1st
July, Day one
Normally the first day of every
walk is a very special day for my team and I. We spent the night at Simba club
Nanyuki and by 7 O’clock every one of us was ready having had breakfast and
ready to walk. I strongly believe how you approach the first day dictates how
the other days will be. We all gathered at the County Government of Laikipia
Offices in Nanyuki Town where the walk would be flagged off. At around 8.30 we
had a tree planting exercise in front of the county Government offices led by
Laikipia’s First lady Mrs. Grace Irungu, Mr. Richard Chepkwony KWS Nanyuki
Station Senior Warden and Madam Njeri the Community Warden, by this time staff
from Nakumatt Nanyuki had joined us, and two ladies Miss Tourism Laikipia
County and Miss Tourism Kiambu County. At 9 O’clock Mrs. Grace Irungu flagged
us off and we were to walk in and around Nanyuki County. We made stops at
market places and bus stations addressing people and giving them a chance to
ask questions. At some point we encountered a very hostile man who was not
happy to see us, he said that elephants were very troublesome animals and
needed to be killed to tame and he was not apologetic about it. I was so
shocked that someone would have the guts to utter such disturbing words in
public. We did not lose hope, we continued with our mission around Nanyuki
town. At around two O’clock, we walked towards Olpejeta Conservancy home to a
number of elephants and rhinos. We were able to talk to different schools in
that area as well as reach out to thousands through the Public Address System.
After the day’s activities, Community Warden Madam Njeri hosted us to her house
for the evening.
Jim is flag off by First lady Mrs Irungu of Laikipia county for 21 days walk.
2nd July, Day two.
I woke up at 6am.From my bedroom I
could hear madam Njeri busy in the Kitchen preparing breakfast for my team and
I. By 8am we were ready and set to leave to start the day’s activities. We
drove to KWS Nanyuki station for a brief meeting with Mr. Chepkwony the senior
warden. After the meeting I led my team to Nakumatt -Nanyuki for one on one
interaction with the shoppers telling them about the ivory belongs to elephants
campaign as well as educating them on the New Wildlife act. It was an amazing
experience for all of us. But at some point I approached a man and explained to
him about the elephant poaching situation in Kenya and the world, he could not
let me finish he said with a lot of conviction that he will continue killing
elephants because they are causing a lot of damage to their crops in the
village and nothing is done about it. What really shocked me is when he
mentioned that he works in the office of the president. I was scared too.
Anyway, after the interaction session we drove towards Lewa Conservancy that
also has quite a number of elephants, this region also has human settlements
and some of them are either poachers or help in poaching. We made stop over’s
at shopping centres such as Ngare-Ndare centre and addressed the residents. We
were headed to Borana Lodge where we had been invited for dinner as well as
accommodation for the night. We arrived at the lodge just after dark, freshened
up and had an opportunity to talk to the visitors in the lodge.
3rd
July Day Three
We left Borana lodge very early in
the morning, the management had instructed the staff members to prepare us
breakfast by 6’Oclock.So by 6.30 we had left the lodge for Nanyuki which was
likely to take us at least one and a half hours. We were at the flag off point
(Equator) at exactly 9am, schools, different organisations like the Kenya
Wildlife Service, Kenya Police, Administration Police, local government
officials and the Mount Kenya Trust waiting patiently. The Deputy County
Commissioner for Kyeni East Mr Daniel Nyakundi flagged us off and we started
the day’s walk. As usual the school children were reciting some good poems and
singing songs about elephants, something I really love to hear. In about 30
minutes we were at a CCM Primary School where I had been invited to speak to
the parents and the students of this school. After my speech, I planted a tree
at the tree compound and issued some books and certificates to the school. As
we were leaving the school, journalists from the Standard Media Group interviewed
me and as I came to learn later, our story was on air by lunchtime that day.
The walk that day was quite interesting, I had so many senior officers who had
left their busy work schedules to be part of this great initiative, I felt
really encouraged. Mount Kenya Trust through their Programme Officer Mr.
Maurice Nyaligu bought some water for the walkers. I am truly thankful. We
stopped at various shopping centres talking to the people. We could also pick
schools at different points on the way that could walk with us for some
distance and then go back to school. We finished the walk at around 4pm that
day. My team and I went to Bantu Mountain Lodge where we were to spend the
night. At 6pm we all left the lodge for an evening video show at the same shopping
centre where we finished the walk.
Jim talking to Solio Communities.
4th
July, Day Four
After a restful night at the Bantu
Lodge and some really good breakfast, my team set up our escort vehicle given
to us by KWS ready for the day’s activities. We had planned to attend community
meetings in Solio with people leaving next to the Solio Conservancy. As we were
planning the walk, we had requested the chiefs in these areas to inform people
of this meeting. The meeting was at a health centre in one of the villages in
Solio. The Government after being displaced from their initial homes during the
2007 election violence gave the people living here land. They mainly survive on
subsistence farming. The meeting began at about 10 O’clock. There were so many
people in attendance some villagers had travelled for more five kilometres. The
KWS Community Warden Mr Njeru joined me. The challenge facing these people was
troublesome wild animals from the conservancy that destroy their little crops
that they depend on for survival. They were very angry some saying that the
government had dumped them in this dry and unbearable area and then forgot
about them. With the help of Mr.Njeru and other government official we were
able to reassure these residents as well as teach them about the New Wildlife
Act that also involves compensation in case your crops are destroyed by certain
animals. The most important lesson we taught them was how to live in harmony
with wildlife. After learning about compensation, there was one lady who told
us that her husband was bitten by a snake and was lying at home, immediately
after the meeting we passed through her home and Mr Njeru gave them the
procedure to follow for compensation and we later left to the lodge to relax
and prepare for the next day.
5th
July, Day Five
Waking up to the sight of the
beautiful Mt. Kenya is such an amazing thing; Bantu Mountain Lodge is at the
foot of the Mountain hence providing a better view. We had breakfast at 7.30am
and then prepared to live the lodge; we had a complimentary for a two-night
stay and did not want to live. I have developed a culture of awarding hoteliers
who host us with a certificate of appreciation for being part of the campaign.
We left the lodge at 8.30am to Narumoru where we were to start the walk. Mr
Njeru of KWS, Narumoru OCS Mr George Odongo and local chiefs from the area
joined me. Mr George Odongo flagged us off at exactly 9am and we walked towards
Chaka town. As usual we had various schools joining us. As we walk; we have
someone in our escort vehicle talking to people within the areas where we are
passing explaining who we are and what we are doing. That is either Peter Gitau
or Ken Mwenda and sometimes I talk as I walk. We arrived in Chaka at around
three O’clock by this time we had reached out to so many people along the way.
I was shocked to see ladies dressed in traditional dancing attires standing on
the road. As I approached them they pulled me into the crowd and started
singing songs of praise as they walked towards the open field where the last
meeting of the day would be held. I did not expect such a reception...I am not
complaining though it felt really good ;-) So as these ladies sang they caught
the attention of so many residents who followed us to the meeting point. It was
such a good experience for a moment I felt like the Biblical King
David...hahaha. After people had settled, I was given a chance to speak to the
people of Chaka. The Deputy County Commissioner of Kyeni East Mr. Daniel
Nyakundi was there too. I came to learn later that this group of women sold the
illegal local brew. They are now reformed and have various indigenous trees
that they nurture and sell to sustain themselves. Better than what their former
business don’t you think? After the incredible day, we went to a hotel in Chaka
where we would put up.
Jim in the church in Mt Kenya
6th
July, Day Six.
Sunday mornings during walks are
my favourite, I always feel relaxed and enthusiastic. We all woke up a bit
late; we had church service to attend at 11am so we knew we had quite some time
to relax. We had quite an unusual breakfast that day, as they say when you go
to Rome do as the Romans do, we had Fries and Pork for breakfast... hehehe The
first church service was at Our lady of Consolata Catholic Church Sagana, we
were joined by Member of County Assembly Ruguru area Mr Karere talked to the
congregation as well as introduced my team. After the wonderful service we left
for another brief church service and later attended a meeting in the same
locality where we were expecting the First Lady of Nyeri town Mrs Margaret
Nderitu. We had a good time at this community meeting; people asked a lot of
questions and promised to take care of wildlife as well as the environment.
After the meeting, Mr Karere offered to take my team and I for lunch as we had
a lot more to discuss concerning the walk.
7th
July, Day Seven
Monday Morning, I was quite
excited about this day, one of the reasons being it was a new week and I was
visiting Mt. Kenya Academy, one of my favourite schools. Mr Simon Gitau KWS
Senior Warden Mt. Kenya National Park and other government officials joined me.
We walked from Kiganjo where we paid a courtesy visit to the Kiganjo Police
training College meeting my old KWS colleague the Training Commandant and then
walked towards Mt.Kenya Academy. Lillian Mugo (Communications) was in constant
communication with the school so by the time we were walking into their school
compound they had already come to the school gate ready to receive us. The most
unique thing about this school is the reception they always giver me, they have
a well-organised school band that walked with me from their gate to the
Administration block. In 2013 when I walked with H.E Mrs Margaret Kenyatta the
band was also present as we walked from their school towards Nyeri town. Mrs,
Mwangi the school Principal then took me to her office, I signed the visitor’s
book and later invited my team and I for a cup of tea and snacks. The students
and students were waiting outside ready to listen to what I had to tell them.
Two little children from the junior school recited a really nice poem dubbed
‘Tuwalinde Ndovu’ (Protect Our Elephants). After the brief meeting at the
school we walked to the Nyeri KWS office that is just next to the school. Mr
Njeru the Mt. Kenya KWS Community Warden was to hand us over to Madam Wanja
Community Warden Nyeri. We then left for Nyeri town. A few supermarkets there
had pledged to support the team with some water, milk and sweets for the school
children; we collected them and gave the management a certificate of
appreciation. Later that evening we attended a baraza at a place called Kagumo,
the main issue of discussion was troublesome and destructive velvet monkeys.
The residents of this area were looking for a permanent solution to this
problem.
8th
July, Day Eight
Flag off was at the KWS Nyeri
Station. The County Commissioner Nyeri
County Mr Ole Tialal flagged the walk at
around 10am.We had quite a large number
of people walking with us that day, apart from the various government officials
Mrs Petra Allermendiger and her lovely family walked with us that day. We like
to call Miss. Petra our Matriarch. Once again Mrs Mwangi of Mt. Kenya Academy
brought her students to walk with us as well as the band. We had more than 15
schools walking with us. As we approached Nyeri town Journalists from The
Standard Media Group interviewed me. The County Commissioner together with
other officials had organised for a meeting point in Nyeri town at Whispers
Park where the last meeting of the day would be held. As we walked in Nyeri
town, people would literally come from their houses and business areas to come
look us and know what was happening. At Whispers Park, we found more people and
school children waiting for us. We held a really big meeting so many people
took home the conservation message. At around three O’clock we finished the
meeting and left for Golden Gates Hotel where we would spend the night.
Jim is escorted by Nyeri Deputy county commissioner Mr Marete and his security team
9th
July, Day Nine
At 7.30am in the morning we had
breakfast and awarded the Golden Gates Hotel Management a Certificate of
appreciation. We left for the flag off point. Miss Tourism Nyeri County Ms
Rebecca joined us for the walk, which was an honor and a privilege to have her
that day. We were walking towards Mweiga Town from Nyeri. Madam Wanja of KWS
was also with us. The Kenya Police team had given us an escort vehicle as well
as a few police officers to control traffic as we walked on the busy road. As
usual schools joined us too. At two O’clock we had reached KWS Mweiga Station.
Madam Catherine Wambani KWS and Aberdare Park Senior warden received us together
with Mr Christian Lambretchs C.E.O Rhino Ark, a charitable organization that
took the responsibility of fencing The Aberdare National Park. We held a brief
meeting there and then proceeded to Mweiga town addressed the residents of this
town and finished off for the day. Madam Petra Allermendiger was hosting her
that day in her beautiful Ranch Sandai.
10th
July, Day 10
Petra’s ranch is amazing, I woke
up to the sound of birds chirping something you don’t experience everyday in
the city. After we were all ready we left our cottage to the main house where
Petra was already waiting for us. Her staff had made some really nice breakfast
for us. There was no much activity for this day, as we would have community
meetings in Mweiga and the interior regions. We visited two schools that had
been informed earlier of our coming. The head teachers in these schools had
sent word to the parents and the people living near the schools about this
particular meeting. In all the areas that we visited the issue that stood out as
usual was destructive wildlife. But for this people living just next to the
Aberdare National Park, this will cease to be a problem due to the electric
fence being put up by The Rhino Ark. We however addressed these problems and
let the people know how to reach the KWS in case of challenge concerning
wildlife.
11th
July, Day Eleven
This would be the last day at
Petra’s Ranch. We had been there for two nights and she still insisted on
having us even for a week. She was so good to us. It was not easy for my team
to say Kwaheri (GOODBYE.) to Petra and her lovely family. By 8.30 O’clock we
had left the ranch for Mweiga where the walk would start. Petra did not leave
with us in the morning but she promised to join us later. At 9am we were
flagged off from Muthaiga. It was raining at that time but the good thing we
had had quite some experience walking in the raining during the Mombasa Edition
so this was really nothing. After walking for around five Kilometres our
Matriarch Madam Petra joined us as she had promised. We had a group from Solio
Ranch who joined us and informed us that they had bought some refreshments for
the walkers and that we would pick them at the entrance of the Ranch. In about
2 hours we were at the Solio Ranch entrance .We were received by Madam Ava
Parton the Ranch Manager together with a team from Keringet Water Suppliers who
gave us drinking water too. We really thank these two groups for the great
support they gave us that day. The water was more than enough for the team and
the schools that we walked with that day. We finished the walk at Nairutia
town.
Jim is joined by his former KWS Research Scientist James Mathenge
12th
July, Day Twelve
We walked towards Ndaragwa. After
a few days of walking in Nyeri County, we were slowly approaching our last
County, the wonderful Nyandarua County. Apart from the government officials
that had joined us we also had a team from Rhino Watch Safaris who dedicated
the whole day to walk with us. As we walked, my friend and former colleague at
KWS joined the team and brought some water and energy drinks for us. It is
indeed a good thing to have friends who believe in your vision and support it.
It was an honor! We finished the walk at a small town called Wiyumiririe and
went to Rhino Watch Safaris where Madam Miriam Kinge the Hotel Manager was
hosting us for two days!
13th
July, Day Thirteen
Sunday Morning. We had been
walking for 13 days now so you can imagine the fatigue the dirty laundry and a
lot of blisters to treat. We agreed that we could take the day off and rest, do
laundry and treat all the wounds. Mariam and her family were very cordial to
us. As I took a nap, my team engaged in relaxing activities such as cycling and
walking around the beautiful facility. In the afternoon we had a thanksgiving
gathering with all the Rhino Watch Staff. Some members decided to serve Miriam
staff with drinks to show how grateful we were for the warm welcome ‘giving
back’ I call it. We had a good time of bonding and talking conservation. At 5
O’clock we left to another hotel near our starting point for the next day.
14th
July, Day Fourteen,
It was now official that this was
the day I would exit Nyeri County and enter Nyandarua County. Leaders from
Nyeri walked with us for a few Kilometres to the Nyeri-Nyandarua boarder. At
the boarder Leaders from Nyandarua were waiting and we had a successful hand
over. Mr Gathungu KWS Senior warden Nyahururu Station took over from Madam
Wanja. We walked towards Ndaragwa, then Nyahururu town and visited a few
schools along the way. We finished the walk at around 4pm that day.
Jim talks with pupils in Ndaragua
15th
July, Day Fifteen.
We spent the night at Comfort
Hotel Inn Nyahururu; we left the place at 8.30am towards the starting point. We
were flagged off by 9am by Wellington Gathungu KWS Senior Warden and was joined by KFS Forester who also walked
with me .
Wildlife Clubs of Kenya Nakuru
walked with us that day and a group of Boda Boda Operators decided to ride
alongside us that day; it was very colorful and caught the attention of many
motorists. We visited so many schools and walked with them as well. We finished
the day’s walk at five in the evening. And went back to Nyahururu to rest for
the night.
16th
July, Day Sixteen
I woke up early that day, took my
team for breakfast in Nyahururu town and we later headed to Maili Saba for a
community meeting in a school, before reaching the meeting point, we happened
to bump into our good old friends from KWS who were travelling on the same
route headed to a funeral this included David ole Kones now in Mwea as a Senior
Warden. It was such a good reunion. For the better part of the day we had
meetings in schools in shopping centers led by Ms Virginia Wahome community
Liason Officer of Laikipia Wildlife Forum. At some point we encountered a child
who had been injured by an elephant as he walked from school. We spoke to his
head teacher about compensation and also left some funds for his medical bill.
The meetings in this region were very successful but we encountered a lot of
problems with most members of the community as they kept complaining that
elephants were destroying their crops and houses in search of fertilizer. With
the help of Mr. Gathungu of KWS, we were able to tackle all this challenges and
the community ways of keeping the elephants away from their farms and homes.
Later in that evening we walked round Nyahururu town talking to the residents.
Jim and his team preparing the camp in Shamata Aberdare Forest
17th
July, Day Seventeen
On this day we had a special guest
in our team. Florence Ruhi Miss Tourism Nyandarua County she was going to be
with us for the remaining days. It was great having her in the team as we were
walking in her county. After breakfast that morning, we left for KWS Nyahururu
Station for a meeting with the Senior Warden Mr Gathungu. We also had
journalists from different Media Houses who interviewed me about the experience
of the walk so far. At three O’clock after the meeting, we drove to Shamata
where we were to set camp for the night at the KWS Station. It was the first
time to camp on this edition and this time in the forest, I had missed this you
could tell! I went to collect firewood and guess what a herd of buffaloes were
foraging in a thick forest, I was able to smell them since they had wallowed in
the mud, I signaled my team and we retreated and searched for firewood in
different section and this time with a KWS ranger.
Jim walks with pupils and KWS officer in Nyandarua
18th
July, Day Eighteen
Shamata
area is a very cold region; we woke up at six in the morning, and my team
prepared breakfast, as we got ready to put down our tents ready for the day’s
walk. The walk was flagged off at Shamata town and we walked towards Wanjohi
Town. It was during the Ramadan Period and I remember walking with a Muslim KWS
officer who was fasting. This Officer walked with us from Shamata town to
Wanjohi a distance of around 30Km that was quite encouraging! The road from
Shamata to Wanjohi was not tarmacked and full of rough terrains. Never the less
we made it through; it was not a simple journey. We reached Wanjohi at 4
O’clock. Wanjohi town is a beautiful town surrounded by the amazing Aberdare
ranges; I liked calling it the town at the foot of the mountain. We held our
last meeting there and went up the mountain at the Rhino Ark Base to set camp
for the night. This is the place to go I tell you, a good scenic view of
Ol-borosat and the entire Nyandarua .
19th July, Day Nineteen
Waking up
to the sight of the Aberdare Mountains felt really great. From where we set
Camp we could clearly the mountains. We left camp at 8.45am; we were to be
flagged off at a town near Wanjohi. We had KWS Warden Mr Chebet and other officers
from the Administration joining us that day. As we walked we stopped at
different points to address the residents. The main challenge in this region
was that some people would destroy the fence put up by the Rhino Ark organization
to make way for the cattle to graze in the forest as well as way to enter the
forest illegally for logging. Due to these illegal activities wild animals
would also find a way to get into their farms and destroy their crops. At 3
O’clock, we held a very big meeting at Engineer town, the presence of two
police vehicles with sirens, people walking on foot; many uniformed men
attracted quite a huge number of people who were eager to listen to what we had
to say. After the meeting went to Ndunyu Njeru KWS Camp to rest for the night.
Hon Florence Miss Tourism 2013 Nyandarua address crowd
20th
July, Day Twenty
Sunday Morning. We still had a lot
of area to cover and time was running out. We did not make it to church that
day. After saying our morning prayer as a team, we drove to Engineer Town where
we would start the walk. Mr Onyango and Mr.Chebet Senior KWS Wardens also
joined us. We had an escort car from The Kenya Police. We were walking to
Njabini town and surrounding areas. As usual we held various meetings at
different shopping centre. The last meeting was at Kwa Haraka Shopping Centre
at 4.30pm, where I would even meet my old high school and my teacher after many
years. We were to set camp at Njabini KWS Station but the officers were kind
enough to give us nice and warm rooms to put up. They said it would get cold at
night and camping was really not a good idea. It actually rained that night so
they were right.
Jim walks with his colleague Ken Mwenda
21st
July, Day Twenty one
Last day of the great
Laikipia-Nyeri-Nyandarua Walk. We woke up earlier than usual; we had to be on
schedule as we were expecting some guests later in the day during the closing
ceremony. From Njabini we drove to Kwa Haraka where we had left of the previous
day. We were flagged off at 9 am. We were to finish at the Nairobi-Njabini
Junction and hold a brief closing meeting. We had invited a few dignitaries
from KWS, Nyandarua County Government as well as friends and family. Along the
way we received a very important guest. Mr. Muzaffar Khan our great friend and
supporter. Despite his age he walked with us for quite some distance and went
back to his car, he was with us the whole time. A great honor it was indeed!!At
two O’clock, we were at the finishing point where our guests were already
waiting to receive us. It was a great moment for all of us. For a moment I felt
like David Rudisha after finishing a race. It was a great honor to see Mr. Paul
Gathitu KWS Spokesperson and other government officials. The meeting was brief
as we were really exhausted. Looking forward to Murang’a walk.
Jim walking with OCPD and Nyandarua Miss Tourism Hon Florence 
For more photos please visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElephantNeighborsCenter?ref=bookmarks and Jim Justus Nyamu
No comments:
Post a Comment