A BAND OF BROTHERS

Forged Through Fire…

Thirty-four years ago, I walked down #JacarandaLane* for the final time as a student of the prestigious #PrinceOfWales School. #NairobiSchool as it is now known has shaped many a young boy’s life. To say that we were forged in a fiery furnace of life-changing experiences would be a nice way of putting it.? Many of us arrived at this institution, fresh and unspoiled from the far-flung corners of Kenya.? The Quota System put in place by the Ministry of Education provided some form of egalitarian access to this imposing place. This was the stuff of dreams, because many of this crush of excited youngsters chaperoned by their parents, would never have made it to this place in 1987. We arrived, bright and early, with our Shiny Tin Trunks ready to discover what high school was all about.? Some of us knew each other, most of us did not and so we embarked on a journey of discovery. We are forged in fire.? We are friends, we are family, some of us are now in-laws but I think the word that best epitomizes our functional relationship is brotherhood.? There is a blood bond that runs true and blue. We are connected in ways that most people would not understand. The boy who stood next to you during Friday Parade, or sat in the Chapel pew on your left was always the same… We were organized in alphabetical order by Surname First. We kept each other in check. And when one of us got into some mischief or other, most of us would be in it too. If you got caught, no one snitched, NO MATTER WHAT! We called it “SELLING OUT” back then. You took your medicine like a man enduring the punishment meted out by the Dorm Monitor or Senior School Prefect.? Taking one for the team was the norm. ?

Our Dorms or Houses were organized like a military barracks.? The most senior authority was the House Master. A Teacher who lived on the school premises with his home directly adjoined to the House in question. I was in Elgon House and when I joined Patch and my House Master back then was Mr. Kibinu who taught A-Level Math. He was quite a character, His dry sense of humor offering us a million moments of laughter when his Mt. Kenya upbringing interrupted his English language speaking skills.? Here is a comical extract from one of those character-defining moments.? During roll call one fine evening after our Supper, Mr. Kibinu offered up in a serious voice, “Who haf been rooking the window” He was perturbed that we were preoccupied with events outside the common room where the assembly was held. My dear friend #JohnNyaga aka #Nyagz could not help himself and he burst out laughing. Before long the whole room was awash with giggles.? We all had a good laugh but what followed that episode was a deterrent to future acts of insubordination.? All the Juniors (Form 2s) were asked to report to the Head of House’s Study after Preps at 9:30 pm, in our games kit. That night we did not get to sleep until after midnight, as we were put through a series of physical exercises that had many of us questioning our place in this world.? And, to finish things off nicely, we swam a full medley relay on the delicately manicured grass quadrangle.? After that incident, none of us ever interrupted roll-call again.?

Nairobi School or Patch made men of us.? Not everyone survived the journey, but those of us who did and came out on the other side now bear the important credentials #OldCambrian and they are immediately inducted into the The Old Cambrian Society .? This rare group of men are scattered the world over but they are all united by their history at Patch.? It is a diverse group of individuals with tentacles in almost every sphere of interest. The rule is simple, an OC must always receive priority or access against one who is not of our cohort. ? Some of the distinguished characters who have graced that elegant stage include, #JJMasiga, A celebrated Dentist and National Sports Icon in both Soccer and Rugby.? #JoeMuganda, A captain of Industry and the current Chair of Stanbic Board of Directors. #EdwardRombo A trailblazing rugby legend who became the first Kenyan of African descent to turn professional in the UK. His storied career is a well-documented series of firsts. He is also a litigation Lawyer of high repute having been admitted to the Bar upon his retirement from a celebrated sporting career. #EricKibe Another rugby sporting legend now an Investment Banker. The Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Politician and Most Senior GoK Official in the Kenya Kwanza Government. However, I don’t know if that is a good thing right now, current political climate considered.? #Muda still holds the 100m sprint record at Nairobi School.? He was quite the athlete in his day, shining in athletics, soccer, and rugby.? Lastly, I would like to highlight #GitobuImanyara Lawyer and Politician. Acclaimed for his significant role in repealing Section 2A of the Constitution that returned Multi-Partyism to Kenya.?So, to the current #GenZ who are doing their bit to reclaim our country’s lost soul, #SabaSaba is a thing in Kenya because of guys like Gitobu Imanyara Much respect OC.

That is my alma mater. I can reel off names and describe characters who have been forged in this heated cauldron; in a flame so hot, sometimes it has threatened to extinguish us. But time has shown, for those who have endured the challenges, there is a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.? But this is not a story unique to us. #TheLaibons of Lenana School, are much the same in their makeup. #AllianceHighSchool and #StareheBoysCentre are famous as much for their academic achievement as well as their powerful alumni bodies that drive a lot of value for both of those institutions.? These Alumni Caucus Groups are centers of leadership through which a lot of value can be derived.? They can mobilize resources quickly and can deliver them directly where they are required without much fuss. If perchance we could organize these groups into a National Collective. Imagine the impact this organized group could have on our teetering education sector.

Well, I have decided to stress test the idea using Six (6) of these alumni groups. Watch this space for details I will be mobilizing and reporting the results right here on LinkedIn .? Let’s go a little crazy.?#SteveJobs once said, that it is the #CrazyOnes, the ones who think that they can change the world, who do.?

Nostalgic moments aside, when the #PatchClassof90 met yesterday to relive some of our youth, break bread together, and to remember some of our dearly departed, I had no idea how emotional the day would turn out to be.? Out of a graduating class of approximately 200, 40 of us showed up on the day in person and another 15 dialed in from various places abroad. #PeterBwireOsogo is a man of significant character; one day I will tell you, his story. He ran point for us yesterday, marshaling the troops and getting us organized.? He is the kind of guy this country needs to lead but the current dispensation hasn’t allowed for people like him to thrive in Politics.? But that is a story for another day, today I just want to tell you that a group like this, invested in each other and a cause, can do powerful things.?

Yesterday, I had powerful impact stories from this brotherhood exhorting each other to excellence. But I also saw my band of brothers speak with an authenticity and vulnerability rarely seen of men in public spaces.? That was deep.? I now know that I am not alone in this world.? That this resourceful army exists, ready to serve at my pleasure just like the Latin phrase on the Prince of Wales Coat of Arms Proclaims... “ICH DIEN” – I SERVE! I believe that through this group and others like us, we will become the stimulus for significant change in our alma mater. The seed planted there will take root and word will spread igniting a new wave of thinking.? I must stop now, otherwise, this will become a book!? But fear not, there is a book on the way; somewhere in the not-so-distant future.

For now, I leave you with something to #Reflect upon, with the opportunity to #Reconcile your circumstances, so that you can #Respond with clarity to offer the kind of #Restorative action this country needs. Remember this, “change happens incrementally” so Chaka! Chaka! Which, in #Luopean means, Just Start Something.

This is the #SidewalkProphet signing off.? Godspeed to you all and a Happy New Week!? #PrinceOfWales #NairobiSchool #OldCambrianSociety #OC #OCS #PatchMachine