THE GREAT RE-UNION

Mt. Kenya chronicles 001

The Mount Kenya Expedition was a great comeback for me and an awesome reunion with friends. Friends I have known for over three decades. The last time I climbed Mt Kenya was in 1994. I was making my 6th debut after 30 years.

The team leader, Kayoko did a great job organizing this particular trip with very many innovations and improvements compared to earlier trips. We had porters, a guide, and a chef. Wueh, this was a 5 star expedition. We slept in bandas, a great improvement from usual tents. Kudos Kayoko.

We were a team of four vijana wa jana (Yesterday's youth). Kayoko originally domiciled at Okongo also known as Makongeni Railway quarters along the famous Jogoo road. Father Kamemba lived in the former leafy Kimathi Estate. Kimathi Estate was considered a wealthy neighbourhood. Then, Pamela resided in Mbotela Estate. The writer lived at Kenya Power Estate in Mbotela, along Jogoo road. Wueh, we have come from far.

Now all these team members are in their 5th floor. Wamekula chumvi (lived long). The team leader and master planner was Kayoko a long time friend. We had organized many excursions in the past together. I remember as members of Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) at Our Lady of Visitation (OLV), we loved nature. We hiked, camped, did rock climbing and visited many national parks in our youth. I was the longest serving chairman of WCK then, and Kioko the Secretary General. We occasionally swapped positions.

The next team member was father Kamemba. We often joked, he was always the smallest member. Yah I remember the youthful altar boy at OLV. I recall him joking wearing skirts because the alter robes were a bit too long for his height. Today, he is a missionary spreading the gospel all over Africa. He has served in Zambia for 6 years and Egypt 10 years as a missionary priest. He is now in Kenya. He was our pilot. He is great on wheels.

The other team member was Pamela married to academician Dr. Barrack Omollo. She is now an entrepreneur running a laundry establishment with the family. Barrack was also a youth member originally living in Ofafa Maringo. They were all active WCK members. Pam as we knew her, knows how money is printed. She worked at De la Rue together with Makanga another youth from Makadara. Sad they were retrenched when De La Rue the printers of bank notes and cheques with security features closed shop.

The last team member is the author of this piece. VOVO was given the award for great effort. He was last in all the hikes. Wueh, fitness escaped from the window. The expedition started at 6am on Tuesday17th September, 2024 at Kenya Cinema where Kayoko, VOVO and the priest met and started the ride towards the destination. We picked Pamela at Safari Park en-route to Nanyuki town. Dr. Barrack took the photo of the team before we left for Nanyuki.

Sheng was our national language for the 4 days. The trip was memorable.

Vincent Ogutu is a Business Coach, keynote Speaker and Nature Enthusiast. He has authored books on Personal development. Books are available at Nuria Bookstore