The West Pokot Escarpment

During physical education classes we train for the annual sports day with Mr. Maina. I am excited to be participating this year.  

My friend Nabila and I are practising for different categories. Nabila is in the sack race while I’m in the 400 meters race.  

“Wakesho, why do you have the numbers zero twenty-four taped on your t-shirt? Are there twenty-four people joining your race?” Nabila asks me. 

“This number does not represent the number of participants; it represents the West Pokot County assigned number.” I respond. 

“Yes, we should wear our number 24 proudly,” Mr Maina says over-hearing our conversation. 

“Why is that?” I ask.  

“It was here in our home county that Kenya had a turning point in the freedom struggle to gain our independence from the British colonialists,” Mr. Maina explains with exuberance. 

He continues to explain that our capital city Kapenguria was where the tide changed, and the world came together to support Kenya. Six freedom fighters Bildad Kagia, Kung’u Karumba, Jomo Kenyatta, Fred Kubai, Paul Ngei and Achieng’ Oneko were detained in Kapenguria, and the world came together to form a defence team to protect the freedom six. 

As Mr. Maina strikes one of the volleyballs that lands at our feet he adds, “Jomo Kenyatta, one of these six freedom fighters, then became the first President of the Republic of Kenya.” 

A small crowd starts to form around us as other students are starting to be curious about our discussion. 

“Do you know who these defence team members were?” Nabila asks another student, Mogere. 

“I only remember one because he was a Nigerian called Ho Davies. I also remember Kenyans being part of the team, but they were not native Africans if their names are anything to go by. Let’s ask Mr Maina.” Mogere responds, as he raises his hand to get Mr. Maina’s attention. 

“Hey Mr. Maina, why did the Kapenguria six have a defence team of various nationals?” Mogere asks. 

“Well, they believed that Kenya belonged to many and not a few, listen carefully as these names may not be easy to remember or even pronounce. Dennis Nowell Pritt who was British, Chaman Lall who was Indian and three Kenyans who were Fitz De Souza, Achroo Ram Kapila and Jaswant Singh.” Mr Maina explains. 

“After Kenya gained freedom, the detention centre was turned into a museum to mark history. Aside from the struggle for freedom, the museum also holds artefacts that tell us a lot about the Pokot way of life in the pre-colonial period,” Mr Maina says. 

“Is that all West Pokot is known for?” Nabila asks. 

“Well, we have the Turkwel Dam, which is the tallest dam in Kenya built in the eighties, it produces hydroelectric power that the whole country uses.” Mr Maina responds. 

“What does hydroelectric power mean?” I ask. 

“Oh, I know, it means to make electricity using water,” Mogere excitedly answers.  

“Correct! As long as we have water, we will make electric power, that’s why we call it a renewable resource. It doesn’t run out because it is generated naturally, and we help care for our environment,” Mr. Maina says. 

“Isn’t our county amazing?” Mr Maina asks. 

In unison we all whoop and shout in agreement.

“I want to add one more thing. Last weekend my family and I went hiking at the Sekker Escarpment on Mount Atelo. I was so proud of myself because it’s the fifth largest mountain in Kenya,” Nabila says.  

“Did you camp at the bandas at the Mtelo Viewpoint campsite?” I ask. 

“Yes, we did, and the view is breath taking, the lush green Cherang’any hills, Oh, you all have to go, describing it doesn’t even come close to seeing it,” Nabila responds with a look of awe. 

“Ok guys back to our physical education class, we need to practise, Tegla Loroupe can’t be the only internationally known long distance runner from West Pokot,” Mr. Maina says as we disperse from our impromptu class about our county. 

Oh yes, yet another thing that West Pokot number 24 is known for! Long distance races.  

Uuuuu we are so famous!