The story of my first arrival in Nairobi is like the story of the character in Ogwang Lelos song. In the song a village folk sets out for Nairobi to seek employment, the only person he knows is Obiero. So he kept asking virtually everyone, natafuta nyumba ya Obiero He was oblivious of how big and populated Nairobi was for anyonye to know his Obiero. My Obiero was Sunday Oduk. The story is also similar in script to Ken Waliboras SIKU NJEMA, main character Kongowea Mswahili. I left my brother Lennox Oduks house in Kisumu Ondiek flats 8p.m. abode Kenya Bus Service after he cautioned me that Eldoret Express were very reckless and accident prone. I think a bus ticket to Nairobi then, December of 99 was about 250 or 300. 4:00am arrival Machakos bus station. Since twas too early we were allowed to nap in the bus till daybreak. For me I couldnt wait for office hours to call the only contact I had, my sister Jannet Shamala then working for Coca-cola (E.A) Safaricom was a year old or so so mobile phones were rare. Around 5am all the stories of muggers and pick pockets came alive. If Id whatched arrival scene of Mwas in the movie Nairobi Half-Life I would have carried a stone for self defense. To avoid looking lost I got into the nearest food kiosk and sat. My intention was to buy time till 8 but before I could sit a hot mug of tea was thrown sliding towards me, without ordering. Again for avoidance of looking lost I did not decline the order. The tea presented another problem, I had prepared the lose change I had for phone call. The rest of my wealth were tucked away deep in my backpack. I paid in precious coins and left. When I finally made the call Janet was late that day. I waited and called again, she was still not in. Then I saw Nairobi City Council offices and remembered my other Obiero. Bob Robert Onyango! I went in and asked for him. Obviously I was told how the council was large and unless I knew what department/branch one worked, twas near impossible to trace anyone. I went back to the phone booth and this time I got Janet. After locating my position she asked me to take matatus headed to Hillocks and alight at Coca-cola I guess after every 360° rotation of the wheel I mustve reminded the conductor that I was alighting at coca-cola. On arrival at the office we shared a few pleasantries with Mama Leah then I was ushered into a separate room and asked which brand Id use, two minutes later 3 bottles of Fanta pap! At lunch break I was handed 50/- for lunch from my sister. This was adequate for a decent meal. Another 3 Fantas for the afternoon session before Sunday was reached via radio call from the field office. He came and we left in a KBS. The bus was so full we had to stand all the way to. Tena Estate. The spectacle was that the bus never fully stopped. You had to jump off at your stop. My drawing & design ruler broke while trying to disembark Nairobi-style. That was me coming to the city then, today alsk me where Matumbato, Tabman or keekorok rds are!
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 20:45:34 +0000
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