Running to the polling station…. I should have walked

Running to the polling station…. I should have walked

If there is a time that I have ever enjoyed a voting experience, then that time was today.  The main reason being that I decided not to lose any sleep over the elections this year.  Literally, did not lose any sleep.  I have always gone to the polling station by six in the morning in all the previous elections that I have participated in… and they have been many, since the 90s.  Unfortunately, I have always left past eleven, despite reporting at the wee hours.  

This time it was different.  I slept through my morning, despite the loud vuvuzela noises that had started around four.  By five they had gone too loud that sleep was almost impossible, but I still did sleep.  I did not care about the morning rush.  I almost did not care whether I voted or not.  Voting has caused me so much discomfort on those long queues.  Shouldn’t voting be enjoyable?

It finally become enjoyable when I strolled to the polling station at the primary school next to Uthiru roundabout at two-ten in the light of day.  I had actually just gone to this centre to gauge the numbers, with a view of even coming back at a later time.  My initial plan was to vote at around five in the evening, when they are just about to close the station.  I was even ready to be thrown out in case they decided to, in case they deemed me to have been time barred.

However, my observation at that afternoon time at 2.10pm was that the polling centre at the primary school grounds was deserted!  This was strange!  I expected a chaotic ground with lots of people confused, moving around and unsure.  I have even experienced stampedes or two during such.  But this was not to be.  The polling centre was to have 12 stations.  The classrooms were well marked with the labels for ‘Polling station no. 1’, sequentially, all the way to the ‘station no. 12’.  I had already confirmed my details on SMS confirmation by sending my national ID number and DOB to short code 70000.  A message had confirmed that I was registered at this station, and I was on polling station no. 1.

With the grounds this empty, and hardly any queue at any of the classroom entrances that marked the polling station entries, then I surely could still just cast the ballot now, than at five.  I therefore joined the queue of twenty-five other voters that was next to the very first classroom on the train of classrooms.  This was actually the longest queue at the centre.  I could observe that the second classroom door had about five people on queue.  Class three had no one on queue.  The subsequent classrooms had less than ten people queuing.

Twenty-five people ahead was manageable on this sunny day.  I enjoyed the warmth of the sun as I moved slowly towards the entrance of that station no. 1.  I had my earphones on, but was also listening to the chatter going on around.

“Hi ni laini ya letter gani?,” someone behind the person behind me asked.

“Hata sijui, nafikiri ni ‘A’ na ‘B’,” she told the guy.

Of course, that was not true, nor was there an official to guide on who-should-go-where.  The truth was that each polling station had the fully mix of names from A to Z, somehow randomly distributed from the total pool of over 7,000 voter names.  I was letter ‘W’ and on station no. 1 for crying out loud!

Anyway, I got into that station no. 1 at 2.40pm, hardly thirty-minutes since I got to the polling centre.  Five or so other voters were ahead at various stages of the voting process.  I presented my national ID card, then presented my left hand thumb to be scanned onto the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kit, a tablet computer that should read the fingerprint and display your details.  These KIEMS kits were already a full debate since morning while I was still asleep and half-listening to the news.  The kits had failed in several stations within the country, with some polling stations reporting almost full failure of all kits.  The numbers were small, but the effects were massive.  

Imagine locking down a whole primary school of 12 stations due to failure of the 12 gadgets assigned to that centre!  Such events had already led to delays in voting in these stations, with some voters even leaving due to apathy.  The officials called it ‘minor and insignificant’, but as a voter, who has queued for hours in past elections and even witnessed people collapse due to long waits, I can tell you that being kept waiting cannot be just brushed off as ‘minor’.

In my case the kit did read my fingerprint and did display my details.  I had to recall when I took that youngish passport photo when they kits were being introduced about six years ago.  This confirmation then enabled me to move to the positions of the next three officials who provided me with six different ballot papers for the different electoral positions of the day.  

The presidential ballot was white, the rest was a mix of colours.  The presidential ballot had only four rows, for the four candidates.  The rest of the positions were long ballot papers with many names!  The worst affected was the member of country assembly (MCA) position that in my view had more than twenty faces – none of which I knew.  The women rep ballot was equally busy, same to that of the senator, governor, and member of parliament.

I was very familiar with the four faces, actually eight, since the presidential candidates were photo’d along with their running mates.  That was the only easy choice of the six ballots.  The other five were a real struggle, going through the many rows of names and pictures and party symbols... then making a choice.

I finally dropped my choices onto the different colour-coded covers of the clear see-through ballot box.  Six drops of ballots to those six boxes on the table at the middle of the classroom marked the end of this big vote.  I got the fingernail of my left pinky marked with indelible ink and then the national ID was handed back.  I had finally voted, in a vote whose campaigns had started in 2017, just after the last election had been done and the presidential results nullified and redone.  It had been a long 5-year of electioneering.  We have seen things in that period.  We had seen friends becomes foes and foes become friends.  We have seen names called and name-calling done.  I was just glad that it was over.

I was out of the polling station no. 1 at exactly 2.45pm and out of the primary school polling centre a minute later.  It was however not all joy through the republic.  Those who had the KIEMS frustration had their delays, but the big story was the cancellation of county gubernatorial elections for Mombasa (641,913 voters) and Kakamega (844,551 voters).  These close to 1.4M voters would only be given 5 ballot papers, since the governors ballot would be missing.  MP elections in Nakuru Rongai had also been postponed due to ballot paper misprints.  

These cancelled electoral positions would now have to be voted for on August 23, two weeks from today.  Was the voter turnout just low, or were voters waiting for five o’clock as I was initially?  My estimation was just 50% turnout, based on the queues that I was seeing!  That would mean 22M registered voters would only show up to the 11M mark.  What is going on here?

I am just glad that I did not queue for so long this time round.  I was however cognizant that some places in Kenya were experiencing long queues due to failed kits.  So, when the election officials say that “200 failed kits out of 46,229 is not significant”, then I just wish that they could spend a full day on the queue and know that it is significant when you are affected by a delay due to a failed kit.

WWB, the Coach, Nairobi, Kenya, August 9, 2022

Running…. until you are broke

Running…. until you are broke

“Are you happy?”

My eyes had been on that sign since I left the city.  The sign was affixed on the top panel above the two large windshields of the Easy Coach bus.  I was seated on 4B, the fourth-row seat, isle side.  Below the sign was a telephone number after the word ‘SMS’.  

I assumed that it was a ‘happiness’ number.  There seemed to be no ‘sadness’ number.  I had no happiness to report.  I had an ‘otherwise’ to report.  The fare had been hiked from the usual 1250/= to 1350/= despite my booking a month in advance.  The bus that was to leave the city at 8.30am was leaving at 11.00am.  

The closest we got to an apology was a megaphone announcement that, “Basi letu leo anachelewa sababu ya mbua.  Lakini yeye anakuja tu.  Apana choka.”

Why should our plans be disrupted by the rains that we have no control over?  The very rains that have been forecast over time, including that it would be raining over this weekend culminating into this Tuesday, the December 24?  What surprise was there that it was raining?  This is what we expected!

“Excuses!,” I found myself murmuring even as that announcement was repeated.  

The morning rains had flooded the bus station.  The additional showers around nine did not help matters.  The station was filthy.  Dirty!  Muddy!  Slippery!  An eyesore.  Unpaved.  Dirty, with specs of rubbish seen on the various water puddles, which dominated the available spaces.  

Every step around the station, as one walked around upto the boarding time, subjected us to a forced walk through the muddy filth.

“We deserve better!,” I cried out loud as I got into the bus with shoes full of mud.

The journey would thereafter be smooth, though slow due to the jam-packed roads.  We generally faced a queue of vehicles from Nairobi to Nakuru.  But I am assuming so, since I only witnessed the traffic jam from city centre towards Westlands, and was completely knocked out by the consistent persuasion of sleep from the warmth in the bus, made worse by the slow soothing vibrations of the movement.  I found myself in Nakuru at three.

“Four hours to Nakuru is a joke!,” I yawned as I disembarked at the Nakuru petrol station where the coaches stopover for a thirty-minute break.  Another three and a half hours of travel would bring me to Eldoret for my first stop of the journey.

Early morning

A taxi carried me through the short five-minute journey to Eldoret bus stage.  I immediately got into the 7-seater matatu as the fourth passenger at about five-ten.  I paid a fare of five hundred for the short 140-kilometer journey.  The vehicle would leave Eldoret stage immediately thereafter with three seats still empty. 

“No way!,” I made a mental observation.

But I would be vindicated as the matatu would make three stops along the way to pick up three passengers.  One near Eldoret airport, one at Mosoriot and a final person at Kapsabet.

The early morning travel was smooth, on roads that were virtually free of traffic.  But this would not last forever.  We soon got to the worst road in Kenya, the Kakamega road just near Migosi junction as you get to Kisumu town.  The road has been ‘destroyed’ for construction with no alternative road for vehicles!  Vehicles have to find their own way through the half kilometer of total chaos of no road and no rules!

“We deserve better,” I do another cry out loud as the matatu bumps us up and down so violently that I feel the pain with every hit onto the seat.  I alight at Kisumu stage just past seven.

I was heading to my rural home.  From Eldoret I had three options to get home.  Go to Bungoma, then Mumias, then Butere, then Manyulia my local market.  After that, a four-kilometer walk would get me home to Diriko village.  That route would mean a change of three vehicles, all unreliable in terms of availability and timeliness.  

The second option would be to travel first to Kakamega, then Butere, then Manyulia.  This alternative would also suffer the same uncertainty as the first option, probably worse due to relatively low number of travelers on the route.  And… and these matatus ‘insist’ on being full to capacity before departing from the station.  You can wait a whole day for the 14-seater to get fourteen passengers.  

The third option was what I was taking on this Friday morning.  Get to Kisumu, which is quite a busy route from Eldy, then use the Busia road from Kisumu, another busy road.  Alight at the local market of Dudi, walk the five kilometers and you are home!  I was soon home after paying another 250/= from Kisumu.

“Robbers!,” I lament over the fare for this 50km distance.

Now I had landed at the locality.  I was at the hood – and the hood does not come cheap!

“Brother!,” someone draws my attention from across the road, as I alight and cross the tarmac to get to the market side of the road, ready for my walk home.

“Eh!, Hi there yourself!?,” I respond, trying to figure out this relative.

“I must take you home.  I am happy that you have brought skuku,” he zooms his bike to my direction, where I have now already crossed the road.  

He has just beaten another three or so bike people, who were drawing my attention.

“But I intended to walk!,” I think of saying that to him.  I find myself being polite instead, “Eh!, Ok.  Lets go!”

It hardly takes ten minutes on the motorbike to traverse the five kilometers.

“How much?”

“Brother!  You have brought skuku.  Just pay me anything!”

Now, how do you pay someone whom you have brought ‘skuku’ to?  The normal fare, which is already too inflated in my view, for the 5k distance, is one hundred shillings.  Now you see why I had wanted to just walk this short forty-five-minute walk?  As I see the greenery and admire the good scenery?

I end up paying two hundred shillings.

I am seated under the mango tree, my favourite spot in the homestead, savouring the refreshing air on the very tranquil environment.  The place is so green, that this is the only colour that you see all the way to the horizon.  Civilization has hardly hit.  No tall structures.  No big houses.  No big roads.  No vehicular traffic – just an occasional disturbance of the stillness by the sound of a motorbike, which is still few and far between.

“My dad has come!,” I hear an exclamation coming from the direction of the main gate to the compound.  The homestead is generally on the upper part of a hilly terrain.  I am able to observe, and be observed, by anyone coming from the lower side of the compound, while seated at the shade of the mango tree.

The person gets to the mango tree.  We exchange greetings.  He pulls a seat and we are soon in conversation.  I know him from childhood.  He is a distant relation.  Our association must be in the great-great-great grandfather level.

“Now dad, I have to leave,” he finally declares after ten minutes or so.

“That soon?.  Ok, I am just around.  See you soon.”

“Yes, but, dad, I need skuku.  You just know how home is.  I am happy that you have brought skuku.”

I part with a red.

“You mean my brother is here!”

We are both interrupted by this call that comes from behind the main house, in a compound that has nine houses.  Someone has accessed the compound from the fence behind the main house that faces directly towards the main gate.  He has just managed to see what has just happened.

“My brother!,” he shouts animatedly upon his approach.  

I am still seated, while ‘my son’ is standing, bank note in hand ready to depart.

“Oh, brother!  You cannot leave me without skuku!  Thank God you came.  Just ka fegi tu is all I need.”

I end up with another one hundred gone, as the two leave me and walk together down towards the gate.  They are on top of the world.  Father and son walk off.  My brother and his son walk off.  They are of course not related in the nuclear setting – maybe six generations is what you need to dig through before you can connect.

I have soon had enough rest and decide to check out the neighbourhood.  I do not walk more than five minutes before I meet a random person on the road.

“Fadhe you know me!?  Karibu nyumbani!  Eh, fadhe, good to see you at shags.”

I am still processing this stranger.  I cannot place him.

“Of course, my nephew!,” I extend a hand.  I have no recollection.  I cannot force memory.

We stop in the middle of the deserted footpath.

“Fadhe, uwezi niacha hivo.  Ka skuku hivi.  Ka mozo tu!”

I part with one hundred as we say our goodbyes.

I am back home one hour later.  I ask the young ones to get me some sugarcane.  This is the fun part of being in the hood – the natural delicacies.  The young ones have not even had a chance to start their walk towards the gate, when they are stopped on their tracks.

“Uncle, did you say you want sugarcane?  Why did you not just say so?”

I am taken aback.  I see the new person who has just emerged from the next compound having crossed over the fence.

We exchange greetings.  He soon arranges for some two sticks of sugarcane that are delivered in record time, just from the next compound.

“Uncle,” he starts, as I break a piece from the long stave with my knee and start on my chewing, “Aki Uncle, thank God you came.  Sasa skuku ni aje!”

I appreciate the sugarcane and his efforts with two hundred shillings.

I sleep exhausted.

I am woken up at four when the exposed roof iron sheets start being hit by the rains.  It starts with single drumming that are far between, then intensifies as the drops hit the iron.  It is a complete drumming from the roof in less than five minutes.  The drumming gets louder as the rain intensifies.  Soon it is so loud from the roof that there is nothing to do but get back to sleep through the noise.  The noise is soon in the background of the sleep and I enjoy the last moments of sleep and wake up when the rain subsides at eight on this Saturday morning.

I get out of the house to find my uncle waiting.  I do not expect him to be seeing me, if anything, I should be visiting him.

“My nephew!”

“Oh! Uncle!,” I say while rubbing the morning sleep from the rainy night.

“I just had to see you when I was told you are around.  I have not seen you for a year!”

“Not intentional, just many things have been happening.”

“Have you really been in Kenya this year?”

How did he know?

“I have,” I economize the truth, and change the subject.

It is not long before he begs to leave.  I offer to escort him.  His place is less than three kilometres away.  We keep chatting.  He soon offers nuggets of reality.

“You still remember that I am your uncle, right?”

“Right, of course,” I respond in truth.  I used to pass by my grandmother’s place almost daily during my primary school days, many years ago.  Her homestead was located on my way from school.  That woman loved me to the core.  She had lost her daughter when I was still eight.  She told me that I was the closest thing to her daughter and that she wanted to keep her memory.  Fond memories passed through, but I was back to the moment.

“If my sister had killed my mother at childbirth, then I could not have been born.  You know that, right?”

“I know,” I respond as we keep walking.

“And you know that you remind me my sister, who left you while you were still young, right?”

“Sure uncle,” I say as we keep walking.

What is this turning into?  Twenty-one questions?

“So never forget me, even at this skuku time!”

I find myself handing over a wad of notes.

Being a Saturday, there is nothing much to do as most of the folks are gone to church and normalcy would return past one when church ends.  I seat in my house listening to the iron-sheets make that clang sound as they expanded slowly with the burning sun.  The clang would go on for over an hour as the iron adjusts to its new size.  The sound is just magical.  This clang would be repeated in the evening when the sun goes down and the sheets have to contract back to their restful size.

I was observing the big gaping hole on the wall of one of the inner rooms.  This hole was caused by those damn termites.  The same nitwits whose mound I had just cleared the previous evening and had by now, one day later, created a similar big mound just overnight!  

It is not long before my neighbor from next compound joins me in the house to discuss this particular termite predicament.

“Imagine the termites have rebuilt!  Hata kama ndio bidii kama ya mchwa!,” I show him the fresh mound that is covering almost half of the hole on the wall.  This hole was created by the same wretched termites in the first place.  The very termites that ate through that very wall, with successive attempts to remove them resulting into the wall being cut through.

“Ah, hizo!  Usijali, we already killed the queen.  These are just the remnant soldiers trying to re-establish a colony, but they are useless,” he examines the insects at work, then continues, “Kesho nitamwaga dawa ukitoka.  The dawa is so pungent.  You cannot stay around when I pour in the mixture.”

“You killed the queen?”

“Of course!  We found the source to be somewhere in the farm and dug it out,” he pointed to the adjacent farmland, just past the house, “It sure was the queen.  Even Ken, your nephew, actually fried it and ate it!”

We would chat about this and that and he would finally take his leave.

“For that additional dawa, you shall part with some one-thao.  That should do it.  Alafu siunajua tu ni skuku!”

On Sunday I was at Dudi stage, hardly with any fare to get me back to Nairobi.  I would have to call someone to ‘beg’ for fare back!  I had just participated in one of the most expensive runs in the year!

WWB, the Coach, 30-Dec-2019

Marathon calendar for 2018 - updated 10-Aug-2018

Marathon calendar for 2018

Run	Date	Details
1.Kilimanjaro marathon - Moshi, Tanzania	March 3 Saturday - (DONE)	42k, 21k, 10k This is a big one and I have been dreaming to participating someday.  Logistics aside, it looks like a good one and colleagues of mine who have participated confess as much.  Now in its 16th edition, this marathon has held steady over the years and I believe it is getting better with time.  I read that they have a limit of registrations to 500, 5250 and 5000 for the three run categories respectively.  The results are out and Kenya took all the top 10 places in men and women runs (42k and 21k), leaving only one no. 2 slot in the ladies’ race to the hosts.  However, East Africa is now one community and anyone in any member state is allowed to win. https://www.kilimanjaromarathon.com
2.First Lady’s Half Marathon - Nairobi (Nyayo stadium)	March (tentative 10th Saturday)- (CANCELLED)	21km, 10km, 5km This was an initiative of the Kenyan first lady to champion for medical facilities to assist women and children especially to support safe delivery.  The programme under the ‘Beyond Zero’ campaign that aimed at establishing a centre/clinic in each of the 47 counties in Kenya.  It was held for 4 years before the political storm of 2017 that affected many other marathons did not stare it either.  With heated political debates at the national arena, the organizers had no choice but to cancel the 4th edition 2017 event (which I had already registered for).  The 2018 event has not been mentioned, though it is usually held early March.  It is safe to assume it shall not be held this year either.  Could it be the end of this once great run?  The third major one in the city, after Nairobi International and Sotokoto?  The marathon event no longer features on the website, though it used to. https://www.beyondzero.or.ke/
3.Run for the bibleless - Nairobi (Uhuru Gardens)	March 10 Saturday - (DONE)	10km, 4km run/walk for charity This event celebrates its 11th anniversary this year, with 4km and 10km runs/walk in the card, to accommodate all who support the cause, from the very young to the elderly.  It is worthy of your support and participation.  Being non-competitive, it gives you time to run/walk in a relaxed environment, without the pressures that come with a competitive run https://btlkenya.org/index.php/rftb
4.Rift Valley marathon - Mosoriot (Eldoret)	March 17 Saturday - (DONE)	42k, 21k, 10k Mosoriot is located 30km from Eldoret and this marathon is another one held at the home of champions.  It was not well publicized, despite the main sponsor in 2018 being Kwese free sports, a leader in sports broadcasting in Kenya.  Being in the 6th edition, they can surely do better.  There is no follow-up information on whether it was held or not.  What we can see is a KShs.1.9M sponsorship cheque, and a photo op for the sponsors.  Their website is informative about accommodation option, which resolves one hinderance when planning for marathons out of your home town https://riftvalleymarathon.com/
5.Mater Heart Run – Nairobi (where it all began)	May 26th Saturday - (DONE)	10k walk/run for charity Usually held at Nyayo stadium but venue may change to Uhuru park due to ongoing renovations at the stadium.  The website does not give the count of the number of runs that the event has held since when.  However, from reading and interpretation, the Cardiac Programme at Mater started in 1995, with the run being the main fund raising event.  That would mean that this is the oldest run in Kenya now on its 24th edition in 2018. Now the run in held in 8 other towns on the same day (Mombasa, Machakos, Mumias, Kisumu, Nyeri, Meru, Nakuru and Eldoret) http://materheartrun.com/
6.Kericho international marathon - Kericho	May (tentative, 12th Saturday) - STATUS UNKNOWN	42k, 21k, 10k The marathon should be doing its 10th edition.  However, the only information available is from a 2014 article, "Following embarrassing confusion last year where some athletes covered 52km instead of the standard 42.195km, the organizers of the fifth Kericho Tea Board of Kenya International Marathon have been put on notice..." (*CapitalFM, 2014).  Their FB page was last updated in 2013 when they were advertising this May 4th run that resulted into that half-century milestone.  I am not sure if they even held the May 10th event in 2014 since there is so little information about this marathon, which is another one in the home of champions. https://www.facebook.com/events/372602532857770/ *CapitalFM (2014). "Kericho marathon put on notice". Retrieved 19-Mar-2018 from https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/2014/04/04/kericho-marathon-put-on-notice/
7.Mt. Kilimanjaro marathon - Moshi, Tanzania	June 24 Sunday STATUS UNKNOWN	42k, 21k, 10k I wonder why two marathons should be held in the same town, with names that are almost similar.  I had to really search around to differentiate the Kilimanjaro marathon and the Kilimanjaro marathon Mt.  The marathon is a 4 loop event on a 10.5km course, starting at Moshi country club.  They state that they are doing this event for the 28th year - isn't that a record!  The details of route, accommodation etc. are a bit sketchy, but a 12-day package that includes the marathon and mountain climb costs $5,300 or one can forego the climb and pay $3,400. http://www.mtkilimanjaromarathon.com/
8.Lewa marathon - Lewa (Conservancy - closer to Isiolo than Nanyuki)	June 30 Saturday (DONE)	42k, 21k The 18th edition of the run features both the full- and half-marathon events.  This run observes strict registration deadlines and runner limits... and to prove the point, the have already closed registration for the full and half marathons for 2018!  They have a well laid out website that is fully informative.  For now, 'entry for the children's 5km race and spectators are still open' according to the site.  I like the '...and spectators' registration. https://www.safaricom.co.ke/safaricommarathon/
9.Sotokoto marathon – Nairobi (Uhuru Garden)	July (confirmed for 1st July, Sunday) *DONE: Changed to a shorter 10k and held at Muguga	21k, 10k, 5k This is one of those erratic runs in the city.  Their main challenge is lack of a solid sponsor.  They have relied on sponsorship from Japan but this seems not to have been guaranteed.  They have not been able to do the run annually, with last year being another skipped year though they it was held their 6th edition in 2016, which I attended.  Before then, their last run was in 2013.  With no website and a stale FB page, then there seems to be rough times ahead for this beautiful event  https://www.facebook.com/sotokotomarathon/ http://www.sotokotomarathon.co.ke/
10.Mwea classic marathon - Mwea (Mwea Seconday School)	July (tentative 21st Saturday) STATUS UNKNOWN	21k, 10k, 5k They are doing Mwea-9 this year.  That is quite encouraging, from humble beginnings to almost the 10th anniversary.  Keep going Mwea marathon.  I have heard of this marathon in the same period, hence their publicity is improving.  They could learn something from Ndakaini marathon if they want some competition from the veterans in the city, but maybe they want to keep the competition local? http://mweaclassicmarathon.co.ke/
11.Menengai Geothermal marathon - Nakuru	August (tentative 18th Saturday)	21k, 10k The last time I heard about this marathon was in 2014.  I doubt if there has been any other marathon since.  They do not have an online presence, apart from an FB page that was last updated in 2014, when they held their 3rd edition.  It seemingly has quite beautiful scenery and was one of the marathons on my wish list.  That wish may just remain that, a wish. https://www.facebook.com/menengai.marathon
12.Ndakaini marathon - Ndakaini, (Gatanga, 45km from Thika)	September (tentative 8th Saturday)	21k, 10k, 5k This has also been quite a consistent marathon and I can attest to its growth over time, in terms of organization, logistics and number of participants.  It started in 2004 and shall be on Ndakaini-15 this year, which is quite something.  The organizers recognized the importance of participants from the city since inception, and have been providing transport from and back to Nairobi for those who want to get to the venue.  This has helped a great deal.  It is traditionally held on the 2nd Saturday of September, apart from last year when it was moved to the last Saturday forcing me to miss out since I was free for the second but not last Saturday.  They should know that we also run on tight schedules and postponing is not a good option! http://uapndakaini.uap-group.com/
13.Kass marathon - Eldoret (Town centre)	September (tentative 18th Sunday)	42k, 21k, 10k This marathon was gaining reputation as the big thing in North rift and had consistently managed to hold the event with a 10th year anniversary in 2016... then they failed to hold the event last year.  We hope that their stoppage was temporary and that they shall be hosting us this November for yet another run with the champions.  I am keen to participate in this run this year.  They better not let me down http://www.kassmarathon.com/
14.Mombasa marathon - Mombasa	September (tentative 30th Sunday)	42k, 21k, 10k, 5k I cannot believe that this event celebrated its 34th edition in 2017! (though Wikipedia states that last year's was 33rd).  It would mean that it is twice older than Nairobi marathon, just when I thought Nairobi marathon was king of marathons!!  I can only imagine the 'heat' that this marathon faces!  Running at sea level in high humidity and high temperatures.  I want to pertain of this, though it shall compete with Ndakaini marathon which is on the same month - but two is better than 1.  Unfortunately, they do not have an online site that is upto date.  Their FB page was last updated Jan. 2016, seriously!) https://www.facebook.com/MombasaInternationMarathon/
15.Madoka  half marathon - Ngerenyi, Taita Taveta	October (tentative 27th Saturday)	21k, 10k, 8k, 6k, 4k, 2k The first worry would be how to get there.  It is not one of the most accessible places and hence you must plan your travel well and find your way to the venue at least a day before the run.  Then... just enjoy the beautiful mountain terrain of Taita taveta.  It seems hot, but there is only one way to find out.  It also boasts of having the largest number of run events on the cards.  The various events are meant to encourage participation by all age groups from the under 12s to senior citizens.  The inaugural run was held in 2005, hence this year's event should be the 14th edition, if they have been consistent, which I doubt.  This is another event to spoil you for choice in October.  For those who do not know, 'Ngerenyi' (location of the run) is associates with a famous musician who had sent her fiancée, Stella, to Japan for further education, only for him to be surprised on May 17 when she came back with another guy (and a baby just to make the story complete).  That is a fully loaded story for another day, and one that I want to get to the bottom of, once I get to Ngerenyi probably this year.  To get to Ngerenyi, find your way to Voi first, then Mwatate, then Wundanyi then look around.... http://madokamarathon.or.ke/
16.Nairobi International Marathon – Nairobi (Nyayo Stadium)	October 28 Sunday	42k, 21k, 10k, 5k This has been held the last Sunday in October since inception in 2003, apart from last year when it was postponed to the last Sunday in November due to the prolonged national elections.  This is the biggest run in Kenya at the moment.  It is also the only run that has been consistent in dishing out medals and finishers certificates ever since.  You cannot imagine missing out.  While my count convinces me that this would the 16th edition, the organizers claim it is the 15th.  That would mean that they either did not do a run in 2003 or there is one year when the run was not held in this period.  Calculate for yourself. http://www.nairobimarathon.com/
17.Kakamega Forest Ingo Marathon – Kakamega (Shinyalu/Mukumu)	November (tentative 25th Sunday)	42k, 21k, 10k This is the only marathon where start and finish points are miles apart.  That means that you need to carry your luggage if you intend to run, finish and leave).  The inaugural run was held in 2015 and I doubt if they held their 2017 event.  I hope that they shall be back this year.  And, ‘ingo’ means ‘home’.  Taking the opportunity to listen to Jacob Luseno, a famous crooner from Kakamega marvel at the wonders of ‘ingo’ urging all to ‘khutsi ingo’ (let us go to our rural areas)… and this time round, for this run. http://ingomarathon.or.ke/
18.Kisumu marathon - Kisumu city	December (tentative 16th Sunday)	42k, 21k, 10k The 11th edition was run last year. I wonder if they have been consistent in the period since this is an on/off marathon that I have heard in the past few years.  I wish that they can firm up its place as a permanent event in December.  The marathon has a unique place as the only one in December and the only one at a major lake side town.  It and Kakamega marathon are the only two in the whole western region.  It also is the only other 'hot' run, apart from Mombasa marathon.  It should do better in terms of online presence and publicity.  Let them do both and I shall be with them on 16th. *no website reference available

And... can you believe that Athletics Kenya, the custodian and our authoritative source of information on all athletics events has a 509-error on their website?  For the non-savvy, 509 internet access error is for 'site non-accessible since the site has reached the bandwidth limit' in layperson language, the site cannot transfer any more data until they either increase their limit or wait for the next period with new bandwidth allocation.  Surely!!  AK cannot afford data to give us, their follows, information!!

http://www.athleticskenya.or.ke/events-calendar/

(*shows 509 error, Accessed 19-Mar-2018)

The run menu is so elaborate that runners are spoilt for choice this time round.  Just pick any three, one for charity and another two competitive ones for the adrenaline and you are good in 2018.

Barack Wamkaya Wanjawa, Nairobi, Kenya, June 19, 2018