H E President Uhuru Kenyatta & Chris Kobia: An Unlikely Encounter

H E President Uhuru Kenyatta & Chris Kobia: An Unlikely Encounter

It was an odd hot, dusty afternoon that day in April 1988. The school holidays had started in earnest and the Safari Rally was around the corner. We were busy building our Rally Gum sticker collections and the Coca-Cola promo was in full gear with the crown-liners all over the place. Boys playing Bano and the girls playing Kati. That day, I was getting on with my favourite game of Chobo-Ng’oto, and with the designated safety-post like half a kilometre away, that was perfect recipe for action/drama. Nothing in the skies signalled my chance encounter with a future President of Kenya.

Suddenly, a white Subaru Leone appeared behind us, moving at snail-speed; with the driver seemingly trying to make out the numbers on the house doors. As it turned out, the vehicle stopped where I was, and the single occupant donning a NIKE sports jacket - emblazoned with the Kenya flag on the front-right, the All Africa Games '87 Logo on the left lapel, zipped up mid-chest, and an immaculate white T-shirt with the writings ‘ Ngengi ’88 ’, called out to me, “Habari yako kijana?!” “Mzuri sana,” I responded. With a wry smile on his face, he went on, “Natafuta nyumba ya Mama Winnie Muigai.” “ Mama Njuguna?” I asked. “Ndio. Mama Njuguna.” By this time, I had already figured out that this must be a Kenyatta.The Face. The Voice.. The Goatee... I just wasn't sure which one. Finally, Njuguna’s (or Njuguniss’ as we called him in the hood) tales of relations with the first family had been vindicated. It's important to mention at this point, that their house had more Jomo Kenyatta memorabilia than the Kenya National Archives; with the centre-piece being a fly-whisk that was rumuored to have been Hayati Mzee's very own swagger piece. Luckily, he was up-country, and it saved me the humiliation of eating humble-pie having made fun of all his claims to glory. “Nifuate.” I told him.

That must have been the most stupid move in my life. I should have hopped on into the car to show him the house, as we discuss our future exploits... But being barefoot and dusty up to my crotch, I reckon it was only proper to lead the way on foot. I picked the ball. It was my ball. And no Chobo-Ng’oto without the Founder. CEO. Proprietor. I looked back and he seemed to be giggling at my egocentric display. I did not care much. I’d gotten used to ridicule about that particular mannerism. Mama Njuguna’s house was about 100m away. So we made the trip. We arrived and I showed him where to park. He locked up the vehicle and I noticed the jacket had the print ‘KENYA’ across the back. Nice.

Francis Njuguna was my local nemesis and hardly a week would go by without us exchanging fisticuffs….“Mama Njuguna!" I called out "Eeeh! Ni nani huyo?" she answered, "Uko na mgeni!” I replied as we got to the landing at her doorstep. “Wewe Kiris wewe, mgeni ghani huyo unasema na jusi niriskia mrifurugana na Juguna? Wewe unajua nita…….” She came wiping her hands on a KANU lesso wrapped around her waist. The guest was a few steps behind me. Then, all hell broke loose. “Ohuuru! Wuuuuiii! Ohuuuru! Muuru wa Jomo! (Son of Jomo!)

"Alililililiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
Alililililiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
Alililililiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
Alililililiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
Alililililiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!”

Five ululations for the Kikuyu Boy Child. In this case not just any other boy; The Prince. Even the birds perched on the nearby trees flew away, just like in the movie, The Godfather. She did a brief celebratory jig while flapping her arms like a bird. High-fived with both hands, and gave the most hearty hug I ever saw in my life. She was a step above on the front foyer and smiled at me approvingly over his shoulder, and for the first time I noticed her last molar was missing. And with child-like innocence she sunk into his embrace to one side with her hands still wrapped around him.

“Asante Sana Kijana!”, Uhuru Kenyatta said. He ruffled my hair and gave me the thumbs-up sign. He made to remove his shoes and Mama almost got into a fit. “Ingira Tu Fafaa Witu. Ona Tigu Thambie!”(“Come on in my Father. We haven’t even cleaned the house!”)

(To Be Continued…..tomorrow)