EAC, A Wonderous Section of the Region.

Nakuru. Kenyan's equivalent to Tanzania's Arusha or so I suppose in terms of size, and architecture. Arusha, a host to many International conferences, workshops and such (lucky to have Arusha International Conference Center), and also the defunct capital of the East African Community. Mmmh... Nakuru is envious! Here the blow! Nakuru, we are the tourism capital to the country and  Great Rift Valley which lies host to paths we trend.Capital to the Kenya's food basket in part and a leader in industrialization on this half. How about that... All the same, it is striking how similar the two towns feel.

Today, my trip starts here. Nakuru. As pay my ticket, the attendant is surprised at the dressing code compared to the my "destination 1". With all the irony he can use on a character like me, he says,
" I hope you jacket is in the luggage. And you gumboots?"
I am surprised at the question. Nakuru is Sunny and after all Timboroa is said to be "just here." Garnering all the hard-hardheadedness I can, the ticket goes to my pocket and in a flash am seated next to a window, mind you, the last time I headed west and back was all in the cover of darkness. Off we go. Taking time to study every passenger, it is clear a majority are returning home from an early market day. Money is made before breakfast... am impressed. Seems am the only one doing a wild goose chase across this county and from the attendant about 5km back, am looking for trouble about 95km ahead.

It is sunny all along and at this point I ask about the truth of the matter and the the response, "you wait." I'm in for the worst weather I suppose. Tales of what they endured that morning take root. How conductor carries gumboots with him from home. How they had to clean their shoes before taking the trip back and then a re-assurance that by the time we get there it will all be dry. The beautiful landscape- steals my thoughts of what lays ahead. Attention is also drawn from the economic activities on the road sides. the smooth ride combined with cleverly crafted turns, climbs and stretches give you a priceless view. beautiful country.

Indeed, it was dry. Crossed a 3 track railway line (goes all the way to Uganda), a show of what a region this once was  by the size of the rail station there to a once significant railroad town overlooking the station now inactive with rusty bogies laying idle and unused for years. Perhaps the railroad companies are the ones that have continually failed painting a picture of no-longer productive farmlands. Seems like only the means of transport and way of doing business changed. Alongside the roads, of heavy trailer traffic, farmers align themselves with their bumper harvest of potato crops. Tubers I can bet you have not seen anywhere Else other than Timboroa.
On that side, am told, is North Rift. Best identified by tagging a politicians name, "Kwa-Ruto." This is Mossop and that other side is Turgen and again "Kwa-Moi." A good place it is. Unlike where I hail from, the town is rid of any public pub, a people with a lifestyle to envy but they are there. Somewhere. Deep and away from the tarmac and into the ranges. you got to love the air here. I love this place. Sugeton. Amidst our engagements comes a cry from my hosts, all in mud-boots,... Rain!! It is in black and white. "If this gets you here, you are not going anywhere!" Having no plans to spend the night away from my humble abode, I hope onto the popular bodaboda and the vroooom! gears towards the main road. I now get it why a jacket and mud-boots are a requirement in this region. The torrential rains.  A drop of water feeling like a glass of water. All bodaboda operators are all racing towards town at least where asphalt road doesn't pose any challenge.

The rain misses me by seconds. Feeling myself an achiever, It is time for a freezing trip back. This is an amazing region. Partly mechanized agriculture and down the road, vegetables are plenty. Ahead, timber product related companies own  large tracks of land covered by trees. Neighbours own saw-mills or at least everyone's first employment was and is in a saw-mill. Politics are also a major in the life of many and a shaper of what happens and when it happens.

We the East African community are indeed a region of infinite opportunities.

The EAC Anthem will be played at President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy Ruto Inauguration ceremony on 9th, Kasarani. Does that mean the flag will also fly high? It should. In fact it should come as a directive to have the flag anywhere a Kenyan flag is hoisted just like in Burundi and Rwanda. And did Jubilee and Burundi ruling party get into some agreement? [Jubilee and Burundi ruling party sign agreement ] Well, maybe that's the spark to ignite a political federation, one of the EAC pillars. Somehow, I got a feeling, jubilee government will be committed to the integration process and concerned abt the performance of MEAC. It's choice for the Cabinet secretary in this state department will also shape our feeling about their commitment to East African community. 

Like the Kenyan journalist, let me read into the events of that day. /straightens the collar/ It will be such a gesture to let a partner in the EAC to speak on behalf of the the guest, typical of our cultural customs.It feels  nice that President Museveni comes from the Region. It feels like I can just walk into Uganda jut like that. just like that. It is not like am singing praise for this government or  something but, I like the way they have engaged the region leaders so far.

PS Chiboli Shakaba joins the Call for Peace.

PS Chiboli Shakaba when he received the ambassadors

"Peace East Africans. Peace." That is an echo from my last blog post. EAC Integration Ambassadors were back and when MEAC_Kenya in captainship of PS Chiboli Shakaba warmly received us back. In a briefing at the ministry's offices, congratulations and pleasure to have cooperated well all along were poured. Key learning and challenges and the way forward charted. However, the PS didn't stop at that. He reminded us of the period Kenya is in. The electioneering period, in which the youths are the prime targets of use and misuse.

With reference to Kigali Memorial Centre, he alluded to the atrocities and suffering of the citizens, marking peace Paramount. A situation that everyone should yearn for, as much as we look up to enjoy an economic region that is not looked down upon by anybody or so I feel. As the calls to remain sobre and keep peace in mind intensify with each passing day, let us be in the front line to remain collected and with the will to pass on the message. We can truly surpass the sombre cities and communities worried for their sons.

Well, the media might not or it might be almighty late. Breathe peace, dream peace, talk peace. Live peace. On and after the election day. I remember, in Uganda there is a saying that "If you want to speak about the goodness of women, start with your mother," one that was in an attempt to to rubbish the integration process when we visited Kampala International Uni'. This was by branding Kenya as having constant conflicts now and then and therefore ironical for its citizen to spread a gospel that in the end requires peace and tranquility of each member state. I join my PS in beseeching ye fellow citizens of the land to maintain peace, love and unity.
 
By the way, HAPPY VALENTINE. Is it in red?

Raphael's little Success overcomed by Onyancha's Late Night Shower.

Burundi had been fun. Extreme fun maybe because of the the beach that Lk. Tanganyika brought before a visiting roaming about East Africa and momentarily having to shelf the gospel that had to be relayed and blinking in the sun to enjoy the scenic natural environment. Leaving somewhat late  in the night and  having silent biting mosquitoes didn't ruin the Burundi stay and soon we were in the air and into Rwanda checking into our hotel slightly after midnight.

The thirst to get in sync with the conversation on facebook, maybe to hear from our PS Mr Shakaba Chiboli or get in touch with team Burundi, quickly whisked away the urge to sleep. Freshening up really quick and trying out the wireless internet connections followed by a harassment to the hotel staff  when it wouldnt work as expected or the LAN cables could be found.

That is when one Kyee mbatha, yes the Champion, left his room to check out whether our rooms had the cables. Being the relaxed guy he is, he just didn't carry his smart card key. Anyway what is next door with the security of your stuff guaranteed? To his shock, the door to his haven had locked and wouldn't open. Unknown to him the door could slide back as opposed to remaining ajar awaiting his return.

Quickly, he called the reception to  have the door opened and while at it hatched a prank on all of us. first on line was our top blogger Mr Paul Ras Mwangi. When called out, he just walked out and as if a habit the door slid back locking itself not to open on his demand. he had also left his smart key inside. Ras, not wanting to go through this alone was quickly bought into pulling the same on the rest of us.

knock! Knock! Knock! "Don!" Kyee was calling. I quickly finished a warm shower dropping a bath robe on my shoulders oblivious of what Ras and company had in store. "Kamu kamu mbio uone mwenzako chenye anafanya." It sounded interesting and since the whole floor was carpeted I took a dip into the dim light corridor eager to get material for my blog probably. It was deep into the night and a bit faster for my case the door slid back pup! I was turning to get my key when to my amazement the lock wouldn't even turn. I burst out laughing maybe at the awkward situation I was in. With only the robe on.

Now we had a gang. Operation Onyancha was on. The battalion moved forward, suppressing a mirth of laughter and a sense of achievement for Mbatha. A knock and Onyancha screamed loud "niko shower" and we thought, this guy is mighty lucky. You guy, you wont survive another round of "pranks pulling."

Rwanda Through the Lens....

This is the trouble with being the photographer.There are rarely photos of you. If they are there then they ain't take as you would have taken them. so on this particular morning mine was a front seat. A camera strung around my neck.That was a period of great stress if you know the energy that comes with missing that one shot you think would have been the best. Cameramen we suffer a lot.  However, Rwanda is Beautiful... I'd hang on and wait. I retained the front seat and the attention to capture scenes, architecture, culture at work and moments I thought would make Rwanda memorable. In a funny twist... just when I thought two last shots would make me happy, a banner ahead read "Urugendo Ruhire." Kinyarwanda for Safe Journey... Entebbe was  calling. I had to do with this:

EAC flag among others at Kigali, Laico Umbano Hotel

Ministry of EAC Rwanda.... mmmmh!

beautiful interiors at the ministries offices

Champions at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology - KIST

 This is  the part everything weighs heavily and the photographer who sees and tries to capture everything really suffers. Kigali Genocide Memorial...

View of Kigali from the Memorial parking lot

Beautiful Exterior that allows one skip a thought.

Meticulously done interiors

At this meuseum sort of are mass graves carrying very large numbers of people, name plaques, and a beautifully architectured buildigs where photo, clothes, weapons, skulls and bones are displayed. they form a story. The History of Rwanda. beginning fro pre-colonial period, to colonial, before the genocide, the genocide and after the genocide. I wont narrate. I don't want to relive what I went through looking in the lenses of an un-emotional camera.

The genocide masterminds... Identify them.

A  mini auditorium within the museum

 

After the genocide, the desparation, the loss, widows, widowers,innocent-shaken and orphaned children, refugees... all in wonder whether all will ever be well. With collective effort, they are back on their feet and running.

.....That was the exact mood in our vehicle back to the hotel and to the airport. The whole team boiling with annoyance. Perhaps cause of the atrocities done to the citizens of this nation. Emotions became harder to control and because no one would let the tears flow freely, anger was the thing. some did let the tears flow at the end of it all... My lenses gave me a venting avenue but I guess not this time round... Peace East Africans. Peace.

That First Buju-morning...

From above, it is just a hilly countryside like any other in East Africa. Rwanda, the immediate neighbor giving the perfect match to such a land scape. Thanks to the pilots for gliding at an altitude below the clouds. It's the last part of miles and miles border over border .into a mountainous country and by its lakeside  capital... Bujumbura, Burundi. It is seemingly a  chilly evening but a step from the pressurized cabin tells you what a hot city this is. Somebo...o..dy, through the eavesdrop that I do, explain its because of lake Tanganyika. The hows and whys are a story best told another day. Maybe at the same same sandy beaches in Bujumbura...
  Aah! very welcoming. a guard cares enough to say ''bonjour" to a  man like me. uknown to him, I havent been to His motherland  except through the various textbooks are the general idle talk- which doesnt include the fact that on Sundays bujumbura is a deserted town. nothing much going on. Anyway, i suppress a bonjour back... no fear though its clear to me  language will be a major impediment to my activities. these are just worries. I walk forth into this Land with a clean slate however, what is to be born let it be.


From portraits of the nation's heroes to monuments under construction. Very clean high way to very well architectured hotels... one  word. Scenic. The town nonetheless stinks of a fire. a fire perhaps one or two weeks old. A fire that devoured what is perhaps the most interesting of all thing in Urundi. The 2nd largest market in the country. Arson or a fault, they cannot pinpoint but someone is blamed anyway, the group Alshabaab or so the words in the mouths of many here say. the Taxi driver is of that opinion too.

I figure from luxury of the hotel room, i realise this is a country with a people I know know nothing about. their existence before colonisation. Their struggle during and after liberating themselves from their colonial masters. Challenges that have put them down belly down and calling for anyone who cares to extent their hand in help. Neither are their moments of glory a familiar thing. This is a country I know nothing about. His Excellency the  president's name is the only thing I can attach to my knowledge of Burundi.

I shrink deeper into the thick foam mat and the urge to know more bangs harder and harder. To, I minister the EAC integration gospel to a people I need to accord a special understanding of. Google comes in in handy.The  drift into a meditation mode is so polished that I lose the sense of time... today I walk a scarred nation. A once a upon a time tormented people, still are may be. The story of Burundi was  going on well until Hutu and Tutsi and politics come into play... what followed are still fresh wounds to some extent. The  reason maybe Bujumbura is quite a quiet city. the once upon a time merry children no longer play their football on the streets, the soldiers speed pointing guns. no place for young boys.

The Burundi story is one that pre-occupies my mind. Am running late. I take a fast shower. cold. am surprised when I just stand there. looking through the big windows into the hills (bujumbura Rural what the natives pronounce Bujumbura Rureli). All they do is let out cries of fleeing  mothers and children. My mind Pictures Fathers rounding up fathers. To my team mates and friend, am just a heavy Sleeper. Am a good one that I want deny but the above remains unknown to them. maybe they suffered the same only earlier than I. Am ready for Bujumbura. i learn of the joy the citizen have in their every day lifes. Important is that alarge number of school going children are girls. beautiful girls and I meant it. In a decade to come it will be a wonderful society courtesy of this girls- then would be women,God willing. more kids will be knocked off their feet at the slightest detection of bunking school...

Burundi Journalists.

They really are looking to be like any other relatively prosperous African Country, a reality put on record by thier intervention in Mali. As young Professionals run up and down to make ends meet, as thier young EAC minister signs our Visitors book and also her young assistant minister is thrilled by the cost effectiveness of Social Media as Kyee Mbatha makes her see... there radiates hope fore Burundi. Thanks to their President His Excellency Nkurunziza. the minister is quick to note that techsnology will be one of their key learning from MEAC Kenya social media  challenge.

Burundi turned out as total fun  despite language barrier and maybe  culture. Pssst!!! At noon time you will never see a girl running up and down. They are supposed to be resting and waitng for their hour... five o'clock. if she must come out.... then she wont talk to you my guy. I experiment in the cover of my team mate rather I am roasted beef. the laughing-stock. Our team blogger acquires a French accent too... lol!

Le voyage vers l'Est intégration africaine est en cours .....