The Sights and Sounds of Bungoma

On this morning, Wafula woke up with a start. Was it his birthday already? He shone his torch at the calendar on his bedroom door, no, it was three days away.  

Wafula got out of bed and went about packing for his upcoming trip.  

He packed his bags with a few supplies and gifts for his aunt where he would spend the next few days. 

After a hearty breakfast, he bid farewell to his parents and started on his road trip. 

That evening after a long bumpy boda boda ride he arrived at his aunt’s house. 

“Welcome Wafula,” his aunt exclaimed, giving him a big hug.  

“Thanks auntie,” Wafula said as he handed her gifts of sugarcane, maize, and a live chicken. 

“Come sit and tell me how your trip was,” she invited. 

“I was surprised by the number of people on the road,” Wafula started. 

“Well, since Kibabii University opened we are officially a university town. Our population is dominated by the university,” she said laughingly. 

Wafula’s aunt untied the chicken to roam freely and joined her nephew who was standing at the door staring into the distance. 

“Is that Mount Elgon?” Wafula asked.  

“It is!” His aunt said, coming to admire the view with him. 

“OH WOW, what a picturesque view,” Wafula said in awe. 

“It really is, come sit down my dear, you know how I love to tell stories, I have a great one tonight,” she said, serving her nephew some dinner. 

Wafula joined her and as they ate dinner, they exchanged stories. 

His favourite story was about the Ababukusu people of Bungoma.  

The story goes that the Ababukusu people had a spiritual leader called Mukite wa Nameme, who led his people to fight the British that were trying to grab their land.  

The Chetambe Fort was where they hid and watched the advancing British soldiers readied themselves to fight them. 

Unfortunately, the British brutally killed 450 of the Ababukusu people who had far less superior weaponry to their opponents.  

In remembrance of these fallen soldiers Mukite wa Nameme, often went to Chetambe Fort to pay his respects. 

Wafula was so proud to be a member of the strong and courageous Ababukusu people.  

Soon it was time to retire to sleep, Wafula needed to rest up for the following day. 

The next morning, Wafula woke up to a grey sky.  

He silently hoped that it would not rain.  

Wafula’s plan was to bike to River Nzoia. A rainy day would ruin the plan.  

After a hearty breakfast Wafula was off. 

Wafula admired the hills and rock formations along the road as he rode. Bungoma County was full of life and character, from the stones to the green hills.  

After a few hours, Wafula arrived on the banks of River Nzoia. Just as he lay on his back to look at the sky. A fat drop of rain landed on his face.  

Plonk!  

Followed by a rumble of thunder. 

He quickly picked up the bike and cycled as fast as he could, and the rain started coming down even faster.  

Wafula finally arrived at the house, soaking wet and shivering.  

With his aunt fussing over him he was soon warm, he ate his dinner and off to have a cosy sleep he went. 

The next morning Wafula woke up excited. It was finally his birthday! 

On this third day, his grand trip was to the arts performance centre. He boarded a matatu and was off. 

At the centre there were lots of traditional dances being performed that were very entertaining.  

The one thing that caught his attention was a painting of Sauti Sol, the famous band. Some of the band’s dances are borrowed from the Bungoma traditional dances.  

 What a great end to his birthday road trip, soon he was back on a matatu on his way home, he couldn’t wait to see his family to tell them of his adventurous trip.