BLOGS FROM THE MOUNTAIN

Photo/Standard: Hon. Rigathi Gachagua in the mountain By Thomas Chemelil Was it Achebe or Amadi who warned us of the dangers of dancing oneself lame before the main dance started? Many students of African Literature will agree with me that a successful dance must be well timed for it to have the desired effect on the audience and leave a lasting effect on their memories. His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, in my unsolicited opinion, may have mistimed his dance leading to his eventual interdiction by the master chess player, and Raila''s brother, William. Worse still, Rigathi may have refused to follow the rhythm of KK dance, making him a pariah in the eyes of the powers-that-be. If also feel that his persistent supplication to the gods of the mountain and his constant facing of Mt. Kenya may have left him exposed from the rear as his brothers, who would naturally stand guard in the wake of his prayers, complain that he never invited them to his home in Karen. There were even rumou...

  Photo/Arror Grandmothers on a motorbike By Thomas Chemelil KopJepkemoi looks ahead stoically as she holds the motorbike by its horns like an experienced Mexican bull fighter. Her resolute eyes focused on the road as if to dare the world to throw in any challenge on her. Her bossom friend Kojemosop sits tightly as she  prepares herself for the ride of her life to God-knows-where. She is oblivious of the phone camera clicking near her to capture the hilarious moment of the two dreamers whose courage is the stuff of a Hollywood horror tale. I cannot help but think of the horror crash if any of them dares touch the ignition. However, I check my feelings as I ask loudly: Who am I to stop the grandmothers from their wild dreams? KopJepkemoi looks fired up; it is as if her entire youth life in the years gone by had been brought back to her on a silver platter. Her eyes look nostalgic as she revs an imaginery engine. For a moment, the creases on her forehead disappear magically as a...

Photo/Ronald Zochin: Ronald Zochin and his Indian wife By Thomas Chemelil I do not need to remind you of my legendary and insatiable appetite for tales. Since childhood, I grew up in an environment rich in tales about 'Kimaget', 'kiplegwa' and the dreadful 'Chebekeri'. In my formative years in Primary School, I encountered riveting Oriental tales in the form of tales of 'Sinbad baharia', 'Alfu Lela Hulela', the 'Abunuasi' tales amongst others. In high school, I took my love for stories a notch higher and incorporated reading stories like 'Treasure Island', 'King Solomon's Mines' and 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' amongst many others. Ronald Zochin has transported me to this fairy tale world with his epic journey to India to re-unite with his beloved wife and daughter in the land of Gandhi. That he crossed the wide Indian Ocean in search of the love of his life and his lovely daughter he fondly calls Tula is the...

Photo/Author: splendid JC Guest House, Iten By Thomas Chemelil Iten town keeps springing surprises to all every day. Restaurants and Hotels managed by our illustrious athletes are sprouting up almost on a daily basis. One such a facility is JC Guest House and Restaurant. Hidden in the outskirts of Iten, just after the Keelu junction on your way to town on the right side of the road near Samongi is a citadel of  pure hospitality known simply as JC Iten Guest House. The simplicity of its name should not fool you; JC offers mouth- watering  delicacies, both local and exotic. A team of fine chefs will leave you yearn for more. It is coach Kanda Hillary of Kondabilet and his friend Boniface Limo who invite us for a sumptuos lunch at JC as a way to thank the messenger from the hills for interceding for them during the 1A games at Kaptagat. I am welcomed by the aroma of an assortment of meals which range from well fried mutton to fried potatoes and an assortment of traditional Africa...