Outstanding Kajiado

At the end of the school day, Wamalwa runs out of his class. He can’t wait to get to his mother and tell her about Kajiado County.

As always his mum is waiting for him at their usual spot and after hugging him she starts with the usual question, what did you learn today that you didn’t know yesterday? 

“Did you know that Ngong, Kitengela, and Ongata Rongai towns are all in Kajiado?” Wamalwa asks.

“That’s right, such big towns all in one county.  What else did you learn?” Mother asks.

“Olorgesailie is a pre-historic site that supports Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. It also has Mount Olorgesailie which was named for a Maa leader that used to convene meetings with his fellow elders on the mountain,” Wamalwa says, breathing heavily as they walk up the steep slope leading to their house.

Once at the top, he stops to catch his breath. His mother stops waiting on him. 

The sky was an array of different pink hues as the sun went down which they watch in awe. 

“Wow, now that is beautiful. This must be what Lake Magadi must look like. Our teacher says that this Kajiado lake is alkaline, giving it a pink hue.” Wamalwa tells his mother. 

“Oh, that’s quite unique!” Wamalwa’s mother says as she brushes off a strand of braid from her face.

“What does unique mean?” Wamalwa asks.

“Oh, it means different, or special.” His mother answers.

“Okay. Then I agree. Kajiado County, especially Lake Magadi, is special.” Wamalwa agrees.

Wamalwa continues to tell his mother about the Jaza train expeditions, a fun old-fashioned train that chugs through beautiful scenery. He suggests to his mother that they should go on his mid-term break and cleverly adds that the trip would help him remember his Kajiado county lessons. His mother laughs at this suggestion but doesn’t say no. 

They get home and his mother cuts a mango for his snack while he takes off his school uniform and prepares to do his homework.
“I really loved my class today. I thought Kajiado county was only known for nyama choma and hiking the Ngong Hills,” Wamalwa says, joining his mother in the kitchen.

After finishing his snack, his mother cleared the kitchen table and asked, “Now tell me a funny thing that happened in school today.”

“A new student joined us today, her name is Waithera. The teacher had her sit next to our class prefect whose name is Waithira! I can see lots of laughter in my future as the teachers confuse those two” Wamalwa says laughingly.

Wamalwa picks up his books and starts on his homework still laughing and saying the names over and over again pretending to be a confused teacher.