MARY'S JOINT

 

The rain patters hard on the iron sheet roof. We cannot hear each other. But the feeling is soothing. The smell of large water drops hitting the dust produces an aroma of homeliness. The smell of rain fills the air. Ochi our driver comments that this daily rain is no longer as certain as it used to be in the past. Global Warming!

 

We have just finished a meeting with traders, hawkers, boda boda riders and their reps from the Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting was to discuss their interests in the upcoming market project in Kitale.

 

Martin the chairman of the chamber suggested we have lunch at Mary's Joint and we arrive together with the rain.

 

 

                                                    Mary's Joint (photo courtesy of others) 

 

My colleagues, Alan and Ochi promise a good meal. They have been here before. They order the only meal available; kienyeji chicken and ugali.

 

The rain patters away at the iron roof. I'm not complaining. I feel relaxed away from the madhouse that Nairobi is.

 

We talk about Kitale, maize, the rain and our project. 

 

They order soft drinks, I order mineral water. Its not mineral water, its bottled water.... Just abit cleaner than tap water and thus less likely to give you a running stomach. No one wants diarrhea 400km away from home!

 

After a short while, a pleasant bosom lady brings the food. Its hot and steaming. The chicken looks yummy, the ugali.... Well its been cooked by a Luhya so it must be good.

 

But wait a moment. Take that hand back ……. Mutanawa mikono? The Luhya beauty asks melodiously. Yes yes lazima tunawe. She comes with a karai and a plastic jug with steaming water. The karai has a small piece of bar soap … what were you expecting - you don’t get Lux these sides – well not in Mary’s Joint. But who cares – no one looks at the small piece of soap with much interest or investigation – all eyes are on the chicken and ugali …..

 

Karibuni mule! the melodious voice repeats. We didnt need to be invited, we were all hungry....

 

Invitation or no invitation - I dig in into the food. Its really tasty. Martin directed us well. I made a mental note to come back here often. A fleeting thought crossed my mind -  was the chicken slaughtered by a Muslim? I deleted the thought from my mind's screen..... It must have been a Muslim.