stories to no end. Thus the company I had were brilliant. Being approximately 300 kilometres from Nairobi, the journey there was expected to last around four hours with arrival slated in time for lunch. We had a brief stop in Narok town, the epicentre of Maasai country in Kenya. After having a brief stop, we proceeded on towards Bomet and branched from the very smooth tarmac road and onto a laterite road while maintaining the high speed. This I learnt later from our driver guide that it helps cushion the vehicle from all the physical shock of moving on a rough road.

Gradually, the vegetation changed and the weather was pleasant for a safari in the world’s best nature conservancy. The name ‘Mara’ is Maasai for scattered thicket. Maasai on the other hand are a unique people found in Kenya and Tanzania who are proud of their unique culture that they have not let go off even with the advent of modernization. Maa is their language and they are truly the face of Kenya abroad.

The outside dining area

Even before making it to the Sekenani Gate that serves as one of the official entry points, we could see wild game in the vicinity. Herds of zebra grazed alongside their herbivorous friends in wildebeests gazelles, antelopes and a couple of the unique looking eland. Being a National Reserve and not quite a park, the Mara is thus not fenced. This ensures that the local community can access and enjoy the natural resources. This includes pasture for their herds of animals, water and even the collection of firewood is allowed. It is especially a mutually beneficial relationship between the Maasai and the Mara since the former don’t hunt down game for its meat since it is abhorred by their custom. The same scenario is reminiscent of the National Reserves in Samburu.

Safari time

We checked into the lodge, ushered in by the kind of smiles I have only seen in Kenya. A wet medicated face towel in hand as we were led to our rooms designed in a spectacular manner. The lodge-formerly known as the Mara Buffalo Camp is built adjacent to the Mara River that hosts many hippos and crocs as well as being the stage on which the dramatic annual wildebeest migration occurs. Lunch was sumptuous and we were taken round the lodge by, Mr. Frank Neugebauer our German host who is also the General Manager. As the sun prepared to set behind the hills to the Western side of the Mara, we set out on a game drive. As the animals head to the water-holes and the nocturnal ones prepare for the night ahead, there is no better time to view them than in the evening. It was eventful and we got to see all the big five-bar rhinos among others.

Back at the lodge and dinner was served in true African style. Above our heads were countless stars being replicated below by a huge bonfire. The background music was the constant bellowing of hippos half submerged in the Mara River waters that went on overnight. Sadly, we could only experience the magic of Mara for one night and it was time to return back to the city.

It was truly a remarkable weekend. The Mara is a gift that every Kenyan at one point in their lives should experience. The wild is untamed, the undulating topography to behold, the wild animals are in high numbers and accommodation is of various kinds, from high range luxury lodges like the Mahali Mzuri owned by Sir Richard Branson, various categories of hotels and even camping sites for the tourist that is  truly adventurous. 

The entourage

Tembea Kenya

Nairobi's Darkest Day

City in the Sun

When in primary school, all of us pupils back then used to look forward to when the term would end and have our holidays. As the exams of end of term came to an end, we would fantasize on all the activities to carry out and especially games to play in the whole month of April, August or December. I remember the closing day ceremony on 7^th August, 1998. A relatively cool morning in Nairobi, we assembled as a school on that Friday morning and by 10:00 am, we were sprinting home. I couldn’t wait to tune in and catch the morning cartoon shows. I remember finding my mother seemingly agitated. Not a fan of TV, she was keenly drawn to our 14” Great wall TV and I couldn’t figure out what the matter was. Without a word, I tried to make out what it was on TV. It seemed like a horror movie…flames engulfing a few buildings, people running in all directions, most covered in blood and melee that indicated something was very wrong.

But this was no movie as it was easy to identify that the horror on TV was in Nairobi and without any reporting, a caption on the bottom of the screen solemnly read: BREAKING NEWS-BOMB BLAST IN NAIROBI.

Devastation in the City

By that time, all I knew about bombs was what I’d seen on Hollywood flicks in movies and the pseudonym term we used for farting. With time, it was emerging clear that a catastrophe had befallen our Nairobi-the city under the sun. I was young back then but the reality dawned harshly on all of us as Kenyans. Over 200 people lost their lives on that fateful Friday morning. Thousand others were injured and millions of us acquired emotional scars that have never healed completely. In 1998 was the first time I learned of the term ‘terrorism’, a cowardly act of segments of people who like to have their agenda known or taken seriously by robbing of others life.

I remember 16 years later, the terror and anguish that gripped us as children. I was not even double digits old and I can never forget how with my small sisters-two years my junior, how we would put Bibles beneath our pillows in the night. We needed divine protection. I almost swore to never step into Nairobi the city. A tiny blast, even that of a balloon bursting would send cold shivers down our spines. We were scared.

Names of the 257 that perished at the Memorial Park

It’s now 16 years since Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda cronies based in Sudan back them decided to and executed terror unknown before to a people who were known throughout for their hospitality and peaceful nature. Almost two decades since that dark day in Nairobi’s history. It would be a forlorn look back at history if the events of that morning were just but a part of history. Sadly, things seem to have only gotten worse. Terrorism is now a global calamity that takes away the lives of thousands annually. Only three years later was the world shaken to a standstill when the US-seemingly the most secure nation on Earth suffered even worst attacks with 0ver 3,000 people perishing in the terror attacks of 9/11.                                                                                      

To compound the matters, a majority of victims have never had justice. And even if the American government decides to compensate the victims of the attack in 1998, some things money just cannot restore, especially to families and loved ones that had people’s lives snatched away from then in an instant. An instant of madness. An instant that proves that man is inherently evil.

May the souls of all that passed away passed away on that fateful morning rest in eternal peace. We will never forget.

Sapped by Social Media

We are living in the information age. Long gone are the days when news was only a recurrence after every hour on a radio transmitter, when all the drama that had happened in a day was only accessible in the evening during the news on TV. When newspapers would sell as hot cake and even the most memorable events were a preserve of those who were privileged enough to own electronic systems. But now, now even if a tsunami hits the East Indies or Siamese twins are born in Guatemala, then we’ll get to know of it concurrently because technology and in particular the internet, has enabled for this to happen.

It’s an age of freedom and infinite possibilities. It’s also a time when human exploits and madness has been brought to the fore like never before. Platforms to distribute information have been enhanced. The rise of social media has also experienced unprecedented leeway to how people-irrespective of location, live their daily lives. It was all fun and exciting at the beginning but much damage has also been brought to the fore.

Take for instance Facebook, second biggest country in the world, in terms of population and quickly growing and will ultimately overtake China. Began by a 19-year-old Mark Zuckerberg, he launched the site as a Harvard sophomore on February 4, 2004 and in its first decade has seen such tremendous growth both in members and revenue and it’s now one of the biggest grossing companies globally. I like Facebook. It’s an avenue that helps to easily keep in touch, share thoughts and ideas but it can also get pretty annoying at times.

Much has been said about weird ‘Facebookers’ and I might probably be one so I won’t delve much into it. But you and I, unless you just landed from the now defunct Planet Pluto are part of the 1,600,000,000 member Facebook family.

Twitter, founded initially by Jack Dorsey who with friends had originally imagined Twitter as an SMS-based communications platform. This would have enabled groups of friends to keep tabs on what each other was doing based on their status updates. Pretty much like texting, but not. Jack sent the first ‘message’ on Twitter, now known as tweets on March 21, 2006 9:50pm. It simply read, "just setting up my twttr". Various other developments took place and eight years on, the platform meant for SMS between buddies has grown-albeit with its 140 characters max feature to an avenue that has 400,000,000 members and growing.

Having a meal at a restaurant... What is the first thing to do? Of course, get the appetizer or as called in hospitality circles, have the starter meal. But after many years, the trend has changed. First thing you do before gulping your meal is to take a picture and post it online especially by use of Instagram. Though not among even the top five popular social media sites, Instagram is unique and fun and also is the highest growing of all social media sites. Founded in October 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, since the beginning it has been one platform that has spread globally at a supersonic rate, causing the interest of Facebook which in April 2012 bought it for 1 billion of dollars. From having a million users in December, 2010 to the current 180,000,000 active users, 16,000,000,000 photos shared, and 1,200,000,000 likes daily, there seems to be no letting up by this social media site.

Man truly is a social being, just as is the nature of his Creator, God. Amidst all these developments with even other sites not mentioned here, why are we seemingly further apart from each other? I mean, there is LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, VK, Flickr, MeetUp, Ask.fm, Classmates and many more others, including the ancestor of them all; MySpace but seems as if we have grown even colder in communication and further in actual interaction with one another.

So, why not take sometime off social media sometime. Log out and get outside. Look around, smile at the person close by...but not for too long lest they update on Facebook that “A weirdo. Right next to me!” or do it too sleazily lest they reach out to their phone for a selfie.

Be social, away from social media. Live and love life.

Melancholic Times

There was a time I had decided to avoid watching news. News nowadays can be stressful. It’s as if one doesn’t have to watch a horror movie since most of the prime headlines make for such horrific news. But then again, it’s foolhardy to not be aware of the happenings in the world. Though ignorance is bliss, we cannot afford to live in denial especially at this age and time.

The remains of MH17

Exactly a fortnight ago at a time like this, the whole world was in shock after the Malaysian Airline flight MH17 bizarrely disappeared from all ground control systems. This coming in the wake of the now infamous Malaysian Airline flight MH370 that disappeared on 8^th March this year after losing contact with air traffic control less than an hour after take-off from Kuala Lumpur. Sadly, for the former MH70, it was established soon after that it had crashed in a Ukrainian region facing a volatile war with Russian secessionists. Only now are circumstances getting clear that the 200 people on board lost their lives after the plane was shot down. Man seems to have really gone nuts.

Do they deserve to grow up in Tears?

As I write this, there’s massive warfare in the never ending conflict between Israel and Palestine. Almost everyone the world over holds an opinion on this war. I know for a fact that this is prophecy getting fulfilled and soon enough, a New Jerusalem will be established. Let those who have ears, listen and those with eyes see. Needless to say, no war is an event to be celebrated. Seeing innocent children and adults alike getting killed, day after day is truly a sad affair no matter what side one identifies with in this war. One only needs to imagine how painful it is to lose a beloved one to understand the magnitude of loss with casualties about to run in their thousands.

So back to the news I am watching, it happens that an Air Algeria aeroplane has crashed somewhere in Mali. There is no need to speculate on the cause of the crash but seems like a hundred people have met their demise. And it happens there is another plane that has met the same destiny in Taiwan. Only that the latter’s crash has been attributed to a typhoon sweeping across the Far East.

Surfing through the news, and again the worst Ebola outbreak in history is continuing to ravage West Africa. This deadly virus is dangerous since it’s subtle, can spread easily and become a global catastrophe and all we can do is hope that it gets contained soon.

So, where does the human race turn to when there’s so much negativity around? And it’s not as if we are living in the worst of times. There have been way more grim situations in the past. Genocides have wiped out hundreds of thousands of people; wars have killed and displaced millions, the plague wiped out a third of the entire global population while the crusades were brutal, colonialism and slavery inhumane while natural catastrophes leave us speechless.

An Ebola victim being led to a grave

Yet, amidst these many phenomena, man remains resilient. People are awesome. You are awesome.

Tick tock, Tick tock...

The Grand Prize is Unveiled

Time seemed to whirl

Only seven minutes remained on the clock. The twelve men, eleven on each side drawn from Argentina and Germany toiled towards glory. Christ the Redeemer; the iconic statue in Rio de Janeiro stood amicably as it has done over many years. Almost as if watching with a knowing smile on the proceedings down below. The game had begun while the sun shone. But now darkness had enveloped the Brazilian skyline while a set of over a billion eyes the world over waited in anticipation for the end of the 32 long day bonanza. The world cup was about to end.

Copacabana Beach staging the Match

Seven minutes remained on the clock. And Facebook was getting updates numbering millions, tweets too were aplenty while short prayers to diverse deities were being made. There were heartbeats racing. Hyperventilation was a global phenomenon and even the most hardened of souls trembled a bit. As no one knew of the outcome. Cities stood still and TV commentators rose to the occasion with frenzied passion.

Argentine fans in Anticipation

Seven minutes remained on the clock. Drama was now ensuring. The lunges and sinister tackles from both the South Americans and the Europeans were now at full throttle. Messi made his tricky runs. Neuer smothered out smoldering shots on goal. Mascherano defended for his life and country while Schweinsteiger acquired a bloodied face. Aguero recalled encouraging words he had gotten earlier that morning from Maradona, his father in law while Ozil prodded towards goal like an Indian flute that charms a cobra out of its dwelling pot.

Ecstatic German fans in Berlin

Seven minutes remained on the clock. The tension in the stadium was now palpable. The over 70,000 fans in the Maracana stadium were going through extreme emotions, even those higher than the annual diurnal temperatures of the Atacama Desert. Those on Copacabana beach forgot of the beauty that Rio offered. Their eyes transfixed on the giant screens, as if held by the charm of a master wizard. The waves breaking ashore from the Atlantic Ocean were now an unwelcome distraction. More beer was poured for the streetside pubs of Berlin to the shanty clubs of Buornes Aires. Bets were placed from the high-rise financial offices of Guangzhou to the neighbourhoods of Nairobi’s eastlands. Cursing words and religious words were on a tremendous rise in usage.

Then Götze happened

Seven minutes remained on the clock. And history was made. For the first time ever in a World Cup Final, two substitutes combined to score the winning goal. That goal here was a solo goal. That goal here equalled the record set at France ’98 when 171 was the final tally of the number of goals scored in the tournament. That goal won Germany the World Cup, 2014 edition. That goal broke the hearts of hundreds of millions. That goal brought indescribable joy to a different set of hundreds of millions. That goal made Mario Gotze the most talked about person the whole world over. That goal was a goal to never be forgotten.

Seven minutes remained and Germany was on its way to a fourth time World Cup triumph. And it did.  "G" is the 7th letter of alphabet, and Germany starts with "G" -The name Germany contains 7 letters -Germany was in Group "G" or Group "7" -Germany ended group stage with 7pts -Germany scored 7 goals in group stages-4 vs Portugal, 2 vs Ghana and 1 vs U.S.A -Germany scored 7 goals vs Brazil -And obviously, we are in 7th month of year and winning goal was scored 7 minutes to end of extra time...what a world cup! 

The Best team in the Tournament Won

Out of the Blue

No Balo, it happens to us all

Today started a lovely day. Though the July chilly weather is still making Nairobi seem like Siberia, I was excited for I was going to see someone special in the morning on the way to work. I did see them and headed into town to pick the bus that drops me at work, but then all hell broke loose. Well, not quite so for I believe hell is like nothing anyone ever imagines but still a place to not be scared about if you have a relationship with Jesus…but that’s a story for another day.

Yes, I need some tailoring classes

So, my trouser riiiiiiiped. Yea, it ripped on a major scale! Walking briskly, trying to dodge the oncoming traffic of people, I felt a ‘rrrrrrrr’ sound, like the one Mbusi and Bonoko repeatedly make on Ghetto Radio. Kumbe my very new trouser got hooked to a nail on a nearby kibanda and the seam just ripped apart from the waist down all the way to below my left knee. Boom! Disaster had befallen me though I must admit the breeze felt nice.

So I just stood still, if I wasn’t an African and thank God for this excess melanin that nullified sunscreen from my budget, I would have turned as red as a ripe tomato from Githunguri. To say I felt embarrassed would be an understatement. I contemplated three things. Either, go to work feeling like a boss while evoking all sorts of reactions and actions.  Secondly, looking all over town for a tailor who was open at that time (0630hrs) and the last one, looking for a new trouser to buy while I knew the cash on me wouldn’t be all sufficient. Was so confused that I didn't remember I had plastic money with me. The fourth and unmentioned choice was to will time and chance to rewind the whole situation, live in denial and hope all shall be well.

Well, I had to act and seeing the most sensible thing was to have the seam sewn (sounds like a tongue twister meant for our Luopean friends) back together, I set off, purchasing two safety pins on my way to look for the elusive tailor. The breeze felt better as I walked J

Woo Hoo! Getting sorted...

My feet took me all the way towards Gikomba, where the option of getting myself a new pair of pants would be executed. Frankly, my mind was quite blank. I just knew that I needed help, was desperate for help and I was literally clutching at straws. To cut the long story short before you get bored, dear reader, I found a dingy building where as if by chance, a tailor was just opening his clad laden store. I did not even care that it was dimly lit or the corridors even up the stairs were lined with bales of mtumba clothes. In a few minutes, my trouser was fixed as I stood there reflecting with just my boxers on. Eventually, I was able to get to work on time and it actually turned out to be quite a lovely day.

Where I found my Hope

Sometimes life will just surprise us. When the unexpected happens, most of us opt to live in denial. Some act, but albeit too late. And the course of life is an unpredictable adventure. A course into the unknown. Daily. It’s not always with bad occurrences. Scripture says in the latter part of Ecclesiastes 9:11 that “… time and chance happen to them all.” Sometimes, we miss the mark by a very small margin…like that Switzerland player, Blerim Dzemaili  who hit the post in the last minute of their World Cup game against Argentina yester-night. The ball ricocheted back, but he could only direct it wide thus confirming elimination of the European nation from the football bonanza.

 Take the chances that come your way, avoid standing on the same spot as life moves by. Ultimately, I think we should be frantic to determine our ultimate destiny. Life on Earth isn’t eternal. Accept Jesus and love Him, for this is by faaaaaaaaar, the greatest decision you can ever make. Heaven won’t be your destination by chance. Choices have consequences.

And yea, when you rip your pants on a nail, you might wanna enjoy the breeze a bit more than I did. Maybe for the rest of the day.

Mama Africa

Mama Africa...

Whenever she was with the rest, she would stand out. Her high cheekbones, deep ebony skin tone and elegance truly was magnificent.  All who stole at least a glance at her marvelled, but remained frugal in their admiration. Bright colours were her signature sense of style but no one knew of her inner struggles of self-acceptance. Though despised by the pale lady with a corset around her waist and sneered at by the short woman with a stout figure, her head was ever held high. She was neither shy nor self pitiful, as it wasn’t her fault that she looked and acted different. The others thought her ways were primitive. Yes, primitive was the word thrown around most to describe her. Fantasy tales were told about her household. It was said beyond her gates, killer diseases like malaria and cholera killed without a whim. It was said her pets were majestic big cats, the mightiest a lion. Even when the rest wore thick coats and exposed most of their flesh during various seasons of the year, she remained modest, stylish and ever colourful.

And her smile, that big beautiful and bright smile. It was a sad smile. It was a happy smile. It was a smile holding a thousand tales. It was a smile that spoke of resignation; but not resentment. It was an honest smile, amidst her inner pain. Like the sun ever high over her territories, that smile never fades.

Africa was almost robbed naked... (Nas, 2003)

She was different. She knew so since a tender age. She was picked upon by the muscular boys from the North. They robbed her off almost all the natural wealth she was blessed with. And among this bullies, she found herself in a weird bond with one. It was like marriage but one where the terms and conditions were signed by the lad as the lass had no say. This man captured her in slavery, using one of her relatives as bait. He was a smooth talker. Told her of tales from the high seas. She was fascinated and dwelt under his strong muscular arms. The same arms would later on strangle her almost robbing her life. Their union was rocky and unbalanced. The man left for some time and never returned the same. His energy was sapped off fighting a global war. The lady of this story was left derelict but with dignity intact. She decided not to stand it anymore, she fought, it was bloody, it was long but she endured. She won.

After her triumph, the joy was not to last for long, she gave birth and during her labour she wept. But alas! They were tears of joy. She had finally redeemed herself. She would walk proudly at the market-place. She was as dignified as the other women.

As her son developed, he acquired queer ways and the other kids in the village murmured that his selfishness would be his downfall. As the first born, he inherited the family property. His self-centredness wouldn’t allow him to share anything with his siblings and the squabbles in the family would remain perpetual to this day. As he grew up, with his foolishness now well documented, the newer generation of his mum’s first husband came with beaming smiles from ridges far and wide. He was enchanted. He felt important. He adopted their ways and gullibly fell into their trap. Little did he know that he was dealing with a smooth criminal. A criminal after the wealth in his homestead. The story goes on to this day...

U.S.A-frica

Oh Africa, where doth thou redemption lie?