The Machakos Dream

By Jeremy Leariwala

Everything starts as an idea-a dream. Not necessarily big ones, but just about everything. Here, today, I am thinking of devolution in Kenya which started as an idea, a dream drafted on a paper, just as a wish.

It is ten years since the start of devolution and the doves are flying back home to roost. For the few full-term-governors, it is time for stock-taking.

Caution first: someone once said that ‘idlers discuss people while ignoring great men seated nearby, discussing big ideas!’ That notwithstanding I can’t shy away from talking about a person here. Dr. Alfred Mutua had a dream when he became the governor of Machakos. His, was a wild one of its own kind, but he boldly shared it in broad daylight. I reserved most of my comments that time.

‘Establish a formular-1 track’ and ‘hosting its first race, ever, in Machakos!’ was part of his big dream.

Sincerely speaking, the Machakos dream, as wild as it was, stirred the hornets’ nest. It incited everyone to come up with a plan, a dream, a blueprint of what they’d do, as governors of their counties.

Photo: Safaricom PLC

As far as stock-taking is concerned, ten years after the initiation of devolution, everyone has his/her own scorecard. Everyone has one or two things to be proud of, to brag about etc.

What became of the Formular-1 track in Machakos?

Well Machakos just hosted a one-of-a-kind event dubbed ‘The Race with Champions’ Motocross sponsored by none other than Safaricom PLC. It was a thrilling event, a true testimony of the impact-outcome of a creative dream backed by passion and commitment. The minute Formular-1 cars might not have roared in Machakos yet, but the champions, like Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, the junior rally drivers like Kimathi, and the lady aces in the motor races like: Tasha, Maxine, Nisha, Lisa etc, got an opportunity to showcase their prowess on the track within Machakos Peoples’ Park, just as envisioned by Dr. Alfred Mutua. This can be the pilot; the bigger dream is just taking shape!

See also:

@rx_motorsport_kenya

@safaricomplc_

@machakospeoplespark

#rallycross

#motorsportfestival

MBT PASII

 

MBT PASII

By Jeremy Leariwala

Schooling in MBT was, always, an enviable privilege! I was only 17 years old when I set foot on the magical land of MBT (Short for Marsabit). But recently, many years later, my work took me back there.

As a dream destination, MBT has quite a lot to offer. The town sits atop Marsabit Mountain in a picturesque location surrounded by the forest. Inside its national park, a short drive away, is the iconic ‘Lake Paradise’, with its different species of butterflies, birdlife and wildlife. The Kenyan Camper talks more of this. Historically, an elephant named ‘Ahmed’, renowned for its tusks, lived here. Legends say that ‘Ahmed’ (King of Marsabit), might have been the only animal, ever, to be accorded VIP protection for its significance. Then again, MBT is richly endowed with diverse cultures: it is here that I first met/interacted with members of the Shangila and El-molo communities.

Photo by The Kenyan Camper

 

Now, about my tour of duty, we cruised through the town in a ford-ranger, thrilled to be back again. The damp, misty air, heavy with the scent of algae-clad trees, was however missing. The pestering, brownish mud of the backstreets wasn’t there too. But the old roads; with their new tarmac cover, streetlights and pavements, gave the town a new, exotic image of some sort.

Come evening and I thought of taking a stroll; just to relive my high school memories, I nearly lost my way. The old-formerly outstanding structures, now dwarfed by the newer ones, were hardly recognizable.

Then I came across an aerial photograph, online, by ArtBeat Photography Kenya. What a shot!

Photo: ArtBeat Photography Kenya.

I walked 24 kilometres, from my school and back, to this stadium, to attend prize giving ceremonies or to ride a bicycle at 1.00 shillings per minute on Sundays. This picture stirred the nostalgic memories of those wonderful days in MBT. Such a beautiful place...