The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine April-June 2023

Life Time Award for Simon Thomsett, Director of the Soysambu Raptor Rehabilitation Centre

(see more on Page 18)

page 1 Letter from the Chairman

page 2 Letter from the Secretary

page 3

Membership Matters

page 4 Roving Eye & Competition

page 5 Balloting Report & Finance Reports

page 6 Staff News

page 7 MCC Events

page 10 Forthcoming Events Diary

page 11 Muthaiga Sports Round-Up

page 14 Sirai Stud Kenya Guineas Race Day

page 16

page 19

page 20

page 21

Members’ Honours

Heritage Presents…

Opera & Ballet

Library Book Reviews

page 22 A Life in the Day of …

page 24 Bird Quiz

page 25

Hatches & Matches

page 26 Obituaries

The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine is published by MCC for Members

Editor: Yoyo Volak

Magazine Production: Matthew Rudd, Mercy Wanyeri, Diana Waithaka, Eunice Mulwa, Yvonne Magambo, David Muunga, Vincent Ford, Francis Kitoto.

Contributors: Edita Camm, Peter Usher, Steve Mills, Gail Paul.

Design & Layout by Shelleys the Printers.

Printed by Graphite Lounge.

From the Chairman

Members

Already in April as I write this - I hope you are all keeping well as the year flies by.

The Club continues to be incredibly busy. Since publication of the last edition we have had two Club events at the Ngong Racecourse – firstly to watch the Kenya Guineas in January sponsored by the Sirai Stud, and then the Kenya Derby at beginning of April. Club photographer par excellence Vincent Ford, snapped away at both events and you can see us all frocked, suited and booted in this magazine. Thank you to the Club staff for arranging such splendid fayre and I hope the many of you that attended, enjoyed your days at the Races.

We have held excellent functions in the Club too. Much loved national treasure John Sibi-Okumu recited a selection of poems from the late actor Kenneth Mason’s personal collection, meticulously ‘typed up on Donovan Maule Theatre Menu cards’. What John did so beautifully was to explain each poem and put it in its context with incredible clarity.

I was most honoured to be asked to ceremonially switch on the new flood lights over the Bowling Greens, and also to pass on the Club’s congratulations and best wishes to the Bowling section on 30 years of being in existence. We all wish the Bowlers many more years of jacks, ends and skips. I know the Bowlers are very keen indeed to bring in as many new Members as possible, so please make yourself known to the Bowls Captain Clare Jethwa, if this interests you.

I was just as delighted to see the Club Bridge players hosting an event to introduce Members to the game. What I haven’t seen being played very much is Backgammon, come on, let’s get Backgammon up and running!

I had the pleasure of meeting the Members of the Library Committee recently. We are so grateful to all of the Members, past and present, for all the hard work they have and continue to put in to the Club library. We would like to raise the profile of the library within the Club and we will be sharing our plans with you shortly.

Going forward you must not miss the superbly named Yale Whiffenpoofs a capella group performing at the Club in June –I’ve heard them described as the Ivy League’s vocal equivalent to the Haarlem Globetrotters! Sign up early.

We are also organising a mini Chairman’s Outreach Luncheon primarily but, as ever, not exclusively, for the enjoyment of our Members residing in and around Nyeri, Thika, Chaka and Nanyuki (see Page 9) - details to follow.

Sit back and enjoy this edition – thanks, as ever, to Editor Yoyo, Chief Photographer Vincent and the very talented production team, for putting it together so creatively.

That’s all for now.

My best wishes to you and your families,

Philip Coulson, Chairman, Muthaiga Country Club

From the Secretary

Dear Members,

The first 100 Days…

You know what they say… time flies when you are having fun - which is definitely the case!

From my last note… our Team Pledge: to bring the Club back to all Members… I hope you have noticed some progress in this regard.

I am delighted to announce we have a new Director of Human Resources on our Team - Florence Okongó. I know we have the best director in the hospitality sector in Kenya.

Her impact has already been felt with the staff and she will continue to steer human resource matters in the right direction. Some of the, already memorable, experiences for staff include a staff Christmas Party, which brought in the human aspect to staff management and unforgettable staff issues.

Projects Update…

- The Bowling Green has floodlights! The official ‘lighting up’ coincided with the 30th Anniversary of the Bowling Green and I encourage you all to try your hand at nighttime bowls with friends. The recent ‘Bowls and Bowls’ Young Members’ event was a resounding success.

- We now have music in the Gym and a sound system will be installed in the Club House and Pinks in the coming weeks.

- We have upgraded the equipment in the Pinks Kitchen, and made a few adjustments in the dining areas which include new table tops, reupholstered chairs and bar stools – that fit the Bar!

- The Young Members’ Room at Pinks is back with more features to follow…

- A Washroom facility at the Chairman’s Lawn is imminent, which will improve the Events experience.

- Our Temporary Spa is moving from a room in the Middle Block to Cottage 5, and will offer more services including Facials, Manicures & Pedicures.

- Padel courts have not been forgotten, we are just trying to decide where we put them.

- Upgrading the Bush Bar and a Children’s playground facility is also being worked on…

Horsing around…

The Kenya Guineas & the Derby at Ngong Racecourse were very well attended and I hope everyone had an enjoyable time. I would like to clarify our intent on setting up a MCC horse syndication. We are not asking Members to support us in buying a horse, but offering the possibility of a Club syndication for those Members who might be

interested – solely for recreational purposes. This is purely an additional activity and not a profit-making venture.

Heritage Matters

Steve Mills gave a fascinating talk on the history of MCC to our staff team members, which was greatly appreciated by all. Thank you Steve for taking the time to come and do this for our team!

Duka 2.0 online…

We are currently reviewing the Club Duka and restocking popular items and adding some interesting new ones. We also plan to go online with the Duka and are in the process of designing an online page both on our website & App, where Members can order their Club souvenirs. Members wishing to have items sent to them via courier will be asked to provide us with their address and the Club will organise delivery.

Notifications will be sent through the official Club WhatsApp group and email once this goes ‘live’.

P.S. If you haven’t already joined the Club WhatsApp, please get in touch through communications@mcc.co.ke to get access to the group.

Data Protection Update…

The Club has undertaken a lot of work on implementation and compliance with the Data Protection Act, which came into effect in November 2019. The purpose of the Act is to protect the privacy and rights of Members. (See more on Page 3.)

Going Green…

We continue in our quest to eliminate single-use plastic in our outlets and rooms.

Cat Welfare…

There are a total of eight felines residing at the Club – some were born here and others found shelter here. We are currently using the TNR Trust (Trap, Neuter, Release) organisation to provide us with veterinary services. All cats are fully vaccinated and neutered, and our aim is to reduce the Club complement to five.

Access Control Improvements…

I am happy to report that we are making headway with our Club access control system, to make it more friendly and efficient for you and your guests to enter the Club.

We are taking a more digital approach through the use of smart phones. Scanning of QR codes or use of the MCC App will soon be in place. More details on this will follow soon.

Events…

Cooking Classes and Drama Classes for the kids are being scheduled for the coming months, and we are planning a Seniors’ Lunch event, for the over 70s. This is due to take place on Wednesday, 19th April, in the Ballroom.

New Seasonal Club Dining

A new menu was launched in the Main Dining Rooms in March and will be on for the next three months. Our new Pinks' menu will be launched in May.

I hope to see you all here in the very near future,

Michael Flint MCC Secretary

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

winding down of a communications committee, this page is devoted to being more page, wher evailing 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

MEMBERSHIP MA TTERS at Pinks

Pinks

ERRATUM

In the last issue of the Club Magazine we stated in error that MCC raised over 220,000/- from the Poppy Ball. However, although MCC provided the venue for the Ball, all proceeds (through ticket sales and the Raffle) were raised by the British Legion Kenya. Apologies for misleading readers.

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…

The Committee would like to announce that the rules for the use of phones and laptops in the Club and its environs have been reviewed as follows:

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

Christmas Draw Top Prize Winner

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

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

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

Private Rooms - The use of mobile phones and other digital communication devices, including laptops, is permitted in Club accommodation rooms without restriction. They may also be used in private meeting rooms (at the discretion of the host of the function.)

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

Mail Room - The use of mobile phones and other digital communication devices, including laptops is permitted. Devices must be used discreetly and with respect to other Members. Calls on speaker mode or video mode are not permitted, unless within the private Mail Room telephone booth.

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

Christian Lars Larsen was the very lucky winner of the Top Prize in the 2022 MCC Christmas Draw. Christian won Business Class Tickets for two to any destination in the United States served by Delta Air Lines. He is pictured here with MCC’s Christmas Draw coordinator Eunice Mulwa, Marrie Mumbi from Delta Air Lines East Africa and Club Secretary Michael Flint.

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

All Christmas Draw prize winners are requested to collect their prizes from the Front Desk before 30 April 2023.

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

Garden Room Terrace - The use of mobile phones is permitted in the Garden Room Terrace on condition the device is on 'silent' mode and is only for the purpose of reading and/or responding to written messages. The use of laptops in this area is not permitted.

Not the place it used to be. WR

Any unclaimed prizes will be rolled over to next year’s Draw.

DATA PROTECTION ACT 2019

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

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

Pinks - The use of mobile phones and laptops is permitted. Devices must be used discreetly and with respect to other Members. Calls on speaker mode or video mode are not permitted. The boundary of Pinks shall be considered the footpath between the West Wing and Middle Block.

The Club is now a certified Data Controller that complies with the 2019 Data Protection Act. Key members of the ICT staff are trained and fully conversant with all aspects of the Act.

Members can feel reassured that their data is totally private and secure.

BUT IT WASN’T ALL

Sports Areas - Tennis Courts, Squash Courts, Bowling Green. The use of mobile phones is permitted. Devices must be used discreetly and with respect to other Members. Calls on speaker mode or video mode are not permitted.

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

If you are requested to adhere to the phone rules, please respect the team member asking you to do so. The Club may sanction any Member who offends the rules.

IT staff upon completion of training in compliance with the 2019 Data Protection Act.

From

M ORE GENERAL

left – Legal Trainer Gichuru Kiplagat, Head of MCC ICT Eunice Mulwa, MCC Systems Administrator Charles Sila, Trainer Marion Murethi and MCC Assistant ICT Manager Johnson Njeroge. All three MCC staff successfully completed the training and are now certified compliant in Personal Data Processing in accordance with the 2019 Act.

Roving Eye

Eye likes a flutter as much as any blue-stockinged racehorse owner. Eye in fact once owned a horse that induced heartstopping moments of joy and anguish, as often in the winner’s enclosure as not. Winnings outweighed costs and all was well. Horseracing truly can be the sport of kings.

days… a ludicrous extravagance while children are uneducated and hungry… a brilliant idea for Members to enjoy… absurd to own an asset that has no impact on the operations of the Club, etc etc. The level of portentousness seems directly proportional to the degree of hostility expressed, while a frivolous few clearly see the fun it might bring to a syndicate in thrall to Neptunus Equester.

Eye feels those with less sense than money can enjoy frittering – let them throw good money after nags, why not. The stakes in Nairobi are low and the frisson will be high.

Bring it on, Eye says, and let curmudgeons go mutter.

One nag led to another and Eye learned a lesson. The winner’s enclosure was sometimes glimpsed in the distance, never in person, the costs of ownership weighed heavy, and Eye’s hot jockey’s excuses became lame and filled with ever more blarney.

Eye muttered ‘lasagna’ whenever passing the nag’s stable, but its pace never quickened and Eye was glad to pat a rippling rump for the last time when it was sold for a song.

The point of all this is that Eye learns the Club is planning to buy a horse, and a wall-fly hears an eye-swivelling range of views from Members great and small. A frivolous expense in these straitened times… a heart-warming excitement to brighten dull

COMPETITION

Thinking of moaning, Eye despairs to see Spare, a ghosted memoir, adding to the Library’s shelves, already groaning under the weight of an exceptional selection of worthy books. This is not one of them. Eye reads the reviews on both sides of the Atlantic and can summarise the book simply and succinctly: spare yourselves. Whatever one’s views of the Monarchy, of ambitious actresses, of public emoting, of varying recollections, of the media, there is no reason to endure the drone of more than 400 pages of self-indulgent, aggrieved victimhood. The ‘ghost’ also wrote Andre Agassi’s autobiography, Open. Now that’s worth reading.

Answer to our January - March 2023 Competition

QUESTION: Who is this guest and in which year did she visit Kenya?

ANSWER: Princess Anne on the Blue Peter Royal Safari to Kenya in 1971. She is pictured here at Treetops with Bill Woodley (left) Warden Mountain Parks and Jack Block.

Question:

Name this building and the year the photo was taken?

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

WINNER: Susie Church & Bongo Woodley

DID YOU KNOW? The Blue Peter Royal Safari was shown on Easter Sunday 1971, when Princess Anne visited Kenya as President of the Save the Children Fund. During the course of her visit Princess Anne visited Treetops, where her mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was staying when she became Queen.

MCC Member Bongo Woodley recounts that his mother, Ruth Woodley, was the hostess at Treetops when Princess Anne visited.

“After dark there were many elephant at the waterhole so my father Bill took Anne down the ladder to ground level to view them up close. Meanwhile an anxious Lady-in-Waiting was searching for Anne throughout the Lodge and couldn’t find her anywhere. Finally she approached my mother and asked, “Where is your husband?” to which Mum replied, “With your Princess!”

Greetings to you all, Hope your year has started off well.

From our end at Balloting all is ticking along smoothly with a continuous flow of new Members and the continued demand for our Membership.

There is a significant backlog of Young Members (18-29 years) who have yet to meet the Balloting Committee while transitioning from Family Membership (below 18 years) to Young Membership - mainly due to them being overseas.

We kindly appeal to those coming home for their holidays to contact Diana, who handles Membership administration in the Secretariat, to complete the transition process.

Please continue to keep an eye on the e-shots of the lists of Candidates applying for Membership.

A polite reminder again that no new application for Membership will be accepted without the advance payment of a minimum of one third of the entrance fees.

Wishing you and your families Holidays! Best regards,

Kush Bhardwaj Chairman Balloting Committee

Dear Members,

As we enter the last quarter of our financial year, I take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to the Club’s finances.

The economic environment remains challenging with inflationary pressures building up persistently. It is therefore encouraging to report, that with your support, the Club’s financial performance has remained resilient. Our continued focus on improving Members’ experience and delivering cost efficiencies, have borne fruit and the Club is generating cash flows. The outlook for the long-term financial sustainability of the Club is therefore positive.

As we continue allocating adequate funds to maintain and renew Club facilities to enable us to deliver great value to Members in terms of quality and service, we are also seeking opportunities to invest our cash reserves in order to secure long-term financial sustainability for the Club.

We have automated our payment processes for improved efficiency and Members’ accounts are now being updated on a real time basis, with M-Pesa and online card payments. This has, however, only been possible when Members provide their Membership account numbers in full. We once again appeal to the 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 alpha-numeric number.

On the administration front, we have a large balance of unidentified credits and therefore remind Members to please indicate their account numbers in full when making direct payments to the Club’s bank accounts. And we request those Members, who may have deposited money in the Club’s bank accounts and not informed us, to send an email to accounts@mcc.co.ke or call +254 (0)111190221, to alert the Accounts department

In the meantime, I thank you again for your unwavering support of the Club, and wish you Happy Holidays.

Daniel Ndonye

At the Staff Christmas Party - which all agreed, was “the best ever social event” provided for the Staff – Head of ICT Eunice Mulwa made a heart-warming welcome speech for the new Club Secretary, Michael Flint.

This is what she said on behalf of all the MCC staff.

"I would like to welcome our new Club Secretary on behalf of the MCC team, and I would like to inform you that you have one of the best teams in the world. I have seen this team moving great mountains for the last two years and I am sure they are ready to support you to take the Club to new heights and be the most sought after Members’ Club, not only in Africa, but in the whole world.

Before I sit down am just thinking what else we need to do, Mr Secretary. After three very difficult years, I would kindly ask each one of us to embrace love in our day-to-day work, whether you are engaging your fellow team member or a Club Member, as long as is a person, because with love you will be able to empathise with that person, you will be able to put yourself in that person’s shoes, get their views and understand them.

With love you can make the right decisions that will make everyone’s stay at the Club far much better. If we have love for one another, we can make Muthaiga Country Club a better place to work and stay.

Staff Christmas Party

Over 80 prizes were donated to the Staff Christmas Party in January, many of which were kindly contributed by Members, for which the Staff was most grateful.

Francis Kitoto, who works in ICT, was the ecstatic winner of the Top Prize, which was a motorcycle.

He is pictured here with fellow colleagues celebrating his win and receiving the ignition keys from the Club Secretary, Michael Flint.

Florence Atieno Okongó Head of Human Resources

Florence has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources having previously worked at Kenya Railways, Rift Valley Railways, Milele Hotels /PCEA Foundation and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Nanyuki.

She will provide strategic leadership and management supervision aligning with the Club’s practices and objectives to create an employeeoriented, high-performance culture, emphasising quality, productivity, goal attainment and empowerment.

We need to revisit our forefathers' community spirit and mindset when they were founding the Club. If we take our community spirit a notch higher, we will be able to become the most sought-after Club in the world. Why? Because when our Members and their guests come here, they will have exceptional service and smiling faces from all touch points.

Mr. Secretary, as we think of modernising, upgrading, panel beating and applying makeup to the ‘Pink Old Lady’ along Muthaiga Road, let’s consider all stakeholders guided by the community spirit.

I will conclude my speech with a Swahili proverb ‘kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa’." (One finger does not kill a louse)

Eunice Mulwa Head of ICT

Antony worked for five years as a gardener at Shanzu Villas. He has joined the Club to assist in maintaining the grounds and gardens.

Boniface has rejoined the Club after taking voluntary exit during COVID. With over 15 years’ experience as a gardener he will assist in maintaining the gardens and Club grounds.

Boniface Nyari Mwangi Gardener

Antony Sikuta Makhanu Gardener

BRIDGE CLUB

MCC has introduced an exciting new diversion for Bridge enthusiasts.

On the second Monday of every month Bridge players of all abilities can meet in the Ballroom for an afternoon of social Bridge followed by afternoon Cream Tea. Playing a rotation of tables, this Bridge session is for players who want to have a fun afternoon, meet some new Bridge players and maybe even learn a new trick or two.

For more serious Bridge players, on the fourth Monday of every month, MCC is now hosting a Duplicate Bridge afternoon for partners only. Hands will be pre-dealt and all pairs will play all the boards in different rotations, competing like-for-like.

This Bridge afternoon is more about the skill of the partnerships, and the session ends with a prize being awarded to the highest scoring pair, followed by a Cream Tea for everyone.

It is hoped that these Bridge sessions will attract enough players to eventually re-launch the Bridge Club and possibly introduce evening Bridge sessions, so any card playing aficionados are warmly welcomed to join either, or both, Monday sessions for a stimulating, fun and social afternoon.

The next Bridge afternoons will be held on Monday 24 April from 1.30pm – 4.30pm (Duplicate Bridge) and Monday 8 May from 1.30pm – 4.30pm (Social Bridge.)

For more information contact Philippa CroslandTaylor on 0736-872760.

MCC Quiz Night

Quiz Night was a resounding success thanks to the 19 teams (almost 100 players) that signed up for it. With the peerless Steve Mills as Quiz Master, the packed Ballroom was thrumming with intellectual energy!

The winning team (pictured above) captained by Darshani Haria, will facilitate the next Quiz Night on 17 May 2023. Look out for details and sign up quickly to guarantee a place for your team.

Night of Broadway, performed live at MCC by the dazzling trio of Jessica Odede (Soprano) Winnie Munuthi (Pianist) and Angie Gachuie, was such a roaring success that, by popular demand, they staged a repeat performance two weeks later for all those Members who could not fit into the Ballroom on First Night and the attendance was equally good with another packed house.

The good time gals, pictured above from left - Jessica Odede, Winnie Munuthi and Angie Gachuie, gave rousing renditions of well-loved songs from a selection of the most popular Broadway Musicals.

Nairobi National Park

The World’s Greatest City Wildlife Park

Friends of Nairobi National Park (FoNNaP) is dedicated to assisting the KWS in the conservation and protection of the Nairobi National Park and the wildlife dispersal area around it.

MCC recently hosted an evening with FoNNaP to raise money through an auction of art works by local artists, to help in their efforts to promote a conservation strategy allowing wildlife and community members to co-exist in the dispersal areas.

The evening was a tremendous success supported by over 90 Members and friends who helped to raise a total of Ksh 900,000/- for FoNNaP and Nairobi National Park.

Pictured here are some of the artists and MCC Members who support FoNNaP and are dedicated to making Nairobi National Park The World’s Greatest City Wildlife Park.

At the MCC Valentine’s Dinner

Love Was All Around

ST PATRICK’S DAY BALL

Here’s an Irish thing –Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was not actually Irish.

Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave.  He escaped but returned in about 432 AD to convert the Irish to Christianity.

Saint Patrick’s Day commemorates himself and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and also celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general.

Members and friends joined together at the MCC Saint Patrick’s Day Ball for a wonderful evening celebrating just that… …perhaps a bit more Irish heritage and culture than Christianity.

INAUGURAL EAST AFRICAN CAVALRY MEMORIAL DAY

13TH MAY 2023

11am - Memorial Service at the MCC War Memorial.

12 noon - Drinks and Lunch in the Blue Room.

Open to all past and serving Cavalry officers and soldiers and plus-ones are most welcome.

Dress code - Jacket & Tie (regimental if possible).

Cost to be confirmed

Known colloquially as “Cav Mem”, this annual event has been celebrated in London on the second weekend of May since 1924, when the first Cavalry Memorial was unveiled in Hyde Park.

Traditionally the day begins with a parade in Hyde Park of serving and retired soldiers and officers from the cavalry regiments of the British Army, and ends in a memorial service for fallen Cavalrymen. Following the service, the different regiments split off into London for (very) long, boozy lunches!

MCC is pleased to be hosting the inaugural East African Cavalry Memorial Day. Organisers Rishi Ahluwalia and Sam Davies are hoping to sweep up any serving and retired Cavalry officers and soldiers from around East Africa, and replicate the day for those who can’t make it to London.

Please RSVP by 20 April to Sam Davies +254 7574 62955 or Rishi Ahluwalia +254 718 508718, or to sdavies101@hotmail. com

MCC Book Club

The Book Club was delighted to host the author of ‘Ghetto Classics’, Ginanne Brownell, at their most recent meet, to present the book and to discuss the inspiration behind its publication. Ginanne was also signing copies (pictured above).

For those who missed it, copies of ‘Ghetto Classics – How a Youth Orchestra Changed a Nairobi Slum’, can be purchased from the MCC Library for Ksh 2,000/-.

The Book Club also hosted an inspirational, interactive workshop with author of “Period Matters” Farah Ahmed, during which Farah gave a fascinating presentation about researching for her book in South India, and about dispelling the shame of menstruation and what it has meant in communities globally.

The next Book Meets will be held on 18 April, in the Blue Room at 6pm, when the group will discuss ‘In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz’, by Michela Wrong and 30 May ‘The Mountains Sing’ by Nguyen Phan Que Mai.

All Members are welcome. Chairman’s

Tambuzi Rose Farm, Burguret from 12 noon

The Chairman extends a very warm invitation to all Members to get together in a glorious, up-country setting for this year’s Outreach Luncheon.

MCC Members Tim & Maggie Hobbs have very kindly offered to host this year’s event in their beautiful gardens on Tambuzi Rose Farm.

This is an opportunity for up-country Members, who find it difficult to use the Club regularly, to reacquaint themselves

with the legendary hospitality of MCC, and for Town Members to reacquaint themselves with distant friends for a happy, social afternoon.

The Club is negotiating favourable rates with accommodation venues for all who may want to spend the night in Nanyuki (or make a weekend of it).

We hope to see many of you there.

RSVP to events@mcc.co.ke for enquiries and booking.

The Yale Whiffenpoofs

The Yale Whiffenpoofs (named after a mythical dragon fish) are the oldest collegiate a cappella group in the world. Founded in 1909, the “Whiffs" began as a senior quartet that met weekly at Mory’s Temple Bar, New Haven Connecticut. Today, the group has become one of Yale’s most celebrated traditions and every year 14 of Yale's seniors are selected to be in the group. Singing a mixture of old Yale tunes, jazz standards, and other hits from across the decades, the Whiffenpoofs perform more than 200 concerts across six continents each year.

The Yale Whiffenpoofs will be performing a special concert at the Club on Friday, 23rd June 2023 in the Ballroom.

Book early as this will be a sell-out performance.

Forthcoming Events Diary

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.

The Squash section has been busy since the start of the year. We are delighted to be welcoming new players on the courts every week and the section is becoming extremely active. I encourage all squash members to continue to join us at our Mix-in events on the first Wednesday of the month.

Squash vs Tennis Fixture 2023

After a long hiatus the annual Squash vs Tennis fixture returned and was played in January. There were 12 players on either side making this the best turnout ever for this event. We started on the Squash Courts where Squash won 10-2. We then moved onto the Tennis Courts where the Tennis team humbled the Squash players 12-0. Then, in a new mix to the format, we had added a third sport this year - Table Tennis.

The Table Tennis fixture proved to be extremely competitive and went down to the final game, a victory for Tennis would ensure a tie but that match was just clinched by the Squash team, 19 games to 17. This was the most competitive and fun fixture we have played and hugely enjoyed by everyone.

We look forward to more years of the same and plan to add other racquet sport to the event.

Karen Country Club vs Muthaiga Country Club

With the decline of the Club Squash League (the Milligan Cup), the annual MCC vs KCC is our most important annual Club fixture and is always fiercely fought. This year the challenge was hosted by Karen Country Club. MCC fielded a team of eight players in an attempt to regain the trophy after our defeat last year.

Things were looking bleak half way through with Karen leading 4-1. Muthaiga had to win the next three matches to stay alive in the tournament. Safina, Dominic and Kunal all fought valiantly to level the score at 4-4, which meant we had a Sudden Death format, with the four top seeds playing one game each.

Muthaiga squeezed through 3-1 with wins by Jonathan, Dominic and Kunal to secure a spectacular victory for the Club, reclaiming the trophy.

MCC vs Karen Club. Players at the end of the challenge.

Forthcoming Events

Our monthly Mix-in continues on the first Wednesday of the month and all Members are most welcome to join.

Kenya Squash is now actively promoting Junior Squash so please get the children playing again and contact us regarding fixtures and tournaments that are being organised around the country.

Squash vs Tennis players after Tennis Challenge

Triumphant players at the end of the fixture.

Squash Captain Kunal Bid presented trophy by Tennis Captain Aida Kimemia Nesbitt

Kunal Bid Squash Captain

After the annual maintenance during December and January play has resumed with a busy schedule of fixtures. Greenkeeper Oliver Fowler and his assistants Newton and Hebron did a wonderful job over the holidays, and the Green is running smooth and true.

The opening competition of the year was the Muthaiga Country Club vs Kenya Irish Society Challenge. KIS fielded a strong team (including some MCC players who claim Irish heritage) and won the trophy for the first time in several years.

At the recent AGM Harvey Herr retired and Clare Jethwa was elected Bowls Captain for the year 2023-24. The Peter VernonEvans trophy for the most improved bowler was awarded to Yolanda Andersen.

We had a terrific St. David’s Day competition in March sponsored by Maureen Lilygreen. Spider winners were Patricia Killian and Peter Allen, Runners-up were the trip Maureen Lilygreen, Newton and Peter Allen, and the winners were Gerry Cunningham and Yolanda Andersen.

The MCC 2-4-2 Pairs, which was contested over two days, and jointly sponsored by Maureen Burns and Lesley Mullan, was won by Maureen Burns and Clare Jethwa. Runners-up were Essie Walker and Sheryl Fowler (pictured below.)

Our first official day/night competition was the annual 2-wood Trips, sponsored by Sheelagh Zagoritis. Five teams participated, and the winners were Gerry Cunningham, Marion Weston and Lesley Mullan, with runners-up Maureen Burns, Gail Langton and Yolanda Andersen. The Spider was won by Yolanda and Oliver Fowler.

There was great excitement when our long-awaited FLOODLIGHTS were finally up and on in February, and a small group stayed late that day to try them out. The verdict was “wonderful”. All the bowlers would like to thank everyone involved in getting the lights installed, not least our outgoing Captain Harvey Herr and the Club Secretary Michael Flint. We are now in a position to start our games at a more convenient time for working members and carry on playing into the early evening and night.

It was with great sorrow that the bowlers learned of the death of Hebron Mushokele’s eldest son in a road accident. Hebron is part of the team that maintains the bowling greens and we extend to him and his family our deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences.

From left - MCC Captain Harvey Herr presenting the Guinness Toucan Trophy to Irish Society Bowls Captain Gerry Cunningham and Irish Society Chairman Sharon Gordan.

From left – Yolanda Andersen, Maureen Lilygreen, Gerry Cunningham and Clare Jethwa.

From left - Sponsor for the 2-wood trips Sheelagh Zagoritis, with winners Gerry Cunningham, Marion Weston and Lesley Mullan, and Bowls Captain Clare Jethwa.

Clare Jethwa Bowls Captain

MCC Aussie Open

Sixteen players divided into teams assigned in a random draw to represent four Australian Cities to compete for the annual MCC “Aussie” Mixed Doubles Challenge. After a fiercely competitive session (where most matches were decided by a tie-breaker) Team Perth emerged victorious (1st Pair Johnny Ponsonby & Patsy Chapman and 2nd Pair Rupert McLellan and Aida Nesbitt). Team Sydney (1st Pair Biju Mohandas & Alex Lehmberg and 2nd Pair Adil Suleman & Shivani Patel) were runners-up.

Matata Cup

In the past only married couples were eligible for the Matata Cup.  This year we extended eligibility to any combination of immediate family Mixed Doubles pairs.  There were 16 participants and the overall winners were Bartol Letica and his 9-year-old daughter Elena.

Matata Cup Winners Bartol Letica and daughter Elena.

Pink Ladies

Ladies’ and Men’s Doubles

Eight Ladies and eight Men played doubles in two separate Round Robin pools, with Katarina Karanja & Tamara Krautkramer winning the Ladies challenge and Tessa McLellan & Georgia Aldridge as Runners-Up

The Men’s challenge was won by Erik Habers & Ali Thobani with Runners-Up Johnny Ponsonby & Michael Flint.

Karen Club hosted the annual MCC vs Karen Ladies Challenge this year. The Muthaiga Ladies traveled across town to defend their title. Each team played three matches in their division; each match consisted of a total of 11 games. The number of games won and lost was recorded for a team total.

At the end of a hot, fun day of excellent tennis, Muthaiga once again emerged victorious with a winning score of 12 matches to 6, and a game score of 115 to 83. Karen Ladies are keen to seek revenge, and we look forward to hosting them on MCC courts next year.

Aida Kimemia Nesbitt Tennis Captain

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

Winners of Men’s and Ladies’ Doubles. From left - Ali Thobani, Erik Habers, Tamara Krautkramer and Katarina Karanja

The tournament ended with the winning Ladies pair challenging the winning Men’s pair to play the best of five games. It came down to a tie-break decider with the Ladies emerging victorious. Well done to all for their participation and the four players for providing a most enjoyable end of morning event.

The Tennis section holds a Mix-in every Saturday morning from 9am – 11am for all levels. All welcome but players must be able to rally from the base line and serve (over/under.)

Aussie Open winners Team Perth 1st Pair Patsy Chapman & Johnny Ponsonby and 2nd Pair Aida Nesbitt & Rupert McLellan.

The Sirai Stud Kenya 2023

The

Kenya Guineas is one of the three racing Kenya Derby and the This year the Kenya Guineas race meeting Members Lord Michael and Lady Spencer and ‘World Horse Racing’, the most viewed was there to film at East Africa’s last remaining racing internationally, putting Ngong

MCC also marked this prestigious occasion Members and their friends to dress up and

From Left - ITV Racing Commentator Francesca Cumani, MCC Chairman Philip Coulson, Sponsor Sirai Stud Lord Michael Spencer, Lilly & Michael Flint MCC Secretary.

The Kenya GuineaS 2023

racing Classics held annually, alongside the the Kenya St Leger.

meeting was particularly special as MCC Spencer of the Sirai Stud, sponsored the day, viewed horseracing platform in the world, remaining racecourse and to broadcast Kenya Ngong Racecourse on the world map. occasion by, once again, hosting a marquée for and enjoy a spectacular Day at the Races.

Lord Michael & Lady Spencer, owner of Saint Moritz, Kenya Guineas winner 2023.

Jockey Leslie Sercombe won the Guineas, fittingly, on Lady Spencer’s horse Saint Moritz.

The KPMG Top Woman CEO of the Year Award

The KPMG Top Woman CEO of the Year Award has been presented to MCC Member Juliet Kennedy (née Aggmanning) founder of Greenspoon, the online grocery store that delivers farm-fresh products directly to the customer.

The award recognises female founders that have made an impact in their businesses as extraordinary leaders who have steered their companies to great financial success.

Greenspoon is Kenya’s first online grocery store where sustainability lies at the heart of everything they do. The business delivers to customers the same day, every day of the year, and supports local farmers and suppliers from the region. Greenspoon focuses on organic, delicious, healthy, safe, local and sustainable products at an affordable price. Juliet

founded Greenspoon in 2016 after she struggled to find healthy and safe products to feed her children.

As well as scooping the KPMG Top Women CEO of the Year award, Greenspoon also came third in the KPMG/Business Daily Top 100 Sustainability Awards. This award recognises companies that have rooted Environmental, Social and Governance strategies at the core of their business.

Greenspoon was Kenya’s first online retailer to make use of electric vehicles for deliveries, and today has a fleet that includes three EVs and four electric motorbikes. In addition, Greenspoon works closely with suppliers to streamline logistics and packaging materials, and recently achieved B Corporation status, which is a globally recognised certification for businesses that put people and planet at the heart of their business

“These two awards mean a great deal to us as a business. It has always been our belief that food has the power to change the world, and that businesses can put people and planet at their core and still be profitable.

I believe Kenya has a huge amount to offer our people and the world, embracing sustainability by supporting local producers, bringing healthy products to our customers and being a force for change.”

Juliet Kennedy KPMG Top Woman CEO of the Year 2022 Greenspoon

Founder of the Trust for African Rock Art (TARA) MCC Member David Coulson is awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire

Writer, photographer, adventurer and 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 an MBE for services to the recording, preservation and valorisation of Rock Art in Africa.

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.

Driving the length and breadth of Africa for over 40 years, David has rediscovered and documented more rock art sites across the continent than any other person in history.

In the mid-1990s David founded TARA, an international organisation committed to recording the rich rock art heritage of the African continent and where possible, safeguarding those sites. Realising that the greatest threat to this remarkable heritage was ignorance, David used his photography and international network to create a greater global awareness of the importance and endangered state of this art. For his efforts he has been honoured with an MBE.

David Coulson MBE Founder & Executive Chairman of TARA

For me this honour is heartwarming confirmation that the world is finally beginning to take rock art seriously. Dating from long before writing was conceived these unique images give us windows onto longvanished worlds.

David Coulson Founder and Executive Chairman of the Trust for African Rock Art (TARA) is pictured at Buckingham Palace, London receiving his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from King Charles III, for services to the recording, preservation and valorisation of Rock Art in Africa.

David with his wife Deborah and daughter Alice in front of Windsor Castle

Partners for Raptors Lifetime Achievement Award

Simon Thomsett, leading world authority on birds of prey, one of the founders of the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust, and Director of the Soysambu Raptor Centre, has been awarded the Partners for Raptors Lifetime Achievement Award from the Raptor Research Foundation and Peregrine Fund in the US. This prestigious award was presented to Simon in recognition and profound appreciation of a lifetime of distinguished service to raptors, their biology and conservation.

Since the 1970s, numbers in 19 out of 22 species of raptor in Kenya have fallen by 70 per cent. The list of Endangered or Critically Endangered raptor species is about to be updated globally and Simon expects to see over 45 percent of Kenya’s resident species up-listed.

Electrocution, persecution and poisoning are the main threats to wild birds of prey in Kenya and the chief cause of their rapid demise in the last 30 years.

Through the rehabilitation of injured and poisoned birds Simon Thomsett has come to recognise these threats, and bring them to the attention of bird organisation partners.

In 2015, together with MCC Members, the late Sarah Higgins and Shiv Kapila, Simon formed the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust to oversee their conservation objectives – namely to understand, protect and restore raptor populations in Kenya - it has grown today into a fully fledged organisation, and supports both the Soysambu and Naivasha Raptor Rehabilitation Centres, the latter is run by Shiv.

Based on Soysambu Ranch, which has the security and habitats raptors need to thrive and regain numbers, Simon’s work is to rescue and rehabilitate birds of prey. His work varies from scrambling to retrieve birds from a poisoning – time is key and victims need to be injected with atropine sulphate immediately – and rescuing victims of persecution. Some communities kill and maim birds by stoning them or setting them on fire and destroying their nests and chicks.

Working closely with the KWS, Simon gives training courses in responding to poisoned birds, as well as working with school children, his former students and decision-makers to try to change human attitudes towards birds of prey. For many people there is no value to raptors, so persecuting and killing them is done in ignorance as much as malice. Simon believes raptors will not be appreciated if they can’t be seen, so by showing these magnificent creatures close-up and alive in both Raptor Rehabilitation Centres, he is slowly demystifying cultural beliefs and changing people’s attitudes towards them.

Simon currently has 27 birds at his rehabilitation centre on Soysambu and 25 birds in Naivasha, a total of 11 different species.

Helena the Crowned Eagle (pictured with Simon above and below) was rescued when she was caught by a local community as a chick and beaten so viciously her left wing and eyesight were severely damaged. She can no longer survive on her own in the wild but since arriving at Soysambu, in Simon’s care, she has done much for the plight of raptors and has already featured in Disney and National Geographic and is the superstar performer for Simon’s Educational programmes.

The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust is a not for profit organisation, and visiting the Raptor Rehabilitation centres in Naivasha and Soysambu are free (although donations are welcome.)

www.kenyabirdofpreytrust.org

Simon will be giving a fundraising talk about his work with raptors at the Club later this year (date to be confirmed.)

I have enjoyed an incredible life working with birds of prey, doing what I love.

I am most grateful for this honour, and I look forward to working with birds of prey forever and creating a succession for others younger than I, to take up the gauntlet of looking after them in the future.

Simon Thomsett

Director of the Soysambu Raptor Rehabilitation Centre and recipient of the Partners for Raptors Lifetime Achievement Award 2022.

Simon and Helena are pictured here with MCC Members Kat Combes Director of Soysambu Conservancy Ltd and dedicated supporter of the Soysambu Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, Lord Delamere.

Photo by Pauline Gullick

Early Italian Contributions to the Building of Modern Kenya

Gail Paul

Has Muthaiga ever known close to 80 members remain quiet for nearly an hour?

Well, that is what happened at the presentation by Aldo Manos on the above subject. So much to learn and so much to appreciate.

Aldo Manos first came to Kenya to open up the United Nations Environment Programme back in the 1970s. Since he retired he has spent considerable time researching the contributions that Italians have made to building Kenya.

A lot of his focus was on the Italian POWs. Perhaps the bestknown story concerns a group who escaped from a Prisoner of War Camp in 1943 and climbed Mt. Kenya, where they placed a flag on Point Lenana. The Times wrote about it as “the adventure of a lifetime” and their escapade was described in ‘No Picnic on Mt. Kenya,’ by Felice Benuzzi, which he wrote after their return to their Camp.

Most of us knew of the little memorial chapel, St. Mary of the Angels, at the bottom of the Escarpment road, but who knew they built the steep road all the way up the Escarpment? Or the lesser known ‘cousin’ – the chapel at Ndarugu, financed by the Pope, and consecrated by the Cardinal of New York. Not to mention the road from Athi to Namanga, or the Ruiru Dam.

One of many amazing facts was that the well-known Mau Mau leader, Dedan Kimathi was a labourer at one of the Prisoner of War camps, and was well liked by the PoWs.

Aldo has produced a fascinating little booklet outlining the many early contributions of which he spoke, and he would be delighted if anyone can contribute any new facts. He can be contacted at info@prigionierlinkenia. org

Thank you Aldo for sharing such unusual information and the Club for setting up the background for the lecture.

100 Glorious Years of Cricket in Kenya

In 2027 the Kenya Kongonis Cricket Club will be celebrating 100 years of glorious cricket and MCC Member Julian Ince is helping to gather and collate material about this illustrious old Cricket Club, to produce a Centenary Coffee Table book to commemorate this historic occasion.

If any Members have photos or anecdotes or any information about the Kenya Kongonis Cricket Club from days gone by and would like to share them with Julian and his editorial team, please contact him directly by email julianince@gmail.com

Aldo Manos with his wife Elena

Song of Love

“Song of Love”

This is a very old, charming and fascinating film depicting the intertwined lives of three musical legends - Clara Wieck (Schumann), Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms. I had planned to show it in March but had to reschedule and will now start this quarter by screening it in April.

The story spans from Clara and Robert’s meeting, their marriage and meeting Johannes, to Robert’s early death. A movie featuring such music legends can only contain the most glorious soundtrack with all their own compositions plus scores from other composers of their time like, very prominently, Franz Liszt.

“Song of Love” will be screened in the Ballroom on 27th April, at 6pm.

“Le Compte Ory”

This is one of the funniest opera performances of all times. Imagine a picturesque medieval country where most of the men have gone off to fight in the Crusades. Among the few who remain behind is a young nobleman intent on seducing all the women. He has his eye on one particular Countess and takes up residence outside her castle disguised as a saintly hermit. When his disguise is blown, he decides to make another bold attempt at conquest and, in order to gain access to the castle, he dresses up as ... a nun. The three superstars are perfect - Perfect singers, perfect actors, and perfect comedians with impeccable timing.

“Le Compte Ory” will be shown in the Ballroom on 25th May, at 6pm.

“Celine”

Celine Dion needs no introductions; even the “opera buffs” like me know her and several of her most successful songs.

This film follows the extraordinary events taking Celine from “rags to riches” from her early childhood to one of the longest and most brilliant careers of any known artist.

“Celine” will be screened in the ballroom on 22nd June, at 6pm.

The interwined lives of three musical legends

Clara Wieck

Robert Schumann

JohannesBrahms

with Katharine Hepburn Paul Henreid and Robert Walker

THE PASSENGER

by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz

‘The Passenger’ lay buried and forgotten for 80 years but has recently been rediscovered and republished, and is regarded as one of the greatest novels about the Second World War to come to light again in recent times.

Berlin, November 1938. Synagogues are being burnt, Jews rounded up and their businesses destroyed. Otto Silbermann has managed to evade the escalating violence of the Nazi regime - until now. With stormtroopers battering on his door, he steals out the back and begins a desperate race to escape.

Turned away from establishments he had long patronised, betrayed by friends and colleagues, Otto finds his life as a respectable businessman has dissolved overnight. Desperately trying to conceal his Jewish identity, he takes train after train across Germany in a race to escape this homeland that is no longer home.

‘The Passenger’ is a gripping novel that plunges the reader into the gloom of Nazi Germany as the darkness was descending. Written at breakneck speed in 1938, by twenty-three-year-old Ulrich Boschwitz, fresh in the wake of the Kristallnacht pogroms, his prose flies at the same pace. Vibrating with fury, his writing is filled with vivid characterisation, sharp dialogue and intensely observed scenes. ‘The Passenger’ is a compelling depiction of the terrifying atmosphere of Nazi Germany with sufficient pace to be a thriller, but with enough depth to be of real literary weight.

Eighty years on, this tale of a Jewish businessman, forever travelling but going nowhere, is a precious rediscovery – both deeply satisfying as a novel and a vital historical document.

EXPLORING THE WORLD

by Alexander Maitland

“I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it is forward.” This quote from David Livingstone could be applied to many of those who appear in Alexander Maitland’s new book, ‘Exploring the World.’

Honouring more than 80 recipients of the Royal Geographical Society medal, ‘Exploring the World’ tells the riveting stories of expeditions and adventurers from David Livingstone to Jacques Cousteau in pageturning prose.

Explorers and travellers have always been attracted by the lure of the unknown. By traversing and mapping our planet, they have played a vital role in mankind’s development. For almost two hundred years, the Royal Geographical Society has recognised their achievements by awarding its prestigious gold medals to those who have contributed most to our knowledge of the world.

Taking us on a journey across mountains and deserts, oceans and seas, filled with epic tales of endurance and perseverance, ‘Exploring the World’ celebrates a group of more thank 80 exceptional individuals possessed of indomitable courage, boundless determination and adventurous spirit. It portrays a variety of fascinating lives driven by curiosity, wanderlust and the pursuit of knowledge – and, in doing so, provides a unique overview of two centuries of exploration.

Nearly all of the men and women covered are worthy of a book in their own right, but what emerges is the inspiring singularity of so many of these intrepid individuals. They aren’t all high-achievers and often come across as unconventional and intractable, occasionally irrational, but nearly always resolute, even in their contrariness.

Bristling with heroic tales of indomitable characters forcing their way in impossible circumstances through forests, over mountains and across deserts in search of a better understanding of this world, as an eyebrow-raising page-turner, this book is hard to beat.

THE COLE LEGACY

by Andrew Enniskillen

Here’s a glimpse of a recent past to remind readers of the astonishing efforts of a small group of energetic entrepreneurs who helped build this country after independence. Andrew Cole is one such person who made the most of unexpected opportunities to become one of the more influential business leaders in Kenya during the last three decades of the 20th century.

He writes of his ‘fortunate’ upbringing –distinct from one of privilege – and muses about the crossroads that might have led him in different directions. Narrowly failing to get into Cambridge after his years at Eton; choosing not to go to Hong Kong with a friend, Simon Keswick, who went on to run Jardines; the impact of a broken leg when serving with the Irish Guards in Kenya; being forced to choose a career outside farming. Instead, he took to flying and over a decade or so built up a highly-respected airline – Sunbird, now better known as Air Kenya – before ill-health prevented him from remaining a commercial pilot.

He was head-hunted (in the days when such decisions were based as much on who you knew, as what you knew) to run CFC Bank – now better known as Stanbic. Then picked to run Kenya Airways, laying out a blueprint that was first ignored by the government before being adopted by Brian Davies and his team, leading to KQ becoming the Pride of Africa. In later years, he chaired the Lake Naivasha Riparian Association, taking on powerful flower and vegetable lobby groups, and all while managing AAR, building the company to be the force it is today.

It’s a remarkable story, as interesting for what’s left unsaid as much as for the story told. Let’s hope the book launch will allow us to hear more about the spaces between the lines.

Andrew Enniskillen will be giving a talk and signing copies of his book at the Club – date to be confirmed.

A LIFE IN THE DAY OF …

Dr Beatrice Kiptanui

BDS MSc MOrth RCSEd Consultant Specialist

Craniofacial Orthodontist

After qualifying in Dental Surgery at the University of Manchester Dr Beatrice was awarded the British Paediatric Society Prize, resulting in a sponsored Research Project in Cleft Lip and Palate Care in Toronto, Canada. Following this she went on to focus on Maxillofacial Surgery including trauma, cancer of the head and neck and emergency/critical care in A&E. She was part of the first Specialist Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) jaw joint clinic.

Dr Beatrice is a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the only Consultant Specialist Craniofacial Orthodontist in Kenya.

What do you do?

I am a Consultant Specialist Craniofacial Orthodontist. I use my surgical orthodontic expertise to correct the malalignment of the jaws and teeth and to correct cleft lip and palate deformities.

Simply put, I make people smile and hopefully bring joy to all those involved in the process. Fittingly, Beatrice means “bringer of joy.”

What does your work entail?

My surgical and orthodontic training enables me to identify and correct malformations or deformations of the head and neck area and to rectify complex problems that affect skull, face, mouth and teeth.

My sub-specialisation is to correct cleft lip and palate deformities to enable patients to feed and breath properly and to solve ENT problems by restructuring the face, teeth and jaw.

How did you come to do this?

I was introduced to cleft lip and palate care as a teenager when I volunteered as a fundraiser for World Vision, which was partnering with Operation Smile that school holiday. This is what inspired me to become a surgeon. I started my professional training in Dental Surgery at the University of Manchester in UK. In my final year I was sponsored to research a project into Cleft Lip and Palate Care in Toronto, Canada. Later I was privileged to work in collaborations between the UK and Norway with Prof Gunvor Semb, a leading authority in the field. The Norwegian Data is now used as the gold standard for the outcomes of Cleft Lip and Palate treatments worldwide.

Your typical day starts at…?

Everyday is different, but I always wake naturally at 03.38am. I use the early morning hours for meditation and to read a chapter of proverbs. In order for me to be able to carry out my work (which varies daily) I need to be centred, ready and still, with my thoughts, purpose and spirit all aligned. I try to include some exercise, I have a trainer who takes me through a routine, but I wish I could be better.

On clinic days, I meet with my first patient at 7am planning diagnostics and treatment. From 9am I am in theatre. My surgical procedures are more about fixing the bone structure of the jaw and realigning the teeth. I work in conjunction with maxillofacial and plastic surgeons who then build on that. I’m very much ‘back office’ while the plastic surgeons work on the outward appearance of the patient.

I am frequently invited to speak at international medical conferences and to publish papers in my field of medicine, and I am currently setting up a new craniofacial department close to my home in Naivasha, to expand the facility and to create a template of care. I am also currently giving some pro-bono Oral Health Advice sessions for our wonderful MCC staff.

Dr Beatrice in theatre

On weekdays I am not very social and usually in bed by 9.30pm. I make up for it on the weekends though.

What is your most memorable occasion in your career?

There are two that come to mind – the first came after months of treating a little girl in Manchester who, after correcting her problem, made a special appointment with me just to show me her drawings of all the smiles she liked. We talked, laughed and even cried tears of joy as she expressed how much the change meant to her. I kept in touch with her and watched her grow into a beautiful, confident, successful young woman – priceless.

My other memorable patient was a young man who, despite being a world famous premiership footballer, was the most modest, kind and humble soul. He ended up in the Guinness Book of World Records for saving the most goals for the US national team. At half-time in the match in which he broke the record, he called me in UK to check if his teeth looked good and his smile was OK, because he was going to meet the then President Barack Obama after the match!

What is the best part of your job?

Seeing my patients walk out at the end of treatment after correcting their deformities. It’s not just their smile, it’s seeing how their self-esteem and confidence have grown and how they approach the world with new selfassurance. I get huge pleasure walking with them on the journey towards this, and I get the brilliant triad of using my heart, head and hands to solve their problems.

What is the worst part of your job?

Complications that arise beyond the patient’s or my control – normally when a family is divided about decisions in treatment - which means we are unable to carry out the procedure to completion. It’s very

frustrating, especially when I know I can perform lifeenhancing surgery for the patient.

What do you enjoy doing in your downtime after work?

For me, heaven is to curl up with a good book and listen to music and watch the birds. Music is truly the medicine of my soul - I love to sing and whenever I can, I go and listen to the live band at Pinks on Friday evenings. And I really enjoy my Salsa dance classes.

I have recently caught the travel bug and I am determined to see my country in its entirety. Having lived in England for over 20 years I have a lot of catching up to do!

I am a committed member of the Rotary Club of Kenya. Many of my fellow Rotarians are also MCC Members and they have been a great support to me since I returned to Kenya.

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

As the only Craniofacial orthodontic specialist in Kenya I have been invited by Smile Train (an off-shoot of Operation Smile) to create several centres all over Africa to provide a new, enhanced, comprehensive craniofacial orthodontic programme, providing hands-on training in both surgery and post-operative care, which will include bone grafts, plastic surgery and orthopedics, as well as nutrition, ENT and counseling in the psychosocial aspects of adapting to changes post-surgery. Countries will include Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC and Madagascar.

I actually get to use all my training and skills in the continent I love, and if I can push this programme forward, even a tiny bit, I would be ecstatic.

If you weren’t a Craniofacial Orthodontist Surgeon what would you like to do?

Be a professional tennis player (if I could hang out on court with Roger Federer I would be happy) Or the fittest athlete - the body is a fascinating machine; I am always intrigued by what lengths one can push it to. I’m learning to sandboard!

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

I was always fascinated by science – even at nursery school, I remember mixing detergent with water and wondering what just happened. I knew I wanted to study science and I knew it had to engage my heart, my hands and my head. I am very humbled to find that is exactly where I am. Trying to be my best everyday I have arrived here and I am so grateful.

Dr Beatrice speaking at an international medical conference.

Dr Beatrice helping out at a Rotarian health programme with children at a handwash demonstration during COVID

Bird Quiz

Depicted are twelve easily recognisable Kenya birds. You might think I have gone soft and made it all too simple for you. Well, perhaps not!

Hugo Charlie Markham

Born in May 2022, to Nicholas (Nick) Charles Markham (4th generation MCC Member) and Skye (née Worth) from Perth, Western Australia.

Harry Epsom & Sarah Heath

Harry Epsom, eldest son of Maria and the late Paul Epsom of Timau, married Sarah Heath, youngest daughter of Catherine and the late David Heath of Muthaiga.

Little brother to Imogen Chloe, who was born in August 2020. Imogen & Hugo are grandchildren to Richard and Annie Markham of Karen, Kenya and Ray and Lisa Worth of Perth, Western Australia. re fo er of

Shamil Manek & Meetal Karia

Shamil Manek, son of Kaushik and Geeta Manek of Nairobi, married Meetal Karia, daughter of Minex and Puja Karia, of Kampala, Uganda.

The couple celebrated their civil marriage on 6th August 2022 at RHS Wisley Gardens, Surrey, UK followed by a Hindu ceremony on 25th November 2022, at the Banyan Tree in Phuket, Thailand.

The wedding was held on 17th December 2021, in Muthaiga, Kenya.

Harry Carr-Ellison & Daisy Andrew

Harry Carr-Ellison, youngest son of John and Katie Carr-Ellison of Hedgeley Hall, Powburn, Northumberland, England, married Daisy Victoria Andrew, daughter of Colonel Robert and Wendy Andrew of Combretum Ranch, Laikipia, Kenya.

The wedding was held on 14 January 2023, at Noltomia, on Combretum Ranch, El Karama Wildlife Conservancy, Laikipia, Kenya.

Ian Walker-Munro

studying Agricultural Engineering, which he hoped to put into practice once back in Kenya on his parents’ farm. Unfortunately, this never happened as the farm was sold in 1968 and Pat and Mary moved to Kilifi.

Ian joined a British irrigation company based in Libya, where he helped to set up farming projects in the desert - many of which are still operating and easily visible from the air when flying to and from Kenya, as large, green circles in the desert.

In 1980 Mary died and Ian emigrated to Australia where he became involved with different irrigation companies based in Dubbo NSW, covering an area from Queensland to Sydney.

July 1951 - January 2023

sponsoring many of the orphans.

Ian was diagnosed with cancer and last year he managed to make it back to Europe and, with his youngest son, revisited many of the European cities he had visited as a youth, finally ending up in UK before returning to the Gold Coast.

Ian was born in 1951 in Nairobi to Pat and Mary Walker-Munro of Mizizi Farm, Nanyuki. Growing up on the farm made him want to enter into an agricultural future. He attended Pembroke House before leaving Kenya for Eton and Silsoe Agricultural College in UK,

Ian met and married Suellan in 1981 and they had three children Catherine, Brenton and Alaisdair and soon after moved to the Gold Coast, but Ian always hankered after Kenya and returned on several occasions. He still had a love for the animals and was a keen supporter of the East African Wildlife Society and The Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage,

Ian’s family were longstanding Members of MCC. His paternal grandparents Ronald and Morna Walker-Munro were early founder Members and when Morna died in 1988 aged 96, she was not only the oldest Club Member at the time, but also the longest fully paid up Member. His maternal grandparents Richard and Isabel (Lady Torphichen) Philips of Greystones Nanyuki, were also loyal Members and Ian continued this family tradition of Club Membership becoming one of the early Junior Members, who were only allowed to stay in one of the two cottages at the entrance to the Club, and not in the Main Club buildings.

Ian was a Member of MCC for over 50 years.

The Club regrets to announce the deaths of the following Members of staff and their loved ones

PURITY KENDI

Purity Kendi who currently works at Reception in the Fitness Centre and has been with us for six years was involved in a fatal road accident in December 2022. Purity suffered neck injuries and is still on sick leave, but her three-year-old son Novid Munene Nyaga was killed in the accident. We pray for Purity’s quick recovery.

1 January 1978 - 19 February 2023

HEBRON EDARIA

Julius joined MCC in 2004 when he started off as Glasshand and later rose to Barman, where he served diligently for 18 years until his death. Julius had been battling a longterm illness and died while undergoing treatment on 19 February 2023.

Julius will be remembered for his big heart and warm smile, not forgetting his expertise in what he did. May he rest in peace.

Long serving staff member Hebron Edaria, who has worked at the Bowling Green for 21 years, lost his son Brian Idaria Musholeke, aged 22, in a fatal road accident involving his motorbike along Mombasa road, in March 2023. Our thoughts and prayers are with Hebron and his family.

JULIUS NJUGUNA MBURU

MCC Members Mark Jenkins and his son Peter, died in a light aircraft crash in December 2022, while on a counter-livestock encroachment operation in Tsavo East National Park.

Mark Jenkins

Mark had over 30 years experience working within East Africa’s most austere and remote areas, quite often rehabilitating them following years of poaching, neglect and, in some cases, war. The first child of Peter and Sarah Jenkins, he was born into a family dedicated to the management of National Parks and protected areas in East Africa. He spent his formative years in Meru Park,where his father was the founding Senior Warden, before attending Pembroke House, All Hallows School and the Royal Agricultural College in England.

After graduating in Land Management, Mark understudied his father in Meru Park. He went on to establish and lead the Kenya Wildlife Service’s Special Operations Unit at a time when poaching was rife and the unit was instrumental in combating the gangs working within the parks and reserves.

Mark obtained both fixed and rotary aircraft licences gaining experience in game capture before flying a Super Cub from South Africa to Uganda for the Ugandan Wildlife Authority and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), as part of the rehabilitation project in Murchison Falls National Park. Here he worked supporting security and management within the park, living in the 'Queen Mother’s House' on the north bank of the Nile, an area frequently

Peter Jenkins

Peter was the second son of Mark and Clare Jenkins. He spent his early years in Meru National Park, where he lived with his family at the Kinna headquarters in the middle of the park as his father was the Senior Warden. Peter was home schooled by Clare together with his brother Myles - care for any orphaned animals that came to the warden’s house being part of the curriculum. Peter and Myles were ever present during the rehabilitation project that their father was implementing and enjoyed watching the park come back to life.

Peter later attended The Banda School as a weekly border and then King’s Bruton, Somerset. In England Peter found a love for sport, particularly cricket, hockey, rugby and shooting. Peter was a formidable out swing bowler and superb in the field and he longed for the summer months when he could spend as much time as possible outside on the school playing fields. Peter spent a sabbatical term from school on a hockey scholarship in Christchurch, New Zealand and made many friends there.

ravaged by the activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army.

May 1965 – December 2022

In the 1990s, together with his wife Clare, Mark established a private/public partnership project started by Halvor Astrup in the Reserve Do Niassa, in Mozambique. With infrastructure devastated by war, they spent many weeks walking the reserve to confirm wildlife movements and numbers in order to provide effective management solutions, which were then implemented.

Mark and Clare moved back to Kenya from Mozambique for the birth of their first son Myles and Peter quickly followed. Mark returned to the Kenya Wildlife Service and Meru Park where he had grown up. As Senior Warden for Meru Conservation Area (Meru and Kora National Parks, Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves) he designed and implemented a rehabilitation project funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) amongst others. This culminated in the reintroduction of rhino to Meru where they had previously been poached to extinction. The park flourished under his wardenship and continues to do well.

Following a promotion to Assistant Director, Northern Conservation Area Mark spent several years working in the Nguruman and Laikipia areas before returning to National

More recently, as a consultant, Mark had the opportunity to work in South Sudan, Zambia, DRC, as well as Kenya, but when the opportunity arose to go back to the field with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, alongside Kenya Wildlife Service in the Tsavo Ecosystem, Mark jumped at the opportunity. Mark loved music and reading military history, latterly he developed an interest in sustainable agriculture and holistic resource management, but mostly he just loved being in the bush with his family and was happiest in his role as field warden, living under a fly-sheet in the most remote parts of Africa, leading a team of equally dedicated people working to provide a future for protected areas and the wildlife within them.

May 2001 – December 2022

With the intention of continuing the family legacy of working in Protected Area Management, Peter chose a BSc in Environmental Management at Reading University. Playing first team hockey for all three years he was an active member of the hockey club. During this time Peter joined the Army Reserves and, following a Short Commissioning Course in 2020, he served as an Officer in the 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment. Peter passed regular P Company together with Myles in 2021 and gained his wings later the same year. He wore his maroon beret and wings with great pride.

Peter completed his final year at Reading and took the opportunity to spend as much time as possible on exercise with 4 Para, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. On completion of his degree Peter headed to Oregan, US to obtain his private pilot’s licence, training on a Super Cub. Peter was beginning to put all the pieces in place to be an effective and competent field warden.

Due to attend Sandhurst in May 2023, Peter was taking a year off to assist his father and

gain valuable experience in the work he hoped, in due course, to make his career. Mark and Peter are survived by Clare and Myles and Mark’s sister Siana.

They were Members of MCC for almost 20 years and will be missed by their many friends all over the world.

Parks as Project Leader for Frankfurt Zoological Society in Tanzania.

Jonathan (Jonny) Havelock began his life of achievement, dedication to his country and amazing zest for life at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Nairobi in 1944. The son of Wilfrid and “Wink” Havelock, his early days were spent in Nairobi and on farms in and around Limuru, where his love of the great outdoors, particularly fishing, began. This remained a passion throughout his life. He loved both deep sea and fresh water fishing and spent many happy hours throughout his life pursuing the one that got away!

He was schooled in Kenya and spent his holidays largely in Malindi where he enjoyed idyllic days, but he sometimes went to Europe where he learned to appreciate music and the arts. After school, he went to Southampton University to read Law for three years. He spent another three years with a Solicitors’ firm in London but, as soon as he could, he returned home to Kenya where he lived for the rest of his life.

He started his legal career in Kenya with Archer and Wilcock and, at the same time, qualified as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He became the Legal Advisor for Block Hotels for a time and was the Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, before joining

Jonathan Bowen Havelock MBS DEATHS

August 1944 – September 2022

Kaplan & Stratton. He went into litigation and quickly got a reputation for being a sensitive, caring and competent legal advisor. He was often called on to get friends out of trouble and, with his knowledge and understanding of Kenya and its people, he was invariably successful.

Different challenges arose when he was appointed as the Senior Legal Counsel, Northern Africa for Barclays Bank where he was charged with the responsibility of creating and staffing a fully-fledged Legal Department. He was involved, amongst many other things, in security documentation reviews and a project covering the taking, management and redemption of the bank’s business securities across Africa and the Middle East.

At the end of his contract with Barclays he returned to private practice. He was a member of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya and also a member of the standing advisory committee to the Capital Markets Authority.

He was a great believer in the power of arbitration and was a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch) which he later chaired from 2009 to 2011. His work, both as an arbitrator and counsel, became well known and highly respected. He often had to use his mediation skills in personal matters with clients and friends, which was always greatly appreciated. His kindness and generosity in this regard was legendary. Fittingly, the Institute recently honoured him with a Life Time Achievement Award as a Great Leader, Tutor and Jurist. He was placed on the Roll of Honour, and the CIARB will hold an annual lecture in his name. In addition, one of the training/arbitration rooms will be named after him.

Jonny’s time on the Bench of the Commercial Division of the High Court of Kenya spanned three years. He found

this time of his life both demanding and rewarding. He was popular with his colleagues, many of whom remained friends until his death.

Jonny was in great demand to share his wisdom and good advice and served on various boards including that of Rhino Ark, Mary’s Meals, Louise Decker Charitable Trust and more. His commitment to helping academically able, but financially stretched, boys from Lenana School (previously The Duke of York) to further their education through the Msaada Trust was something close to his heart and he served as Chairman and, latterly, Patron of that organisation. He also gave tremendous attention and time to matters of the Kenya Regiment Association as it closed its doors and worked tirelessly with that Committee to have the Regiment War Monument moved to a lovely, secluded place on The Jockey Club land.

Being “on safari” gave Jonny huge pleasure and, over the years, there were many happy holidays and weekends spent in the bush and, with a bottle of Tusker never far from his hand, his enjoyment was complete. This love resulted in him being asked to add his wise voice to both the Mara and the Galana Wildlife Conservancies.

All the above, though, pales into insignificance when we remember his unstinting devotion to his family. They were his everything. Maureen, his wife, and his children Anthony, Adrian and Katherine and the grandchildren will remember, always, his loyalty, his sense of fun, quick wit, infectious laughter and sound advice but, most of all, his deep love.

It is difficult to think of another person who will be so missed by such a wide selection of people in Kenya, as Jonny Havelock.

He was a member of MCC for 46 years.

Jenny Larby

MARTIN SETH-SMITH on 23 October 2022

PATRICK RHAM on 3 December 2022

IAN WALKER-MUNRO on 1 January 2023

YUSUF KODWAVWALA on 23 January 2023

ROY BATCUP on 25 January 2023

JOSEPHINE NDIRANGU on 16 February 2023

GITA-PREM GIDOOMAL on 4 March 2023

ROSEMARY CHARLES on 6 March 2023

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

The Club regrets to announce the deaths of the following Members

CANDIDATES BEING CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP

1ST MARCH TO 30TH APRIL 2023

Proposer Candidate Category

Rebecca Mwicigi Patrick Mwicigi Full Town

- Immanuel Mwangi Junior Family Town

- Isaiah Mwangi Junior Family Town

- George Mwangi Junior Family Town

Jacob Kahiu Andrew Kamau Full Town

- Sylvia Waruingi Under 7

- Christopher Waruingi Under 7

Penelope Horsey Clio Horsey Full (18-29) Resident

Daniel Mainda Cherryl Onguru Full Town

Richard Etemesi Bancy Gakuru Full Town

- Sienna Etemesi Junior Family Town

Noordin Adamali Subutay Yuksel Short Term

Steve Mainda George Kamau Full Town

- Winfred Wanjui Full Town

- Wesley Njuguna Junior Family Town

- Gabriella Njuguna Under 7

Parvinder Chadha Iqbal Rai Full Town

- Kamaljit Rai Full Town

Rose Mwakwere Angela Ndambuki Full Town

- Tili Mutungi Junior Family Town

- Keli Mutungi Junior Family Town

Edward Day Aneel Rajput Full Town - Kushee Rajput Junior Family Town

Edward Day Aaditi Rajput Full (18-29) Resident

Edward Day Priya Rajput Full (18-29) Resident

Answers to Bird Quiz

Top row:

Augur Buzzard, Lilac-breasted Roller, African Grey Parrot

Second row:

Barn Swallow, White-backed Vulture, Red-chested Cuckoo

Third row:

Black Kite, Martial Eagle, Common Moorhen

Bottom row:

Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Superb Starling

No cameras were harmed because no cameras were involved. The birds are neither real, nor photographed, and were created by Artificial Intelligence using an experimental Diffusion, Text to Image generator.

I wrote the prompts and the computer made the images based on my instructions. Examining the images closely will reveal errors that confirm the images as fake.

SWEEPSTAKES MARCH 2023

SWEEPSTAKES APRIL 2023

MCC reciprocates with 121 Clubs in 31 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 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.