Muthaiga Country Club Magazine July - October 2020 by Shelleys the Printers Ltd

Th e M ut haiga C oun tr y Club M aga z i n e

July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020

The Muthai ga C oun t r y Club M aga z in e

Front Cover Photo After four months of closure MCC partially re-opens for Members. (See Pages 10 & 11)

page 14 July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 2020

C o nt en ts

page 13

page 1

Letter from the Chairman

page 2

Letter from the Secretary

page 3

Membership Matters

page 4

Balloting Report & Finance Report

page 5

Roving Eye

page 6

Staff News

page 9

(Virtual) Events

page 10

MCC Re-opens

page 12

(Virtual) Events

page 13

Members Achievements

page 17

Heritage Committee & Competition

page 18

Bird Quiz

page 20

Library & Book Reviews

page 21

Hatches & Matches

page 6

page 12

page 9

page 22 Obituaries The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine is published by MCC for Members

page 9

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

page 9

Contributors Jarat Chopra, Julia Lawrence, Peter Usher. Design & Layout by Shelleys the Printers. Printed by Graphite Lounge. page 17

Muthaiga Country Club July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020

page 21

www.mcc.co.ke

From the Chairman ‘I hope you are all well and have come this far through the pandemic relatively unscathed. What an extraordinary time it has been for us all and for the Club too. We remained open during the two World Wars, during the state of emergency declared during the Freedom Struggle but were brought to our knees by a virus not visible to the naked eye. However, and to continue the imagery I have used before, the Grand Old Lady is back up now, standing tall, still a little fragile, but the prognosis is that she will make a full recovery, although it will take time. We have a lot of people to thank for the fact that we are heading for recovery. The Secretary and the staff worked tirelessly during the closure period to ensure that the Club could open when it did. We are also grateful to them for all of the on-line services and entertainment that were laid on. Thank you to our speakers who took the time to address us during the many ‘Muthaiga Conversations’, thank you to so many Members, from all corners of the globe, for listening in. Zoom calls have been a revelation to many of us and frankly what an effective mode of communication it has proved to be, hasn’t it? But in my book, the biggest thanks are due to you, the Members, for picking up the gauntlet and supporting your Club with such gusto. Thank you. You are all a credit to your Cub and to the Muthaiga Spirit. As Members we must continue to provide that support so that the Club is able to open fully and resume normal service. We are not too far away from the Christmas high days and holidays and we want to able to host celebrations of all kind, so please get booking that function. Please use your Club for your relaxation, entertainment, stimulation and exercise. Please propose suitable and clubbable candidates for membership, we need to get that ball rolling once again. In the meantime welcome to the latest edition of our Club Magazine, created by Yoyo Volak and her team and with grateful thanks, as ever, to each of them and also to all the contributors. I have yet to see a finer, more classy Club Magazine anywhere… That is all for now. My best wishes to you and your families.

Philip Coulson, MCC Chairman

www.mcc.co.ke

July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

customer-friendly place in Kenya. We want Muthaiga Co away from home” so, trusting our Members must becom

From the Secretary On the Event front, we had record-breaking sell-out eve Dear Members I hope you and your loved ones are safe and sound! Karibuni to our July - October quarterly magazine which due to COVID-19 - is unfortunately only online. The 129 days of closure of the Club were most challenging and words can hardly express how happy we at MCC are to have successfully re-opened. In line with Chairman, this issue is all about saying thank you for your continued support during the days of closure and the tremendous trust you have given us since we have opened our gates again on Saturday, August 1 2020. We had sent out the good news on Friday, July 31 at 11:04pm and less than eight hours later, our first Member rang reception to book his slot in the Gym. I also heard from the Chairman that he received calls before 8am from our excited bibliophiles asking when the library would finally open… Fast forward to today September 30 2020 as I am writing this, we are looking back at two months of operations and I am delighted to say that your Club is back with the only areas remaining closed until further notice being the Clubhouse Dining, Popsy Bar and the Garden Room, as we are working on improving the experience in all three areas for you. Following the latest Presidential address, I am happy to inform you that we will further extend our general opening hours with the Gym and Swimming Pool open from 6am- 8pm and PINKS from 6:30am until 10pm (last orders at 9:30pm) and for those of you who have not received our regular weekly updates - Yes, we serve alcohol at the Club.

Stones, “The Hootenanny,” with their biggest show ever to the best-attended talk ever by iconic anthropologist D many more of you eating, drinking, exercising, but most launched exciting new events and partnerships such as importantly, enjoyingbar youron Club A big thank you also trendiest pop-up theagain. continent featuring the fines to all our Members who booked our rooms for themselves and the new Last-Thursday-of-the-Month series, Fishbowls@ their guests, who heldnew theirYouth meetings and trusted our Events by our awesome Committee, which kicked o team to organise their weddings, birthdays and graduations. and beautiful Members and their friends who came to dr 3am in the morning theback place tothe be. For those of you who havemaking hesitatedMCC to come due to And I would like to thank you all for the most memorable generally rather worrying situation of COVID-19, please Sunday only book, 4 weeks have a look29 at September our short film 2019 and the- guide whichinarecharge - w we experienced the most successful day in the history o available on our website www.mcc.co.ke and our social media highest turnover ever and the Club brimming with joy. channels, to see how Muthaiga Country Club is transcending And we have only just started, there is so much more to Covid-19. They are also emailed to you with our weekly

newsletter. Many of you know that I love our Club and have been a Member fortaken many years, so in measure closingtoI would like to ma We truly have every conceivable ensure that my tenure I will do in the best interest of you as your Club is the safest place in Kenya for you, your families,our Mem Members always come first. your guests and our team.

KARIBUNI TENA and looking forward seeing you Country at the Looking forward to seeing you attoMuthaiga Club Club!

Yours always,

Christian Vater Christian Vater, Club Secretary Club Secretary

I would like to say thank you to each of you who have visited us since 1 August, particularly for your trust in us, our procedures and protocols in these unprecedented times. It was heart-warming to see how excited our team was in welcoming our first Members to PINKS, Kavan Shah and his pregnant wife Sehar and to witness Sylvia Omino “inaugurating” our re-opened Gym skipping the rope with such breathtaking grace, and welcoming Edward Davis who arrived on his bicycle. It was wonderful to help Members Liz and Gerald Githinji celebrate their 34th Wedding Anniversary at PINKS in August, and of course seeing our Tennis and our Lawn Bowls teams back in action and so

Muthaiga Country Club July – October 2020

www.mcc.co.ke

MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP AE T MM AT T R ST E R S With the winding down of a communications committee, this page is devoted to being more

of an opinion page, wheream prevailing moods and sentiments ofreviews Members on on current Club travel a lot and grateful for your reciprocating clubs. ng downI of a communications committee, this page devoted issues, expressed in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, we want tois know what’s on to being more Thanks to recommendations, last year I have been pleased to your mind, andyour will always welcome your feedback. page, where prevailing moods and sentiments of Members on current Club stay at the University Club in Washington DC, the East India Club d in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, we want to know what’s on in London andyour the feedback. New Club in Edinburgh. Mind you, I had to d will always welcome read your piece on the New Club twice (“fusty” – what a great word!) before I saw what you meant: it is indeed an old-fashioned club, Pinks at both in style and in attitude, which is what makes it NsoWAS unique R E CENTLY, A DE CIS IO M ADE TO Oand such a OFFER BRE AK FAS T O N LY AT P IN KS … haven. You were right to recommend Breakfast at Pinks only is aat mistake. away with it. Chuckling the Do convoluted the chafing dishes and cook to order as it used M ORE GEN ERA LLY opening about sex in certain parts to be. TP of Edinburgh being what the coal Your German sausage has not seen Germany Appalled by people’s behaviour at Pinks, and and the saurecraut [sic] was not cooked. It disappointed to have in, to haveI breakfast there… I am is delivered thought members tasted ok as I was very hungry. PE an overseas Member and come to the Club for the might amused what Club, not tobe come to an averageby hotel. FP is, as you Why is it that there are never any ice-creams E CI S ION WA S M ADE TO Odoor to the in the fridge? Also, never any low-fat milk. RH might say, bang next While I agree with the economic reasons for having only oneAT venue for breakfast, I do86 not agree with … A S T O NLY PIN K S… Club’s entrance at Princes Street. Not the place it used to be. WR the argument that economy alone justifies HH dispensing with breakfast in the old restaurant in a child-free environment. RS There are only three things wrong with Pinks: only is a mistake. Do away with 1. Service. 2. Service. 3. Service. DN waiters, tables not laid, multiple trips required, and cookNo MORE GENERALLY no to logicorder to layout, as foodit in used chafing dishes cold,

nks

Is this really necessary for paper towels that have dried washed hands? I think not. It makes a mockery of nuclear and hospital waste, and gives entirely the wrong impression of who we are as humans. We are NOT afraid of one another. MC I would have thought four months time enough to hang a curtain rail, but apparently not. I recently stayed in the Military Wing where my curtain was draped from a sagging piece of string. The phone was dead and the bedside lamp didn’t work. Not quite the international standards of accommodation we are promised. KC

table not cleared as food finished, coffee disgusting.AB

Your German sausage has not seen Germany Blaunched UT IT WA SN’T A LL B APhase D… 2 not ofcooked. the re-opening plan safely and ’s behaviour at Pinks, and MCC hasand the saurecraut [sic] was It Thank you to the team for a wonderful Red ve to have breakfast there… I am tasted ok as I was very hungry. PE further facilities will be made available for Members in due course, Room dinner… It made for a special evening and r and come to the Club for the a great meal. DB to an average hotel. FP while observing the necessary protocols. See operating hours below. Why is it that there are never 3any ice-creams www.mcc.co.ke in the fridge? Also, never any low-fat milk. RH the economic reasons for having breakfast, I do not agree with Not the place it used to be. WR economy alone justifies eakfast in the old restaurant in a ment. RS 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, food finished, coffee Pinks: 6.30am - 7pm Library: 10am - 7pm April– June 2017 Muthaiga Country Club

Last orders will be taken at 6.30 pm Tennis Courts & Bowling Green: 7am - 6pm B UT IT WASN’T ALL B AD …

Thank you to the team for a wonderful Red Room dinner… It made for a special evening and a great meal. DB April– June 2017 Muthaiga Country Club

Swimming Pool: 8am - 5pm Gym: 6am - 6pm Business Centre: 10am - 7pm

Our stylish Limited Edition MCC facemasks are now available for pre-order @ Kes 395/-. Kindly email your order to reservations@mcc.co.ke

Tickets for the MCC Christmas Draw 2020, are now on sale on-line at Ksh 200/- each. Please contact secretariat@mcc.co.ke for assistance.

www.mcc.co.ke

July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

balloting c ommittee We took the view that, dwindling coffers notwithstanding, there was no need to accelerate candidates to full membership while theballoting Club was closed. Right now, committe e the situation is as follows:

Despite some unhelpful comments from one particular member who preferred insults over explanations as to why a candidate should not become a Member – “because I say so” doesn’t quite cut it these days – your Balloting committee has had a quiet few months.

finance

Club re-opens and the process can be resumed.

There are other candidates whose names went on the Noticeboard in February and in March and have yet to meet the involved with balloting – there are no and her terrific diligence There are a dozen candidates who many years,balloting committee. Again, this process short cuts. is probably what has made the – having had their names on the will resume as rest soon chairmanship look so easy. The of as the Club reFinally, crucially, we urge Members to noticeboard for two months, met the the committee opens. have enjoyed and are take the time to examine the names of balloting committee and been throughgrateful for her friendly, forthright Candidates when they are posted on Balloting Committee continues to we’ll miss her. the Board and, if there is the slightest the process of having their candidaciesleadership –The the and willtheir uphold doubt about ‘clubbability’, to So now it’s monitor me, and I’d like tosituation begin endorsed by six Members; having any concerns to the Secretary. All with a few words about the waiting list ofvoice the normal process recommending used the Club the requisite number offor prospective Members. It is long. objections are treated with the strictest Full Membership. This will up confidence, and are followed Candidatespeople can expectfor to wait at least times before the Club closed and about cause some delay for proposers and diligently. We really dotheir want to ensure 18 months between being proposed whom no objections had been receivedand being invited to attend a balloting the selection bar for prospective candidates while the Club is closed but – have been recommended for Full meeting – and will then wait a further Members is maintained at a very high will once level. two monthsthe whileprocess their names are resume Membership. It’s important, when handing over the made known to Members. the Club re-opens. reins of any committee, to assure your There is wide-eyed a muchsuccessor larger that number (nearly The second point to note is that there “It’s a doddle: doesn’t take names much time, 60) who huge havefun, had their onallthe are no short cuts. Members are strongly advised not to use their prettyfor straightforward really”. who noticeboard two months, influence to have Candidates move up Yeah, right. have met the balloting committee andthe list more quickly. However friendly Gailnormally Paul has donebe an outstanding Matthew Rudd your relationship might be with the would now using thejobClub overseeing the Balloting committee for Secretary – or with anyone else Chairman Balloting Committee as probationary candidates. These Matthew Rudd candidacies are delayed until the Chairman Balloting Committee house & finance various initiatives that we hope will appeal to, and attract a better turnout from these sectors. In terms of projects, we are making reasonable headway on our security project and expect to complete in early May….on budget! The library project we hopebe to sustainable, and some may noand longer significantly. We are therefore making has keybeen revitalised present a plan at the next AGM later it changes aimed at stretching our financial he year. positions may no longer be required.

have therefore Finally, weWe expect to complete the offered a Voluntary MukutanoExit Room(VE) this quarter, which opportunity to all our staff. will offer Members a state-of-the-art The Club continues to make good We are also counselling staff “who I canare complete the Meeting Room. It remains uncertain Club can progress in our keywhen strategicthe initiatives. project under under financial strain to assist them in budget So we have plenty of work in progress Revenues are on budget andeven our cash resume full operations and more and ahead of schedule, but defining the desires andthe current storm. position is ‘safe’. We do however weathering so when usage will toatprebut you’ll need to requirements of our diverse operate on veryget thinback margins three allocate remains this paramount andwe have been per cent profitafter on turnover. During time, ableadditional time Covid levels, even re-opening. WeMembership our success will lie in our ability to and money fo that.” challenge remains how toincluding increase to repair the longstanding leaks in the thereforeOur must reduce costs, satisfy these. utilisation of the Club, particularly the swimming pool and tidied up some personnel related costs. Main Dining Room and the sports facilities. housekeeping. resources to outlast the peak of this pandemic.

Dear Members I hope you are all adapting well to the new ways of life thrust upon us by the Covid-19 pandemic. First and foremost, I would like to thank you for your continued support to the Club by paying your subscriptions on time. As expected, the pandemic has impacted the Club’s finances negatively and

Muthaiga Country Club July– October 2020

We recalled part of thecertain teamsectors needed We have identified of the to Membership that use the Club but run the operations ondo1notJuly 2020, frequently, and we are working on unfortunately, most of our staff will remain on unpaid leave after exhausting 4 Muthaiga Countrynet’ Club that April–June 2017 the cushion of a ‘safety was provided during the three months that the Club has been closed. Staff on duty have also been asked to take a pay cut of between ten and 30 per cent for the most junior and senior, respectively. The Club will, however, continue to pay for medical insurance, NHIF and NSSF for all staff.

Because of the projected reduced capacity and usage, the current staff numbers

Gidoomal VVijay ij Gid

We continue appealing to all Members, Chairman House & Finance now more than ever, to please pay their Club bills promptly and, even if you are not using the Club fully now, to pay the monthly subscriptions.

www.mcc.co.ke

We will certainly re-open stronger than before and look forward to serving you better and preparing the Club for the future. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy!

Daniel Ndonye Chairman Finance & Strategy Committee

www.mcc.co.ke

roving eye

Eye winks approvingly at our enthusiastic Club Sec for organising online talks. Eye saw some and heard others concur how good they were. First the British High Commissioner, falling for Teutonic charm and evidently susceptible to industrial doses of flattery, told it as she saw it. After giving her own unexpurgated view on several potentially contentious subjects, she then asked rather sweetly for Chatham House Rules to apply. It was brave of Calamity Jane (surely that moniker applies; she’s clearly never happier than when dodging mortars or shellfire in hotspots like Afghanistan and Iraq) to speak so candidly to an unknown audience on the assumption that confidentiality would automatically be assured. Unwracked by self-doubt, she named her role model as the current Kiwi Prime Minister. In these mystifying days of aggressive trans-speak, having effective women in positions of leadership is a fine example to the rest of our oft-subjugated gender. To butcher a phrase, we have nothing to lose but our manacles.

Eye enjoyed the openness of Kevin Mutiso outlining the ardours of being an entrepreneur, and the heart-on-sleeve passions of Jason Dunford who described his journey from swimming pool to recording studio via equally enterprising ambitions. Gina Din, Professors Bitange Ndemo and Michael Hopkins – it was an august crew that spoke to many.

Best of all though was Bob Munro, who told Members about MYSA (Muthare Youth Sports Association) and his efforts over 30-plus years that have led to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and countless other awards. Mr Munro’s talk was an inspiration and he touched on many issues that are at the core of Kenyan society. If ever a cause is worth supporting, if ever wise counsel is needed, Bob’s your man. Eye hopes to return to the Club before too long but needs must when the devil drives and Eye may soon rove further afield. Readers Eye’m sure will be glad for the change.

www.mcc.co.ke

July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

staff news

When Muthaiga Country Club closed its doors to Members in March 2020, it was for the first time in its 107-year history. Even during the two World Wars the Club remained open to Members. Having just opened at Christmas in 1913, BEA was thrust into war against German East Africa in August 1914, and the majority of Club Members enlisted for active service. The Club premises were also later commandeered as a Field Hospital by the South African Defense Force, but thanks to the generosity of one of the founding Members, Freddie Ward, who offered his home in Muthaiga as a substitute Club House for Members to gather and socialise, the spirit of MCC endured, if in somewhat straitened circumstances, throughout the duration of the Great War. (see page 15) The advent of WWII in 1939 however, gave MCC a different problem - despite numerous Members volunteering for military service in distant theatres of war, there was

suddenly a greatly increased military presence in Nairobi and the Club facilities struggled with the large number of officers requesting membership. The Club flourished financially with the added patronage of the Forces and the Club remained open, offering a haven for wild social gatherings in defiance of the austere war years. In its 107th year the Club faced a more insidious enemy and was finally forced to close for the first time ever. After four months, the Club has now partly re-opened and thanks are owed to all the dedicated members of staff who have worked behind the gates to keep the Club going during lock-down and to ensure that, now it has re-opened, Members can enjoy their Club in comfort and safety. Here are our skeleton crew who have held the fabric of the Club together over the past months.

F&B - Lawrence Kioko

Club Driver - Silvery Onyango

Kitchen - Jeff Mbariah, Vincent Gacheru, Mary Kimutai, Johnson Karwigi and Simon Maina

ICT - Johnson Karwigi 6

Accounts - Francis Muya, Samuel Nyoro

Muthaiga Country Club Julyâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020

Security - Antony Waweru, Rose Karanja, Evalyne Shimei, and Joseph Makio www.mcc.co.ke

staff news

Finance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; David Muunga

House Keeping - Alex Ngotho, Robert Wanjiru and Jackson Mugambi

Gardes - Michael Waigwa, Kelvin Mungai, Martin Kamau and Anthony Murigi

Projects Manager - Fred Kerosi

Stores - Peter Wanaina

We also owe a huge thank you to the staff who have been working from home, ensuring that when Members return they will find their old Club in great condition, offering an even better experience. Maintenance - Andrew Oindo www.mcc.co.ke

Secretariat - Mercy Wanyeri

July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

retirees We say goodbye to the following Members of staff who have served the Club for a collective 113 years. After the constraints of COVID19, they have all opted to take the voluntary exit package. We thank them all for their loyal service and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.

Lucy Muregi - PA to the Secretary and Secretariat Manager Lucy was employed by the Club in 1999 as an Assistant Secretary and was later promoted to Chief Secretary/ Personal Assistant. She resigned in September 2007 and returned to the Club in November 2008 as Secretariat Manager & Personal Assistant to the Club Secretary. She held this position until she retired from the Club after 19 years having loyally served six Club Secretaries.

Michael Krop - Resident Manager F&B. Michael was employed by the Club as Assistant F&B Manager. He was promoted several times before being appointed Resident Manager, a position he held until his departure after 12 years of service to the Club.

David Itambo - Front Office Manager David was employed by the Club in 1997 as a Waiter. He was then transferred to the Front Office Department where he was trained as a Telephonist and was promoted to the position of Front Office Shift Supervisor, Deputy Front Office Manager, Acting Front Office Manager, and finally Front Office Manager. He held this position until his voluntary retirement from the Club after 23 years of service.

Gardi Okello - Head Instructor, Fitness Centre. Gardi was employed by the Club in 2009 as an Instructor in the Fitness Centre. He was later promoted to the position of a Head Instructor, a position he held for ten years.

Joshua Wambua - Accountant Joshua was employed by the Club in 2003 as a Clerk. He worked his way through several departments including, Administration, Security and HR. He was recently promoted to the Accounts Department, where he remained until his voluntary retirement after 16 years of service.

Samuel Kingangi - Systems Administrator, ICT Samuel was employed in 2006 as a Systems Supervisor and was soon promoted to Systems Administrator in the ICT Department. He held this position until his departure from the Club after 12 years of service.

Mark Osongo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fitness Instructor Mark was employed by the Club in 2011 as an Instructor in the Fitness Centre. He held this position for eight years.

Purity Kariuki - Commis Chef, Kitchen Purity was initially employed by the Club in 2016 on contract as a Relief Chef. She was soon taken on in a permanent position as Commis Chef in the Pinks Kitchen where she worked for three years before taking the voluntary exit package.

Dennis Odhiambo - Laundry Attendant, Housekeeping Dennis was employed by the Club in 2010 initially as a Cleaner. He was later promoted to a Laundry Attendant, where he worked for ten years.

Muthaiga Country Club Julyâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020

www.mcc.co.ke

(virtual) events With the advent of COVID-19 and the subsequent closure of the Club, MCC entered into the “Virtual” Age of entertainment and has embraced this evolutionary mutation with characteristic aplomb. To try and keep Club spirit alive in these times of social distancing and isolation for some elderly Members, the Secretary and the Club Events team have been working tirelessly to bring Members back together on-line and regenerate MCC’s indefatigable spirit of friendship and camaraderie, in these difficult times. And we have had plenty of support from both Members and Guest Speakers Zooming into our Muthaiga Conversations evenings (see Roving Eye’s comments on page 5) and “Virtual” Club Nights, Live demonstrations, Book Club evenings and Wellness Classes. Members have been able to enjoy all these events from the comfort of their homes.

...On the subject of culinary delights, the Club’s TakeAway Service has been a great success, taken up and enjoyed by many hungry Members, arriving by all means of transport…

…And delivered to numerous private Members’ celebrations.

MCC Executive Chef Joseph Macharia is pictured here at the start of his Live Cooking Demonstration from the Club Gardens. In his first show he demonstrated how to prepare Creole salad and pan-seared salmon with spinach in coconut Dijon sauce. By popular demand he gave a second demonstration on how to prepare Murg Makhani or Butter Chicken. The Club is in the process of signing up some of our past Visiting Chefs to Zoom in with a Live Cooking demonstration of their favourite recipes direct from their own countries, for Members to follow. Look out for updates.

www.mcc.co.ke

Pictured here (far right) Member John Lloyd celebrates his 80th birthday at his home in Muthaiga with his partner Carol Stemp, together with Chairman of Reciprocal Clubs Committee George Sutton and his wife Heather and Main Committee Member Gordon Weston and his wife Marion. July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

mcc re-opens

MCC Re-Opens After 4 Months of Closure Loyal Members were quick to visit the Club again after four months of closure pictured here enjoying the gorgeous gardens and newly renovated pool area around Pinks.

Muthaiga Country Club Julyâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020

www.mcc.co.ke

mcc re-opens

www.mcc.co.ke

July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

virtual events

MCC DIGITAL WELLNESS PROGRAMME The Fitness Centre Team have been holding a variety of digital wellness sessions that Members can tune into and enjoy from the comfort of their homes, verandahs and lawns! These sessions will continue so look out for dates and times.

“VIRTUAL” BOOK CLUB MEET MCC Member Tehmeena Manji coordinated a wonderful Book Club Zoom Call to discuss the ‘The Dragonfly Sea’ by Yvonne Owuor (pictured above.) Members who zoomed in enjoyed a fascinating, interactive conversation about the book with Yvonne. Now that Book Club members can get together once more in person, the next Book Club Meet will be held on 3 November at 6pm, in the Blue Room, when participants will be discussing the book 'The Havoc of Choice' by Wanjiru Koinange.

Home Visits for Elderly MCC Members

Ballet Classes with Member Sheila Barker will be held as soon as the Club has re- opened. Interested Members should look out for dates.

While the Club has been closed, Secretary Christian Vater has been conducting home visits to elderly Members on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 1pm to talk, help and offer any support that may be required by our elderly Members.

CLUB MAIL

For information or assistance, please call 0791-471133.

To collect your post simply call us on +254 207 229 201 or email secretariat@ mcc.co.ke to arrange a pick up time and we will ensure that your mail is ready for collection.

Muthaiga Country Club July– October 2020

Having evaluated all associated risks all Club mail has been collected from Oil Libya Plaza and Central Post Office. It has been aired and isolated and Members’ mail is now ready for collection at the delivery /supplier gate.

www.mcc.co.ke

members’ achievements

Artists for Hunger Exhibition MCC Member and internationally renowned artist Sophie Walbeoffe organised a recent collection of artworks by over 30 Kenya-based artists, in support of those who are struggling in the wake of the Coronavirus lock down. The exhibition raised Ksh 4.8 million, of which, 40 per cent was donated to four charities supporting hunger alleviation for children.

Green Spoon The local online food shopping and delivery company Green Spoon, founded by MCC Member Juliet Kennedy, has recently been listed on The British Chamber of Commerce Business Integrity Index (BII). Juliet created Green Spoon to bring consumers closer to the Founder of Green Spoon Juliet Kennedy (pictured far right) producers of the food they buy, with her team in front of Kenya’s first and only 100% at the same time providing a electric delivery van, making up to 50 per cent of Green platform for small, artisanal Spoon deliveries carbon neutral. companies, to sell their products. Every Green Spoon supplier has been carefully selected to ensure they meet quality, environmental impact (which includes how the products are made and packaged) and community impact standards. The BII recognises Kenyan businesses that are committed to integrity and have a track record of working ethically with UK organisations and British Chamber of Commerce Kenya (BCCK) members. The Index features nominated and vetted companies who embrace the BCCK integrity principles.

Pictured here in front of Mary Collis’s abstract painting entitled ‘Lockdown’ from left - MCC members Sheila Barker, Adriana Van Wageningen, Mary Collis, Sophie Walbeoffe (who organised the exhibition), Sally Kampf and Christine Davis.

All Green Spoon foods are selected only if they are good for you, good for the planet, and good for the local economy.

DCK Performance of Romeo & Juliet with Kenyan Ballet Stars Annabel Shaw & Joel Kioko

Now on Film Members will have read in the last issue of this magazine the remarkable, heart-warming story of Kenyan ballet dancers Annabel Shaw and Joel Kioko. Joel joined the Dance Centre Kenya when he was thirteen years old and living in the Kibera slums in Nairobi. Annabel, who was then a student at ISK, had chosen as a project in philanthropy, to teach ballet at a low-income government school, spotted his natural talent and became hugely instrumental in launching his career as a ballet dancer – the only male ballet dancer to have come out of Kenya. They both became the star dancers at DCK and both went on to further ballet training in the UK. In February, as part of the celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of DCK, the Dance School put on a production of the ballet Romeo & Juliet, with Annabel and Joel taking the principal roles. Joel made the trip home specially to dance one last time in Kenya with Annabel at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi. The ballet was a stunning event with the added magic of the two old friends dancing together. For those Members and friends who missed the live performance DCK is delighted to be able to offer a film of the performance (and several other recent performances) online for 1,000/-. Contact info@dancecentre.co.ke for more information. www.mcc.co.ke

‘For Love of Soysambu – The Saga of Lord Delamere & his Descendants in Kenya,’ Lord and Lady Delamere are pictured here at their home on Soysambu Ranch with author Juliet Barnes, who has just written the history of the Delamere family in Kenya - ‘For Love of Soysambu - The Saga of Lord Delamere & his Descendants in Kenya.’ The book is now on sale in Kenya (see page 20.)

July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

members’ ac hievements

The Milgis Trust In old school geography books and maps of Kenya, Nairobi, Mombasa and the Rift Valley were all named - anywhere further north was simply called ‘Other Lands.’ The area where MCC Members Pete Ilsley and his partner Helen DouglasDufresne live and from where they base their Remote ‘n’ Wild Camel Safaris, can truly be described as ‘Other Lands.’ I went to visit them at Lkanto, their home in Samburuland, perched high on a hill overlooking the confluence of the huge Seiya and Parsalois Luggas. introducing healthcare, education, water and veterinary services – has pulled this strikingly dramatic region from the brink of total decimation and rehabilitated the wildlife, lands and the Samburu culture.

The little dirt strip is short, rough and almost invisible amongst the rocky hills and luggas that are the main features of this starkly beautiful land. I clamber out of the plane, which Helen has landed with her characteristic sang-froid, into the glaring white heat of late morning. From the air the place seemed deserted, but out of the dusty wilderness three wizened Samburu appear and greet Mama Helen. Before she’s even climbed from the cockpit one of them begins describing his ‘symptoms’ to her through the plane window. He has an eye infection, and after a thorough examination under the wing of the plane, Helen rummages through the carton of medicines she has brought from Nanyuki, selects one, and with infinite patience explains in Samburu to the rheumy-eyed old man how he must administer the drops. The other two old men have come to the airstrip to collect repeat prescriptions that Helen has brought with her. For as well as taking their camel safaris through these spectacular ‘other lands’ of northern Kenya, Helen and Pete have, over the last 20 years, overseen the running of the Milgis Trust, a small, far-reaching conservation trust, which by addressing the enduring difficulties of the Samburu and Rendille people, and

Muthaiga Country Club July– October 2020

It all started in the 1980s when Helen was introduced to camel safaris based on the Ewaso Nyiru River. She fell wholeheartedly in love with this wild, arid land and its people, but towards the end of the 1980s, while venturing further north into the Matthews Range, she began to notice the escalating destruction of the land and wildlife. The shuddering horror of finding the bodies of a herd of elephants that had been slaughtered and their tusks removed, made her finally realise that she had to act before the land, its beautiful people and their natural way of life, were lost forever. So, together with Pete, who had by now, joined her in her Northern adventures, Helen founded the Milgis Trust, to try to mitigate the damage and encourage the Samburu tribespeople to take action to protect their lands and their way of life. It took years of planning and fund-raising because they realised that the most effective way to operate was to deal directly with the pastoral communities. They understood that uninformed, sick, thirsty people are not open to practicing conservation www.mcc.co.ke

members’ achievements With the population in Northern Kenya way past its threshold the Milgis Trust, together with the Kenya government and Community Health Africa Trust (CHAT) - run by another MCC Member Shanni Wreford-Smith – holds annual Mobile Family Planning clinics, which teach all aspects of family planning.

until their immediate needs are met, and so the drive began to provide for those needs. Helen’s impromptu, mini-clinic in the shade of the wing of her plane is a typical extension of the Trust’s Medical Emergency Programme, which has helped so many people suffering from a wide range of ailments.

Driving from the airstrip to Lkanto along a rugged, steeply rising sandy track, we pass the camel boma. Depending on the number of guests and the length of the safari, Helen will use up to 50 camels on one trip. The safaris are tailor-made, there is no itinerary and every route is different. We arrived at ‘Helen’s Hill’ as it is called, which at 600 feet overlooks the surrounding area, locally known as Lkanto. Perched on top is a simple mess building built of driftwood and palm thatch, with a spectacular 360 degree view over the ‘Other Lands,’ taking in the Ndoto mountains, the Lenkiyou (Matthews) Range and the huge Seiya and Parsalois luggas as they converge to form the magnicificent Milgis river, winding its way down into the Kaisut desert. The air is cooler here and there’s a refreshing breeze. As the supplies Helen has brought for the next camel safari are unpacked, I am shown to my ‘room’ – a thatched shelter with open sides looking over the valley and luggas. Across the valley I can see the tiny figures of goats scattered over the hillside. The high, distant calls of the little Samburu goatherds waft up to me on the hot thermals and in the lugga way below, a small family of elephants browses at the edge of the lugga. Returning to the www.mcc.co.ke

Mess for a delicious lunch (conjured magically from an openair kitchen and accompanied by a perfectly chilled bottle of Rosé) I learn that sighting elephants in the open, in daylight, is one of the Trust’s numerous triumphs. Elephant and lion were not seen here for over 30 years. Lions were hunted or poisoned to extinction in the 1990s, ivory poachers massacred the elephants that migrated through the region, and a whole generation of young Samburu had never seen either species until just a few years ago. The Milgis Trust hires 30 Scouts who patrol their assigned areas daily and who are in constant radio contact. The Scouts, together with forty ‘Caretakers’ who live in the manyattas, have developed a comprehensive communications network over this vast territory. Any illegal activities – poaching, tree-felling, conflict – or sightings of injured animals are reported to the Trust immediately. Lion and elephant have returned to the Milgis since the Trust Scouts and Caretakers began protecting the area. Funding from the Trust has also re-opened several of the pan dams, unused for over 30 years, along elephants’ ancient migratory routes, helping to harvest rainwater along these trails and ease pressure on the limited water supplies during dry seasons. The Trust has installed solar pumps and wells in 16 of the communities that have shown commitment to conservation and the Scouts have counted more than 400 resident elephants and 17 lions now living in the Milgis ecosystem. (continued overleaf) July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

members’ ac hievements The Scouts and Caretakers are an integral part of their communities. They spread the word about the importance of conservation as they go, frequently visiting the six Primary, nursery and ‘under-the-trees’ pre-schools that the Trust built and supports, providing accessible education programmes to Samburu children. Mission churches, modernisation and travel all threaten Samburu culture. Lesoloyia Supukan, the Samburu manager of the Milgis Trust, explains that the traditional Samburu culture observed good conservation practices naturally. They would kill only what they could eat and, as pastoralists, lived happily alongside the wildlife with which they share both land and water. Elephants and lions are important symbols of Samburu culture and tradition but, for the few children who are able to attend school, the educational emphasis is on modern life and western customs, and traditional Samburu culture is dying. Or it would be, if the Milgis Trust, together with the Samburu County Education Department, had not supplemented the curriculum with relevant cultural and conservation education, to provide a balance between the best of both worlds.

Another aspect of the Trust which touches the heart of Samburu life, is its programme of veterinary support. Dogs are an integral part of Samburu life, as herders rely on them to help shepherd the livestock and deter predators, and the Trust’s veterinary programme de-worms and vaccinates up to 3,000 dogs against rabies every year. Healthier dogs are more effective at keeping predators away, and so human/wildlife conflicts are reduced. The Trust’s Veterinary Programme also provides training on administration of, and proper drug use for, livestock.

Living without the fear of rabies is ‘magic’ to the communities. My luxurious foray into one of Kenya’s most wild, remote and undiscovered regions turned into an inspiring and educational journey. The far-sighted vision and tireless effort of Helen and

Muthaiga Country Club July– October 2020

As part of the Medical Emergency Programme and in partnership with Medical and Educational Aid to Kenya (MEAK) the Trust has helped to restore sight to hundreds of people in the area. The old Samburu lady pictured here with Helen arrived at one of the Trust’s Eye Missions completely blind. She had cataracts removed and then a few years later she led another blind lady to another mission in South Horr.

After nearly 20 years of working in this vast, borderless wilderness, we can see the Trust’s ‘vision’ slowly gaining traction. We have noticed positive changes everywhere we go, and the communities are grasping what we are trying to do and can see the improvements for themselves. There is a perfect symbiosis between our camel safaris and the work of the Trust. We both need each other. By walking our camels through the Milgis conservation area we are able to monitor what is going on and with our constant presence on the ground, we are better able to protect the land and wildlife, without which we would have no reason to be here.

As part of the Conservation Education programme the Trust funds a mobile film unit to try to pass on their messages.

All the school children took part in creating this elephant with driftwood washed down the luggas on World Environment Day.

Pete, and the work of the Milgis Trust, is restoring and, to a great extent, ensuring the protection and conservation of a critical and dramatically beautiful, yet extremely fragile, part of Kenya’s rich heritage.

Pete lsley & Helen Douglas-Dufresne

Helen Douglas-Dufresne Co-Founder of the Milgis Trust and Remote ‘n’ Wild Camel Safaris www.mcc.co.ke

heritage club

Mystery Soldier Hello Muthaiga Members from the Heritage Collection Committee. The Heritage Collection Committee was set up some two years ago, with the main idea of collecting and exhibiting historical items belonging to the Club, and also, on request, appropriate items from Members leaving the country, or needing a safe repository for their memorabilia. Hopefully you will soon be seeing display cupboards with these items around the Club, all properly labelled with the history available for all to see. Now, this month we have a competition for you. The figurine pictured left, has been around the Club (Reading Room, F&B Manager’s office) since, according to one ex-Secretary, time immemorial. Members of Heritage have done some research and believe that the soldier was in a regiment originally known as the 95th Regiment of Foot, or more accurately - The 95th Experimental Rifle Regiment of Foot. They fought all the major Napoleonic battles, the Crimea and every war since

including the Mau Mau uprising, which may well have something to do with ‘our’ soldier’s presence in the Club. What is not known is where ‘our’ soldier came from; how he came to be in the Club and who brought or presented him. If any Member can provide this information, they will be offered a free lunch for two in the Club Dining Room (as soon as it has re-opened) and it will be an interesting mystery solved. Any other information or ideas on our soldier will be received with great interest. Entries should be sent to communications@mcc. co.ke The Heritage Committee is always delighted to talk to Members about their plans and the possibility of safe custody for memorabilia. An arrangement for the Heritage Club to use the container on the Chairman’s Lawn has been made, once the Club re-opens. Gail Paul Heritage Collection Committee

COMPETITION Answer to our Apr - Jun 2020 Competition QUESTION: Who is this gentleman and what was his relationship with Muthaiga Country Club? ANSWER: Major J. A. Morrison who financed the building of Muthaiga Country Club. WINNER: Annelise Schønnemann

DID YOU KNOW?

Question:

In this photograph, what famous wedding present from East Africa is being presented to H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth? And who is making the presentation?

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 www.mcc.co.ke

Major James Archibald Morrison arrived in British East Africa in 1912 looking forward to hunting and socialising. Having inherited several fortunes and being in the property development business, he was fascinated by the burgeoning growth of the newly established Nairobi since it was settled by the builders of the Uganda Railway. Something stimulated him to become Major J. A. Morrison more involved and he saw in the developing colony the opportunity for the establishment of a Club House, Golf Course and Residential Estate. He identified 2,000 acres, then known as Homestead Farm, financed its acquisition (at £20 an acre) and then returned for England with the intention of coming back in five weeks. He never did return, due to numerous family commitments in England, but his investment was overseen by Morrison Estates (EA) Ltd and it was called Muthaiga Country Club. Just months after opening, BEA was thrust into war against German EA in 1914, and most of the Club Members volunteered for active service. As a result, due to low patronage, the Club teetered on the brink of insolvency for many of its early years and, had it not been for Major Morrison, who continued to support MCC financially throughout the duration of the war, it may never have survived. It is intriguing that whilst Major Morrison’s time in BEA lasted only months, the developments that he foresaw, but never visited, have thrived (initially only thanks to his financial support) and prospered for over a century. He seems to have been a generous, spontaneous, active and extravagant individual, indeed an appropriate benefactor for Muthaiga Club.

July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

bird quiz

Bird Quiz

Photos by Peter Usher

Muthaiga Country Club Julyâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020

Tired of Lockdown? Then I invite you to accompany me on a virtual bird walk. This bird walk took place at the Loresho Agricultural Station between 9:30 am and 12 noon on a Sunday and the birds depicted were as seen and photographed by me.

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bird quiz Sixteen species are shown out of the 30 that I photographed. I spotted another 20 species but did not photograph them. Butterflies and other insects were snapped, but I have not included these, as I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the quiz to be too difficult!

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So, do the easy bit and tell me what I photographed. Most are commonly seen, but one or two may give pause for thought. Answers on Page 21.

July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

book reviews WARTIME CHRONICLE, VERA BRITTAIN’S DIARY, 1939 – 1945 by Vera Brittain Brittain’s Diary covers Word War II during which time she lived mostly in London. We have a firsthand account of the Blitz, first by aircraft and later the V bombs. She describes the awfulness of these nightly attacks and how it seemed that they would never end. She brings out many details as to what the experience was like for ‘people just like us’. Vera herself was a practising Pacifist. She worked closely with Quakers and the Peace Pledge Union. Brittain’s energy during the war years was phenomenal – she toured giving lectures, wrote numerous books, pamphlets, and published a regular feature ‘Letters to Peace Lovers’. Despite her strong pacifist principles she followed the war carefully, and was a loyal firewatcher. She tells of the horror experienced when a ‘Doodlebug’s engine cut, indicating that it was about to fall, but where? This is a highly readable account and an excellent record of London during the war years in which Brittain, despite her principles, participated loyally. One does, however, become rather tired of her on-going criticism of Winston Churchill who does nothing right in Brittain’s estimation. Whatever opinions people may hold about the man, at least he brought the country from Dunkirk, its lowest ebb, to final victory.

THESE FOOLISH THINGS by Deborah Moggach One of today’s big problems is the elderly. This was one that came to the mind of overworked Dr. Ravi Kapoor, whose domestic life is disrupted by a troublesome father-in-law. The Doctor wishes fervently that they could send him away – the further the better. However, his cousin came up with an idea that perhaps might supply the answer – why not build a retirement home in Bangalore, India? It could be a place which would be affordable to Britain’s elderly, where they could also enjoy company, a warm climate and adequate help. It seemed an excellent idea that could not fail to succeed. And so it happened. ‘Dunroamin’ was created in India, and its first clients set out to enjoy the pleasures of a warm climate and the comforts of a brand new ‘home’. They are a mixed bunch of characters and have equally mixed ideas of what they should expect. Of course things don’t quite turn out quite how they had anticipated. Moggach has chosen a topical subject and writes with brilliant powers of observation and insight. Her book is frequently described as ‘humorous’ and ‘hilarious’, which indeed it is in many aspects, but underlying is a deep sense of sadness and tragedy – to begin with characters are optimistic, but for most of them, matters don’t work out as they’d hoped. At the end of the story one is left wondering, how did these very real people cope with the rest of their lives? 20

Muthaiga Country Club July– October 2020

For Love of Soysambu. The Saga of Lord Delamere & his Descendants in Kenya by Juliet Barnes

For Love of

Soysambu The Saga of Lord Delamere & his Descendants in Kenya

Juliet Barnes

This dramatic story, written by MCC Member Juliet Barnes, who was born in Nyeri and educated in Nairobi, spans 122 years and highlights challenges faced by four generations of an initially British aristocratic family in Kenya, with Soysambu in the Great Rift Valley as its central focus. The saga begins in 1897 with the arrival of the Hon. Hugh Cholmondeley, who walked over 1,000 kilometres into East Africa from Berbera. In 1902, after inheriting his title of 3rd Baron Delamere, he abandoned his grand Cheshire family home, Vale Royal, for a grass and mud hut in East Africa, where he befriended local Maasai and gradually built up a formidable reputation as a leading politician and pioneer. During WWI Delamere was in charge of Intelligence, working with Maasai scouts to monitor movements in German East Africa. When he died in 1931, having sold off his Cheshire estates to fund his agricultural experiments, he was bankrupt. His second wife, Gwladys, took up the political reins as Mayor of Nairobi, her close associations with the notorious Happy Valley set dragging her into the high-profile Lord Erroll murder trial in early 1941. Delamere’s son, Thomas Cholmondeley, now 4th Baron Delamere, raised his family at Vale Royal until the government took it over for wartime hospital facilities. By 1947, still struggling with his father’s debts, Thomas was forced to sell the house and remaining land, moving to the Kenya Colony to try to salvage the farms. The violent Mau Mau struggle for independence was beginning, but Thomas, who was proindependence, managed to pay off the banks and turn Soysambu around into a successful cattle ranch. When he died in 1979 it was left to his third wife, Diana, who remained notorious for her affair with Lord Erroll at his time of murder, with many still believing she’d been his killer. Thomas’s only son Hugh, now 5th Baron Delamere, took over Soysambu, raising his own son, Tom Cholmondeley, who grew up to face increasing financial problems and pressure from land-hungry Kenyans, a situation exacerbated in the early 21st Century when he was charged with murder – twice. After his incarcerations and eventual release, he was busy implementing his innovative ideas on Soysambu when he unexpectedly and mysteriously died in 2016 after hip surgery. Juliet Barnes has been shortlisted for numerous literary awards including runner-up for the Commonwealth Short Story Award for ‘Broken Glass’ and runner-up for the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Fiction with her story ‘Lake of Smoke,’ for Kenyan teenagers. She was shortlisted for the Spear Book Award in 2014, for her highly successful book ‘The Ghosts of Happy Valley,’ also about the early colonial settlers, and she was named one of Hatchard’s “Authors of the Year” in 2016. Juliet will be giving a talk and signing copies of her book ‘For Love of Soysambu - The Saga of Lord Delamere & his Descendants in Kenya,’ at the Club on Friday 9 October in the Ballroom at 6.30pm. In the meantime, copies are on sale at Between the Lines Village Market, BookStop Yaya, Cedar Mall Nanyuki or from the pubisher of Old Africa Books. www.mcc.co.ke

h at c h e s

m at c h e s

fo re

er of

Beau Peter Bargiev Born 22nd May 2020, Perth, Western Australia. To Shana (née Sylvester) and Peter Bargiev of Perth. First grandchild to Roger and Laura Sylvester of Malindi, Kenya and second grandchild to Karen and John Bargiev of Bunbury, Western Australia.

Casimir Gross & Alexandria (Sacha) Craig Casimir Gross, youngest son of Anthony and Rowena Gross of Marania Farm, Timau, married Sacha Craig, youngest daughter of Will and Emma Craig of Lewa Downs, Isiolo. The wedding was held on 7th March 2020, on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Florence Amelie Raphaele Gross Born on 31st July 2019, London, UK. To Olivia (née O’Donoghue) and Tarquin Gross of Nairobi. First grandchild to Anthony and Rowena Gross of Marania Farm, Timau and fifth grandchild to Gerard and Raphaele O’Donoghue of France.

Shaun Mousley & Amy Rostance Shaun Nicholas Mousley, youngest son of David and Karen er of Mousley of Naivasha, Kenya, married Amy Leigh Rostance, youngest daughter of Charles and Lynne Rostance of Durban, South Africa. The wedding was held on 30th November 2019, at Mbegu Rose Farm, in Naivasha.

Padraig Stanley Avery Born on 21st March 2020, in Nairobi, Kenya To Sarah (née er of Davies) and Kieran Avery of Timau. First grandchild to Robin and Simon Davies of Nandi, and 5th grandchild to Carol and Sean Avery of Karen.

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.

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July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

obituaries

Madeline Thornton

Madeline was born into a military family, in York. The family’s roots were Irish and her father, Harold Armitage, was a doctor who had served in the Great War at Gallipoli. Madeline’s early years were spent in India so her first memories were of the Himalayas and the dry plains of North Western India, cosy log cabins in Kashmir, lengthy car journeys on precarious, winding roads and eventually the voyage back to England on an enormous passenger liner. Madeline was educated in England and it was here

Malcolm (Mac) Barlow Mac was born and grew up in Walsall, UK. He attended Queen Mary’s School and later graduated from Birmingham University with a First Class Honors Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master of Science Degree. He was a Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and latterly an Honorary Member. Mac lived in South Africa from 1953-58 and worked with the Electricity Supply Commission Johannesburg, as Assistant Engineer responsible for the design and construction of Thermal Generating Stations. He returned to the UK in 1958 to be responsible for the commissioning of Hinkley Point and Sizewell Nuclear Power Stations. He later held senior positions with Allied Brewery Ltd and through business visits to Kenya Breweries was offered the position of Principal Consultant, Masterplan Ltd for the design and construction of brewery depots and Central Glass Industries Ltd. Mac and Janet met in Bermuda and they moved to Kenya in 1981 to take up the position with Masterplan. 22

Muthaiga Country Club July– October 2020

July 1925 – February 2020 that she developed her sporting skills captaining the school hockey and tennis teams - and became captivated by theatre. After leaving school she enrolled into The Webber Douglas Academy of Drama Art, after which she toured England in Shaw’s controversial ‘Mrs Warren’s Profession,’ and Germany with ENSA to entertain British troops. Later Madeline worked for Elizabeth Arden and the two professions undoubtedly honed Madeline’s greatly admired style, which was so much part of her to the very end.

this Madeline and Dan’s two children, Christopher and Sarah, were born, along with her third career. Later, among other jobs, Madeline ran the catering at Muthaiga Club, started a sandwich bar at Wilson Airport and organised the food at the Banda School for three years.

Madeline came to Kenya in the early 1950s to visit her sister Rosemary and her husband. It was here she met and married Dan Trench, whose family owned Jadini Hotel on Diani Beach. Madeline took over the catering side of Jadini, which soon became renowned for its excellent food with the Sunday buffet attracting day visitors from Mombasa and beyond, and bookings for accommodation at Jadini at peak periods had to be made two years in advance, such was its popularity. And during all

Madeline was glamorous and gracious, and had that special gift of putting everyone at their ease. She always exuded an aura of happiness so it was a tonic to be in her company. Madeline died at Fairseat, just short of her 95th birthday. She will be missed and remembered by many across every generation.

In 1979 Madeline married her second husband, Pongo Thornton, a tea planter, with whom she spent seven happy years living in Nandi, until Pongo’s untimely death from cancer.

Madeline was a Member of MCC for 47 years and worked as Cateress of the Club in the 1970s, a role she performed with great success for four years.

September 1926 – December 2019 Mac had many interests. He was an excellent swimmer, representing his county and winning medals. He was also an accomplished golfer and a Member of Muthaiga and Windsor Golf Clubs. He also enjoyed boats and sailing, the latter especially in Bermuda. He owned a modest cabin cruiser in the UK when his daughter Liz was young, and many a happy hour was spent on the River Deban. He later graduated to a larger cruiser, much his delight. He enjoyed the theatre, and annual visits to Glynbourne, also a game of bridge. His other passion was Boxer dogs, which he had wherever he lived. Mac was very happy living in Kenya, enjoying wonderful safaris, the coast, gorgeous weather, and building his dream house in Runda – a true Virgo, great mind for detail, meticulous engineer and never happier than when constructing something. Kenya has been home to Mac and Janet since 1981. Mac had been a Member of Muthaiga Country Club for 39 years, playing bowls, attending evening events and frequenting the gym on a

regular basis – resulting in many a lively conversation with colleagues after a workout, putting the world to rights! He could converse on a variety of subjects and was liked and respected by everyone he met. Mac was a great family man and will be sorely missed by family and friends. He is survived by Janet, daughter Liz, stepdaughter Suzanne, step-son Andrew, and eight grandchildren. www.mcc.co.ke

obituaries

Eric Krystall Eric was born in South Africa, where his Jewish father had migrated from Lithuania in 1899, and he lived there for the first 28 years of his life. It was the time of the rise of apartheid, and as the country moved further and further towards segregation Eric’s stance moved further leftward. He joined Wits University but, being active in the protests against segregation, he became the first student to be denied a passport. Despite his anti-apartheid activities he managed to leave the country for England, to study at the London School of Economics, where he met fellow student Mwai Kibaki. On graduating from LSE in 1960, Eric moved across the Atlantic with his American wife Abigail. While undertaking his post-graduate studies, he became deeply engaged in the civil rights movement that struggled to improve the condition of African-Americans, and got to know Martin Luther King. After his Masters he went on to his PhD studies and post-doctoral Fellowship, during which time he prepared the arguments that successfully petitioned John F. Kennedy to allow African Americans into the Peace Corps.

Rajé Jagden

February 1928 - February 2020 Eric was exposed to so many emerging disciplines, from behavioural science to conflict resolution, to population studies – all of which provided the base for his amazing contributions to the social development of Kenya when he finally moved there. This came about in 1971 when he was selected to lead an East African population programme funded by the recently formed United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA.) This was at a time when Kenya was experiencing a population explosion and, under the leadership of Tom Mboya, the Minister for Economic Planning and Development, Kenya became the first African country to adopt a population policy. Eric’s ‘Programmes for Better Family Living’ took advantage of all his American experience in implementing high impact social initiatives, and his great leadership style, based on training, sharing and teamwork, together with his ability to integrate in all environments, led to its very successful development. In 1983, Eric started the USAIDfunded ‘Family Planning Private Sector Programme,’ using puppet shows as

Eric and Abigail separated and, in 1991, he married Nani Croze after which they divided their time between Kitengela, overlooking the Nairobi Game Park and Watamu, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Eric lived an extraordinary life dedicated to ending some of the gravest social injustices of our age. He was a Member of MCC for 35 years.

June 1972 - January 2020 Following his time at Brunel, Rajé joined a Management Consultancy firm in London specialising in Oil industry benchmarking. He travelled extensively in this role in Europe, US, Asia Pacific and Australia and Rajé eventually moved to Sydney in 1999 to set up and run the Asia Pacific/Australia operation.

Rajé was born in June 1972 in Nairobi to Ranjit and Kris Jagden. He attended Hillcrest Prep where he excelled at swimming and drama and Rajé was later at Hillcrest Secondary where he developed a passion for engineering and languages. Following secondary school Rajé gained a place to study Management & Technology at Brunel University in the U.K and graduated in 1993.

a communications tool. He arranged for over 500 Kenyans to be trained as puppeteers, and all over the country shows were put on dealing with topics that were too sensitive or embarrassing to discuss openly. Puppet show productions to combat topics such as AIDS, FGM, early marriage, corruption and conservation, were all highly successful.

After several years in Australia, Rajé moved back to the U.K. His love of Kenya then led him to spend a few months of the year in Kenya, splitting his time between Berkshire and Nairobi. Rajé enjoyed diving, sailing, golf and he also had a considerable collection of Classic cars and art, which he adored. He was a natural linguist and spoke several languages fluently. Rajé was a great supporter of a number of charitable organisations, in particular Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK.

Rajé was kind, loyal, generous and engaging with a wonderfully wicked sense of humour. He was also a devoted family man, a caring and loving son and brother. He was full of enthusiasm for life and an outstanding, charming host. There was never a day that one didn’t learn something from him, whether it be a Latin phrase, a historical fact or the solution to an engineering conundrum. He made and inspired so many friends of all ages around the world and he will be truly missed by his family and friends. He left far too soon and leaves behind his parents Ranjit and Kris, his sister Sue and his beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback, Tamu. We thank the Almighty for the time given to us with Rajé, which we will always cherish. Rajé was a Member of MCC for 5 years. Sue Jagden

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July – October 2020 Muthaiga Country Club

obituaries

Joseph (Joe) Seagon

March 1935 – January 2020 After stints in Tanzania, Australia and Kenya, Joe married Diana and they moved to Kenya in 1958, where Joe was employed at Clarkson and Southern Insurance Brokers, first in Mombasa, and later in Nairobi when Joe was appointed MD of Clarksons. During his tenure as MD, he developed Clarksons into one of the most reputable, successful insurance brokers in the country. In 1980 he transferred to England with Diana and their three young children, but it was not a happy move, the freedom and excitement he had enjoyed in Kenya was not the same in Cambridge.

Joe was one of six children born in Ipswich, UK to Molly and Stan Seagon. He had a very happy childhood and did well at school. In 1955 he joined the army Intelligence Corps and was posted to Malaya during the Malaya Emergency. He enjoyed his time in Malaya and felt happy he had done his bit for Queen and Country.

David Heath David Heath was born in Nakuru to Peter and Joan (née Evans). He went to Nakuru Primary School, Kitale School and then the Duke of York. After leaving school he joined the Parachute Regiment in the British Army in 1969 and soon after was selected for the SAS. He passed out as Champion Recruit and was awarded the Desert Cup Of Bravery. He retired from the army due to multiple injuries in 1971 and returned to Kenya where he was hired as Estate Manager for Koisigat Tea in Eldoret. He worked for a few years in South Africa but returned to Kenya in 1980 and was appointed General Manager of Delamere Estates. His role was divided between running the Boran cattle on Soysambu Ranch and the crops on Manera Farm in Naivasha. Under David’s management Delamere Estates expanded rapidly and Fred Burgess from Rongai was hired as Purchasing Officer. In 1993 David married Fred’s daughter, Catherine. After 15 years with Delamere Estates David moved to Ol Pejeta Ranching as General Manager. Among other things, he facilitated the establishment of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the 24

Muthaiga Country Club July– October 2020

So, in 1983, he set up J W Seagon and Co with a little office in Saffron Walden, specialising in Life Insurance, and a few years later he returned to Kenya to sell insurance there. He was back in his element, in the country he loved, doing what he did best, making good friends along the way and building such a successful business that in 1993 his son David joined him.

It is not often someone can work alongside their father happily for 25 years, but he led by example, and was generous with his knowledge, he was also understanding, kind to his staff and hard working. Through his integrity he developed great client relationships (all became friends) and he was always a gentleman in business. Joe was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Diana passed away a few years ago, and Joe took over her role and became fully involved with his eight grand children, immersing himself in all aspects of their lives both at home and at school. Joe died after a short illness. He is survived by his children, David, Emma and Joanna, and his grandchildren. We were so lucky to have had the most wonderful man in our lives, for so long. Joe was a Member of MCC for 50 years. David Seagon

December 1950 – March 2020 conservancy with Jane Goodall. Lonrho sold Ol Pejeta in 1997 but with his extensive farming experience David was soon recruited as a consultant for Gicheha Farms owned by the Kenyatta family. David had a special ability to understand the challenges of the times and he used this skill to great effect. By 1997 David was GM for the Kenyatta family’s Brookside Dairy. When he started, the dairy was processing 10,000 litres of milk a day, by 2018 under David’s management, Brookside was producing one million litres a day, with 2000 employees in the factory and outsourcing to another 2000 farmers. He expanded the Brookside brand developing side-products including yoghurt, butter, cream, ghee and maziwa lala, at the same time setting up a UHT processing plant, a dry milk powder plant and a sister dairy in Uganda. David was a passionate conservationist and during his time at Brookside he planted 1,000,000 trees winning several NEMA awards including the ‘Most Influential Food Industry Leader Award’ in 2018.

David will be remembered for his unfailing good cheer, friendliness and his positive spirit. He was dependable and loyal and in business he was highly motivated, disciplined and possessed excellent managerial skills. But most of all David was a loving husband and devoted family man and he was immensely proud of his children. He is survived by Catherine and his children Nicola, Sarah, Mark and Rachel, his mother Joan, brother Brian and sister Annie (Dunn). He was a Member of MCC for 14 years.

www.mcc.co.ke

candidates being considered for membership CANDIDATES BEING CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP 1ST SEPTEMBER TO 31ST OCTOBER 2020

SWEEPSTAKES AUGUST 2020 Prize

Member Name

Amount

1st

Ivor Engel

67,105.50

Short Term Short Term Junior Family Short Term Junior Family Short Term

2nd

Antony Church

33,552.75

3rd

Martin Oduor -Otieno

19,173.00

4th

Nathaniel Kangethe

19,173.00

Headley Jacobus - Shruti Chandrasekhar

Short Term Short Term

5th

Ian Edwards

14,379.75

Isaac Awuondo

Paul Maasdorp - Maria Paulina Mogollon Gomez - Gabriela Maasdorp Mogollon - Lucas Maasdorp Mogollon

Short Term Under 7 Under 7 Under 7

6th

Titus Naikuni

9,586.50

7th

Frances More

9,586.50

8th

Richard Njoba

9,586.50

Sharon Gordon

David Hardisty

Short Term

Robin George

Mills Schenck - Priscilla Schenck - Spencer Schenck - Alston Schenck - Katherine Schenck

Short Term Short Term Under 7 Under 7 Under 7

9th

Laelia Anderson

9,586.50

Anthony Davies

Christoph Zipfel - Annazita Husemann - Emilia Husemann - Mattis Husemann

Dennis Awori

Hemal Doshi - Deepa Doshi - Sioni Doshi

Nyokabi Kanyagia Henry Davis

Proposer Candidate