A meeting with the Governor

“Look at this man” said Moses, as he pulled the steering wheel of the Toyota Probox (our current preferred – only – mode of transport around Kisumu), “he has all of the material for a house!”

I looked up, to see a motorbike winding its way up the Kakamega road, pieces of wood strapped across its back. 

Sideways.

Any further to the left and he would have run a great scythe through the ambling pedestrian marketgoers, heading towards Mbale with their baskets empty, ready to stock up on fruit and vegetables, marram grass for the cows and all manner of interesting new and second-hand wares.

Any further right and he would have been sent spinning by the matatus that ply this route between Kisumu and the towns of  Kakamega and Eldoret to the north.

Moses carefully steered us around the precarious load and we continued on our way.

We were heading to Kakamega, to meet up with Collins, one of our students and a former street boy from the fellowship at the rubbish dump at Kachok.

Collins is now at university in Kakamega. More specifically, he is at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (though I was told I was allowed to call is “Mmust” (pronounced “Moost”), since that is what everyone shortens it too).

We had headed north from Kisumu this morning, climbing out of the lake basin on a beautiful new road, built by Chinese contractors to connect Kisumu with the northern towns of Kakamega, Kitale and on, very much further, through the Turkana lands by the Jade Sea to South Sudan. It is part of a major government effort to connect the key towns and routes in Kenya with improved transport links. I have to say, that it is hugely welcome.

I have travelled these roads for many years and it has never been so easy or so smooth. Though there is work left to do, particularly in the small towns on route, where widening has affected the kiosks and businesses that line the roadside, the rural upgrade is largely complete. As a result, motorbikes carrying ridiculous and improbable loads no longer have them shaken loose and distributed dangerously across the highway. Oh no. Now the motorbikes can get up to speeds of 40 or 50 mph and shake the loads off on their own!

We arrived, unshaken, in Kakamega town at 12:30 – exactly as we had agreed. We called Collins, who now lives off-campus, and he joined us the requisite 20 minutes later.

It was a joy to see him.

Collins is a bright bundle of energy and enthusiasm. He began his university life almost four years ago now, unsure what to make of the environment and finding his feet. He is now in his final year of an education degree, majoring in Biochemistry. He hopes to go on to become a teacher. Or a researcher at one of the many laboratories in Western Kenya. Or a lab technician.

The truth is, a degree from a good university (Collins is hoping for a 2:1) will open doors for him into a job and a career, whether in teaching or research or whatever. It is just brilliant that he has the choice. 

I wrote of Daniel yesterday and Collins life has followed a similar path, from the dump at Kachok, through Kisumu Boys to university. 

Education has opened up a world of possibilities for someone who could see no future.

We walked through the university grounds, past the new science block and the library when a group of three young men approached us. “Hey Governor”, they said to Collins, “how are you?”

“I’m fine” he replied, shaking their hands warmly.

“These are my friends” he said, turning to Moses and I, before introducing us to them. We shook hands (the traditional greeting in Kenya).

“You called him Governor?” said Moses

“Yes”, they replied, “he is a good speaker and debater, he will make it”.

In Kenya, governors run the districts – “they are the CEO’s” Moses told me – “they have the power to make people’s lives better”.

There are elections in August this year, presidential, senate, governor and local assemblies will all be changed. Collins has attended a number of political meetings and debates. He is bright, intelligent and engaged, with a desire to improve the life of his community.

I felt very proud.

We headed back to Kisumu, down the Chinese highway, with its speeding matatus and unbalanced motorcycles.

“Another one”, said Moses, as we headed downhill, pulling the steering wheel again, this time to avoid a bike laden with Marram grass, just purchased at the market, intended for cattle feed on a smallholding not big enough to support grazing.

“People need proper transport and delivery services” Moses said.

“Perhaps one day”, I thought, “there will be a Governor who could organise that”.