The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine April - June 2020

April – June 2020

The M u tha i g a Country Club M agazi n e

Front Cover Photo

by Tom Vandas Romeo & Juliet performed by Annabel Shaw and Joel Kioko.

Kenya Dance Centre (see Pages14 & 15)

page 10

C o nt en ts

page 3

page 1

Letter from the Chairman

page 2

Letter from the Secretary

page 3

Membership Matters

page 4

Balloting Report & Finance Report

page 5

Roving Eye

page 6

Events page 6

page 9

Bird Quiz

page 10

Sports Round-Up

page 12

Members’ Achievements

page 16

Opera & Ballet

page 17

Library Book Reviews

page 18

A Life in the Day of Kyle Ray

page 20

Hatches & Matches

page 7

page 7

page 22 Obituaries

The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine is published by MCC for Members

page 12

Editor Yoyo Volak Magazine Production Matthew Rudd, Lucy Muregi, Diana Waithaka, Eunice Mulwa, Yvonne Magambo. Vincent Ford, Martin Musyoka.

page 8

Contributors Stephen Mills, Julia Lawrence, Peter Usher, Edita Camm, Honourable Jooolia.

Design & Layout

by Shelleys the Printers. page 18

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Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

Printed

by Graphite Lounge.

page 20

www.mcc.co.ke

From the Chairman Greetings to you all.

Gosh, how things change quickly.

The world faces a health crisis and in its wake an unprecedented economic crisis. As I understand it we must try and contain the spread through isolating ourselves when advised to do so and socially distancing – a new phrase to us all - basically meaning don’t get too physically close to anyone else.

The pandemic has affected the Club, we have had to take steps to protect the health of our Members, staff and visitors and, from a financial perspective, usage has plummeted. The finances of the Club are able to sustain this sort of economic carnage for the immediate future but, as with all businesses, we must return to a state of normality sooner rather than later.

We would ask all Members, now more than ever, to please pay their Club bills promptly and, even if you are not using the Club at the moment, to pay the monthly subscriptions.

We recently bade farewell to Stewart Vetch, our Club Secretary from 2006-2012. It was a magnificent event held at the Club and beautifully organised by June Vetch with first class support from Club staff. Rest in Peace, Stewart.

You will have seen my recent e-shot announcement that, after an extensive local recruitment process Christian Vater has been appointed Club Secretary. We wish Christian and his team every success.

Now, Club life must go on so let me give you a sample of what has been happening and what events we have planned for the future. (Dates for events, and even the events themselves, are obviously provisional at the moment).

I hope many of you sampled the delicious fayre offered recently by the visiting Chef Rene Kertz from Luxembourg. We are hoping that another Michelin-rated Chef will be heading our way as soon as possible and we also hope to host guest Kenyan chefs, both resident in Kenya and from overseas, in the near future.

The Helen Grady Drama Academy went down very well with the children, so we will try and ensure that our children (and indeed Members generally) are never too far from a performing stage in the Club.

We recently held a TEDX talk in the Club, which was a great success; we plan to host more of those in the future, catering for all ages and interests.

We plan to hold the second edition of the MuthaigaFest on 19 June, the Secretariat will provide us all with more details in due course. I am told it will be bigger and better than last year!

Enjoy reading the newsletter, thank you to those who have put it together in such a professional way. Once again if you have an interesting story to tell please contact Yoyo Volak and please don’t be shy.

Finally, and of paramount importance, please ensure that you and your families, friends and staff take care over the coming months.

We are in trying times, to quote Nelson Mandela: ‘difficulties break some [people] but make others’, with the Muthaiga Country Club spirit imbued in each of us I have no doubt that this difficulty will ‘make’ us and ‘make’ our Club too.

We pray for the health of everyone in Kenya and for all Kenyan businesses and institutions.

My best wishes,

Philip Coulson, MCC Chairman www.mcc.co.ke

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

1

From the Secretary Dear Members Firstly, on behalf of our entire team at Muthaiga Country Club, I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe at this extraordinary time.

With Covid-19, we are experiencing an unprecedented global pandemic with heads of state around the world referring to it as the biggest crisis since World War II. However, when written in Chinese, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters, one meaning “danger”, the other one “opportunity”.

In this letter, I would like to focus on the opportunity around three dimensions: The past. The present. And the future.

The past After 180 days as Interim Secretary, I was thrilled to be confirmed as permanent Club Secretary. Thanks to your incredible support and the hard work of my wonderful team, we achieved one of the best 6-month financial performances in our Club’s history. With a Club usage being up across all sectors, a full schedule of wonderful events and strong room bookings for the remaining financial year, we were all excited and confident about continuing this positive trend.

However, at the end of March, the Committee and management decided to close the Club and send the majority of our team on leave, as a precautionary measure to ensure our number one priority - the safety and wellbeing of our Members, guests, staff and the entire MCC community.

The present I am extremely proud of the way that everyone here, from our security, housekeeping, gardening, maintenance and Front Office staff, to F&B, kitchen and entire admin team, has given their all at such a challenging time.

In line with our civic and moral duties and to support Government directives, most of our staff are now on leave and we are operating with a skeleton crew, to ensure the Club and its premises are kept safe, well maintained and ready for a smooth re-opening.

Of course, we will still remain committed to our Members and continue to be available for contact should you have any questions or concerns. You can reach us through Reservations: reservations@mcc.co.ke and Accounts: accounts@ mcc.co.ke

As sad as we all are about the Club’s closure for the first time in its 107-year history, this might just be a valuable opportunity for us as a community to look out for, connect and engage with each other, far beyond the Club’s beautiful grounds.

On behalf of the entire MCC team, we would love to stay in touch with you, hear from you and find out how we can potentially support you. Over the next couple of weeks, my team and I will actively start reaching out, particularly to those Members who we know are on their own, and had the Club as their preferred place to socialise.

Please contact us if we can assist you in any way - be it to help you with your errands, for a friendly chat over the phone, or to share your ideas and thoughts. Just email me on secretary@mcc.co.ke or even better, call me anytime on my mobile +254 -791-471133.

Please also note that – although MCC is best experienced in person - we are currently looking into alternative digital entertainment opportunities, such as talks, courses and classes.

To best meet your interests, please drop me an email detailing your choice of themes, issues, topics, people and skills, and also get in touch if you would be interested to give a talk, share your expertise, or entertain in some other way. The level of skills, knowledge and talent among our Membership is unrivalled and will most definitely be highly valued if we can all share it. We would also appreciate your ideas on how we, as MCC community, can engage and support people in need beyond our customer-friendly place in Kenya. We want Muthaiga C Membership.

away from home” so, trusting our Members must becom

To acknowledge the temporary closure, we have extended a 25% discount your subscriptions effective from 1st April 2020 for On the on Event front, we had record-breaking sell-out eve as long as the Club remains closed.

Yearly advance payers will be ever Stones, “The Hootenanny,” with their biggest show credited the discount to their account. to the best-attended talk ever by iconic anthropologist D

launched exciting Looking to the future new events and partnerships such as trendiest pop-up bar on“Athe continent Winston Churchill once said: pessimist sees thefeaturing difficulty inthe fines the Last-Thursday-of-the-Month series, Fishbowls@ everynew opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every by our awesome new Youth Committee, which kicked o difficulty.” and beautiful Members and their friends who came to d Let us in all the be optimists andmaking support each other. is to be.

3am morning MCC theMCC place extraordinarily diverse and powerful as a community that memorable And I would like to thank you all for the most has grown over 107 years, overcoming two World Wars andin charge Sunday 29 September 2019 - only 4 weeks numerous crises.

With our global Membership of 6,505 we experienced the most successful day in the history o all pulling turnover together, I am convinced theClub Club will not only with joy. highest ever and the brimming overcome this difficulty, but will come out better, and more to And we have only just started, there isstronger so much more beautiful than ever.

Many of you know that I love our Club and have been a Thank you again for your continued support.

Member for many years, so in closing I would like to ma my tenure I will doand in the best of youtoas our Mem Please stay safe, healthy positive andinterest we look forward Members always first. warmly welcoming you come back at the Club one day soon!

Yours always, Looking forward to seeing you at Muthaiga Country Clu

Yours always,

For all other matters don’t hesitate to contact me directly: secretary@mcc.co.ke In this context, I would like to thank you in advance for your patience as responding to your requests may take a little bit longer than usual.

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Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

Christian Vater Christian Vater, Club Secretary Club Secretary www.mcc.co.ke

MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP ATTE RTSE R S MM AT RECIPROCATING With the winding down of a communications committee, this page is devoted to being more CLUBS

winding down of a communications committee, thisof page is Ion devoted being of an opinion page, where prevailing moods and sentiments Members current Club It is, suppose, atosign of themore times that the Harare Club in Zimbabwe issues, expressed in comments and mails, are echoed.

As always, we want to know what’s on should haveon been written Club off in an earlier edition of this elegant ion page,your where prevailing moods and sentiments of Members current mind, and will always welcome your feedback.

I remember it fromon decades ago when it stood for pressed in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, magazine. we want to know what’s something which, at the time, seemed special. Muthaiga Club has by d, and will always welcome your feedback. contrast managed to maintain its standards and move with the times.

at We have Pinks been very privileged to host some special guests from reciprocal clubs recently. MCC Front Office and

Do we still reciprocate with Harare Club? Methinks we should not. OC [Ed: Thank you for the feedback. The relevant committee strongly encourages all Members to make full use of our reciprocal arrangements with other Clubs and urges Members kindly to send reports and pictures about their visits and stays.]

R E C E N T LY, A Team D E C ISIO WA S MA D E with TO O Emma Peel Housekeeping are Npictured here O F FDame E R B R Diana E AKFAST ON LY ATthe P I NK aka Rigg.

Being onlyS … ever Mrs Bond

MAKING MOVIES I don’t know what might have possessed certain people, but whoever in history, starring in ‘On her Majesty's Service’ in dreamed it might be a good idea to film an advertisement in the Club Breakfast at Pinks onlyisisalso a mistake.

Dofor awayplaying with Olenna 1969, Dame Diana famous – in the Popsy Bar, featuring a local ‘sleb’ mistreating women and the chafing dishes and cook to order as it used MO RE G E N E RA L LY Tyrell in Hollywood Blockbuster cult series and global apparently promoting some foul-looking drink – needs their head to be. TP phenomenon‚ ‘Game of Thrones’. examined. If the producers of the movie Out of Africa were refused Your German sausage hastonot seen permission film at Germany the Club, why on earth are we allowing this kind A D EC I S I O N WAS MA D E TO O Appalled by people’s behaviour at Pinks, and and the saurecraut [sic] was not cooked. It of trash to be made in our Club? MS toofhave breakfast I am Club, Dear Members the to Board at Muthaiga Country … there…

AKFA disappointed ST O NLY AT PIhave NKS…

inks

tasted ok as I was very hungry. PE an overseas Member and come to the Club for the We wish thanks ON THE ONE HAND, GENERAL COMMENTS Club, nottotoexpress come our to andeepest average hotel.for FPhaving the opportunity there are never any ice-creams to stay at your fantastic establishment, during our visit to Why is it that Slow service, no Yorkshire pudding, stale scallops, excruciating nks only is a mistake.

Do away with in the fridge?

Also, never any low-fat milk. RH KenyaI over Christmas and New Year. immediately fell While agreelast with the economic reasons forWehaving service, unripe strawberry sorbet, tough meat, overworked staff, late shes and cook to order as it used M ORE GENER AL LY in love with the for whole complexIand 5-star service. only one venue breakfast, do not agree with A place full of starter, ‘casual’ waiters, appalling service, cold water, ants in the ladies’ Not the place it used to be. WR the argument justifies history that wethat feeleconomy lucky to alone have been able to experience. dressing room, low standards of dress [Ed: are the two related?], loud dispensing with breakfast in the old restaurant in a music, rowdy behaviour, sour parsnip soup, bland sauce, we left before Being reciprocal membersRS from Sällskapet in Stockholm Sweden child-free environment.

There German are only threesausage things wrong Pinks: Your haswith not seen Germany dessert. working at Muthaiga immediately made us feel like1.weService. 2.

Service. 3. Service. DN eople’severyone behaviour at Pinks, and [sic] was not cooked. It DC hadwaiters, always been therequired, Club. Thanks toand MCC,the saurecraut tablescherished not laid,Members multiple of trips to haveNo to have breakfast there…

I am [Ed: These are fromPE letters and notes from Members. ourlogic holiday in Kenya an experience fondly think oftasted like ok as I was veryexcerpts hungry. no to layout, foodwas in chafing disheswe cold, Seems the Club maintains its idiosyncratic ability to be consistently embertable andnot come to the Club for cleared as food finished, coffeethe scenes from the movie “Out of Africa.” disgusting.AB inconsistent, because…]

ome toOuranwarmest average hotel. thanks and theFP very best wishes for the next 100 Why is it that there are never any ice-creams years of Muthaiga Club.

ON THE OTHER HAND, HOSTING EVENTS WA S N ’ T Also, A L L B AD… inB UT theI Tfridge? never any low-fat milk. RH From the family Bernström.

May I congratulate the Secretary and his team for organising some with the economic reasons for having truly superb events at the Club recently. The service has been excellent Thank you to the team for a wonderful Red e for breakfast, I do not agree...And withOlympic Swimmer and the up second-to-none.

Roomthe dinner…

It made forwas ato special evening and You know when you come to a Not place itsetused be.

WR that economy alone justifies turned Gengeton Rapper, Muthaiga event, that you are coming to something special. KO a great meal. DB turned [Ed: We have received many more letters reflecting the same. Bravo to th breakfast in the old restaurant inactor, a Jason Dunford, is pictured here hard-working members of staff!] ironment.

RS There areouronly three things wrong with Pinks: www.mcc.co.ke April– June 2017 Muthaiga Country Club 3 (left) with Hollywood 2. Service.

3.read Service. star and James Bond 1. Service.

'SOS’ to those who libraryDN books in the bath: Please Don't! villain Götz Otto and We can always tell because the book pages go 'crinkly'. Worse still was bles not laid, multiple trips required, multi-award winning one that must have been dropped into the water. Its binding is badly out, food in chafing dishes cold, German actress Victoria affected. These are YOUR books ed as food finished, coffee Mayer. as well as the library's, as YOUR Otto and Victoria stayed money helps pay for them. at the Club while on Please give them the respect they location in Kenya filming deserve and be considerate of other a joint German/Kenyan Members willLwant to read B U T I T WASN’who T AL B AD… production called “Adisa.” them after you.

Jason is also starring in the movie.

Library Committee “Adisa” is scheduled for release later this year.

www.mcc.co.ke

Thank you to the team for a wonderful Red Room dinner… It made for a special evening and a great meal. DB

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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balloting c ommittee balloting committee

total number of Members increases National demographics will inexorably by only 1% a year, that represents a reflect the composition of the significant proportion of the current involved with balloting many years, and her terrific diligence And, Membership. while some new – there are no short cuts. to pull up is probably what has made the have a propensity Membership.

Members chairmanship look sothe easy.drawbridge The rest of behind them (often at Finally, crucially, we urge Members t The Club has succeeded admirably in the committee have enjoyed and areof their own communities), the expense take the time to examine the names o remaining colour-blind. Itgrateful doesn’t for her friendly, forthright the balloting committee can only Candidates whenaim theyto are posted on matter what your level of melatonin leadership – we’ll misshold her. the bar high, and to treat prejudice the Board and, if there is the slightes might be, it matters only that you are with the contempt it deserves.

We think doubt about their ‘clubbability’, to So now it’s me, and I’d like to begin considered ‘clubbable’ – which is all voice any concerns toin the Secretary. with a few words about theCommittee waiting list is perfectly the colourful about good manners, friendliness, and objections with the stricte for prospective Members. is long. everyItway; the challenge will are be treated to inject mutual respect. It matters not (or so the confidence, and are followed up Candidates can expectyounger to wait atblood least without – as it were – theory goes) what position you might diligently. We really do want to ensur 18 months between being proposed smearing the palette. hold in wider society: all Members are and being invited to attend a balloting

treated equally and equably. meeting – and will then wait a further

the selection bar for prospective Members is maintained at a very high level.

This being the 12th edition of such two months And yet, the perception remains, bothwhile their names are important, when handing over the utterance, it means the ‘sorting hat’It’shas made known to Members. inside and outside the Club, that we reins of any committee, to assure your been in place for three years. Quite long favour some over others and that some wide-eyed successor that “It’s a doddle: The second point to note is that there enough, you’ll surely agree. New blood sections the time, widerallcommunity will cuts. Members are are no short huge fun, doesn’t takeof much required! never be accepted for Membership in not to use their strongly advised pretty straightforward really”. what is still, incredibly, regarded as a have Candidates move up influence to Looked at another way, it means our Yeah, right. the list more quickly.

However friendly colonial club.

Unfortunately, as soon as little committee will have recommended Gail Paul has done an outstanding job Matthew R your relationship might be with the that word is used, the whole discussion (COVID-19 notwithstanding) close to a overseeing the Balloting committee invidiously for Secretary – or with anyone else Chairman Balloting Commi Matthew Rudd becomes inherently, thousand Members by the time this year fractious.

Chairman Balloting Committee draws to a close. Given that the Club’s

house & finance

finance various initiatives that we hope will appeal to, and attract a better turnout from these sectors.

spread the message of socialIn distancing terms of projects,commitments we are making to staff. reasonable and isolation – global experience has headway on our security During this time, we will be able to project and expect to complete in early shown that a collective and disciplined repair theproject longstanding leaks in the May….on budget! The library effort is the only effective ‘cure’. has been revitalised swimming and we hopepool to and tidy up some In the interim, the majoritypresent of ourastaff plan at thehousekeeping. next AGM later We it will certainly re-open stronger than before. We will do our best are taking paid leave (until otherwise he year. be more determined) and have the cushion of expect totocomplete Finally, we therelevant to our Membership will have a ‘safety net’ during this veryMukutano difficult Room thiswho quarter, whichmissed social interaction and their 'home away from home'. We time.

We are also counselling staff who will offer Members a state-of-the-art The Club continues to make good I can complete the are key under financial strain toMeeting assist inRoom. look forward to serving you “better! progress in our strategic initiatives. project under budge thisour storm.

So we have plenty ofIwork progress Revenues areweathering on budget and cash also in take this opportunityand to ahead of schedu but defining the desires and position is ‘safe’. We do however congratulate Christian on his but you’ll need to The Club itself is in relatively good requirements of our diverse operate on very thin margins at three appointment as Club Secretary and additional tim health having recorded a decent allocate Membership remains paramount and per cent profit on turnover. wish him and his team all the best in financial performance of late.

We will our success will lie in our ability to and money fo that.”

Our challenge remains how to increase Dear Members navigating this challenge and preparing obviously make losses duringsatisfy this these. period utilisation of the Club, particularly the the Club for the future. ourand challenge will be to stretch It was with considerable deliberation Main Diningand Room the sports financial resources to outlast the peak facilities. and a heavy heart that the Committee In the meantime, stay safe and healthy! of thiscertain pandemic. request to the took the decision to close the Club.WeThe have identified sectorsOur of the Gidoomal VVijay ij Gid All the best, to settle MembershipMembership that do not useisthe Club outstanding health and safety of our Membership, Chairman House & Finance billsweand subscriptions on time. frequently, and are pay working on staff and community comes first – we felt We have reduced these by 25 per cent morally bound to support government in order to alleviate the burden on efforts to stem the spread of the Covid Members.

Notwithstanding, we require www.m 4 Muthaiga Country Club April–June 2017 19 virus. As influencers, we would the cash inflows on time to meet our Vijay Gidoomal encourage our entire Membership to Chairman Finance 4

Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

www.mcc.co.ke

roving eye

Eye considers the desirability of Club Secs and ponders: if something seems too good to be true, perhaps it is. Not knowing at the time of writing who will be occupying the Club Secretary’s chair beyond March, Eye roams over historic stereotypes.

First, Club man. Gentle fellow, knows everyone, staff love him, pink gin at midday, amuses the Committee, keeps things ticking along. Food’s not terribly exciting but why should it be? Bangers and mash, Shepherd’s pie, decent greens, great chips. Reliable, affordable, the Club an emblem of what nowadays Eye calls shabby chic. That was a time that was, when country bumpkins, not minding too much about hot or cold water, came to the Club to catch up with town-clown buddies.

Market forces play their part. Restaurants proliferate, traffic grinds to gridlock, demographics change. Reactions are quick: let’s smarten up, raise our game, get an injection of young blood – someone to straighten pictures, polish tables, replace light bulbs.

Enter Hotel man. Chief executives from exotic chains are often the antithesis of Club man.

Brown-hued suit, oleaginous manner, crocodile smile, damp handshake, glances first at Eye’s cleavage then over Eye’s shoulder. Flambéed this and teppanyaki’d that replace old staples.

Intricacies of REVPAR are patronisingly explained to old buffers. Pictures are straight and dustfree, tables and floors gleam but, oddly, alcohol disappears from the bar while the CEO polishes comfy leather chair. Buffers pull trigger.

Military man marches in. Provides order, structure, leadership.

Understands the modes, manners, eccentricities and high spirits of an officers’ mess. Looks for the best in specialists, empowers ‘other ranks’, encourages laggards, interacts well with committees. Lacks commercial experience, but isn’t a financial target just like any other target? There to be hit – and occasionally it is.

What about Marketing man? Someone who’ll shake things up, charm the youth, be the front face, galvanise the team, electrify Members – define them, segment them, approach them and appeal to them. Can such a Sec make a radical difference? Will all staff celebrate entrepreneurial verve? Or might an enthusiastic Sec become despondent if the Membership’s reactionary bias puts the handbrake on any change of pace?

Where’s Superman? Or Wonderwoman? Does an allencompassing panacea exist? That perfect blend of someone with whom no one can find fault? Eye doesn’t think so…

COMPETITION Question: Who is this

gentleman and what was his relationship with Muthaiga Country Club?

Prize: The first correct entry that

we receive will win dinner for two with a bottle of House Wine in either Pinks or the Club Dining Room. Please send your answers to communications@ mcc.co.ke

Answer to our Jan - Mar 2020 Competition QUESTION: Name this building and the year this photograph was taken? ANSWER: Muthaiga Golf Clubhouse, 1938 WINNER: Jarat Chopra

DID YOU KNOW? Muthaiga Golf Club has been in existence and serving its members since the early 1920s. The Golf Club then served white highland settlers’ communities and operated as one with neighbouring Muthaiga Country Club hosting visiting dignitaries on tour of duty from colonial offices in Britain and others seeking leisure and adventure. The course evolved from mere clearings that served as fairways and greens to a modern golf course of local and international reputation.

In 1967 the first Kenya Open Golf tournament was held at Muthaiga Golf Club. This tournament has attracted notable international golfers including Ian Woosman, Vijay Singh, Sam Torrance, Sandy Lyle, Sevi Ballesteros and Nick Faldo, among others.

www.mcc.co.ke

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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events and achievements

Charles Njonjo Makes a Century Charles Njonjo celebrated his 100th birthday on 23 January 2020, and his family organised a wonderful party for him to mark the occasion.

With over 280 guests from three continents, the event was a very happy reunion of family and friends from Charles’s long, illustrious and, often controversial, career in law, politics and social welfare.

Having been called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in the 1950s and after serving as a barrister in London for ten years, Charles was appointed Kenya’s first post-independence Attorney General by President Jomo Kenyatta in 1963.

Charles went on to become the longest serving AG in the Commonwealth when he retired in 1979. In 1980 he was appointed Minister for Home and Constitutional Affairs

by President Moi, but retired as an MP in 1983 and went into private business. He is the last surviving member of independent Kenya’s first Cabinet.

Charles Njonjo is pictured here in his signature pinstriped suit and buttonhole, with his eldest daughter Wairimu on the occasion of his 100th birthday party hosted by Muthaiga Country Club.

Despite serving as Attorney General for 10 years, Charles was not welcome to join MCC until 1973, nevertheless, he has been a well-loved and much-respected Member ever since, and the Club was delighted to host this most auspicious occasion for one of its oldest and most celebrated Members.

Among the guests were Charles’s wife Margaret, children Wairimu, Mary and David, his two sons-in-law, Volker and Carey and his six grandchildren. There were two very special surprise guests, the second President of Botswana, Ian Khama, and a young friend from Los Angeles, John Gakuru, who grew up with Charles’s children in Kenya.

To commemorate his 100th Birthday, on behalf of the Club Committee MCC Chairman Philip Coulson presented Charles with a painting, which depicts him enjoying one of his regular lunches with his special friend the late Jeremiah Kiereini. From left – Charles Njonjo, the artist Coster Ojwang, Jeremiah's wife, Dr Eunice Muringo Kiereini and Philip Coulson.

The festivities took place in a magnificent marquee, complete with chandelier, in the most beautiful setting on the Chairman’s Lawn. The whole event was supremely well organised and both the Catering and the Events Teams were so professional and charming, it was a delight working with them.

Margaret Njonjo The Catering Team made a special centenary birthday cake for Charles.

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Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

www.mcc.co.ke

events and achievements

Silverback Meets Silverback Charles Njonjo has always longed to see the great Gorillas in Uganda, so a week before his 100th birthday his family, together with his godson Kim McKenzie, arranged to fly Charles to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda to fulfill his life-long dream.

Charles was carried into the mountain forest in a Sedan chair by porters, while the rest of the family group trekked alongside to find a troop of the great apes browsing in a glade.

Charles is the first centenarian to have met the gorillas and for this he was awarded a special certificate.

Chef René Kertz Visits Muthaiga Club Visiting Chef René Kertz visited MCC just before the lock-down and Members and friends were treated to a week-long feast of Continental cuisine inspired by his Luxumbourg roots, complemented with Kenya's own vibrant flavours and the freshest local ingredients. He is pictured here (left) with his assisitant Sous Chef Emile Mannes preparing his mis-en-place.

Over the course of their visit René and Emile, together with an enthusiastic MCC catering team, prepared and served 190 lunches and over 380 dinners to very appreciative MCC diners.

Alto Wine Pairing Evening The Alto Wine Pairing Dinner, hosted by Victoria MuluMunywoki, Wine Consultant & Educator was a great success and Members and friends enjoyed an intoxicating evening of wine-pairing with a sumptuous 5-course dinner prepared by the Club Catering team.

Members enjoying the Wine Pairing Evening hosted by Alto Wines at the Club. www.mcc.co.ke

Victoria enlightened the delighted diners in the art of wine pairing from a range of excellent South African wines selected

by Alto, helping them to broaden and appreciate their experience of different wines and how they complement different menus.

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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events

TedX Talks MCC held its first TedX Talk hosted by some of the most talented artists in the Kenyan Music industry today. The inaugural talk was a sell-out evening and Members can look forward to many more themed talks such as this at MCC in the future.

Pictured from left - Musician Karun, Singer/Songwriter Sage Chemutai and former Manager of Sauti Sol (East Africa’s most successful band) and founder & MD of Africa Centric Entertainment (ACE) Marek Fuchs, together hosted an inspiring and interactive evening talking about how to make it in the creative industry and how to be successful with your passion and leave a mark for this and younger generations to come.

Valentine’s Dinner A heart-warming number of Valentine couples enjoyed a beautiful romantic dinner, lovingly prepared by the MCC catering team, complemented with red roses, wine and chocolates.

Prizes were awarded to the bestdressed couple Michael Okwiri & his Valentine (left) ...... and the oldest couple Mr Joseph Wanjui & his Valentine wife (right).

Save the Date 19 June 2020 (tbc)

MUTHAIGAFEST Vol.II. After the massive success of the inaugural MuthaigaFest last year, MCC will be hosting Vol.II. It promises to be another spectacular event with an exclusively all-Kenyan musical line-up, which will be confirmed at a later date.

To get the party going there will be a Happy Hour and MCC’s own Jason “Samaki Mkuu” Dunford, will headline the Festival with his Gengeton band Romantico.

This is a music fest for all generations so be sure to Save the Date!

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Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

www.mcc.co.ke

bird quiz

Bird’s Eye View Most Sunday mornings, I take a solitary nature walk near the Agricultural Research Station in Loresho. I observe and photograph birds, butterflies and wildflowers. I am rarely disappointed by what I see and I am occasionally astonished, as I was on the February day I was scheduled to deliver the Bird Quiz to the Editor.

I unexpectedly came across a "bird party" of different bird species, perching on a fence. In ten minutes, I was to see and photograph 14 different species feeding together!

The event was very unusual and quite spectacular. Twelve of the species are offered for identification - no room for the other two. As all are very common birds, you should find the task quite easy, although perhaps one or two may need a second look. Answers on Page 25.

www.mcc.co.ke

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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bow ls

BOWLS REPORT

MCC vs KIS from left - Muthaiga Club vs Kenya Irish Society with Irish Ambassador Fionnuala Quinlan (Back row 4th from right.)

Club 2-4-2 Pairs - Winners & Runners up from left - Mike Craig, Halina Pellini, Sheelagh Zagoritis, Gail Langton, Marion Smith

The Bowling Green re-opened in January following the annual closure for maintenance. As usual, our greenkeeper Willie Watson and his staff, Newton and Hebron, did great work under difficult and unseasonal conditions.

Burns as Vice-Captain. The Peter Vernon-Evans Trophy was awarded to Eric Langton in recognition of his sterling contribution to the Section in organising a wonderful Bowls tour to Johannesburg in 2019.

MCC vs the Kenya Irish Society generously sponsored by Diageo/ Guinness, opened the new season and we were delighted to host the new Irish Ambassador to Kenya, Ms Fionnuala Quinlan. Twenty-six bowlers took part with MCC successfully retaining the Guinness Toucan Trophy.

The Club 2-Wood Trips, kindly sponsored

by Sheelagh Zagoritis, also took place in March and was keenly contested by five teams who played in one Round-robin league. The winning trip, undefeated in all four games, was skipped by Gerry Cunningham with John Porter and Peder Mortensen. Runners up were Maureen Burns, Rob Porter and Sheila Barker.

Seven teams took part in the Club 2-4-2 Pairs kindly sponsored by Gail and Eric Langton. Divided into two leagues, each league produced a winner to play the final.

A very exciting final led to a peel (draw) after 12 ends and in the play-off Sheelagh Zagoritis and Halina Pellini triumphed over Mike Craig and Marion Smith.

The postponed 2019 Ladies vs Gents took also place in February and the Ladies emerged emphatically victorious with a clean sweep in all four games. Well done Ladies!

In March we celebrated St David’s Day with a spoon kindly sponsored by Maureen Lilygreen. Winners on the day were Maureen Lilygreen, Halina Pellini and Peder Mortensen with runners up Graham Timmis and Andy Hamilton.

Our annual AGM was held in March, and a new Committee was elected with Gerry Cunningham as Captain and Maureen 10

Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

St. David’s Day – Winners from left - Peder Mortensen, Halina Pellini, Maureen Lilygreen and John Porter (immediate past Captain)

Eric Langton with Peter Vernon-Evans Trophy

Sincere thanks to the outgoing Captain, Ian Stamp and the outgoing Vice-Captain, Maureen Lilygreen, for their time and effort in keeping the Bowls Section running smoothly this past year. Sincere thanks also to all our sponsors who support the Club’s competitions.

The Section is always open to new Members who are interested in taking up this great sport and enjoying the facilities offered at the Bowling Green. Coaching and support is always available. A Lawn Bowls promotion weekend – Roll-a-Bowl Fest - is being organised for the weekend of 19-21 June to raise awareness of Lawn Bowls among Club Members and to attract new bowlers to the Section. It promises to be a fun weekend. Further details will be announced through the Club’s Events Programme.

Ian Stamp Bowls Captain

Club 2 Wood Trips - Winners & Runners-up from left - Maureen Burns, Rob Porter, Sheila Barker, Sheelagh Zagoritis (sponsor), Gerry Cunningham, John Porter and Peder Mortensen

Forthcoming Bowls Events 26 APRIL MCC vs Caledonian Society 16-17 MAY Club Pairs 19-21 JUNE Roll-a-Bowl Fest

www.mcc.co.ke

tennis Tennis Vs. Squash Our first event of the year was the annual Tennis vs Squash sections competing against each other at tennis and squash. After last year’s most embarrassing defeat by the Squash team at tennis, our Tennis team managed to excel this year by beating the Squash team 7 matches to 1. However, the situation was reversed in the Squash encounter.

Nevertheless, we all enjoyed a most enjoyable (and less humiliating) morning, resulting in a draw overall.

“Pot Luck” Mixed Doubles Tournament Twenty two players competed in this Mixed Doubles event, which involved two pools of players. Using our regular Round-Robin format for the preliminary rounds, we eventually reached the final stage to determine the rankings of each pair for the morning’s session. Tessa McClellan and Harold Zagunis excelled, reaching the final and eventually emerging as the outright winners by beating Erik Habers and Naomi Ndolo (4/3).

Participants in the Pot Luck Mixed Doubles Tournament.

MCC’s “Aussie” Mixed Doubles Championships Disappointingly, we had to abandon the tournament due to heavy rain overnight flooding the courts. Fortunately, a second attempt was made the following Sunday and the weather was perfect. Not so many players were available this time, nevertheless, we gathered up seven pairs to compete in just one Pool. With each pair having to play six sets, Harold Zagunis and Alex Lehmberg, representing ‘Team Sydney,’ ended up as overall winners with ‘Team Adelaide’, Bitange Ndemo and Tamara Krautkramer, finishing as close runners-up.

Participants in the ‘Aussie’ Mixed Doubles Championship.

The ‘Matata Cup’ Challenge (for married couples, partners, etc.)

Eleven couples played in this year’s ‘Matata Cup Challenge with two Pools of players competing against each other on a Round-robin basis. The best two pairs from each Pool to emerge from the preliminary rounds moved on the Semi-finals. The Final was a most exciting and closely fought contest with Troels and Alex only just beating Harold and Tamara by four games to three with the seventh game ending in a tie-break.

Following tradition, the Matata Trophy is always awarded to the best performing married couple and so, Harold and Tamara were eligible for receiving the much-prized trophy, plus vouchers to dine in the Club Dining Room. Nevertheless, Troels and Alex were also suitably rewarded for their fine performance throughout the morning.

John Goodwin Tennis Captain The former Ambassador of Austria for Kenya, Dr. Harald Guenther passed away on 24 February (MCC Member from 2015 – 2018.)

Both he and his wife Ilona were enthusiastic and popular members of the Tennis Section and were regular participants in our tournaments.

His passing is a very sad loss to all his friends at Muthaiga and particularly in the Tennis Section.

I have organised a tennis get-together on SUNDAY 24TH MAY in memory of Harald. All Members are invited to join in and any tennis-playing members of his staff at the Austrian Embassy are also most welcome. www.mcc.co.ke

From left -Winners Alex Lehmberg & Harold Zagunis and Runners-up Tamara Krautkramer & Bitange Ndemo.

Forthcoming Tennis Events 26TH APRIL “Les Grands Chats” Mixed Doubles (+55 Players) 9.00 - 12.00 9TH MAY “Wilson Cup” Mixed Doubles (Muthaiga Vs. Karen) 9.00 - 1.00 24TH MAY Tennis Get-together in memory of Dr Harald Guenther 9.00 – 1.00 7TH JUNE “Roland Garros” MCC’s “King & Queen of Clay” 9.00 - 12.00 12TH JULY “Wimbledon” Mixed Doubles Championships 9.00 - 12.00

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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members’ ac hievements

Trap, Neuter & Release In Kenya approximately 2,000 people die of rabies every year.

45%

of those deaths are children under 15 years old and in rural areas that figure goes up to

95%

Infected dogs are the cause of almost all rabies cases in humans, and yet rabies is a disease that is completely preventable through vaccination.

Trap, Neuter, Release campaign in Kamakunji.

The recent economic up-turn in Kenya has led indirectly to a surge in the population of dogs and cats. As people enjoyed greater wealth there was an increased demand for pets and back street breeders of cats and dogs proliferated to service the demand.

Many new pet owners, although willing, were often unable to afford the vaccines and veterinary care required to keep pets and so hundreds of cats and dogs went without being vaccinated against rabies and other diseases and unwanted puppies and kittens were abandoned in the streets and rural villages.

It is a sobering fact that over a period of five years, one female cat and its offspring can procreate 20,000 cats if none of them die, and a bitch with its offspring can produce 2,900 dogs in the same period.

Rabies is a viral disease that is nearly always fatal. The Trap, Neuter & Release Trust (TNR) was established and registered in 2015, with the mission to eradicate rabies in Kenya, which in turn would improve community health. By providing free rabies vaccinations and reducing the cat and dog population humanely through sterilisation, TNR’s aim is to reduce the incidence of rabies in Kenya, as well as mitigate the misery of abandoned kittens and puppies.

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Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

MCC Member Carla Viezee has been a Trustee of TNR since its inception and, as well as fund raising, is involved in the Trust’s Mobile Clinic campaigns to provide free rabies vaccinations and sterilisation services for cats and dogs in low income areas in and around Nairobi.

In addition, the Trust educates the public in general and the vulnerable age group of 6-12 year-olds on dog bite and rabies prevention and general animal welfare.

www.mcc.co.ke

members’ achievements Typically, when children encounter an unknown dog, their natural reaction – to show fear, throw stones or run away – often provokes the dog to attack out of fear or playfulness. If they are bitten, they often don’t tell their parents, or seek treatment.

Vaccinating animals against rabies is the responsibility of each County but these days the service is non-existent. Most pet owners are aware of the necessity for preventative veterinary care and want it, but cannot afford it, so the Mobile Clinic is very well received and utilised.

that are brought to the Clinic are also de-wormed. The numbers are high, but at least it shows that people are taking responsibility for their pets and taking advantage of the help offered by TNR. During a recent two-day campaign in Kiambu District, TNR vaccinated 770 cats and dogs against rabies and sterilised 78, while in Kibera 827 cats and dogs received rabies vaccinations and 127 were sterilised. All the animals

After nine campaigns TNR has neutered and spayed 639 cats and dogs, and vaccinated over 5000 against rabies free of charge, but the other part of the TNR remit, is the programme to educate children on the prevention of rabies.

Carla is pictured here with children who have completed the TNR pet welfare programme.

It is scientifically proven that if we can vaccinate 70 per cent of the dog population in an area, we can eradicate rabies in that area and if we can reduce the population of cats and dogs humanely through sterilisation we will naturally reduce the incidence of rabies. Our ultimate aim is to be able to travel further afield with our Mobile Clinic and totally eradicate rabies in Kenya.

Carla Viezee – Trustee TNR www.mcc.co.ke

TNR’s education programme teaches children how to avoid dog attacks and, if they are bitten, what treatment they need, and where to go for it. Children who bring their pets to the Mobile Clinic for vaccination or sterilisation are encouraged to take part in the education programme. In a weekend campaign, Carla and her team of volunteers will see up to 200 children through the programme and since 2016 over 1,200 children have participated.

TNR also fosters dogs and cats and is always looking for homes for animals that have been abandoned. In the last five years TNR has re-homed over 400 dogs, but a disappointing number of those were pets abandoned by expats leaving the country at the end of their contract.

The Mobile Clinic is equipped and licensed for TNR Veterinary surgeon Dr Desmond Tutu (pictured with Carla) to carry out sterilisations free of charge for animals brought to the Clinic.

Volunteers to assist at TNR anti-rabies Campaigns are most welcome, but our next Campaign has had to be postponed. In the meantime, anyone can help by taking responsibility of any strays found in their neighbourhood and bringing them to TNR for a rabies vaccination and sterilisation.

They are also welcome to leave a donation!

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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Romeo &

ak

by Tom Vandas

Joel Kioko & A

Annabel Shaw, daughter of MCC Members Nigel and Tonya Shaw recently starred in the ballet Romeo & Juliet performed by Dance Centre Kenya (DCK) at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi, alongside her friend and leading man, Joel Kioko, who danced the part of Romeo.

DCK was set up five years ago by Nigel and Tonya and two other families, including Club Members Christiane and Stephen Plumbe, in order to give their children the opportunity to study ballet in Kenya.

Annabel showed a natural talent and soon became a standout student at the school.

But Annabel has inadvertently contributed a great deal more to Kenyan ballet than just by being a beautiful dancer, she also ‘spotted’ Joel Kioko during a school project and was hugely instrumental in launching his career as a ballet dancer – the only male ballet dancer to have come out of Kenya.

Joel joined DCK when he was thirteen years old and living in the Kibera slums in Nairobi. He was spotted by Annabel, who was then a student at ISK who had chosen, as a project in philanthropy, to teach ballet at a low-income government school.

Annabel was just 14 herself but was already a star dancer at DCK so felt qualified to share her largely unknown dance form, ballet, with the young students. Joel turned up to one of her ballet workshops and as soon as Annabel saw his untutored athleticism she knew he had huge potential as a dancer. She invited Cooper Rust, the Artistic Director of DCK, to visit one of her classes and Cooper also recognised his raw talent. The rest of Joel’s story is almost as fairytale as the ballets he now performs,

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Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

often in leading roles. Cooper found him a scholarship to study at DCK and he soon became the star student. Despite his late start in ballet school, Joel worked so hard he made up the three years and, under the dedicated tutoring of Cooper, won a scholarship to study at the English National Ballet School in UK. Annabel also moved to UK to study at the Northern Ballet School at the same time. The two friends kept in touch and met occasionally in London, during their half-term breaks, where they went out sightseeing together.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of DCK and as part of the celebrations the Dance School put on a production of the ballet Romeo & Juliet, Annabel and Joel taking the principal roles. Annabel was in Kenya on her Gap Year but Joel made the trip home specially to dance with his old friend and dance partner. The ballet was a stunning event with the added magic of the two friends performing together.

Annabel has now retired from fulltime ballet to study Philosophy and International Politics at Melbourne University, but Joel’s ballet career is just beginning. Having almost completed his Diploma in Professional Dance at the English National Ballet School, he is now beginning to audition for a place in www.mcc.co.ke

& Juliet

ka

Annabel Shaw

Ballet and Contemporary Dance Companies around the world.

His performance as Romeo with Annabel was his last chance to dance in Kenya before he is under professional contract, so it was a very special occasion for everyone – not least for Kenya ballet.

Joel and Annabel’s story is a wonderful story of friendship and success against extraordinary odds, and as unlikely and heart-warming as any fairytale that they have performed, because whenever Joel comes home he always returns to Kibera, to the delight of his family and old friends, to dance with the children there.

Proud parents Nigel and Tonya with Annabel after the spectacular performance of Romeo & Juliet.

I love dancing with Joel. He’s so safe and stable as a partner, he’s super easy to work with and he gives me great confidence. Plus we are such good friends, we’re always laughing!”

His dance story has been a surreal journey so far and I’m just so happy to have been a part of it. I wish him every success in his career in the future, and hope that we have contributed to the future of dance in Kenya.

Annabel Shaw

by Tom Vandas

DCK was booked to give a Live performance at the Club in May but, as all events have been postponed for the time being, La Bayadere’s ballet, “Kingdom of the Shades” will be rescheduled at a later date.

www.mcc.co.ke

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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edita’s ballet and opera programme

‘Le Cygne’

The German Duo ‘Le Cygne’ that I tentatively announced in my last article was all set to arrive, with flight booked and date set for a live performance at MCC in May, when I learned that the Italian violinist Angelica Faccani, who was coming from Venice, was not allowed to travel due to the Coronavirus lock-down.

At that time we were able to postpone their arrival until October, and the Muthaiga Concert has been tentatively earmarked for the 22 October 2020.

The programme will be a sensational recital, which will include Beethoven - to celebrate his 250th anniversary - and some Clara Schumann, whose centenary fell in 2019. This is particularly poignant as the pianist half of the duo, Heike-Angela, is a direct descendent of Clara Schumann.

The duo hope to spend some of their time in Kenya teaching at “Ghetto Classics” with the aim of preparing one pupil well enough to join them in the concert at Muthaiga Club.

story of the Hunchback of Notre-Dame, here eloquently performed through the medium of classical ballet.

“Pagliacci” will be screened on Thursday 4 June in the Ballroom at 6.30pm.

‘Notre-Dame de Paris’ will be screened on Thursday 23 April in the Ballroom at 6pm.

‘Immortal Beloved’

Continuing with the celebration of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary, I will be showing a wonderful film about his life starring Gary Oldman as Beethoven. He was just 57 years old when he died in 1827 and shortly after his death a letter was found in a secret draw addressed to his “Immortal Beloved”. The thrilling search for the identity of this mystery woman leads us into Beethoven’s dark past, his hidden passion and ultimately into the unparalleled genius of his music.

‘Immortal Beloved’ will be screened on Thursday 14 May in the Ballroom at 6.30pm.

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Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

For my second ballet this season I will be showing the extraordinary true-life story of ballet super star Carlos Acosta. Carlos changed ballet forever when he became the first black Principal Dancer of the Royal Ballet. Born in Cuba, into a very poor background, he rocketed to fame becoming the most celebrated male ballet dancer of our times.

‘Yuli – The Carlos Acosta Story will be screened on Thursday 25 June in the Ballroom at 6.30pm.

…and this is the programme of events I had lined up before Covid19 rearranged our lives completely. Nevertheless, I very much hope to show these performances at a later date, so this is just to whet your appetites for what will be a very special debut season post-Coronavirus.

For my first ballet night I will be showing a ballet that I have only recently discovered – ‘Notre-Dame de Paris.’ Superbly performed by dancers from the “Ballet de l’Opera de Paris” it stars some of their best solo dancers.

It is the well-known tragic and moving

Yuli - The Carlos Acosta Story

With beautiful recreation of Cuba under Castro, we follow young Yuli as he rebels under a strict training regime to discover his own unique talent in the unfamiliar world of London.

‘Le Cygne’ will be performing live at MCC on Tuesday 20 October in the Ballroom at 6pm (subject to change.)

‘Notre-Dame de Paris’

Domingo always seemed better suited, but there is one role in the One Act verismo Opera “Pagliacci” (The Clowns) which seems to have been written just for Pavarotti.

‘Pagliacci’ is a powerful dramatic verismo opera requiring considerable acting ability, which Pavarotti pulls off totally convincingly, dispelling all criticism often thrown at him about his poor acting.

“Pagliacci”

Finally, I will be showing “Pagliacci” in a double bill with the best excerpt of the unforgettable“The Three Tenors”. After the huge success of the film “Pavarotti” I realized that I had never shown a full opera with Pavarotti. Tenor roles always represent the handsome hero, for which www.mcc.co.ke

book reviews

New Arrivals AFTER THE END by Clare Mackintosh Max and Pip are a devoted married couple with one child Liam, who at the age of two and a half develops brain cancer and is a patient in a paediatric ICU. Should they take the opportunity of the availability of a new American-based treatment? Max thinks ‘yes’, while Pip feels that unless it guarantees an improvement in Liam’s present life quality, they should not subject him to it. The split in the parents’ strong relationship begins, until eventually the matter goes to court. Mackintosh has chosen a difficult subject, and handles a sensitive situation masterfully, with excellent character studies of both medical staff and parents, although she draws the second part of the story out rather unnecessarily. A very readable book, nonetheless, although it will not appeal to everyone.

THE MAHARAJAH’S BOX by Christie Campbell This is an intriguing story involving much more than just the Maharajah’s Box, which originally contained the Koh-i-Noor, the world’s biggest and most famous diamond, which was possessed, for a short time, by Maharajah Duleep Singh himself. All his life the Maharajah maintained a love-hate relationship with Britain where he travelled frequently. He met Queen Victoria and they generated a warm relationship, even though, particularly in the Punjab, there was already a strong movement to establish independence from Britain. Duleep’s story is set against the background of Europe and India in the second half of the nineteenth century – a volatile period in the continent’s complicated internal relationships; the smallest spark could start a war, which of course eventually it did in 1914. We also read about the ‘Great Game’ and those countries who sought to control Northern India. Campbell has written a brilliant account of a hitherto unknown story, and much more besides – history-telling at its best.

THE LONG CALL by Ann Cleeves Ann Cleeves is a highly acclaimed storyteller and writer of crime.

She has already given her readers the two much-loved detectives Jimmy Perez in Orkney and Vera Stanhope in Northumbria. Now she introduces a new sleuth Matthew Venn, who operates in North Devon. A man is found murdered on a nearby beach; a patient with Downes syndrome disappears from the day care centre; then another.

Are these cases connected with the murder? An intriguing story ensues and Cleeves’s character studies are penetrating, as always. All the words for a compelling story have already been done to death – page-turners, gripping, un-put-downable. Cleeves has all of these to offer and more.

A highly recommended crime novel - we look forward to hearing more about Matthew Venn.

BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan Sullivan has written a superlative novel and a vividly accurate account of Italy towards the end of World War II. The Allied invasion has begun, but the persecution of Jews and others, and their evacuation to concentration camps continues. The plot is built round a true story and the hero Pino, was actually a real person. A skilled mountaineer and skier, Pino is heroic in the dangerous task of escorting refugees through the mountain passes. He becomes driver to a German General in Milan, which gives him access to inside information to pass to the Allies. It is an exacting role for Pino and places him in the unenviable position of appearing a traitor to his friends, who cannot be told of his real position. Pino falls deeply in love with Anna, maid to his boss’s mistress and the story has an unexpected twist at the end. Sullivan skilfully brings his characters back to life.

www.mcc.co.ke

“Through My African Eyes,” written

by MCC Member Jeff Koinange, former CNN correspondent and award-winning journalist, is a concise narrative covering the major players in 20th century African politics.

The book is rich with insights into the personal and intellectual underpinnings of many historical events on the continent and chronicles of warlords, soldiers, victims and politicians lend insight into Koinange’s celebrated journalistic style. Informed by a largely Kenyan perspective, Jeff describes complex geopolitical issues with incisive analysis, and outlines clearly how biased reportage can splinter any society and promote its disintegration by pandering to people’s lowest instincts.

Jeff Koinange is the first African to win an Emmy and a George Foster Peabody award. He also received the Vernon Jarrett award as well as the prestigious Prix Bayeux for reportage that arrested global crises.

Jeff will be giving a talk and signing copies of his book ,”Through My African Eyes,” at the Club on a date still to be confirmed.

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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a day in the life of...

Interview

A Life in the Day of …

Kyle Ray - Curator of Bio-Ken Snake Farm in Watamu, Kenya Bio-Ken Snake Farm houses the largest collection of snakes in East Africa. Expert guides lead tours of the Farm where visitors can see some of the deadliest snakes in East Africa.

Bio-Ken is also one of the world’s most renowned snake Research Centres where snakes are milked for medical study and for the preparation of anti-venom to treat victims of poisonous snakebite. The Centre acts as an emergency service for snakebite victims throughout the region.

Bio-Ken offers a snake removal service in and around Watamu, which also extends to other parts of the country, and promotes an educational scheme to teach people the importance of snakes in the eco-system and the correct procedures when faced with a venomous snake.

Kyle Ray was born and brought up in Kenya.

What does your work entail?

I oversee the running of the snake farm and coordinate the different activities and services we offer.

youngsters all about snakes, how to capture and release them, how to handle them and how to avoid getting bitten. I eventually became a full associate of Bio-Ken and ended up teaching Youth Wing. When I left school, I had a series of jobs – mostly in the safari business - guiding and Camp management, but I always had something going on the side for Bio-Ken – catching and relocating problem snakes or giving talks about snakes in schools and rural villages.

snakes, mambas and boomslangs) can take much longer. It’s dangerous and very physical and you have to stay focused!

When I was offered the job of Curator of the snake farm, I found my dream job.

Your typical day starts at…?

At 8am I have a morning meeting with the team, there are 17 snake handlers attached to Bio-Ken, but several of them are based out in the field around the country. I check on the snakes and make sure they all have enough of the right food and are all healthy. We have 46 different species of snake at Bio-Ken and about 500 individual snakes.

Milking a Green mamba for the preparation of anti-venom How did you come to do this?

I was fascinated by snakes, even as a child. I find them totally beautiful, I love their camouflage, their colours and the way they move all captivates me.

At school I applied to go to Bio-Ken for a month of work experience. I absolutely loved my time there and went back every holiday I could. I became a member of Bio-Ken’s Youth Wing, which teaches

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Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

The gates open to the public at 10am. If we are not milking, I go to the office and do my admin.

Part of my remit is deciding where to allocate donor money and funding, organising and preparing for seminars, and keeping up on social media.

If it is a milking day we start at 9am and work through until about 4pm. We have 6 venomous species and we milk them all once a month. We’ll do one species in a day and we get through an average of 20 snakes. Each snake takes between 15 to 30 minutes to milk, but the back-fangs (Vine

Preparing to milk a Black mamba with Bio-Ken snake handlers Njeri and Boniface.

Once we have the fresh venom, we dehydrate it to crystal form, weigh it, label it and categorise it.

Then it is sent off either to research institutes or to South Africa or Costa Rica to be processed into anti-venom ‘cocktails’. The most effective antivenom comes from the snakes from the area where the victim was bitten, so to maximise the efficacy of an anti-dote, venom milked from many different snakes of the same species will be injected into one horse, this way the maximum range of venoms will be present in one anti-venom ‘cocktail.’

Occasionally I go out on expeditions to catch a particular species of snake for milking, but our snake removal programme provides us with most of our snakes for milking and research. Any snakes we catch are either relocated into the wild or brought back to the farm for milking, depending on the species.

www.mcc.co.ke

a day in the lifeInterview of...

When we hear of a snakebite victim we will advise the doctors what to do and how to treat them and, where we can, we will send the anti-venom. Up to 70 per cent of venomous snakebites are ‘dry’, and yet people die of shock thinking they have been poisoned.

What is your most memorable occasion in your career?

I have very fond memories of my last safari with Royjan Taylor who was the Director of BioKen and he taught me almost everything I know about snakes. He died last year, so that safari is particularly memorable for me. We went to Baringo District to catch Carpet Vipers for the farm and we caught 16 in three hours! We also found some Forest cobras that we didn’t know inhabited that area.

Snake Removal Programme – This Black Cobra was caught in a garden and has been relocated to the Snake Farm for milking.

We also visit safari camps and lodges to train the staff how to move snakes without killing them, how to avoid and treat snake bites and we teach the guides more about snakes so they are better informed with their safari guests.

What is the best part of your job?

Being able to work with snakes! I get huge satisfaction breeding and releasing them into the wild. It is also very fulfilling knowing that the work I do – coaching people how to avoid snakebite, how to treat it, catching and relocating problem snakes and milking them to develop the antivenoms - is work that helps save lives. Exciting research is also being done on how snake venom can be used to treat other medical conditions and diseases.

What is the worst part of your job?

When someone dies from snakebite. All snakebite victims can be saved if they are treated quickly. In East Africa there are about 1000 reported deaths caused by snakes each year. We don’t have enough effective anti-venom available far enough afield and most snakebite victims in Kenya are pastoralists and farmers living in rural areas who don’t have easy access to medical help or anti-venom.

What do you enjoy doing in your downtime after work?

I love spending time with my family, we enjoy the beach and going camping in wild places. But my favourite hobby is fishing – any kind of fishing! Fly fishing, deep sea fishing, whatever, as long as I can catch a fish!

What ambitions/future plans do you have for your work?

We are working to develop better anti-venoms in Kenya that are cost-efficient, reliable and effective.

Anti-venoms have to be kept chilled, which is a problem in rural areas, and have an undetermined shelf life, so we want to find a way of preserving the anti-venoms without refrigeration.

We also want to expand our conservation initiative to save snakes from being killed. They are a vital part of our eco-system helping to keep vermin under control and reducing disease and crop destruction. Through education, with more school visits, talks and seminars, we want to create more awareness. We’d also like to train more people around Kenya to handle venomous snakes, and be able to remove them safely, so that fewer people die of snakebite and less snakes get killed.

If you weren’t Curator of Bio-Ken Snake Farm, what would you like to do?

I would like to do walking safaris around the wild parts of Kenya. Always with an eye out for snakes of course, and the little creatures that make being out in nature so rich and beautiful.

Kyle demonstrating to Safari Guides how to capture snakes correctly. www.mcc.co.ke

Kyle is pictured here milking a Large brown spitting cobra (Naja ashei), the largest species of spitting cobra, named after the late James Ashe, who founded the Bio-Ken Snake Farm and was one of the first experts to suggest N. ashei was a new species. N. ashei was only classified as a distinct species in 2007, after research carried out by Royjan Taylor and the team at Bio-Ken.

And as a child, what did you want to grow up to be?

I wanted to ride Free-style Motocross - doing stunts and jumps - and Supercross, when you belt around a constructed dirt track with steep jumps and obstacles, as fast as you can!

Emergency Snake Bite Phone +254-718-209324 April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

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h at c h e s

&

m at c h e s

Philip Winter & Sipporah Mwangi

Jemima Millie Felicity Low

Philip Winter, only son of the late Margaret and Richard Winter, of Penn, Buckinghamshire, UK, married Sipporah Mwangi, eldest er of daughter of Theresia and the late Samuel Mwangi of Nairobi.

The wedding was held at the Old Chelsea Town Hall in London, on 13th July 2019, and on 14th September 2019 they held a blessing at the chapel on the Game Ranch fo reCamp. in Machakos County, followed by a reception at Swara Plains/Acacia

Born 12th April 2019, Nairobi.

To Mark Low and Daisy Oldenburg of Gilgil. er of Little sister to Anton and Hector. Fourth grandchild to Binny Oldenburg of Nanyuki and sixth grandchild to Peter and Diana Low of Naivasha. er of

Jack Campbell Clause & Lizzie Copestake Jack Campbell Clause, youngest son of Charles and Juliet Campbell Clause of Langata, Kenya, married Lizzie Copestake, daughter of Joe & Debbie Copestake of Hampshire, UK. The wedding was held on 26th October 2019, at Mundui House on Mundui Conservancy in Naivasha.

20

Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

Daniel Vowles & Bethany Elms Daniel Lesley Vowles, only son of Malcolm and Jane Vowles of Quainton, Buckinghamshire, UK, married Bethany Julia Elms, eldest daughter of Guy and Fi Elms, of Karen, Nairobi. The wedding was held on 10th August 2019, on Ololua Ridge in Karen.

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h at c h e s

&

m at c h e s

fo re

George Theobald & Caitlin Billyard George Oswald Theobald, eldest son of Bimb and the late Lizzy Theobald of Usa, Tanzania, married Caitlin Billyard, er of daughter of Julian & Joanna Billyard of Devon, UK. The wedding was held on 5th October 2019, at Chai Bora, Tanzania.

fo re

Richard Van Aardt & Camilla McConnell Harriet Karen Stafford Allen Born 14th June 2019, Nairobi. To Roisin (nee Perrett) and Adrian Allen of Maasai Mara. Little sister to Charlotte.

Second grandchild to Di & Brian Allen of Timau and eleventh grandchild to John & Amanda Perrett of Rumeruti.

Leo Reggie Roberts Born 1st August 2019, Nairobi.

To Gemma (nee Parkin) and David Roberts of Athi River.

Third grandchild to Barbara and Steve Parkin of Durham, UK and second grandchild to Elizabeth and Murray Roberts of Lake Baringo, Kenya.

Richard Louis Van Aardt, youngest son of Louis and Mary Jo Van Aardt of Kizingo in Lamu and Zimbabwe, married Camilla Daphne Elizabeth McConnell, eldest daughter of Charlie and Mouse McConnell of Karen. er of The wedding was held on 12th October 2019, in the garden at the McConnell’s home in Karen.

Trevor Kirk & Rosanne Alexander Trevor Kirk, son of Dulcie Grace of Papakura, New Zealand and James Kirk (nephew of Sir John Kirk MD, Botanist, British Consul to Kenya) married Rosanne Alexander, daughter of Pensie and the late Gerry Alexander of Molo and New Zealand and Karen. The wedding was held on 11th September 2019, in Pensie's garden at Mwitu Estate, Karen. er of

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April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

21

obituaries

Victoria (Vicky) Needham-Clark

February 1940 – January 2020

his ‘Whipper-in’ of the hounds. Later she became National Show Jumping Champion of Kenya on her horse Tantonella, and when age prevented her from show jumping, she turned her hand to training racehorses, which she did with great success – the horse Gamble, which she and Jeremy part-owned won the Kenyan Oaks in 1973.

Vicky was born in Nakuru to John and Mu Harris who farmed in Subukia. She attended St Andrews School in Turi and was later sent to ‘finishing school’ overseas. Thereafter, she spent most of the rest of her life in Kenya apart from a brief spell in Uganda, when her husband Jeremy was posted there.

In her younger days she was a brilliant horsewoman. Her father was Master of the Tantoni Hunt in Laikipia and Vicky had the important position of being

Brian Glassock Brian was born in Finchley on 16th March 1938 and died 35,288 miles away in Bosham, West Sussex on 5th November 2019, aged 81, though looking 10 years younger. While Bosham is only 60 miles from Finchley during those intervening 81 years Brian had lived and worked in Uganda, Kenya, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea and Swaziland. Not bad for a chap who left school at 16 to train as a Chartered Accountant because he really wanted to be a farmer, so chose a profession that might enable him, one day, to buy a farm. That never happened but whether by design or chance he was involved in agriculture or associated industries for much of his working life.

He and Jill married in 1961 and that same year embarked for East Africa, living in Kenya and Uganda (tea) until 1968. They had taken a new job in Zambia with de Beers but while on leave Brian discovered he’d been poached by the Australian arm so the family 22

Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

Vicky was also an extremely accomplished cook and had a very successful spell as head cateress at Muthaiga Club. She met her husband, Jeremy Needham-Clark, shortly afterwards and when her sons Giles and Hugo were born she dedicated the rest of her life to her family and they moved to Kilifi. When her father died she inherited his herd of Guernsey cows and successfully ran her small Kilifi farm for many years providing milk to the local residents.

Throughout her life, Vicky was an active participant in the East African Women’s League and Horticultural Society of Kenya. She loved gardening and was very good at it. Anything she touched seemed

to grow. She particularly liked Hibiscus and always had rows of pots of various cuttings she had collected growing at the back of the house. She was also a gifted flower arranger.

But one of her greatest loves was dogs, of all breeds, but specifically mini Dachshunds, which she bred and showed.

This was an interest she shared with her mother Mu. It was a big blow to Vicky when Jeremy died suddenly in 2005 and in later life she took up Bridge. One friend described her Bridge strategy as unpredictable and erratic but surprisingly effective.

Vicky was a loyal friend, devoted to her family, she loved her animals, she had a kind heart and a strong will.

She lived a good life and will be sadly missed by her sons Giles and Hugo, her daughters-in-law Carey and Tash, her five grandchildren and her two brothers Charles and David Harris. She was a Member of MCC for 67 years.

March 1938 – November 2019 decamped to Melbourne. After three years he moved to Malaysia where, at the age of only 32, he became Finance Director of Kumpulan Guthrie (rubber and oil palm). Brian’s career took him next to Singapore and the Finance Directorship of Cold Storage (the leading supermarket chain in dairy products) before returning, reluctantly, to the UK in the late 1980s. Happily he quickly joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation and he and Jill moved to Arusha, Tanzania (coffee) for a rejuvenating seven years. Brian stayed with CDC until retirement, managing the South Pacific from Port Moresby (forestry among other things), before settling in Mhlume, Swaziland (sugar). Brian and Jill remained in Swaziland where Brian worked happily for Tibiyo before the needs of aging parents finally drew them back to the UK. Brian and Jill lived in Southern and East Africa for at least half their working lives; it was a region they loved deeply and it drew them back time and again.

Throughout his life Brian cared almost as much for others as he did for himself and his family. He nurtured potential wherever he found it, giving his time, experience, skills and encouragement in the service of the people of many countries, with truly lasting results.

His family pay tribute to a fiercely intelligent, deeply honourable, generous, considerate man whose 81 years among us benefitted so many.

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obituaries

Gillie Kennedy

Gillie was born in Nairobi in October 1962 but was raised on the family farm just outside Nanyuki. She had a carefree childhood there and at the Nanyuki School Hostel. When the farm was sold and the family moved to Karen, Gillie along with her sisters went up to Greenacres in Limuru. Gillie had a zest for life and had an ability to focus on the fun aspects of everything she did – which meant that she could be somewhat wild.

After completing her schooling, and having developed into a striking beauty, she hit the party scene, hell-raising in the high (and low) spots around the country.

Gillie met Peter Kennedy during this time and they were soon inseparable.

Both were talented and driven, starting their craft business, Miti Maiyo, which they nurtured into a successful business.

Gillie had an addictive nature and, with the help and support of Alcoholics Anonymous, spent time in the UK at a treatment centre. Whilst that was an extremely challenging time for her, she was subsequently able to successfully control her addiction and the learning from this time set her up for the challenges that were to come later, always

Clinton Dean Lucy

October 1962 - September 2019 living in the present and taking one day at a time.

Lorian was born in 1992 and the medical difficulties Gillie experienced during his birth were the first indications of the chronic heart condition, resulting from a viral infection as a child, that was to affect the rest of her life. In November 1999, Gillie underwent a heart transplant in Cape Town. Whilst the first few weeks were difficult, she enjoyed good health for the next 18 years, which she lived to the full, wringing every bit of joy out of each day. She was immensely proud of Lorian, seeing him finish school and join the Royal Marines.

Gillie was always generous with her friendship and had a great sense of compassion for all people, particularly for those whom society had failed. She loved entertaining and her house was always a hive of activity. An accomplished cook, she looked after anyone who appeared sumptuously.

Gillie needed medication to prevent her body rejecting the donor heart; but in time these impacted on her other organs and in 2018, after a serious illness her kidneys began to fail and she needed

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Whilst her life was cut short, she shone brightly whilst she was with us and touched so many with her beauty, love, kindness and compassion and has left us with many happy and joyous memories.

She is survived by her husband, Peter, who supported her throughout their time together, and her beloved son Lorian (Bezzy), her sisters Pippa, Mouse and Serena and her brother Julian. She was a Member of MCC for 23 years.

February 1951 - October 2019 Clinton moved to Melbourne, Australia in mid 1998, to be closer to his children but his career eventually brought him back to Cirencester, England for the next few years.

An only child, Clinton grew up in London, UK. He moved to Kenya in 1980 with his first wife, Heather to establish and manage an Education Centre for NCR in Nairobi. Three years later he joined Price Waterhouse as a Management Consultant and he remained with the company until 1998.

regular dialysis. Gillie accepted this with immense strength and courage, but her last months were increasingly difficult.

He and his wife Elizabeth, returned to Kenya to build their dream home and award-winning Lodge, Olepangi Farm, in the shadow of Mount Kenya, near Timau. Clinton enjoyed hosting guests from around the world, entertaining them with his stories over dinner, as well as guiding them on horseback safaris. In between hosting guests, he continued to travel extensively around the world for work as a freelance business consultant.

Clinton enjoyed a wide variety of leisure activities throughout his life. He started playing badminton as a child with his parents, horse riding in Richmond Park, then moving onto kart racing as a teen.

As an adult he took up fox hunting and

squash, eventually adding polo to his list of passions where he played at The Nairobi Polo Club.

Clinton was interested in English military history and enjoyed spending hours walking around museums. He had a fine collection of miniature military figures. His general knowledge on history was admired by many.

He is survived by his two children, Catherine and Stewart, his second wife Elizabeth and by his elderly mother, Cynthia. His first grandchild will be arriving shortly and he was excited at the prospect of being a grandparent.

Numerous messages of condolence and support have been received from around the world. He will be dearly missed by his many friends and fellow Club Members. Clinton was a Member of MCC for 29 years.

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

23

obituaries

Stewart Donald Grenville Vetch

November 1950 – December 2019

with great personal charm, he was an immensely popular officer and much liked by all ranks, but after 17 years with the Regiment, during which time he had married June Ross from Njoro and had two daughters, Cynara and Liana, to whom he was devoted, he resigned his commission and the family returned to Kenya in 1988.

Stewart was born in Nyeri to Robin and Jean Vetch (née Sharp.) He grew up in Kenya on the family farms, first at Nyeri and Molo in the Kenyan Highlands and later at Lake Baringo. Raised in upcountry Kenya it was an idyllic childhood and, despite his later intrepid wanderings abroad, Africa was forever implanted under his skin and he always regarded Kenya as his home.

Stewart attended Molo Primary before being sent to Hawkhurst Court Prep School in England, then the Nautical College Pangbourne.

Stewart was popular at Pangbourne and distinguished himself in rowing and rugby and as Drum Major in the College Band cutting a fine figure on parade, clad in leopardskin, beating his huge drum.

After Pangbourne Stewart worked for a spell in the City, then in 1971 he joined the army and was commissioned into The Life Guards. Stewart had a full and varied army career serving in Germany, Windsor, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, with mounted duties at Knightsbridge.

He was a fine soldier, not only dedicated to his regiment but also to the profession.

Urbane, good looking and stylish

Back in Kenya he became involved in several ventures initially in the safari business and later setting up the UKbased security firm, Armor Group, in Kenya. Stewart was an immediate, imaginative success at Armor Group, branching out from routine static guarding into close protection, cashin-transit services and even setting up a dog section. Always effortlessly charming Stewart successfully tackled a wide range of security, diplomatic and operational issues with his typical calm and considerate professionalism, attributes he applied equally successfully in his later role as Secretary of MCC. Sadly, in 1999, Stewart could no longer ignore his increasing health problems and he returned to England with the family for medical procedures that culminated in a quadruple bypass, leaving him unable to work for two years, but he started up a little business the moment he was well enough. When the opportunity to return once more to Kenya as Secretary of Muthaiga Club in 2006, he applied his perfectionism, never compromising on the time or effort needed, to manage the many demanding aspects of Club life.

Stewart was very highly regarded as Secretary and respected by the Members and staff alike. During his time at the

Club he successfully oversaw several major projects including the creation of the Business Room and the building of Pinks and the Fitness Centre, as well as significantly improving many of the existing facilities. Current Members need only look around them to see something to remember him by. His languid air was deceptive as it concealed a tremendous work ethic, but eventually it took its toll.

For health reasons, Stewart retired from the Club in 2012, but he will always be remembered as an exemplary leader - his focus always on those who worked for him - and a most conscientious administrator.

On retiring from the Club Stewart and June lived between their Kenya home on Soysambu Ranch in the Rift Valley and Somerset. He bore his long illness with courage and dignity and never gave up or lost hope and June devoted her time to his wellbeing. Stewart’s friends will always be warmed by memories of his generous hospitality, his inimitable charm, his calmness, his delightful - often selfdeprecating - sense of humour and his total lack of side. Stewart was a model of decency and a true gentleman. The staff and Committee treasure their time with him and thank him for everything he did for the Club.

Stewart died on Christmas Day. He is survived by June, Cynara and Liana and his brother Grahame. He was a great family man and will be sadly missed by them and his countless friends at the Club and around the world.

Stewart served as Secretary of the Club from 2006 – 2012 and was a Member for 31 years.

DEATHS

The Club regrets to announce the deaths of the following Members TERENCE (TAD) WATTS on 7 December 2019 VICTORIA NEEDHAM-CLARK on 4 January 2020 JOSEPH SEAGON on 11 January 2020 RAYMOND BIRCH on 20 January 2020 MADELINE THORNTON on 1 February 2020

ANTHONY ARCHER on 23 February 2020 MICHAEL MATU on 2 March 2020 RAJE JAGDEN on 31 January 2020 DAVID HEATH on 21 March 2020 DENNIS HALE on 2 April 2020

H.E. DANIEL TOROITICH ARAP MOI. C.G.H. on 4 February 2020 If anyone would like to publish an obituary for a Member who has died recently, please send a tribute and photograph of the deceased to the secretariat@mcc.co.ke

24

Muthaiga Country Club April – June 2020

www.mcc.co.ke

candidates being considered for membership CANDIDATES BEING CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP 1ST FEBRUARY TO 31ST MARCH 2020

CANDIDATES BEING CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP 1ST MARCH 2020 TO 30TH APRIL 2020

Proposer

Candidate Category

Proposer

Candidate Category

Patrick Kanyagia

Nicholas Kariuki

Full (18-29) Resident

Short Term to Full Membership

Philippe Dongier

Full Town

Caroline Horne

Emil Wilson

Full (18-29) Resident

- Maria Amelina

Full Town

Robin Ndegwa

Jason Kiama

Full (18-29) Resident

- Catherine Dongier Junior Family Town

Njoroge Kimani

Stella Karau

Full (18-29) Resident

Short Term to Full Membership

Andreas Holtkotte

Consolata Macharia

Betty Gikonyo

Full Town

- Cacilia Kasper Holtkotte Non Resident

Francesco Stame

Alberto Casella

Full Town

Short Term to Full Membership

Sherali Rawji

Full Town

- Ammita Serventi

Full Town

- Nazma Rawji

Full Town

Francesco Stame

Guglielmo Casella

Full (18-29) Resident

Short Term to Full Membership

Lisa Svensson

Full Town

Nikhil Hira

Harveen Gadhoke

Full Town

Joseph Muigai

Jamal Karia

Short Term

- Sahilly Gadhoke

Full Town

Nicola Stogdale

Deborah Kirby

Full Country

Macharia Irungu

Franklin Juma

Full Town

Vijoo Rattansi

Deepak Bowry

Full Town

- Stella Kishenu

Full Town

- Chanderkanta Bowry

Full Town

- Zahra Juma

Junior Family Town

Keval Vora

Ravinder Sikand

Full Town

- Eninka Juma

Junior Family Town

- Priya Sikand

Full Town

Mugambi Nandi

Kalpesh Patel

Full Town

- Veer Sikand

Junior Family Town

- Reeta Patel

Full Town

Michael Gichangi

Duncan Kiara

Non Resident

Mugambi Nandi

Misha Patel

Full (18-29) Resident

- Gilbertas Gurupira

Non Resident

Mugambi Nandi

Rianna Patel

Full (18-29) Resident

- Rivarashe Kiara Junior Family Non Resident

Simon Herd

Kabir Chal

Full Town

Michael Gichangi

Makena Kiara

- Jasreen Chal

Full Town

Michael Gichangi

Humphrey Kiara

- Raj Chal

Under 7

- Inosi Nyatta

Non Resident

- Pari Chal

Under 7

- Kinoti Kiara

Junior Family Non Resident

Alnashir Visram

Wanjiru Karanja

Full Town

Rajan Jamnadas

Jamie Pujara

Full Town

Alnashir Visram

Martha Koome

Full Town

- Clara Van Praag

Full Town

Short Term to Full Membership

John Wilson

Full Town

- Jaylen Pujara

Under 7

- Christina Wilson

Full Town

- Cato Pujara

Under 7

Short Term to Full Membership

Ebba Wilson

Anne Muchoki

Thomas Yongo

Full Town

Short Term to Full Membership

Andrew Cowan

Full Town

- Carlotta Dal Lago

Full Town

- Jill Cowan

Full Town

- Benjamin Yongo

Junior Family Town

- Sebastian Yongo

Junior Family Town

Salil Patel

Kishan Tanna

Full (18-29) Resident

Camilla Harries

Adam Lakhani

Full (18-29) Resident

Full (18-29) Resident

SWEEPSTAKES FEBRUARY 2020 Prize

Member Name

Amount

1st

Susan Bridget Deverell

69,065.50

2nd

Valter V. Donati

34,532.75

3rd

Stephen John Farrell

19,733.00

4th

Kembi Gitura

19,733.00

5th

Michael John Karanja

14,799.75

6th

John Michael King

9,866.50

7th

Simon Jones

9,866.50

8th

Alfonse Makau Kioko

9,866.50

9th

Adrian Mark Durston

9,866.50

SWEEPSTAKES MARCH 2020 Prize

Member Name

Amount

1st

Christopher Ballard

68,624.50

2nd

David John Fisher

34,312.25

3rd

Philip K. B. Kinisu

19,607.00

4th

John Anthony Muhoho

19,607.00

5th

Isabella Ochola-Wilson

14,705.25

6th

Leonard Ithau

9,803.50

7th

Nicholas Nesbitt

9,803.50

8th

Mathew John Barton

9,803.50

9th

S. R. Shantilah Shah

9,803.50

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Non Resident

Full (18-29) Non Resident Non Resident

Answers to Bird Quiz Top row: Streaky Seedeater; Baglafecht Weaver (male); Red-billed Firefinch.

Row 2: Ruppell's Robinchat; White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher; African Citril.

Row 3: Kenya Rufous Sparrow; Red-cheeked Cordon-Bleu; Olive Thrush.

Bottom row: Common Bulbul; Yellow-crowned Canary; Yellow-throated Apalis.

April – June 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

25

MCC reciprocates with 114 Clubs in 24 countries around the world. The Reciprocity Committee invests a great deal of time ensuring that these Clubs are worthy of our association and Members are encouraged to submit brief reports if they visit or stay at any one of them. These reports will be published for the benefit and interest of other Members who may be planning to travel overseas.

For more information and contact details of reciprocating Clubs please contact the Secretary’s office.

MCC reciprocates with 114 Clubs in 24 countries around the world. The Reciprocity Committee invests a great INDIA THAILAND AUSTRALIA deal of time ensuring that these Clubs are worthy of our association and Members are encouraged to submit Tollygunge Club Ltd Kolkata The British Club, Bangkok Bangkok Adelaide Club Adelaide brief reports if they visit or stay at any one of them.

These reports will be published for the benefit and interest Umed Club Jodhpur Athenaeum Club Melbourne TURKEY of other Members who may be planning toNadu travel overseas.

Ootacamund Club Ooty, Tamil Australian Club Melbourne Melbourne Secunderabad Club Secunderabad Commonwealth Club Canberra Buyuk Cercleoffice. d’Orient Istanbul For more information and contact details of reciprocating ClubsBangalore please contact the Kulup Secretary’s Bangalore Club Melbourne Club Melbourne Queensland Club AUSTRAL IA Club of Australia Royal Automobile

Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Adelaide Brisbane Melbourne Hobart Melbourne Sydney Canberra Melbourne Perth Melbourne

Royal Automobile Club of Victoria Adelaide Club Tattersall’s AthenaeumClub Club Tasmanian Club Melbourne Australian Club Union, University & Schools Club Commonwealth Club Melbourne Weld Club Club Melbourne Savage Club Naval Military and Airforce AUSTRIA of South Australia Adelaide St. Johanns Club Club of Australia Vienna Royal Automobile Sydney Royal Automobile Club of Victoria Melbourne BOLIVIA Tattersall’s Club Brisbane Tasmanian Club Hobart Circulo de La Union La Paz Union, University & Schools Club Sydney United Service Club Brisbane BELGIUM Weld Club Perth Western Australian Perth International Club Club Chateau Sainte-Anne Brussels AUSTRIA CANADA St. Johanns Club Vienna Granite Club Toronto B OLIVIA Rideau Club Ottawa Royal Canadian Military Institute Toronto Circulo de La Union La Paz Saint James’s Club of Montreal Montreal B ELGIUM The Forest & Stream Club Quebec International Brussels The HamiltonClub Club Chateau Sainte-Anne Hamilton The National Club Toronto CAN ADA The Ranchmen’s Club Calgary CypressClub Clubof British Columbia Medicine Hat Union Victoria Granite Club Toronto University Club of Toronto Toronto The Hamilton Club Hamilton Vancouver Club Vancouver The National Club Toronto The Ranchmen’s Club Calgary CARIBBEAN Terminal City Club Vancouver West Indies Club Columbia Caribbean Union ClubYacht of British Victoria University Club of Montreal Montreal University Club of Toronto Toronto CHILE Vancouver Club Vancouver Club De La Union Santiago CH ILE FRANCE Club De La Union Santiago Cercle de l’Union Interalliee F RANCE The Travellers Club Cercle de l’Union Interalliee The Travellers Club GERMANY GERMANY Club E.V Anglo-German Anglo-German ClubClub E.V Union International Union International Club HONG KONG HONG KONG The The Hong Hong Kong Kong Club Club

Paris Paris Paris Paris Hamburg Hamburg Frankfurt Frankfurt Hong Hong Kong Kong

IN DIA ITALY Tollygunge ClubTiro Ltda Volo Kolkata Circolo Antico Rome Umed Club Jodhpur Ootacamund Club Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu

IIRELAND NDI A continued Kildare Street Club and University Club Secunderabad Dublin Secunderabad The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club Dublin Bangalore Club Bangalore IJAPAN RE L AND Tokyo American Club Kildare Street and University Club

Tokyo Dublin

The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club Dublin LUXEMBOURG JAPAN Cercle Munster Luxembourg Tokyo American Club Tokyo MALAYSIA LUXE M BOU RG The Royal Lake Club Cercle Munster

Kuala Lumpur Luxembourg

NETHERLANDS M AL AW I The Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De Witte The Hague

Mulika Royal Industrieele Groote Club

Blantyre Amsterdam

NE THE RL A N D S NEW ZEALAND The Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De WitteThe Christchurch Club Christchurch Hague The Canterbury Club Inc. Christchurch Hawke’s Bay Napier N EW ZE ALClub AND The Northern Club Auckland Christchurch Club Christchurch The Wellington Club Wellington The Canterbury Club Inc. Christchurch PAKISTAN Hawke’s Bay Club Napier SindNorthern Club Club The

Karachi Auckland

The Wellington Club PORTUGAL SGrémio I NG APO R E Club Literário

Wellington

Tanglin Club SINGAPORE

Singapore

Lisbon

STanglin OUTHClub AF R IC A Cape Town Club SOUTH AFRICA The Country Club Johannesburg The Country Durban Club Club Johannesburg Durban Club Inanda Club Inanda Club Kelvin Grove Club Kelvin Grove Club Port Port Elizabeth Elizabeth St. St. Georges Georges Club Club The Pretoria Country Club Club Club Rand Club

Singapore Cape Town Johannesburg Johannesburg Durban Durban Johannesburg Johannesburg Cape Town Cape Town Port Port Elizabeth Elizabeth Pretoria Johannesburg

SSPAIN PAI N Ecuestre Circulo Ecuestre Real Gran Club de Polo de Barcelona Real Peña Real Gran Peña S RI L ANKA SRI LANKA The Hill Club The Hill Club T HAI L AND SWEDEN The British Club, Bangkok Club Sällskapet

Barcelona Barcelona Madrid Madrid Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya Bangkok Stockholm

UK UK Army & Navy Club London Army Navy Club London Buck’s&Club London Boodle’s London Cardiff & County Club Cardiff Buck’s London Carlton Club London Cardiff County Club Cardiff Farmer’s&Club London Carlton London Garrick Club Club London City of London Club London Hurlingham Club London Farmer’s Club London Lansdowne Club London Hurlingham Club London Leander Club Henley-on-Thames, Ipswich & Suffolk Club Ipswich Naval Club London Lansdowne Club London Norfolk Club Norwich Leander Henley-on-Thames, Northern Counties Club Newcastle Naval Club London Oriental Club London Northern Club Newcastle Oxford & Counties Cambridge Club London Nottingham Notts United Services Nottingham Phyllis Court&Club Henley-on-Thames, The Oriental London Reform Club Oxford & Force Cambridge London Royal Air Club Club Phyllis Court ClubClub Henley-on-Thames, Royal Automobile London The ClubLeague London RoyalReform Over-Seas Royal Force Club London SavileAir Club Royal Automobile Club London The Athenaeum Liverpool Royal Over-Seas League London The Boodle’s Savile Club London The Caledonian Club The Athenaeum Liverpool Cavalry & Guards Club London Clifton Club Bristol The Caledonian Club London East India Club The Cavalry & Guards London In & Out Naval & Military Club London The Clifton Club Bristol New India Club Club Cheltenham The East London Club Edinburgh The New Club Cheltenham Norfolk Norwich The New ClubClub Edinburgh Royal Northern The Norfolk Club & University Club Aberdeen Norwich Scots Club The Royal Northern & University Club Edinburgh Aberdeen SloaneScots Club London The Royal Club Edinburgh The Sloane St. James Club Manchester The Club London The St Western Glasgow The James Club Club Manchester Travellers Club Club London The Travellers London TurfWestern Club Club London The Glasgow Ulster Reform Belfast The Turf Club Club London Ulster Reform Club Belfast USA Vincent’s Club Oxford The Army & Navy Club Washington DC USA Cosmos Club Washington DC The ArmyClub & Navy ClubYork City Washington DC Harvard of New New York Colony Club Club New York The Explorers Cosmos Club Club Washington DC The Princeton New York The Princeton Club Saturn Club Buffalo City,New NY York State The Saturn Club Buffalo City, NY State Standard Club Chicago The Standard Chicago Union Club ofClub Boston Boston Union Club of of Boston Boston League Philadelphia Philadelphia The University University ClubClub of Cincinnati Cincinnati of Washington Washington DC The University Club The Yale Club of New York City New York City ZI MB A B W E ZIMBABWE Bulawayo Bulawayo Bulawayo Bulawayo Harare Club Harare Harare Club Harare

MU THA IGA C OUNTRY CLUB P.O.Box 16526, Nairobi 00620, Kenya Email secretary@mcc.co.ke, accounts@mcc.co.ke, reservations@mcc.co.ke,exec.chef@mcc.co.ke, events@mcc.co.ke

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