The Crying Stone of Kakamega

Hajra and her mother are on the balcony of their home. Mother is ironing a scout’s uniform while Hajra is polishing her shoes. Hajra just joined the scouts club and tomorrow she’ll attend her first meeting. She is ecstatic!

“Mum I am so excited to join the scouts, I think we are going camping soon,” Hajra says.

“That is a great experience, where will you go camping?” Mum asks.

“ I think Kakamega county,” she responds.

“Isn’t that too far?” mum asks in a worried tone.

“How long does it take to get Kakamega?” Hajra asks.

“By bus, it takes at least five hours.” mum responds.

“Oh, that’s not too far, it will be a fun bus ride with all my friends,”Hajra says as she hangs her uniform behind her door and gets ready for bed.

The next day, Hajra looks spectacular in her Scout uniform and she wears it proudly. Soon it’s time for the club meeting with Mrs Njeri, their scoutmaster.

Mrs. Njeri welcomes them and they start discussing their upcoming camping trip.

“This year our camping trip is to Kakamega,” Mrs. Njeri begins. 

The members give hoots and shouts of excitement.

“Ok settle down. What do you know about Kakamega?” Mrs. Njeri asks.

“There is a  crying stone called Ikhongo Murwe. People say that when it cries there will be a good harvest but when it dries the opposite will happen.” Kimutai says.

“To see the Wanga Kingdom, one of the most organized African empires in pre-colonial Kenya” Chemutai chimes in.

“How about we camp at the Kakamega National Forest? It’s the only tropical rainforest in Kenya,” Hajra says. She had done her research too.

“I am impressed,” Mrs. Njeri says with a smile. “ I love Kakamega, that’s where I went to University at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. I made lots of friends and had memorable experiences.” Mrs. Njeri continues.

“Tell us one,” Hajra says. 

Mrs. Njeri told them about a bullfighting game that she attended. At first, she was very scared that the bulls would break out of the fence and attack the crowd. 

“You know it was rumored that the bulls were given the local alcoholic drink busaa the night before the fight, so they tended to be very rough,” she said laughingly. 

“How did it go?” Kimutai asks curiously.

“It wasn’t as scary, it was actually fun and I loved guessing which bull I thought would win,” Mrs. Njeri responded.

“Now that is something I want to see,” Kimutai says.

Mrs. Njeri laughs at this, patting Kimutai’s head. 

“For those that can’t handle fierce-looking animals, we can go to the Isikhu Falls. It is very beautiful, the night sounds of water and birds are very calming. I went there a few times. Or the Buyangu hills to take some spectacular sunrise pictures,” Mrs. Njeri says.

“That’s my kind of style, selfies with the Sun,” Hajra says with a thumbs up.

The discussion of sites to visit comes to an end. The scouts continue planning their trip with “to-do lists” and budgets. 

Kakamega here come the scouts.