Celebration of a Life well lived.

A colleague and friend died at 8800m just 48m shy from summiting Mt. Everest. We first met in a bank vehicle a few years back while traveling to Egerton university for a marathon. Kirui was watching something on his phone, I kept peeping as he was so engrossed, it was a marathon run. Hopeful I stole glances at his phone expecting an aha! Moment, there was none.He watched marathon races through the four-hour journey, we teased him because who watches marathon runs. But why? He schooled us on nature, running and mountains, the passion he had made us want to be part of that world. Later, he shared a blog where he penned all his outdoor adventures, his pen wrote beautifully, a perfect wordsmith.

When he mentioned he was going to climb Mt. Everest, the first thing I asked was is that in the US? He laughed loudly, heartily and asked me to consult my geography and indulge google. It was all going well until that fateful evening when he went missing and his final demise. My feelings oscillate from Intense shock, Anger, Fear, Denial, Sadness, and Pride in him for daring so boldly to pursue his dreams.?

I keep replaying an update conversation with him in my mind..

Me:Hey you? By the way you became a celeb, they call you a Kenyan mountaineer nowadays you trended for two days.

Him: You flatter me much. Tell them I am a private Kalenjin man.

Me: By the way, all Kenyan knows where Mt. Everest is. I promise no one thinks it’s in the US, We have become experts, Sherpa, Death zone.. nini nini..

Him: Roaring laughter, you do not say.

Me: Everyone is writing about you..

Him: Is the grammar fine? roaring laughter. ?????????????????????????????????

Me: Sawa wordsmith.

Kirui was meticulous, this was not a reckless adventure but a well-planned, thought out and prepared for expedition.

To be fair, they’ve been 500 summits this season (some without oxygen) and 8 deaths. Roughly that is 0.625% lack of success rate and 99.375% success rate. With his mountaineering experience, it was not extreme to take his chances for success. As we know life happens, Accidents happen, even the best laid plans are subject to accidents. Kirui didn’t succumb due to oxygen related issues, both him and the Sherpa went down a crevasse created by glacier shift.

The danger of a single story is that it robs people of their dignity, it creates false stereotypes that are baseless. To experience all the stories of a person allows better perspective and context. Kirui was a Star employee, Friend, Son, Brother, Father, Mountaineer, Ultra-Runner, Outdoors fanatic, ?Prudent investor, Author, and many other things to different people. He was a fascinating person to know, there was always something new to learn from him, he mirror wrote perfectly- a genius trait, a walking dictionary, interesting hobbies, genre of books and music-like who listens to Irish folk songs? He was witty, fun, funny, great with words, empathetic, affirming and a great cheerleader. He had a way of encouraging and motivating people to dare and boldly reach out for their goals / dreams- whatever that looked like for you. He spoke fluent science and chemistry, fellow geek.

I pick great lessons from Kirui, the greatest being, what is that one thing/ goal that you would pursue so boldly and persistently. What is that thing for you? Things that truly make you feel alive, could be parenting, entrepreneurship, traveling, swimming, cooking, painting, running, mountaineering writing, leading, Public speaking, mentoring and everything in between. Whatever that one thing is for you- Pursue it boldly, persistently I dare say unapologetically. (Note to self- I need to write that book). Kirui lived a full life, he knew his purpose, lived his purpose, and boldly pursued his purpose. Do you know your purpose? However grand or small.

As you engage with all the stories of a person, in this case Kirui, you realize that as humanity we are more similar than different. The fulfillment that Kirui got from Climbing a mountain is similar to the fulfillment that one gets from purchasing that piece of land or writing that new book or simply enjoying quality time with their children. That we all have different dreams, which ultimately elicit similar fulfillment and all our different dreams are valid. Grand or minute. Safe or dangerous. Plain or sophisticated. Basic or complex. All our dreams are valid. ?

Rest In Peace Kirui, I hear angels dance and sing all day, they could use some adventure, adrenaline, and a few grammar lessons.Teach them a scandalous Irish rovers’ song , can’t decide between, The rake or The Jolly Roving Tar one of them should be sufficiently adventurous.

Rest well dear friend. You rest at the highest point on earth literally, just below the heavens, one with nature.

I am grateful our paths crossed.

rellat