The Bewildering Opposites of Machakos

It was Monday morning, Mr Wanjohi the English teacher had the students’ rapt attention as they recited proverbs.  

Mr. Wanjohi, fondly referred to as Mwalimu by his students, started out by saying the first line of the proverb, and the class would complete them. 

“What goes up?” Mwalimu Wanjohi asked.

“Comes back down!” The students responded in unison.

“Mwalimu, then how come in Machakos there is a hilly place where water flows up when poured on the ground?” Mutindi asked.

 “Good question Mutindi, I will answer it with a story.” Mwalimu Wanjohi said.

“Long ago when there were no cars, buses, or planes, two men fell in love with the same beautiful woman. These men were brothers, Kyallo and Mwillu. None of them would give up their pursuit of the beautiful woman and sadly they became enemies. They decided to live away from each other and used a river to separate them. The lady liked them both and visited each brother on a different day. Many years passed and the brothers died without making amends. The grudge between them has stayed alive and that is why not only does water flow upwards, but anything on that hill will roll upwards.” He narrated.

“Everything goes up and not down?” Muema asked

“Yes, anything that’s cylindrical.” Mr. Wanjohi answered.

Just as he finished explaining the bell rang.  As the children went out to play, they continued chattering about Machakos.

“My grandparents live in Machakos, we always go visit them during the December holidays,” Mutua said.

“Is everything about the river of opposites true?” Muema asked.

“Yes. Another opposite is this hill called KyaMwilu. Water pools at the top of the  hill instead of below when it rains.” Muta said.

“What about Mount Kilimambogo and Ol Donyo Sabuk?” Chemutai asked, wondering if they were like the hill.

“No, they act normal. Mount Kilimambogo is another name for Ol Donyo Sabuk. It’s also called  Kii Kya Mbo and Kia Njahi.” Mutua said. 

“Why does one Mountain have so many names?” Muema asked.

“The name changes depending on where you look at it from. “ Muta replied.

Muema laughed and suggested different names for himself depending on where he was, Muema if he was in school and Mue if he was at home. He was such a jokester. 

“I only know of the Machakos people’s park. I went there last week with my family to watch a rugby game,” Chemutai chimed in. 

On and on the friends went swapping stories about Machakos county.