They can later afford a laugh when they get used to navigating the city from one corner to the other and knowing every street, lane and avenue by name.
Cate Mukei sought to find out what was Churchill’s experience was like when he first stepped into Nairobi.
When did he come to the big city?
I came to Nairobi in 1990 with my uncle.
What did his uncle used to say about where he lived?
Before leaving Masaku, my uncle who by then was working for Mbuni Dry Cleaners in industrial area has spoken highly of his neighbourhood in Nairobi. He lived in Dandora but he spoke about it like like it was Lavington or Runda.
What happened after they arrived at Machakos Country bus?
Had never seen so many people in the same venue apart from the pastor Reinhard Bonnke crusades I watched on TV. I would bend whenever we passed near tall buildings.
They looked like they were going to fall on me.
What was his first meal in Nairobi?
At Luthuli we ate chips and sausage. I would be lying if I said that I had tasted suc sweet food before. What really shocked me was not even the taste of the food, but how everyone was eating in a hurry.
What shocked him the most?
Why were there no seats? What had happened to the stools? I wondered.
What impressed him the most?
I was impressed by the way people mixed tomato sauce with vinegar and chilli sauce. I had not used either before so I decided not to embarrass myself.
When did the moment of truth hit Churchill?
This happened when I discovered that after all my uncle did not live in the leafy suburbs.
We were bundled in one matatu to Dandora Phase Three. In fact, without exaggerating only the driver was able to breathe in that matatu since he sat alone and his window was open.
What was the experience like living in the city?
I went to my uncle’s house first before moving in with my aunt where I really suffered! This people served Ugali meant for one person in a plate and sliced iut to be shared by the hole family.
It was also so soft and two pieces were never enough. However, since everyone got satisfied after two pieces I also learnt how to pretend.
What amazed him about Nairobi’s lifestyle?
I was amazed by how little kids spoke English. They sounded like cartoons on TV. That was so intimidating since I was in college and could not speak in English.
What did he do to cover for his ‘inadequacies’?
I resorted to using sign language so that people could not realise that I could not maintain a conversation in English.
Churchill also says he could not understand how a man could stop a girl and hit on her. “Back at home we would chase girls to the river and if you managed to catch her, she ended up being your girlfriend. Period.
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