Hujambo! | Page 24 | Living and Working in Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya

There’s a New Doctor in Town

Move over, Nairobi-based traditional healers, there’s a new doctor in town! His name is Dr. Eturu and he’s come all the way from West Africa to heal all of Nairobi’s problems. I was walking down Rhapta Road to Westlands with Cassandra and Sammy today, and I cracked up when I saw this guy’s advertisement—specifically that he is from West Africa. It’s not uncommon to see “doctors” from Mombasa or Tanzania, but this was definitely a first.

From what I know about traditional healing, it’s all about where you come from. For some reason the Swahili people have a reputation for being more gifted healers than people from anywhere else in East Africa (except the Kamba people of Kenya, who are also known to have a strong link to the world of witchcraft). Now, I always knew Nigeria had a burgeoning film industry (“Nollywood”), but this is the first I’ve heard of their traditional healing prowess!

Kenya

Foul Play in Uthiru

I’ve been working at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Kenya for about a year and a half now. The institute is a fine place and all—big campus, green grass, fast Internet, smart people doing good science, lots to learn, etc—but it couldn’t be situated in a worse place (Uthiru). In the words of the security guard in my apartment complex: “Everyone in Uthiru is a thief” (he lives next door, in Kawangware).

Uthiru, just outside the Nairobi city limits, is just like any other small town in Kenya I suppose. Lots of people riding bikes, a roundabout with people playing music and dancing, a good fish and chips joint, etc. I ride in and out regularly during daylight hours with no problems. As the darkness approaches, however, the story changes. I don’t make a habit of leaving work late, but the atmosphere is much different as the evening moves on after about 7 pm. Unless you’re a criminal or a police officer, you probably don’t want to be in Uthiru after dark!

Kenya

The End of an Era

After three and a half years of personally hand washing my clothes in Kenya, I’ve finally broken down and bought a washing machine. I had always figured that washing my jeans, sheets, etc by hand was good for my character, but I’m freakin’ sick of it. When everything else in the world is going wrong, the last thing you want to do is come home and do laundry by hand!

I still have to sweep, mop, cook, etc, but this should take a load off. A lot of people just get a maid, but I could never wrap my mind around that concept—I can’t explain it, but I think I like the idea of cleaning up my own mess. Not to mention, it always shocks people when I tell them that I don’t have a “house help” (maid).