:: Stadiums: A new partnership is born
5 March 2007

So when I heard about this cocktail at the Sports centre in Kasarani, I had to be there. I really wasn't too sure what was going down here but I am always interested in what the Sports Stadia Management Board (SSMB) is up to. So me and some pals from Mango and Oakland Media's Bosire headed off to Kasarani for said cocktail. We were in Moses' moti which is a typical Nissan salon car. The only funny thing was when we were fuelling at Thika road. The fuel attendant guy was telling Moses to move his car closer to the pump for super. And Moses simply says to the guy, "eka diesel!" The shocked look on the dude's face was too much. A pal couldn’t imagine a diesel powered saloon car. Hallooo! Anyway off to Kasarani.

This man has beautiful children

We were in a part of the Kasarani complex they called the Stadion. This stadion was outdoors with a pool and a bar. The place was set up with bitings all over the place. Especially meaty ones. So much for the Friday lent meat fast. I’ll fast next Friday I figured as I dug in. Here I met Mumbi Keega who I haven’t seen in yonks and off course the question was what happened to my email updates (err... the dog ate my homework) and how its going. And there was Patrick Nagi who apparently works for Exclamation Marketing. Hmmm…. The dude is bright leaving the mess that is the KFF to get paid. And there were other Exclamation marketing fellows. I also met Sam Mwai who heads the SSMB and a few other pals.

The crowd wasn't too big at the early hour we checked in but pals eventually started arriving. There was a whole bunch of odieros at the event and I wasn't too clear what was happening. However, eventually all the invited guests were in the house. There was Joe Aketch Nairobi City Councillor. And an assistant minister in the minister of sports. And one of the KFF guys Dan Omino. And there was Gordon Oluoch the commissioner for sport. There was even Mukhisa Kituyi, Minister for trade and chair of a local flower party.

Our event started with Sam Mwai acting as master of ceremonies. As usual in all events he welcomed us then invited some dancers to entertain the guests. The dancers were Sarakasi dancers and they started by dancing some salsa, Latino dance that was quite enjoyable to watch. Especially for those of us who are challenged in the Latin dances. After their nice dance we started the official ceremony with several speakers going through what we were here about. To cut a long story short, we were here to welcome some fellows (that bunch of odieros finally made sense) who had gone to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to support charitable causes in Kenya. They had been funded by UN Habitat and the SSMB. It wasn’t just odieros that went up the mountain of course. There was a member of staff of the SSMB an amiable fellow called Kigen. And there was the only female climber a lady called Jackie who it has to be said was hard not to notice. She had braids with many colour like yellow, red, white etc. I spoke to her a bit little after this and I must say she is pretty cool in spite of her crazy hairstyle.

UN Habitat was also taking this opportunity to showcase a new partnership. Some background needed here. It was several months ago when I did this piece about the revolution that had hit the Kenyan stadia environment with the work of the SSMB. UN habitat had approached the SSMB and were planning with the Nairobi City Council (NCC) to improve on several grounds in various parts of the city. The idea was to improve the living conditions of Kenyans in the less developed part of the city that is Nairobi. This was the partnership that UN habitat was showcasing today.

Anyway, it was a cocktail so the booze was free and so eventually the people starting mellowing out after some time. I took my chance to say hi to the important guests. After all under normal circumstances, I would rarely get within earshot of some of them. I said hi to Mukhisa Kituyi and told him I am big fan (which I am). That man has the most beautiful children. I don't know about the boy but that girl will break several hearts when she grows up. Eunice tells me that the boy will do the same when he grows up too. I also said hi to Joe Aketch, councillor of the city of Nairobi. And KFF dude Dan Omino. By the way a thing I learnt talking to him is that KFF business is a matter of a big misunderstanding all round. Why can't we all just get along? Also spoke to Gordon Oluoch, commissioner for sports, who has climbed Mt. Kenya and is quite the energetic fellow. The next day I was watching him handing over the belt to Fatuma Zarika after she kicked some Bulgarian booty. And I was saying to myself, I was having pints with that dude jana. Hah!

I nearly forgot this. As we were heading to Kasarani, Bosire tells me that there is a bombshell that works for SSMB called Kui. So I asked him which off the bombshells there she was. He indicated to me a tall lean looker in a red top and black trousers. I immediately said hi to her and told her I was warned that there would be a very hot Kui at this event. She informed me that it probably wasn't her and I should keep looking. I searched all through the event. No such luck. Someone pulled me leg!

To the SSMB, NCC and UN Habitat, congrats on your new partnership. We are all so proud of you!

p.s. As we headed home we passed by a joint on Thika Road called Jambo something or other. The only reason I mention it here is this. If there is place that shows that indeed there is a husband crisis, Jambo on Thika road is it. Too many women. Too little men. I am not complaining here. Just an observation.

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