Nanyuki town is North of Nairobi and North East of Naivasha. The scenery changed dramatically as we travelled firstly South, then East to pick up the best and fastest route North.
We travelled through rural towns, large agricultual areas with poly tunnels and field after field of banana, sugar cane and beans. Then busy towns with well dressed locals on their way to church, followed by small forested areas which gradually turned to small shambas with houses perched on the side of steep hills. These areas were lush and green intrupted by dryer areas where vendors sold chairs made from local materials with seat cushions made from traditional Masai material. As we climbed higher (I’m pretty sure my ears popped at some stage) the landscape changed to a dry arid high on a sun scorced plateau, I could see the tips of mountainous areas in the distance, but here there was nothing… just a train track running alongside the road and the occasional structure in the distance but these looked deserted. People must live though as a bodaboda station with a few touters was at the side of the road. As we approached Nanyuki small towns and increasing numbers of people appeared along the roadside. The garbage also started to increase with the chickens and goats picking through it for food.
Nanyuki is where Jay works at present for a construction/logistic company on the British Army base that was set up over 3 decades ago. Squadies complete their altitude training on Mount Kenya and it could be said they have not done much to enhance relationships between the UK and Kenyan locals if you believe the stories in the press and rumours of how children are ill treated by training military, and ‘working’ women are abused and the occasional murder. It is a fact that Nanyuki has the highest level of orphaned children in Kenya.
Speaking to the local hotel and bar proprietors and workers, the military base has indeed bought tourism and jobs to the area, however it has also bought the threat of terrorism from al shabab which has had a negative impact on the tourism trade.
I am not convinced this area is suitable for our future plan… but I have not seen all Nanyuki has to offer so will reserve my final judgement, after all such an important decision should not be rushed.
ElixirKenya 