Page 75 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 1

ISSUE ONE | JULY/AUG

or so of them. (I cried to God for feature was Mt. Ololokwe in a guessed it ... we didn’t pick him.
help in Marsabit at the thought of granite landscape of unusual Safety first... we opted out and left
the return journey via the evil teeth giant rock sculptures that I believe him hoping he would get a matatu
of timau). I digressed. Apologies. God is enjoying carving, Ololokwe or other vehicle occasionally
The route was also a surprise stood out as a huge monolith plying the route.
because we both had never set welcoming us to this vast terrain
eyes on the leeward side of Mt. in Samburu. Known intimately by MAKE WAY FOR THE WINDS
Kenya. It was dry and dusty, dull the locals, inviting and mysterious If you do consider making this
colored and ... rather disappointing to the newcomer. The other trip, you must be on the alert for
to look at. I guess this is why it has features looked like long tall men, the crosswinds along this road
never been celebrated in picture as still others like giants laying down all the way up to Moyale. Please
it’s more glamorous snowcapped on their backs looking up to God... pay attention to the signs, keep
windward face. Surprised at the this Ololokwe is a like a bold your windows closed and watch
contrast, we drove on, took the left declaration of something grand to your speed. The first time we
hand turn towards Isiolo, where come. were struck by them, the chariot
we paused to refuel. No. It wasn’t The road was beautiful to drive on. actually rocked slightly. That’s
on our research list. God’s journey. Very few cars. The only annoyance how powerful they are. So don’t
God took over from the wisdom being the herds of goats and cows play. Other than that, this leg of the
of man. I forgot to mention, I that tended to stray too close to journey is pure joy to drive.
didn’t know where I was going, the edge of the road. You’re on Our journey took us past dry
but didn’t want to back down high alert. riverbeds such as the Serolevi
from a challenge. So I prayed Every 50 or so kilometers we met (which we explored on a later
and asked God to help me not to herds boys out with their cattle trip to the gates of Marsabit), we
lose his son in the wild. He came who kept running towards us while passed many such dry riverbeds
through. Along the way He gave pointing at empty plastic bottles en route, so much so that arriving
me directions like: “keep the sun and shouting. Eventually we in Marsabit town caught us off
on your right shoulder”, “turn here figured it out, they were asking for guard.
now!” it was awesome! water. We didn’t really have a lot on
We set off from Isiolo at about ten us and balancing the need to stay MARSABIT TOWN
am. Heading into vistas unknown. hydrated while on the road, we Marsabit is beautiful and cool and
It was when we got to Archers eventually stopped for somewhere green and it had rained just a few
Post that I started to recognise along the way and shared some days before so it was even wet.
names from my school text books. of what we had. Along with some The town is situated on Mt.
“Oh! Ewaso Nyiro river!” “Oh! The bread. They seemed accustomed Marsabit and is such a welcome
Samburu, Borana and Rendille!” to this so we figured that travellers oasis in a barren and dry
God bless my patient husband. who had gone before us had begun landscape.
We were both taken by how dry it this little custom. We got there at about 1 or 2pm.
was. There had been reports on the Exhausted in part because we had
news about the drought and cattle NO GUNS, PLEASE! barely slept the night before. We
dying... we saw their white bones Along the way we spotted a drove up and down looking for our
and skulls and rotting frames by Borana man asking for a lift, we hotel. Eventually we found it and
the side of the road. considered it for a few moments went and exhaled. Best instant
After Archers Post, probably the until we saw his AK47 draped shower I have ever had anywhere.
most exciting and recognizable casually on his arm. And then, you Ever.

LAKE PARADISE, MARSABIT

MARSABIT LODGE
WWW.MSINGIAFRIKAMAGAZINE.COM 75