The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine October - December 2022

Country Club

From the Chairman

Members

Here I am updating you on another busy quarter at the Club.

A great deal has happened since I last wrote this column.

Congratulations to HE President Dr William Samoei Ruto on his election and further congratulations to the people and democratic processes and institutions of Kenya on such a peaceful election and transfer of power.

In this edition you will be able to read a beautifully written obituary on the remarkable life and achievements of the late former President His Excellency Mwai Kibaki; someone who derived enormous pleasure from his many years of Membership of the Club.

Still on the issue of the departed, we send our condolences to the peoples of Britain and the Commonwealth on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was given a most fitting send off, may her Soul rest in eternal peace.

As a Club we were actually visited by royalty as far back as 1928, by the late Queen’s uncle David, then the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII before he abdicated, and latterly the Duke of Windsor – I believe the Prince (as he then was) left quite an impression at the Club and particularly amongst the fairer sex.

One event that was taking place before the Prince of Wales’ visit here is the Herring Cup, which has been competed for since 1924 – initially at Makuyu Club it must be said. This year we had entrants from Gilgil, Karen, Limuru, the Red Herrings and of course from the Club itself. I understand that the Ball was such a hoot that partygoers partook in that time honoured tradition for the event of dancing on the tables.

Enjoying parties comes naturally to Muthaiga Club Members, of course. The Chairman’s Outreach took place in the grounds of Mrs Eunice Kiereini’s beautiful residence in Karen on Saturday 24th September. Well over 120 Members attended and we were looked after royally by Lawrence Kioko, Chef Macharia and their teams. It was an utterly splendid day and our thanks to our most gracious hostess.

During the event we did have the opportunity of discussing the Club and ease of access with Karen/ Lang’ata resident Members. Coming out of that we are looking into providing a bus service to and from Karen to the Club, perhaps on a Friday and not just for specific events. Watch this space. But in any event, I urge those Members who may have resigned to re-consider - let’s face it, with the new Expressway to assist smooth passage, getting from Karen to MCC has never been quicker.

Many suggestions were also made as to where the next Chairman’s Outreach should take place – these ranged from Eldoret, Kitale, Taveta, Chaka, Arusha to London. We will be giving serious thought to this in the coming months. Again, watch this space.

During the function I took the opportunity of introducing the Members present to the incoming Club Secretary Michael Flint. He is starting at the beginning of November. Please give Michael the warmest of welcomes.

Thank you to the Heritage Committee for organising two very memorable talks – the first by Janfrans van der Earden on Kenyan architecture through the ages and the second by Official Club Treasure Stephen Mills on the historical linkages between the Club and Kenya.

We are now entering the lead in to the end of year festivities, all now fully restored, we have Bonfire Night, the Poppy Ball and the myriad Club events around Christmas and New Year to enjoy.

So, please enjoy reading this edition, yet again beautifully crafted by Yoyo and her team, and please enjoy your Membership to the fullest in the coming months.

My best wishes to you and your families,

Philip Coulson, Chairman, Muthaiga Country Club

From the Secretary

Dear Members

We thank you for your feedback on the entry procedures particularly after our recent email Communication. We are working with our service providers to make the entry procedures friendlier and seamless, without compromising on the security of the Members and ensuring that the Club is accessed only by Members and guests invited in compliance with the Club's bylaws. We are particularly looking at introducing secure, virtual Membership Cards to solve the recurring problem of Members forgetting to carry their Club cards. In the meantime, we encourage you to always carry your Membership Cards with you and to preregister your guests, to enjoy fast track entry into the Club.

We continue working with various institutions to bring essential services to the Club for the convenience of Members. We recently organised a Heart Health Clinic in collaboration with the Aga Khan University Hospital, to commemorate the World Heart Day. Over 170 Club Members and staff came to have their blood pressure, blood sugar levels and BMI tested, as well as free Heart Screening.

We also recently launched a one-way Muthaiga WhatsApp Group to help us update Members on forthcoming events and Club activities, faster and better. We encourage Members who wish to be added to the group to send an email request, with their telephone numbers to communications@mcc.co.ke.

We have witnessed increased use of the Pinks arcade as a workspace in recent times. While we encourage Members to use the Club’s facilities for their convenience, we ask that this be done in a way that does not breach the peace and comfort of other Members. Any form of voice calls, therefore, may not be made or received in that space.

On the HR front, over 100 hundred of our staff Members have recently attended intensive First Aid and Fire Safety refresher courses, to gain the necessary skills to enhance health and safety in the Club.

As we approach the festive season, we have lined up exciting activities for the Christmas celebrations and we encourage you to look out for communications from our Events desk, over the next few weeks.

With Best wishes,

David Muunga

David Muunga Acting Club Secretary

MEMBERSHIP MA TTERS

MEMBERSHIP MA TTERS

With the winding down of a communications committee, this page is devoted to being more of an opinion page, where prevailing moods and sentiments of Members on current Club issues, expressed in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, we want to know what’s on your mind, and will always welcome your feedback.

The Butterfly Trust

winding down of a communications committee, this page is devoted to being more page, where prevailing moods and sentiments of Members on current Club essed in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, we want to know what’s on and will always welcome your feedback.

WORLD HEART DAY

at Pinks

RECENTLY, A DECISION WAS MADE FFER BREAKF AST ON LY AT PINKS…

TO

Going from strength to strength, the Butterfly Trustwhich was established in 2010 by MCC Members Gordon Owles and Juliet Nightingale in memory of their mother Olwen - sources, trains and supports a strong network of Carers from local communities to assist individuals and their families that need professional support for looking after patients at home.

eakfast at Pinks only is a mistake. Do away with the chafing dishes and cook to order as it used TP

Pinks

With Members’ health and wellbeing always uppermost in Club priorities, MCC recently organised a Heart Health Clinic in collaboration with the Aga Khan University Hospital, to commemorate World Heart Day.

As well as free Heart Screening, over 170 Club Members and staff had their blood pressure, blood sugar levels and BMI tested, ensuring we are keeping the spirit and heart of MCC beating strong.

M ORE GENERAL

Appalled by people’s behaviour at P disappointed to have to have br an overseas Member and come to the Club for the Club, not to come to an average hotel.

DECISION WAS MADE AST ON LY AT PINKS…

Recently the Butterfly Trust initiated a highly successful training course for home help staff. Led by nurse trainer Fi Thompson from Malindi, and facilitated by MCC Members Juliet Campbell-Clause and Vivien Wallis, the sessions covered basic nursing care, including patient Moving & Handling, prevention of pressure sores, patient hygiene, bed-making, toilet care, Nutrition & Hydration and First Aid.

ur German sausage has not seen Germany ecraut [sic] was not cooked. It tasted ok as I was very hungry PE

HYBRID AGM

T O

While I agree with the economic r only one venue for breakfast, I do not agr the argument that economy alone justifies dispensing with breakfast in the old restaurant in a child-free environment. RS

only is a mistake. Do away with and cook to order as it used

Why is it that there are never any ice-creams in the fridge? Also, never any low-fat milk

ot the place it used to be. WR

There are only three things wrong with Pi 1. Service. 2. Service. 3. Service. DN

By offering basic nursing care to home helps the Butterfly Trust is giving an extra dimension of expertise to households who are supporting elderly, unwell or convalescing family members.

No waiters, tables not laid, multiple trips required no logic to layout, food in chafing dishes cold, table not cleared as food finished, coffee disgusting.AB

people’s behaviour at Pinks, and have to have breakfast there… I am Member and come to the Club for the to an average hotel. FP

The MCC AGM will be held on 17 November this year. Members can either attend the meeting in person at the Club in the Ballroom, or join virtually via a link, which will be sent out to Members nearer the time. This hybrid arrangement has proved very successful and popular amongst our overseas and up-country Members, who now have a chance to participate.

M ORE GENERAL LY

The butterfly Trust is planning another series of home help training sessions in the near future, so if any MCC Members are interested in sending their domestic staff to attend, please visit the Butterfly Trust website for more information.

The Butterfly Trust assists anyone seeking that extra, unseen helping hand.

the economic reasons for having for breakfast, I do not agree with economy alone justifies breakfast in the old restaurant in a environment. RS

not laid, multiple trips required, food in chafing dishes cold, as food finished, coffee

BUT IT WASN’T ALL BA D…

Your German sausage has not seen Germany and the saurecraut [sic] was not cooked. It tasted ok as I was very hungry. PE

Staff Christmas Box

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

Why is it that there are never any ice-creams in the fridge? Also, never any low-fat milk RH

In the run-up to Christmas Members may wish to leave gratuities for the team. The Staff Christmas Box provides an opportunity to show our appreciation of the team’s consistent hard work and professionalism. The fund is divided up and distributed equally amongst all junior staff by way of a bonus.

ot the place it used to be. WR

Donations are entirely discretionary and Members should not feel under any obligation to contribute.

There are only three things wrong with Pinks: 1. Service. 2. Service. 3. Service. DN

Steam Engine Turns 100

The maganificent old Portable Steam Engine that graces the Chairman’s Lawn turned 100 in August.

Portable Engines are so called as they have to be towed to the place of work, which was usually to a harvest field for threshing or, in Kenya, perhaps shelling maize, or to a sawmill to drive a sawbench.

The history of this engine is largely unknown, but she seems to have had a colourful career. It is thought she was imported, along with several steam engines, by the early settler (and a

founding Member of MCC) Ewart Grogan, to provide power to his sawmills in Njoro and Mount Elgon.

BUT IT WASN’T ALL BA D…

The Roger Tanner purchased this engine from the estate of Frank Hewitt, who it is thought used it on his gold mining attempts in Kakamega and elsewhere. She was last in action being used a prop in the film ‘Out of Africa’, operating on Karen Blixen’s coffee farm.

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

This grand old lady is on loan to the Club by kind permission of Roger Tanner as part of the Heritage Collection.

Roving Eye

Eye gladdens to hear Afternoon Tea is back and wonders where or why it went. Eye groans to learn that, extraordinarily, a particular kind of member (no capital letter, obvs) used to order tea, pile a plate high with sandwiches and scones, stride to the bar and demand that the mountain be wrapped ‘to go’. Supper sorted, would you believe it? Eye understands why bean-counters might remove such a charitable service, and why Members are now required to pay for all items ordered from the tea menu. Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis, sadly.

However, the good news is that Eye’s heart races at the prospect of winning the Club Christmas Draw. Recently returned from travels, Eye is excited by the rumour that there might soon be the chance to head out again. Eye hears on the grapevine (geddit?) that DELTA AIR LINES ARE COMING TO THE PARTY!! Staying calm, dear, Eye understands this year’s Top Prize in the Christmas Draw will be, get this, TWO BUSINESS CLASS TICKETS TO ANY DESTINATION IN THE UNITED STATES!!

So now Eye prowls, seeking anyone who might know how to rig a draw. Surely it must be possible… Eye ponders the odds of winning, weighs up the statistics (lotteries are statistical, right?) and reckons it’s worth buying a ticket this year. Thanks organisers – Eye’s in, happily!

Letters to the Editor…

Awesome kisd

It was a great experience but the bounce house whent down before I could play on it so that made me sad but it was aseme.

NN

Short straw

Shocked to hear that we can only have straws with cocktails! Please be a bit more generous.

AO

Tea-witched

Afternoon tea is back. Long live this age-old tradition of our Club… but could we have the old scones back? The small ones are hard and are not scones as we know them. The sandwiches are as tasty as ever. If only one could choose their favourites! An excellent start though.

FN

More emphasis

Tea’s great. Monkeys aren’t. Hawks circle. Pool’s cold. Sharpen up.

CJ

[Ed: these views were expressed, less succinctly, by many.]

Reaching out

My thanks to the Chairman and all concerned for the most enjoyable afternoon in Karen on Saturday.

It was beautifully organised, fun to meet lots of people, delicious food and excellent wine - and somebody up there even organised a lovely summer’s day! Thanks to Eunice Muringo Kiereini for hosting us in her beautiful gardens.

I enjoyed myself very much and look forward to the next.

TC

[Ed: there were many more appreciative letters to the Chairman in this vein. Listen out for the next Outreach – you may need your Passports!]

Hope you all had a wonderful summer.

Since the last newsletter we've held a vibrant virtual young Members (18-29 years of age) meeting which is always so refreshing and reassuring that many of whom will be our future (hopefully soon) Club committee members and some likely to be our national leaders.

While we have no shortage of applicants wanting to join the Club there are many ‘clubbable’ candidates within Nairobi and countrywide possibly not joining because they incorrectly assume we are this old fashioned elitist institution. We all in our own way need to play our part in correcting this misconception while not forgetting what a

bargain our entrance fees are compared to let’s say the ‘other’ clubs.

As much as we know some join for the prestige, we would want new Members to be joining with the intention of adding value to our membership and by frequently visiting our Club and taking full advantage of all the wonderful facilities and events.

Thank you and wishing you and your families a wonderful third quarter of the year.

Kush Bhardwaj Chairman Balloting Committee

finance

Our new financial year started in July, and I take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to the Club’s finances.

Our key focus this financial year will be to seek opportunities to invest our cash reserves in a way that secures the long-term financial sustainability of the Club. We also continue to allocate adequate funds to maintain and renew Club facilities in order to deliver excellent value to Members in terms of quality and service.

The economic environment remains challenging with inflationary pressures building up to unprecedented levels. We however, keep looking for efficiencies to help cushion Members from price increases, where possible.

Our payment processes are evolving all the time to improve efficiency and Members accounts are now being updated on a real time basis, with M-Pesa and card payments. This has however been possible only when Members provide their Membership account

numbers in full. We appeal to those Members who are used to the shortened format of their account numbers to always remember to provide their Membership account in full when making payments, because the automation only works with the full eightcharacter alphanumeric number.

On the administration front, we have a large balance of unidentified credits and therefore remind Members to please always indicate their account numbers in full when making direct payments to the Club’s bank accounts. Any Members who think they may have deposited money in the Club’s bank accounts without informing us, please kindly send an email to accounts@mcc.co.ke or call +254 (0)111190221, so that we can register your payments.

In the meantime, I thank you again for your support of the Club.

Daniel Ndonye

Daniel Ndonye Chairman Finance & Strategy Committee

Heritage Presents...

A packed house of over 120 Members thoroughly enjoyed a fascinating talk by Steve Mills on “An incredible Lecture: A Blended Lecture on the History of Kenya & Muthaiga Country Club.”

In August. the Tennis Section hosted a Junior Tennis Camp for Members’ children of different age groups. The Camp, which was held over five days, involved physical exercises, training drills and competitions. Thirty children attended.

Junior Tennis Camp Gin & Teatime

A Cunning Twist on G&T - and it’s not Lemon

Member Tehmeena Manji, one of Kenya’s first Tea Sommeliers, hosted a G & Tea event in the Garden Room, to celebrate both her exquisite blends of tea and the Club’s new BeGin Bar.

The most popular tea in Tehmeena’s range is her Purple Haze blend, which lends itself as a perfect partner to the savoury botanicals of Gin!

Tehmeena is pictured here with Vincent, the Club’s sommelier, and other G & Tea aficionados.

Christmas Carols

18 December 2022

(after three years of silence) in the Ballroom from 6pm. Families and friends welcome!

Steve gave the audience amazing information on the early days of Kenya, before and as a colony, and linked this to the Club’s own history. He is pictured here signing a copy of ‘Muthaiga –The First One Hundred Years’, which he co-wrote with Yoyo Vetch, to commemorate MCC’s Centenary in 2013.

Guy Fawkes Night & Fireworks

For the first time in three years

MCC will be hosting Guy Fawkes Night with a spectaclular Firework display

5th November 2022

at the Tennis Courts from 6pm onwards. Families & friends welcome!

MCC Poppy Ball

11 November 2022

7pm till Late (in aid of the British Legion Kenya)

MCC Remembrance Day Service will be held on 12 November at 10.30am at the War Memorial

Herring Cup Dinner Dance 2022

The splendid pure silver Herring Cup was donated by one Captain E.W.S. Herring, after he won, at huge odds, a large sum of money at the Nairobi races in 1924. Captain Herring wanted to create a tennis event that would bring together members of the surrounding country clubs in an “enjoyable, social and sporting team event.”

The generosity of Captain Herring has left a long lasting sporting legacy enjoyed by generations of Kenyans and MCC Club Members, and the Herring Cup Challenge has been held every year since 1924, apart from two short spells during WWII and Covid.

A Black Tie Dinner Dance was always held on the Saturday night and players would be back on the tennis courts for a 9am start on Sunday, somewhat worse for wear.

This year, for the first time in three years, Muthaiga once again hosted the Herring Cup Challenge and a glittering Black Tie Dinner on the Saturday evening was enjoyed by over 60 revelers and tennis champs.

‘The Ethereal Saga’

‘The Ethereal Saga’ is a dramatised version of storytelling using Indian classical music and the ancient Bharatnattam dance form.

The story recounts the journey of an acclaimed Indian poet Jaideva, who lived in the 12th Century, while he was writing a legendary Love Saga in Sanskrit. His writings portrayed the human aspect of Divinity, which became a keynote in Indian Literature.

Performed at MCC by local artists James Muhia, Krishna Kislay and Shashi Manoj ‘The Ethereal Saga’ was an enormous success, enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience.

Romantic Journey of a Great Poet)

events

MCC Christmas Draw & Lunch 2022

Flying High with Delta Air Lines

The Club Christmas Draw 2022 promises to be better than ever before as we approach the festive season this year released from the grip of Covid restrictions.

With international airlines once more taking to the skies our Christmas Draw has taken off with a spectacular Top Prize.

America’s most awarded airline, Delta Air Lines, has donated two return Business Class tickets from Nairobi to any destination in mainland US!

With over 200 destinations in the US to choose from, Delta Air Lines is offering one lucky MCC Member two return Business Class tickets to almost anywhere in the United States.

In addition to our Top Prize, we have over 200 other fabulous prizes, many generously donated by our Members.

The cost of Raffle Tickets is still just KES 200/- each.

They can be bought either online by sending an email with your Account Number indicating the number of tickets you would like to buy to mccbilling@mcc. co.ke or purchase your tickets online via our website or App.

And remember, the more tickets you buy, the greater your chances of winning.

As one of the social highlights of the year, the Christmas Draw launches us into the festive season at the Club. Members and friends come together to win hundreds of glorious prizes followed by a great Christmas Lunch party.

This is preceded by drinks on the Centenary Lawn and a Mini Draw with a huge range of fun prizes for those in attendance.

This year the Main Draw will take place on Saturday, 10 December 2022 from 11.30am, followed by a delicious Christmas Lunch prepared by Chef Macharia and his amazing catering team.

Table bookings are filling up quickly, so please reserve your table by emailing events@mcc.co.ke

And buy that winning ticket!

COMPETITION

Question:

What event was being celebrated in this picture?

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 July – September 2022 Competition

QUESTION: This was once an important building in Nairobi –what is it?

ANSWER: DC Office & Courthouse, Nairobi 1899.

WINNER: Njoki Kanyi

‘Speak Their Names’ by Silvia Cassini

‘When Federico Taverio is commissioned to write a play about a witch-hunt in 16th Century Italy, he is helped by a young girl who comes to him in his dreams. But she wants something in return - that he do what no woman could do, and what no man ever did - defend her.’

From MCC Member Silvia Cassini, the award-winning writer of ‘A Man Like You’, comes a new play ‘Speak Their Names’, the story of a witch-hunt that resonates across the four hundred years since its conclusion.

‘Speak Their Names’ will be performed live at MCC on 18 & 19 November, at 6.30pm. For bookings contact the Events Office - events@mcc.co.ke

Forthcoming Events Diary

Tennis – Cup of Nations – Mixed Doubles

Live Concert - “The History of Music”

Opera Night – ‘Callas Forever’

11 October, Tennis Courts, 9am.

11 October, Ballroom, 6pm.

October, Ballroom, 6pm.

Bowls – Club Singles 15/16 October, Bowls Green, 9am.

Live Concert – Vivaldi & Bach Double Violin Concerto 21 October, Ballroom, 6.30pm.

Golf Dinner – MCC vs MGC 22 October, Ballroom, 6pm.

Bowls – Watson Trophy 22/23 October, Bowls Green, 9am.

Heritage Presents… “The Golden Age of the Swahili Coast" by Judy Aldrick 26 October, Ballroom, 6pm.

Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks) 28 October, Popsy Bar, 5 – 7pm.

Tennis – Ladies’ & Men’s Singles against Karen Club

30 October, Tennis Courts, 9am.

Live Concert 3 November, Ballroom, 6pm.

Guy Fawkes Night – Fireworks 5 November, Tennis Courts, 6pm onwards.

Bowls – MCC vs Caledonians 6 November, Bowls Green, 9am.

Speaker’s Evening – The Samburu Project by Rhodia Mann

10 November, Ballroom, 6pm. Poppy Ball 11 November, Club Dining Room, 7.30pm onwards.

Remembrance Service 12 November, War Memorial, 10.30am onwards

Tennis – MCC Ladies and Men's Singles Challenge

13 November, Tennis Courts, 9am.

MCC AGM 17 November, Ballroom (or virtually via link) 6pm.

Theatre Night – ‘Speak Their Name’ by Silvia Cassini

18 & 19 November, Ballroom, 6.30pm.

Masterclass – ‘Exploring the Philosophy of Consciousness’ Dr Anuja Prashar 23 November, Ballroom, 6.30 – 9.30pm.

Opera Night – ‘Dido & Enea’ & ‘Salome’

Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks)

Tennis – "Pot Luck" Mixed Doubles (Handicap)

Chef’s Table

Tennis – "Christmas Crackers" Mixed Doubles

MCC Christmas Draw

Bowls – Ladies vs Gents Competition

Bowls

Children’s Christmas Party

Christmas Carol Service

Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Day Lunch

Boxing Day BBQ

NYE Party

NYD Brunch

November, Ballroom, 6pm.

25 November, Popsy Bar, 5 – 7pm.

27 November, Tennis Courts, 9am.

2 December, Main Kitchen, 7pm onwards.

December, Tennis Courts, 9am.

10 December, Centenary Lawn, from 11.30am onwards.

December, Bowls Green, 9am.

December, Green Closes for maintenance.

December, Pinks Lawn, 12noon onwards.

December, Ballroom, 6pm onwards.

December, Club Dining Room, 7pm onwards.

December, Club Dining Room & Centenary Lawn, 12.30pm onwards

December, Pinks & Poolside, 12.30pm.

December, Pinks & Poolside, 7pm onwards.

January 2023, Pinks & Poolside, 11.30 onwards.

Dates and times of events were correct at the time of going to press. They may change post printing so please check with the Events Office when making your bookings.

art

PUTTING ART ON THE MAP

MCC Member Peter Blackwell turns Old Maps into New Art by Lisa Blackwell

In today’s modern world of smart phones with GPS functions and Apps, maps no longer play a key role in travel. The ability to look over a vast area has shrunk, and the massive landmasses of Africa are reduced to a screen, only inches wide.

Where today you simply “drop a pin”, old maps contain individual markers and indicators, contours and boundaries and, for the individual, they hold places of personal interest – childhood homes, routes taken to work, safaris and adventures. These cyphers reveal not only the geography but also the intriguing history contained within these maps, and a nostalgia for travel and adventure. Though some maps are pristine with no marks, or folds, or even a reminder of a spilled drink or a brunch by termites, they all hold memories.

Artist Peter Blackwell has taken a new bearing in his work. By taking old maps of East Africa and painting something distinctive to the area onto them, he is creating beautiful pieces of art that stir memories and recognition.

Old maps awaken a nostalgia for days gone by, and with the addition of art that embraces the very integrity of each map, incorporating the map’s contours, colours and age, the final pieces are truly personal and can tell individual stories.

Retrieving old maps from the bottom of a drawer, gives them new life. By adding the unusual - a lion, a sunbird, or an ngalawa - it is transformed into something personal, yet fresh and uplifting for both cartophiles and art-lovers.

A seasoned African explorer can reminisce about specific places and times, and a younger onlooker can become interested, not only in the world of fine art, but also in the amazing history that can be found in the old maps.

Taking old charts and painting something relevant to the area on them, Peter turns old maps into new works of art, with the added dimension of personal history.

Peter (pictured left) accepts commissions for individualised maps. www. peterblackwellwildlifeartist.com

MUTHAIGA COUNTRY CLUB’S ART COLLECTION – PAST AND FUTURE

by Tony Wainaina

The Club’s earliest known artwork is a 109 year old watercolour on paper, dated 6th October 1913. The artist is J.G. Millar, and the painting is titled ‘Mt. Longonot from Suswa – B.E.I. Co.’. Our research came up with a James Millar who died in 1925 as the result of a gunshot wound to the head - six years before! This gunshot victim may or may not be one and the same artist, but it makes for a rather morbidly humourous back-story!

Have you ever observed, really noticed what’s on the walls, in the Main Club House, the Main Dining room, the Red, Yellow and Blue Dining rooms, the Garden Room, the Meeting rooms, Pinks, the West Wing, Popsy Bar? Has your reaction to whatever is on the walls been indifference, curiosity or discomfort? The fact is, that the level of interest in artworks on our walls - across our Membership - can be described using a combination of adjectives. Indifferent. Ambivalent. Glassy-eyed. Mild, passing interest. Curious. Impassive. Outraged. Intrigued. Joyous. Saddened. Confused. Perhaps you’re wondering how we can even refer to what we have on our walls as an art collection. Perhaps it is better described as a mish-mash of prints, photographs, drawings, paintings and posters, many in need of some TLC. The eclectic collection has grown over the decades, and the choice and positioning of artworks has largely been guided by an interior design, rather than through a fine art curatorial lens.

Timothy Brooke 2010 –Lion Hunt with Spearmen 1904. Oil on canvas 101cm x 121cm.

It’s unlikely that we can all agree on a common description of the Club’s ‘Art Collection.’ What we can agree on is that

the Club is endowed with copious amounts of quality space, inside and outside, from which to display artworks. This notwithstanding, we can also agree that the Club can do a much better job of using the spaces we have, to display a more intentionally curated collection of artworks that we already own, and can acquire. We are also blessed with a Membership that includes individuals with strong linkages to the visual arts world – accomplished artists, gallerists and art collectors. The elephant in the room is the absence of a more diverse representation of artworks that is illustrative of the diversity of the Club’s Membership. We very much look forward to seeing artworks created by our talented local, indigenous Kenyan artists on the Club’s walls in the near future.

Recognising the potential to maintain a better curated collection of artworks, in 2019, the Main Committee established an ad-hoc Arts Committee to take stock of the Club’s artworks and recommend a way forward. The Arts Committee's report is now being implemented via the Heritage Committee, which is developing a policy to enhance the quality of artworks and to curate them more intentionally across the Club’s interior and exterior spaces.

J.G.Millar 6th October 1913 – Mount Longonot from Suswa B.E.I. Co. Watercolour on paper.

The existing art collection represents a foundation upon which the Club, stewarded by the Heritage Committee, intends to build a diverse, more representative, purposefully curated modern and contemporary collection of artworks for Members’ enjoyment and reflection. We welcome Members who have artworks they would like to share with the Club – by donation, loan or bequeathment.

This is a Club with a soul. Let’s enrich this soul with wellcurated artworks gracing our walls and grounds.

Artist unknown, untitled, undated. Oil on canvas

Handicap Singles

Won by Maureen

Friendly Match at Ruiru Sports Club

Winner of the annual MCC Bowls Handicap Singles Tournament Maureen Lilygreen.

MCC Bowls held the annual Handicap Singles Tournament in June in which thirteen players took part. Handicaps determined by the Bowls Committee ranged from plus 8 to minus 6 and a draw was held for round one match pairings. There were three ‘byes’ in round one who joined the competition in round two. The efficacy of the handicaps was borne out in the competitiveness of the games.

Maureen Lilygreen (handicap -4) emerged victorious as the first competitor to reach a score of 21, after a splendid display of singles bowling, comfortably winning each of her matches. Runner-up Yolanda Andersen emerged as a worthy competitor on her first handicap singles competition.

The event was kindly organised and sponsored by Sheryl & Oliver Fowler in memory of Ollie’s father.

A spider kicked off the competition and was won by Bowls Captain Harvey Herr.

Ruiru Sports Club recently hosted MCC Bowls Section for a friendly match. MCC fielded a team of nine (who were transported to Ruiru Sports Club by bus, kindly provided by MCC.) Each Club fielded six Trips teams made up of a mix of Muthaiga and Ruiru players.

The younger Ruiru bowlers outplayed MCC and won most matches. Our special thanks go to Ruiru Bowls Club Captain Charles and his team - all are excellent bowlers and made the evening competition tremendous fun. As a result MCC bowlers are now looking to challenge other Clubs for friendly matches in the future and we very much hope Ruiru will field a team for the forthcoming Willie Watson invitational in October.

Harvey Herr Bowls Captain

Runner-up of the MCC Bowls Handicap Singles Yolanda Tavares (centre) with Bowls Captain and winner of the Spider Harvey Herr (second left) and sponsors Sheryl & Oliver Fowler.

Coinciding with the Men’s Final at Wimbledon, the Club held their own Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Tournament, with sixteen players competing in two graded Pools. Playing on a round-robin basis within the two Pools, final positions were determined by combining the two sets of points at the end of the morning.

The final result was First Pair – Pamela Ndemo & Rupert McLellan and Second Pair – Alec Davis & Tamara Krautkramer beat Runners-Up First Pair – Richard & Rachel Wootton and Second Pair – Armaan Moledina & Naomi Ndolo.

Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Winners

First Pair – Pamela Ndemo (far left) and Rupert McLellan (third right) and Second Pair – Alec Davis (second left) & Tamara Krautkramer (far right).

In September we held the Club’s U.S. Open Mixed Doubles Tournament. Once again, with two Pools of players, with a similar format to the Wimbledon event, the Miami team emerged triumphant at the end of the morning.

I am delighted to welcome four new members to the tennis section, which remains very active with holiday camps for children and coaching sessions for many of our members.

Finally, Angella Okutoyi continues to make good progress in the recent U.S. Open by winning the Girls Doubles with Rose Marie Nijkamps, her Dutch doubles partner. We wish her success in all her forthcoming international tournaments.

Herring Cup

At last, after a three-year gap owing to the Covid pandemic, MCC was able to host the annual Herring Cup Challenge. Originally introduced in 1924, up until 2020, the Herring Cup has been held every year apart from during WWII.

This year, six teams participated from Nanyuki, Gilgil, Limuru, Karen, Red Herrings and MCC. Each Club produced four graded mixed pairs who competed against the other pairs in four different graded Pools. Playing on a round-robin basis within their own Pools, involved two short sets per match with one point for each match won. All sixty matches were completed by lunchtime on Sunday, and so, by combining all four sets of results for every team, we were able to finalise the overall positions.

However, with so many very strong players, it was no great surprise that MCC emerged as the outright winners, 11 points head of the next best team, Karen, and won back the splendid Herring Cup from Limuru Club, who were the last winners in 2019.

US Open Mixed Doubles winning team Miami (from left) First Pair Emanuele Corino & Richard (Staff) and Second Pair Shivani Radia & Sunil Suleman.

Winning Muthaiga Team - Bartol Letica, Katarina Karanja, Troels Egeskov Mahieu-Sorensen, Alex Lehmberg, Harold Zagunis, Tamara Krautkramer, Manlio Blasetti, Johnny Ponsonby, Katharina & Carlotta Von Maltzan.

John Goodwin Tennis Captain

Chairman’s Luncheon

The immensely popular Chairman’s reinstated this year after a

Graciously hosted by MCC Member glorious garden in Karen, she is pictured commissioned by MCC to thank

Almost 140 Members from south of hospitality of MCC and a delightful fellow Members.

It is hoped that some of our estranged encouraged to re-acquaint themselves particularly as there are now plans transport across town

Look out for news of the next Outreach ‘hood is that it will be held outside our overseas

Outreach

Luncheon in Karen

Chairman’s Outreach Luncheon, was long break of four years.

Member Eunice Muringo Kierieni, in her pictured (left) with a portrait that was thank her for her kind welcome.

of the city enjoyed the unmatched social afternoon gathering among Members.

estranged Karen Members will be themselves with the Club in Muthaiga, afoot to provide an MCC Bus for town from Karen.

Outreach Luncheon as word in the Kenya next time to unite some of overseas Members!

Founder of the Trust for African Rock Art (TARA)

Africa has the largest number of examples of Rock Art on the planet, dating back through centuries, revealing a rich and intriguing insight into early African life. Hundreds of thousands of such works are spread across the continent, but they are being destroyed at an unprecedented rate by unregulated development, vandalism and theft. Realising that the biggest threat to this remarkable heritage is ignorance, MCC Member David Coulson used his photography to create a greater global awareness of the importance and endangered state of this art.

As founder and Executive Chairman of the Trust for African Rock Art (TARA) - the only organisation working to try to protect Africa’s Rock Art legacy - David Coulson, was recently awarded The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Cherry Kearton Lifetime Achievement Award, for his outstanding contributions, through his photography, towards a better understanding of Africa’s rock art, and for creating awareness of this extraordinarily rich yet fragile art form.

TARA is an international, Nairobi-based organisation committed to recording the rich rock art heritage of the African continent and where possible, safeguarding those sites. TARA works closely with communities where rock art is found, as well as with national and international heritage bodies including the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

In support of Africa’s Rock Art TARA is offering MCC Members a Special 3-day Rock Art Helicopter Safari hosted and guided by David, who has rediscovered and documented more Rock Art sites across Africa than any other person in history. Itineraries include visiting the northern Rock Art Mysteries of Lake Turkana and the Cradle of Mankind, and the Rock Art Secrets of the Forest of the Lost Child going south towards Lakes Magadi and Natron.

A special donation will be taken from proceeds of these safaris for TARA to enable discovery of new sites and to protect existing ones.

David Coulson Founder of the Trust for African Rock Art (TARA) is pictured in London receiving the prestigious RGS Cherry Kearton Lifetime Achievement Award, from HRH Princess Anne, for informing the world about Africa’s extraordinary rock art heritage and its value.

For more information please visit trustforafricanrockart1@ gmail.com

MCC Member David Coulson has been awarded the prestigious Royal Geographical Society (RGS)

Cherry Kearton Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lioness Rally Team

MCC Member Lisa Christoffersen recently founded the first ever AllWomen Motor Racing Series in Kenya. Together with the formation of the Lionesses all-women’s Racing Team, Lisa has broken the mold, empowering African women to take the driving seat and take control of their lives.

When the World Rally Championships (WRC) returned to Kenya last year after 19 years, MCC Member Lisa Christoffersen went watch the last day of the rally. She noticed immediately that the only women there were supporters and she decided, there and then, to start a Women-only Safari Rally. In March 2022, Kenya’s first ever All-Women’s Super Cup had its

inaugural rally at Kasarani, breaking the bias for women in motorsports, and making racing history in Kenya.

Lisa and the Lioness Rally Team have plans to go international with a ParisDakar style event inviting women from Tanzania, Uganda, Barundi and Rwanda to take part in the 1000km drive from Turkana to Mombasa

“Motor sport is very much male dominated and we are trying to put women in the driving seat, both literally and figuratively, empowering them to determine their own lives.

With hands on the steering wheel women are motivated to take control of their own destinies. We hope women will be inspired to come and join us as navigators, mechanical engineers, marshals, medics, firefighters, service crew – we want them to break out of the mold and follow their dreams.”

Pictured left - Lisa Christoffersen

Founder of the first ever All-women’s Motor Racing Series in Kenya.

The Lioness Rally is gaining traction and power, with numerous events between now and Christmas.

For more information visit https://thelionessrallyclub.org

making it as much a motor rally as a cultural safari visiting the different tribes en route.

On the Lioness Rally, as well as the drivers and navigators, all the officials - the medics, the mechanics, the service crews, the marshals, even the firefighters - are all women.

OneWildRide

In May this year MCC Member Charlie Dyer and Dolly Madden set out from the Gundua Health Centre in Timau, Laikipia on e-Bikes with the aim of cycling over 700km to Vasca da Gama Point in Malindi, to raise funds for the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital and its new micro-hospital Gundua, which provides essential healthcare and maternity services to the local community in Timau, and which Charlie designed and built together with the Gundua Foundation. Here Dolly recounts their epic fundraising e-Bike odyssey.

In 2022, the Gundua Health Centre was incorporated into the Cottage Hospital. The idea was to mark this important milestone with a fundraising challenge. Charlie was inspired by two Laikipian ranchers (and MCC Members) – the late Clive Aggett and Micky Fernandes – who, in 1980, walked 650km from Nanyuki to Mombasa, in aid of the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital. With little besides a simple desire to help the hospital and no fancy kit, the pair walked on roads so hot they melted the soles of their shoes.

Like Clive and Mickey, Charlie’s original plan was to walk. But, having just set up his e-Bike Safari business, Charlie decided to turn his walk into a wild ride instead and a more bike-friendly route was charted south from Timau to Malindi covering 740km.

We set out from the Gundua Health Centre, in the shadow of Mount Kenya, for Malindi, planning to ride as far as we could each day, typically stopping around 5pm to allow a couple of hours of light to find a good campsite and time for the inevitable bike repairs.

Day 1 – Started comfortably - 105km whizzing along good tarmac roads through the beautiful Imente Forest, Mitungu, banana and

Day 2 – Into the land of giants. We turned off the beaten track and started what was to be the majority of the rest of the journey offroad. Meandering dirt tracks through rolling hills dotted with giant baobab trees, stopping occasionally to sit in their shade for a water break or to suck on baobab seeds.

Day 3 – Shando to south of Mui - tough going on corrugated dirt track to Mwingi. We descended into low country riding through luggas and sandy tracks, through acacia and scrubby bushland. Stopped at a friendly mama’s yard with chickens and donkeys to make camp for the night.

pawpaw farms, stopping at the Mutongo River and pitching tents in a tree nursery.

Day 4 – The going remained tough, more corrugated dirt tracks, which played havoc with tyres and wheels. Punctures were frequent and we became adept at fixing them – finding even bigger thorns to plug the holes that other thorns had made. Found a place to camp on top of a hill in the shade of a great Baobab with beautiful views over Tsavo East.

Day 5 – Into Tsavo National Park where we picked up two armed guards who would escort us for the next two days through the park. We cycled past elephants at a waterhole, over tough tracks with deep sand in places, which made progress slow and halting, pulling our bikes over at times. We finally set up camp on the banks of the Tiva. Went to sleep with the sound of lion grunting not far away.

Mickey & Clive walking the Mombasa road in 1980 to raise funds for Nanyuki Cottage Hospital

Day 6 –Lion prints all around camp. Set out towards Luggards Falls. Bright red dirt tracks covered in elephant canon balls. Hard to see much, but rustles of buffalo in the bushes close-by and snatched sightings of elephants in the undergrowth, as we cycled by. Made camp under the Doum palms on the banks of the Galana and drank a warm beer as the sun went down, watching hippos wallowing in the river.

Day 7 – Blissful morning riding alongside the Galana, past elephants bathing and racing alongside giant giraffe galloping in their curious slow motion. We passed a couple of cheetahs heading towards the river. By late morning, the roads got tough. Punishing corrugations. Arms and wrists jarred and bodies and bikes suffering. Multiple punctures and tyre changes and two cracked rims.

Finally, through the Tsavo Sala Gate we were back on tarmac. Cheered by the lovely smooth, stoneless road stretching ahead of us. We are nursing the bikes now - got to get them to the coast. We made camp inside a beautiful cashew plantation and watched a bright moon rise over rows of silver nut trees.

Day 8 – The final leg. We hit the outskirts of Malindi by mid-morning and turned down a tiny lane onto Vasco da Gama Point, down some steps and along a narrow path we reach the lighthouse that marked our final destination.

We are happy that we have done it, but deflated that it is over. After a much dreamed about swim in the Indian Ocean, we load the bikes onto the Landcruiser roof, but we are promptly arrested by a Malindi traffic policeman concerned that we have overloaded the truck. An hour of debate at the local police station and we are finally let off with a written warning.

The final sum raised is yet to be tallied, but so far we have raised over Ksh 1,100,000/- for the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital. If any Members would like to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/onewildwalk

Charlie runs his e-Bike Safaris out of Borana Ranch.

For more information visit @wildrideskenya.com

740km later, Charlie at Vasco da Gama Point, Malindi.

members' achievements

BOOK REVIEWS

‘THE RAVEN’S NEST’ by Sarah Thomas

Daughter of MCC Members

Barrie and Jean Thomas, Sarah has recently written a book - part memoir, part nature and social documentary - about her time in Iceland where she spent five poignant years of her life.

Here Polly Taylor reviews ‘The Raven’s Nest’.

In 2008, filmmaker, anthropologist and former Nairobi resident, Sarah Thomas, is invited to a conference in the otherworldly, rural landscape of Iceland’s Westfjords. A chance job offer turns that first visit into a serendipitous - and latterly bittersweetjourney of discovery and love lasting half a decade. Sarah must balance the challenges of many new things - relationship, country, family, language and way of life - in a small wooden house nestled between the sea and mountains. All this under a sun that never sets in summer and hardly rises in winter.

Whilst her childhood upbringing in Kenya contrasts wildly with Iceland in terms of climate and landscape, she finds similarities in the locals’ stalwart

and resilient attitude towards day-to-day challenges, and in the irrevocable changes to traditional lifeways, to the landscape and to the wildlife around her. Kenya clearly taught Sarah how to improvise and to make beauty with limited resources, and the book is an extension of this creative spirit.

Part memoir, part nature and social documentary, ‘The Raven’s Nest’ is a beautifully written book, which reads like a film on paper. The prose weaves its way through vignettes of Sarah’s time in Iceland, each chapter providing a part of the structure, much like the twigs and other treasures found woven into a raven’s nest. With a lyricism and a crafting of the chapters so cleverly entwined, it simultaneously grounds you and invites you to dream.

‘The Raven’s Nest’ is available in hardback with full colour plates, in UK and Europe or online via Book Depository for worldwide shipping. It is also available on Kindle and as an audiobook on Amazon and Audible. A paperback edition will be published in June 2023.

Sarah has promised to give a talk and book signing when she is next in Kenya -date to be confirmed.

‘THE BUSH KITCHEN' - NOTES & RECIPES FROM THE WILD by Sophie Grant

Written by MCC Member Sophie Grant, owner of the award-winning Lodge and Safari Adventure experience El Karama, located on a private wildlife conservancy in the foothills of Mount Kenya, ‘The Bush Kitchen’ is a manifesto for life, inspiring cooks towards a greener approach to living, using seasonal, organic, local ingredients, with zero waste.

The idea behind the book was to share the El Karama story, of how they built the Lodge, to

the setting up of their organic, drip-fed ‘shamba’ where they grow all their food, to the kitchens, the meat, the dairy, baking and of course the wild cooking, and try to inspire others towards a greener, simpler way of life.

Out of her love of untamed nature, Sophie has crafted over 40 exciting recipes inspired by the great Kenyan wild. Half the recipes have been selected from memories of childhood, Sophie’s French ancestors and heritage, and half from favourites of the Lodge guests. The emphasis is on cooking from scratch, as this is very much how they cook at the Lodge, zero waste, thrifty and imaginative seasonal food that is healthy and simple and good for the soul.

‘The Bush Kitchen’ will be available from December and costs 7,500/-. All profits will be donated to El Karama Wildlife Conservancy - read guilt-free Christmas shopping and happy healthy cooking!

Beautifully illustrated by Sophie’s mother-in-law, artist Lavinia Grant, wildlife photographs by her husband Murray and interspersed with poems by Sophie, ‘The Bush Kitchen’ is as much a recipe book, as it is a love letter to the work Sophie does with her team at El Karama Lodge and the life they have built together with her family.

INSIDE HITLER’S BUNKER – THE LAST DAYS OF THE THIRD REICH by Joachim C. Fest

Once I started ‘The Last Days of the Third Reich’, I read as one bewitched, and finished it before the end of a day. No one knows exactly how Hitler died but with Fest’s meticulous research and spellbinding storytelling, we are given a fairly shrewd idea as to what happened to him and his fellow Nazis, the Goebel family and Eva Braun, with whom Hitler had a hasty last minute marriage.

The Treaty of Versailles after WWI brought Germany to its knees and things worsened on account of the economic slump of the late 1920s – that is until Hitler appeared. Somehow he managed to rally his people and lead them goose-stepping fearlessly into war. ‘The Last Days of the Third Reich’ focuses on the final weeks of the war as the Russian army advanced on Germany. Fest describes in riveting detail the desperate battles that raged night and day in the ruins of Berlin, fought by boys and old men; the growing paranoia that marked Hitler's mental state; his suicide and the efforts of his loyal aides to destroy his body before the advancing Russian armies reached Berlin.

This is a thrilling account of one of the most dramatic final acts in modern history - the collapse of the Third Reich, and Fest richly describes the claustrophobic atmosphere of the Fuhrer's bunker during the bitter last days of the war when, drugged and enfeebled, Hitler veered between hysterical despair and lunatic optimism while his regime disintegrated amid desperate acts of betrayal, recrimination and suicide.

One can almost (but not quite) feel some sympathy for Hitler whose dream had turned to dust. In Fest’s interpretation he would make a classic figure as a tragic hero in the model of Tamburlaine.

Fest’s vivid reconstruction of the final weeks of Hitler’s regime is nothing short of brilliant.

THEATRE NEAR THE EQUATOR: THE DONOVAN MAULE STORY by Annabel Maule

For those who remember the golden years of the Donovan Maule Theatre, and even for those who don’t, this is a brilliant personal recollection of the lives and works of Donovan Maule, a former Army Major, and his wife, Mollie, who emigrated from England to Mombasa during the inter-war period, and built a repertory, colonial theatre in Kenya.

They started in tiny premises in Moi Avenue (approximately opposite Bata) and later built (and eventually lost) their own beautifully designed theatre, which was their pride and joy, in 1958. It played to a full house almost always, showing the most up-to-date and popular choices of the time. The names of the actors who performed in those gilded years– the likes of John Gardiner, Kerry Jordan, Kenneth Mason, Basil Hurle-Hobbs, Dorothy Primrose, Roy Cable and Gwen Alban - remain familiar to many of us still. What an amazingly talented and resourceful family the three Maules were – acting, producing, directing, making costumes and scenery and even creating their own sound effects.

It is fortunate for Nairobi (and Kenya) that Annabel, Mollie and Donovan’s daughter, has written us this immensely readable account of how the theatre came about in the first place, and of the their performances on tour throughout Kenya in the 1950s and early 60s. The story tells in considerable detail of the pre-independence and Second World War periods in Kenya, of what happened to the theatre during independence and how it finally ceased to be in 1984.

Readers must make up their own minds as to whether or not the tragedy (for it was indeed a tragedy) could have been avoided. I for one, still wish it could have been. The Donovan Maule Story is riveting from start to finish and will remain a significant part of Nairobi’s introduction to, and history of, professional theatre in Kenya.

N.B – Members will need to ask the Librarian (Erastus) for this book, as it is not on the shelves.

MCC BOOK CLUB

The Muthaiga Book Club hosts a group of avid readers who come together every six weeks to read and discuss a book that has been chosen by the group. It is a really relaxed evening where Members sit by the fire, in the Blue Room, for an evening discussion of the book we have just read, while having dinner and a glass of wine or a cup of tea.

Currently we number about 30 members, not everyone always makes it to the meet, but those who do, spend the evening discussing the main themes as well as the pros of the novel.

We select authors from around the world and we have also been lucky enough to invite some local authors. either through Zoom or to join our Book Club meets in the Blue Room, to discuss their own novel in more detail and to chat informally about their work.

We welcome new Members to join this highly enjoyable gathering of ‘book worms’ who bring to light every aspect of the titles we have read and always generate interesting and lively and discussion.

Our next Book Club meet is on 4 October, in the Blue Room, at 7pm where we will be discussing, winner of the Booker Prize 2021 - ‘The Promise’ by South African novelist Damon Galgut.

Look out for details of Book Club meets and titles of what we will be reading next on the Club notice boards.

Tehmeena Manji

ballet and opera programme

“From Baroque to Rock – a Brief History of Music”

– Live Performance

I had the idea for this Live concert when I first heard Maria Gichu singing a perfect soprano aria followed by a convincingly sounding pop/blues number. I felt I had to make use of such versatility. Kenyan tenor David Mwenje is the most naturally gifted singer coming out of Ghetto Classics, but probably my luckiest find is James Dickson - I never imagined I would find a real, live, exprofessional rock guitar player! Together, this magical trio will perform the history of music live, in chronological order.

The first half of the repertoire starts with the clarinet-like voice of an early Baroque by Vivaldi, sung by Maria, and continues with opera arias ranging from Bel Canto to Puccini. In the second half of the programme, we continue into more modern times with a selection of Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Country and more, ending with electrifying rock music by Queen.

“From Baroque to Rock - A Brief History of Music,” will be performed Live in the Ballroom on 11th October at 6pm.

“Callas Forever”

The famous opera Diva Maria Callas, who was one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century (her musical and dramatic talents led to her being hailed as La Divina ("the Divine one") retired from public performances at an early age when at the height of her fame.

Much later, the opera and film director Franco Zeffirelli, had the idea of convincing Callas to make use of modern technology and star in a filmed version of the opera Carmen using earlier recordings of her voice in its prime. Sadly Callas died before such plan could transpire, but Zeffirelli did not let go of his dream plan and did the next best thing – he turned the film into what could have been.

The music, all digitally remastered, is from original recordings to make full use of the Diva’s legendary soprano voice, as it was in her prime, and Fanny Ardent is superb in masterfully portraying Callas.

‘Callas Forever’ is a biographical film and an homage to Maria Callas. It was Zefferelli’s last film before he died in 2019.

‘Callas Forever,’ will be screened in the Ballroom on 27th October, at 6pm.

“Dido and Enea’ & ‘Salome’”

As a tribute to a great opera singer Maria Ewing, who died in January this year, I will be showing highlights from two operas, in which she starred – ‘Dido and Enea’ by Henry Purcell and ‘Salome’ by Richard Strauss.

‘Dido and Enea’ is the timeless love story from Greek mythology about theTrojan prince Enea landing in Carthage - ruled by queen Dido - on his way to founding Rome. Dido and Enea fall in love, but duty calls Enea to carry on his journey leaving behind an inconsolable Dido.

‘Salome’ is based on the play by Oscar Wilde of the same name, taken from the biblical story of Salome and her role in the execution of John the Baptist. When Herod offered to fulfill any request after she danced for him, she asked for the head of John the Baptist. This is the opera that contains the famous Dance of the Seven Veils, which shocked audiences at its Premier. Maria Ewing is the only singer that dared end the dance as the script demands, completely naked.

Maria Ewing had a great mezzo voice, but it was her convincing acting ability that made her performances legendary.

Highlights from ‘Dido and Enea’ and ‘Salome’ performed by Maria Ewing will be screened in the Ballroom on 24th of November, at 6pm.

Bird Quiz

The task that many Birders find difficult is identifying raptors (birds of prey) when in flight. Here are six Kenya raptors for you to identify.

If you successfully managed to identify the raptors above, then try this bonus image. If you know it without reference to a Field Guide, then you are a top birder.

fore

Craig Millar & Annie Waterer

Craig Millar, son of Gordy and Susie Millar of Gilgil, married Annie Waterer, daughter of Hugh Waterer, of Iken, Suffolk, UK and Shauna (née Horne) of Bramfield, Suffolk, UK and stepdaughter to Mel Waterer.

The wedding was held on 22nd October 2021, in Nairobi. fore

Alfred Lorian William Sheldrick

Born on 2nd August 2021, in Nairobi. To Chantal (née Migongo-Bake) and Neville Sheldrick, of Nairobi.

Little brother to Isabella. Second grandchild to Dr Elizabeth Migongo-Bake of Nairobi and the late Dr Gernot Bake, and seventh grandchild to Kenneth and Martha Sheldrick of Dayton, Ohio, USA.

Khamis Massud Bwika & Yvette Akoth Awuondo

Khamis Massud Bwika, eldest son of Massud J. Bwika and Rehema H. Renge of Kwale, married Yvette Akoth Awuondo, eldest daughter of Isaac O. Awuondo and Helen W.A Bila, of Nairobi. The wedding was held on 16th July 2022 at Muthaiga Country Club, Nairobi.

Oscar William Jock Oliver

Born on 28th February 2022, in Nairobi.

To Sally (née Dixson) and Callum Oliver of Karen, Nairobi.

er of

Third grandchild to Alan and Sue Dixson of Karen, Nairobi, and first grandchild to Chris Oliver of Haverhill, Suffolk, England and Sharon Oliver of Holmbury St Mary, Surrey, England.

Jeremy Herren & Ashley Anderson

Jeremy Herren, second son of Hans and Barbara Herren previously of Nairobi, but now Capay, USA, married Ashley Anderson, daughter of Sue and Jock Anderson of Nairobi. The wedding was held on the 18th of June 2022 in Karen, Nairobi.

Eadie Vanessa Woolley Erskine

Born on 22nd December 2021, in Nairobi. To Natasha (née Murray) and James Erskine of Lolomarik Farm, Timau. Second grandchild to Tony and Lynne Erskine of Adelaide, Australia and sixth grandchild to Gordon and Vanessa Murray of Lolomarik Farm, Timau.

Rufus Camm & Amy Miles

er ofDominic Martin & Carol Lees

Dominic Martin & Carol Lees of Rosslyn, Lone Tree, were married on 8th August 2020, at Sheria House, Nairobi.

Rufus Camm, eldest son of Lucy and the late Johnny Camm of Karen, Nairobi, married Amy Miles, youngest daughter of David and Susan Miles of Oxted, Surrey, UK. The wedding was held on 13th of August 2022, in Abercastle, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Rufus and Amy will be moving to Queenstown, New Zealand.

All newly-weds who send in their wedding photo for publication will be offered a romantic dinner for two with a bottle of House wine, either at Pinks or in the Club Dining Room. Send your photos and details to secretariat@mcc.co.ke and please send high-resolution images.

Patricia Zwager

June Patricia Zwager (née Ashworth) was born in Woolwich, England. She lived a very nomadic and adventurous childhood as the daughter of a military father posted in India with the British Royal Artillary. In 1947, with India on the verge of Independence and the war coming to an end, the partition of India and Pakistan soon followed, and June’s father was re-posted to British East Africa, Kenya. During this time, June remained in England studying at Pitman’s School and, on completion of her studies she sailed for Kenya to join her family. It was there that she met her husband Johannus (Hans) Zwager, who she married in 1953.

Hans worked for Algemene Bank Netherlands (ANB) and in 1952 had been posted to Kenya to open the bank’s first branch here. In 1956 the young couple decided to start their own business and Hans left ANB. Starting as a manufacturer’s agent for office maintenance and cleaning contractors. They soon expanded into the importation of goods to the growing Kenyan market. This quickly led to the expansion into pesticides and agricultural chemicals which, shortly after, led to the establishment of an agricultural chemical company called Kleenway Chemicals Ltd.

Spielman

Hilary Margaret Dickinson was born in Nakuru Hospital. She was one of three children and spent her early years at Dundori in the Rift Valley and went to school at Limuru Girls School.

On completing her schooling, Hilary flew by flying boat from Lake Naivasha to Lake Victoria and then up the Nile, landing somewhere off the coast of Italy, and then finally to Southampton to begin training as a nurse at John Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford.

She trained briefly under Sir Archibald McIndoe, the famous plastic surgeon who developed new techniques for burn victims. She made herself popular with her fellow student nurses by bringing bananas with her from Kenya as they were such a scarcity in the UK.

She returned to Kenya when her dear stepbrother, Richard Bingley, was murdered during the Mau-Mau rebellion, and began nursing at the War Memorial Hospital in Nakuru. One of her patients was a farm manager, Bob Still, who soon became her husband. They had four children - Deborah, Robert, Margaret and Fiona - and farmed in Elburgon and Njoro. During this time Hilary became the nurse at St. Andrew’s School, Turi.

At the age of 39 Hilary was widowed when Bob died of a sudden heart attack. Left with four children Hilary moved to Bamburi where she took up the management of holiday chalets. Later she moved to England to run a nursing home in Bexhill, but

June

During this time, when June was actively involved with Hans in the building up of their business portfoglio, she gave birth to their three children – Rientje, Peter and Lienette.

In 1967, Hans and June were approached to invest in a project in Naivasha and not long after, having sold Kleenway Chemicals, they undertook their own project in vegetable production for export to the UK on land known as Oserian. When their son Peter graduated from university they embarked on another venture together growing Statice flowers. These were sent to Holland, which led to an increase in demand and the growing of other flower varieties. In 1984, Oserian was the first farm in Kenya to import commercial rose plants and soon became a leader in the flower growing industry, which has since flourished into a global business.

With the success of the flower business, June became more involved in the development and construction of housing and the preservation of wildlife. With the establishment of the 18,000 acre Oserian Wildlife Conservancy, June went on to oversee the construction and management of two boutique hotels on Lake Naivasha - Chui Lodge and Kiangazi House.

June is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a Member for almost 18 years.

the miserable weather, the confines of a small flat and the yearning for Africa made it an easy decision for her to return. This time it was to South Africa, working at a nursing home in Pietermaritzburg. It was there that she met George Spielman, a successful Kenyan coffee farmer, who was building a yacht in Durban. Together they moved back to Kenya and settled in Kilifi. Their tennis court became the social hub for tennis and conversation.

Hilary was involved in the EAWL and she developed a beautiful wild garden on their plot overlooking the sea. She was an accomplished Bridge player and a voracious reader. Her house became a great holiday haven for her growing family of ten grandchildren. When George died in 2014, she moved back to UK to live with her daughter Margaret and husband in Kent, but her heart was always in Kenya and she returned a few times.

Hilary was a Member of MCC for 19 years. Her ashes will be scattered in the Great Rift Valley.

‘Jeanie’ Osborne Watson (née Kedar) was born in Scotland on her father’s dairy farm, as the eldest of six children. She excelled at school and, at the age of 16, she joined a bank and went to work in London.

It was in London that she met Willie Watson, who was on leave from Tanganyika. They were both returning to Scotland so they hired a car to travel together. After a whirlwind romance, they were married within six weeks of meeting.

Jeanie moved to Tanzania (Tanganyika) to set up home with Willie, where he was working on various tea estates around the Tikuyu and Rungwe districts. Life was very much “off the grid” with paraffin fridges, stoves and lighting – a far cry from London.

Sheena , Alasdair and Andrew were born in Tanzania, but later the family moved to Kaimosi, in Kenya.

Many friends enjoyed the Watson’s hospitality and Jeanie's fabulous cooking and baking. There was always Lawn bowls, croquet and badminton to play when it was light, followed by drinks and darts on the verandah after dark.

Jeanie was a devoted mother, supporting her ‘wains’ at school, in studies, sports and social events. Endless times did she get stuck in the mud doing the school run.

In 1972 Willie and Jeannie moved to Karirana Tea Estates in Limuru where they began to play Club bowls. Jeanie was Bowls Captain for nine years at Limuru Bowling Club and won numerous competitions.

They moved to Ibonia in 1989 where Jeanie became famous for her organic chickens and vegetables, and she continued to win prizes for her baking and knitting submissions at the Nairobi Show.

When the green was built at Muthaiga (overseen by Oli Fowler and Willie) Jeanie became a dedicated member of the Bowls Club, coaching newcomers, while also playing for the national team. In 1996, she escorted a blind Kenyan bowler to the Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

In Limuru she became a staunch member of the EAWL and treasurer for many years, as well as part of the fundraising team for the deaf school in Kambui, and the ‘street kids’ of Kiambu.

With all these volunteering activities along with the care, support, kindness and compassion that she radiated, Jeanie was well loved by all generations. She was industrious - her knitting went with her everywhere - widely-read, a great conversationalist and letterwriter and she is sadly missed by her many friends at the Club where she was a Member for 33 years.

José Freitas Carvalho came to Kenya in December 1983. He was recruited from the Portuguese Civil Aviation Administration to work for the Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It was during his time there in 1985, that he met his Danish wife, Vibeke Glavind.

In 1989 he was head-hunted to take up the position at the International Air Transport Association Regional Office for Africa as Technical Director, later combined with the role of Regional Director. In these positions, he was selected as one of two IATA officials to establish a think-tank proposing future roles and endeavours of the technical wing of IATA.

When IATA Headquarters wanted to move the Regional Office to South Africa, José chose to take early retirement in 2004. By then, José and Vibeke were happily settled in Kenya and had adopted a little girl, and as Vibeke was still working, it was an easy decision. It also gave José the opportunity to establish his own aviation consulting company. His many years with ICAO and IATA had made him a respected and trusted adviser for many African countries.

Among his many accomplishments was the establishment of national airspaces for the Cabo Verde islands (off the westernmost point of Africa) and São Tomé e Principe (islands off the northwestern coast of Gabon.) This enabled these small island nations to generate an income to support their aviation

infrastructure and development.

For his achievements in aviation in Africa, in 2002, the President of Portugal Jorge Sampaio, awarded José the highest Portuguese National Honour - Commander of the Order of Prince Henry, The Navigator.

José was highly intelligent and extremely knowledgeable. He designed and prepared all the computer programmes and formulae for his own company and often solved software and hardware problems with his computers and telephones.

He subscribed to numerous scientific and medical journals and read Kenyan, Portuguese, American and British papers every day. He was highly knowledgeable about world geography and history and had an encyclopedic understanding of Portuguese history, language, literature, and culture. Needless to say, he loved and won many quizzes.

José was a Member of MCC for 31 years. He is survived by Vibeke and his daughter and will be sadly missed by his many friends at the Club.

His Excellency Hon. Mwai Kibaki

Third President of the Republic of Kenya

November 1931 – April 2022

Those who knew Mwai Kibaki from his childhood speak of a man who, right from the start, knew what he wanted to become and the path he wanted to follow to achieve it.

His resignation in 1961 from Makerere University, to return to Kenya, was the beginning of a long and illustrious career in Politics and Public Service. Mwai Kibaki took up the position of the first Executive Officer of the Kenya African Union (KANU), Kenya’s Independence Party. KANU garnered 19 out of the 33 elective seats in the House of Representatives.

Candidate. He was sworn in as the Third President of the Republic of Kenya on December 30th 2002.

At the helm of the country’s leadership, the late President Mwai Kibaki brought into Governance his extensive previous experience as a Cabinet Minister for Commerce & Industry (1966-1969) and Finance & Economic Planning (19691978), Vice President & Minister for Finance (1978-1981), Vice President & Minister for Home Affairs (1981-1988) and Minister for Health (1988-1991).

Member of Muthaiga Country Club since 1977, Mwai Kibaki became President of the Republic of Kenya 25 years later. Often referred to as “The Gentleman of Kenyan Politics”, Mwai Kibaki was born in 1931, the youngest of six children, to Kibaki Githinji and Theresia Wanjiku Githinji, in Thunguri, Othaya, Nyeri County.

Kibaki had a humble rural upbringing and participated in the normal farming activities of young boys living upcountry in between going to school. His early education was at Gatuyaini Primary School, and he later joined Karima Mission Primary Catholic School.

The Catholic priests were impressed by his ability to learn quickly and his thirst for knowledge so, upon completing his primary education in Othaya, he was enrolled at Mangu High School, where he continued to excel, and in 1951 he joined Makerere University College, in Kampala Uganda.

After four years working with The Shell Company of East Africa in Uganda, he earned a scholarship to continue his academic pursuits at London School of Economics. In 1956, he joined LSE and graduated two years later with a B.Sc. in Public Finance, with Distinction.

Mwai Kibaki returned to Makerere University to become an Assistant Lecturer in Economics until 1961.

Kenya’s political landscape intertwines party politics with leadership. The Late President Mwai Kibaki rose through the ranks of KANU to become Chairman of the Party in the 1977 Party Elections.

In 1978, when he was appointed Vice President & Minister for Finance by the late President Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki assumed simultaneously the position of Vice President of KANU and Leader of Government Business in Parliament. Kenya was still a One-Party Democracy.

In 1992, following the repeal of Section 2A for The Constitution, which then allowed the formation of new parties, Mwai Kibaki formed The Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) with other politicians who yearned for more democratic space. Kenya had become a Multiparty Democracy.

The late President started on a new political journey. He strengthened the DP. He stood for the Presidential Elections in 1992 and 1997 but lost. With fortitude he soldiered on and became Leader of the Opposition in Parliament after the 1997 General Election. He served as a Member of Parliament for 50 consecutive years, forty of those as Member for Othaya Constituency. Kibaki will be remembered as an eloquent debater with a rare sense of humour.

The DP forged alliances with other political parties and became the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which fielded candidates in the 2002 General Elections. This time around Mwai Kibaki was successful as the NARC Presidential

President Kibaki’s legacy is one of important reforms in the Education Sector, which include the introduction of free Primary Education. His administration instituted comprehensive infrastructure developments in the Transport & Energy Sectors under his administration’s Vision 2030. Kibaki will best be remembered for the 2010 Referendum which ushered in a new constitution for Kenya, championing the promotion of policies that promoted Economic & Social Empowerment, Democracy, the Rule Of Law and respect for Human Rights.

Outside of MCC he held many titles but once he entered the Club he was simply referred to as ‘Mzee’ by his fellow Members and staff at the Club.

He was a stickler for Club rules and often reminded those in his company to do the same. For him MCC was a sanctuary where he shared moments with family, friends, colleagues and other Members. A great deal of Kenya’s history was played out during his years as a Member - the country’s history, the Club’s history and his journey remain intertwined and etched in our memories.

An exemplary icon who no doubt loved his motherland, in his moments of relaxation the late President Kibaki was an avid reader, enjoyed his rounds of golf and holidays in the company of his late wife Mama Lucy Kibaki, their four children and seven grandchildren. He was a Member of MCC for 45 years.

Rest In Peace Your Excellency Mwai Kibaki.

Anthony Githinji

SWEEPSTAKES AUGUST 2022

Prize Member Name Amount

1st Leonard Ithau 64,621/-

2nd John A. Muhoho 32,311/ -

3rd Alex W. Shipiri 18,463/ -

4th Catherine G. Kenyatta 18,463/-

5th Shelagh Illingworth 13,847/-

6th David R. Green 9,232/-

7th John E. Cokayne 9,232/-

8th Gordon A. Murray 9,232/-

9th Christopher J. Outram 9,232/-

SWEEPSTAKES SEPTEMBER 2022

Prize Member Name Amount

1st Richard H. Fox 63,964/-

2nd Mathew J. Barton 31,982/ -

3rd Edward H. Morrison 18,275/ -

4th Peter G. Mbugua 18,275/-

5th Peter N. Gethi 13,706/-

6th Nicholas Nesbitt 9,137/-

7th Jaine W. Mwai 9,137/-

8th Jay Dipak Mediratta 9,137/-

9th James J. Kariuki 9,137/-

Proposer Candidate Category

Mark Nicholson Kourtnie Schaefer Full Town

Dino Bisleti Giovanni Grandi Short Term - Maria Della Porta Short Term

Thomas Morton Gunnar Holm Short Term - Audhild Rosberg Short Term

2022

William Pike Steen Andersen Short Term - Mille Lund Short Term - Solveig Andersen Junior Family Short Term - Signe Andersen Junior Family Short Term

Dina Gin Kariuki Margaret Whitman Short Term - Dr. Griffith Harsh Short Term

James Ndegwa Kairo Thuo Full Town - Wambui Kairo Full Town

- Thuo Kairo Junior Family Town - Kibore Kairo Junior Family Town

James Ndegwa Mumbi Kairo Full (18-29) Resident

Stephen Stannah Jason Uliana Full Town - Cecilia Di Taurisano Full Town - Alessandro Uliana Lopex Under 7

Christophe Lalande Ishaku Maitumbi Full Town - Gabriel Maitumbi Full Town

Balvinder Sahni Sunil Dhall Full Town - Alka Dhall Full Town

Balvinder Sahni Arjunjai Dhall Full (18-29) Resident

Patricia Ithau Wamwari Waichungo Full Town

Julius Kiondo Joseph Mutugu Full Town

Answers to Bird Quiz

Top row: African Crowned Eagle, Long-crested Eagle

Middle row: Bateleur, Verreaux Eagle

Bottom row: Black-chested SnakeEagle, Martial Eagle

Bonus Bird: Palm-nut Vulture