Here in Kenya, the word “Harambee” is a unique word for a concept that applies more and more as we get older. It means, “Let Us All Pull Together” and is used to get a community to fund-raise or combine efforts in some project which will help those less fortunate in society. The word was first coined by the late Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first President, and “Harambees” all over the country have helped with a variety of projects, including building schools, roads, clinics and so much more.
It has been used recently, all over the country, to get us all to pull together and help our fellow Kenyans whose lives have been effected by the devastating floods. These floods have affected so many parts of Kenya both rural and in the towns, and a devastating landslide caused by flooding, happening in the middle of the night, brought tragedy to an entire village.
Over the years, many many people have wondered why we had a bridge which appeared to be perched so ridiculously high above the river. This apparently excessive height resulted from the powerful warnings of a certain Mr. Mzee Kipees, an elderly Masai who worked in the original construction of The Emakoko. Many of our visitors well remember him walking around the site in his Shuka, gum boots and cowboy hat – he was the coolest of the cool. Sadly, he is no longer of this world and passed away some years ago from a sudden illness. He had warned us right from the beginning that our bridge was too low. We put the foundations of the pillars in at 20 feet and 10 feet (this one was on bedrock) and we continued building upwards. I recall when the bridge was finally complete standing in the middle, and asking him if he was satisfied with the height.
He turned around and pointed, without words, to a massive tree branch which was wedged into the fork of a huge Fig tree growing partially in the river. From where we were standing, it was the height of my head. He turned to me and announced that he had forgotten how high the river could come, so No, my bridge was not high enough!
Needless to say, having seen the branch which had been washed up – I could see with my own eyes, that the river had once come up 30 feet before. Thankfully though, Kipees assured me that it was back in 1994 and a one off………..!
The first year of operation, on May 4th 2012, the river came up, swallowed up our pool and came over the bridge – not quite the top of the handrails. I could not believe that nothing was damaged. This seemed to happen every year until 2015, after that time the water came up and the pool was surrounded – but it never came any higher. Despite the heavy rainfall over the years- our bridge and pool area remained unscathed. I put this down to the new expressway and bypasses around the city and the brilliant drainage that had been built – and from 2015 onward when the rains came, I slept peacefully believing there was no serious threat.
That was until Wednesday 24th of April, 2024. We were awoken by Elizaban just before 3am asking if I had parked my car in the parking lot or up the hill. Silly question really, as it was in the car park, or at least that is where I left it. It took seconds to realise, that the roaring sound was not heavy rain on our roof, but in fact the river – now crashing through the valley and our small, peaceful river had transformed into a raging muddy torrent whose power could be felt through the soles of your feet, and whose noise made all but shouted conversation inaudible.
The bridge was barely visible but it was still there. We could see not just my car, but another two on the other side – the water now in the car park and up to hub height. It was too dangerous to cross and we started to empty furniture out the mess area, every spare hand employed in hauling everything up the stairs. Of course, there was no power either as our power lines had been taken out by the river, so everyone was using what little torch light was left to carry things to higher ground.
And the river just kept coming, it rose feet in minutes and we could see now, all three of our precious cars – being gently moved around the parking lot as the water carried them. Thankfully the bushes were big enough to stop them floating away into the torrent, and once they got caught by the bushes they filled with water and that was enough to weigh them down and stop the river sweeping them away.
All our small furry Hyrax, Bush babies and genets had already cleared the area, but now insects of every size, shape and colour were all coming into the lodge looking for refuge. Much to Anthony’s delight – a few reptiles decided to use The Emakoko island as place to keep dry– he was walking around in the dark scooping them up – a beautiful House Snake, a grass snake and a couple of other snakes that were clearly unhappy about being woken up!
All of a sudden there was an almighty crash, loud even against the noise of the river. It sounded like a building or huge tree falling, and as we shone our torches across the bridge, we saw the planks and girder rise up and snap off the supports, and get carried off in the flood. That was it. Our bridge of 12 years was finally gone! The bridge had allowed thousands of people, and animals to cross into the lodge. During the rains, our feline friends would often be seen using the bridge to come into the mess area in the dead of night.
As the sun came up the waters stopped rising and we now had a raging river between us and our car park, the waters inches from going into he main area and Room 1.Our three cars were still there and Rihaz appeared on the other side of the river – still unable to get close as the car park was now a flowing river. For the next hour we all sat and watched and waited praying that the water would come down. By 7am, we could see that there was a water mark on room 1 of the high water level, now a clear indication that the water was receding. I cannot explain the relief we all felt – after hours it was wonderful to see the water finally coming down.
It took a couple more hours and as the flood waters receded the damage was shocking. Not only had the bridge gone but half the river bank no longer existed – some of the beautiful old trees that lined the river had been washed away and our lovely river had changed its course, leaving what looked like an angry scar in front of us.
It did not take long for the “Harambee” to kick in, and before we knew it on the other side of the river Rihaz appeared, now able to access the car park with a couple of amazing mechanics. It took them a few hours to empty the cars of water, tow them up the hills, change the oil and get all three cars driven out of the park. It was fitting though that one car, Anthony’s, had a rather large disagreeable cobra in it, when the poor mechanic opened the door not only did 2,000 litres of dirty river come flying out – but so did the angry reptile. Thankfully – the cobra and mechanic parted ways rapidly.
We had been re-building our swimming pool area and this of course was flooded completely – there was a whole new meaning to natural pool and infinity pool! We had a ‘dumper’ which was completely submerged. Amazingly that too was driven up the opposing hill and onto higher ground.
By the end of the day, we were able to accomplish quite a lot. Our electricity was back up and running, re-supplies had been brought in from the back road, three cars were taken to be cleaned out and double fixed and we had found our bridge Girder which the river had abandoned a little further down.
By the weekend we had a boat which we were using to get people and supplies / building materials across. The rain continued but the river never came up to that height again.
In other parts of the country many people, animals, homes, and vehicles were swept away despite our government giving stark warnings that people and livestock should move to higher ground. Dams burst and lives were lost. Nairobi became a swamp – some people stuck overnight as roads flooded and there was no way home after work. The KSPCA rescued many stray animals that lost their shelters and the Red Cross worked 24/7 to rescue people.
In all of this, millions of people, schools, communities came together and the “Harambee” began. Fund raisers were set up and donations of bedding / clothes / rain proofing and so much more were sent to people who had lost everything. Food was donated and our country pulled together to help the less fortunate.
Thanks to the efforts of the Emakoko team I am proud to report that two weeks after the events of that fateful night we reopened for business. Nothing can compensate for the tragedies of those who lost their lives and our hearts go out to them and the surviving families. We are eternally grateful for the safety of the Emakoko team and their families, and we are grateful that for once the heavy rains have ceased, and the sun is shining again.
Thank you to everyone who offered support and messages – it meant to much to us.
