The Brave Divers of Baringo

Keino and his friends Karanja and Kimemia are at his home. They are looking through the latest swim newsletter from school. As Keino flips the newsletter to the next page, there’s a story on the Chebloch Gorge Divers and comments, “I wish I could be as good a swimmer as these divers.” 

Keino is part of the school’s swim team but unfortunately, he got into an accident while riding his bike and broke his arm and is now on a break from swim practice. 

“You are a good swimmer, Keino! You just had an accident.” Karanja encouraged him. 

Karanja continued with a question from Keino’s earlier statement, “Who are the Chebloch Gorge Divers?”

“They are untrained divers who jump from a 70 metre high cliff into the murky Kerio River waters without professional gear. They are also the unofficial search and rescue team in the area.”Keino replies.

“Whooaaa isn’t that dangerous? Karanja asks.

“It is, …a few have died but one of them was so good that he got enlisted into the Kenyan Navy” Keino responds.

“Keino, I hope you are not getting ideas of joining them, you could get hurt or even die” their friend Kimemia alarmed.

“No, I love living on the edge but not that close,” Keino laughingly says. 

The boys come to the end of the newsletter and the back cover has a beautiful picture of flamingos. Kimemia asks, “Is that Lake Bogoria?”

“Yes it looks like the pink sea with those flamingos” Karanja responds.

“Can you believe there are over one million flamingos that live there?” Karanja continues in awe.

“Magical Baringo County!” Keino says, punching the air with his hands. 

“The lake has hot water geysers too. It’s an amazing site to see, pink flamingos at the forefront and bubbling geysers in the background.” Kimemia added.

With the newsletter forgotten, the boys started talking about other Baringo hallmarks.

“Each town in the county has a story behind its name.” Keino began. 

He retrieved a book from his bag and read it out to his friends. 

Kabarnet was named after a missionary from the Africa Inland Mission.

Eldama Ravine is from the Maa word meaning narrow gorge.

Marigat is named after the narrow part of River Perkerra in Njemps.

Kabartonjo was previously referred to as Kameshen.

When he was done, he explained to his friends that he was curious about the county while he was home recuperating from his injuries. He read different books and jotted down some notes. Kimemia was impressed and asked to borrow Keino’s book to read the rest of the notes.

This had turned out to be a great afternoon for Keino, his best friends visiting with him as he rested from his injuries.