The death of Senator Hon Otieno Kajwang has thrown me back into December 30th in 2007. Then working as a reporter for Baraka fm , I arrived at KICC in the Morning waiting for Kivuitu to announce the winner the elections I remember by 10 AM almost all the reporters in the hall were aware that Kibaki was going to be announced the winner. I was really scared because on my way I had already witnessed violence and tension in Kibera. The GSU security was very tight in town i remember going outside the hall and The senator was outside pacing I went close to him to confirm the word going round and he openly told me that he is very scared n at this point its only God who will protect us, indeed he was shaken n tried to console him that Kivuitu will make a wise decision, he said that is not possible coz preparations for swearing are already on at State House and its only the certificate causing the delay. He then asked me where I stay I told him Kibera and he said just confirm that everyone is at home n go am also not staying here.I walked back towards the hall and saw my Editor Dennis Itumbi at the cafeteria having breakfast, I think he saw the panic on my face and made his usual comment Geoff relax n order something n I told him am ok and I want to go back home n he said just go am here but before I left I asked him the same question n he replied with calmness you go home and wait for the announcement. Since there were no taxis in town I luckily got a number 8 Matatu. At this time my was heart really beating fast hoping the announcement would not be made while am still far from my family. As I alighted at Olympic stage the GSU were all over n I was stopped by two of them, they were friendly to me but when my friend Benson Musungu passed us with his shades on they harassed him n took the sunglasses, and being the usual Benson he looked for their leader who was ahead went on n reported and the two were called n ordered to return what they had taken. I had my recorder they warned me not try anything stupid. Immediately I saw all the GSU rush to their lorries for a take off. I quickly walked home knowing the time to announce had finally reached. To cut the long story I arrived at home and found our neighbors had turned the house into a mini tally center using the TV figures. I told them stop wasting your time its gone n they all shouted me down at that time Ruto was on TV with returning officer, true I did not see Kajwang on TV he must have left as he said. I wrote all this because God used the senator to save my life.after what I saw happen in Kibera, I dont think I would have made it home alive had the announcement found me in town and my family especially my mum would have panicked to the core something that was not good to her health. I really liked covering your press conferences because of the funny way you would air your opinion. #RIPmapambanomapano
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:24:26 +0000
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