Hike Number 6

 Am on a mission to lock in 12 walks/hikes in 2026

This one is the 6th one - so Aug 15 we trooped off to Ngong Forest Sanctuary for what was to be a 15km walk. This was as part of the parent child event under ROPES program-  the entrance has been changed since the last time i visited. And the imposing and impressive Talata (Raila Odinga) Stadium seats right next to it!

The facilitators gave us some questions to reflect on after the walk - which is considered similar to journey in life and hopefully the young Ropers also reflected on this deeply

1. What felt heavy and what felt light?

The bag was heavy -I had packed some water, juice, phones etc

2. Where did you see God?

In the old trees in the forest - the wonder that these trees hold secrets of this area and how we can tap into this rich history?

3. Who did you rely on?

I relied on my spouse through out the walk, am a very slow walker so often am the last one walking at my own pace

4. When did you want to quit?

I wanted to quit at the 10km mark since mentally that is my limit..but i had to soldier on since the route had no way of turning back - and also we had walked for too long to go back!

5. What did the pace teach you?

That to each their own - run your own race

6. What did you pack that you didn’t need, and what did you forget?

I was ok...didnt forget anything! value of experience in doing walks...careful to pack all the essentials - the weather was favourable, so i ended up using my hat at the very end

Oh actually I forgot some sunscreen - even if the sun is not out fully- being outdoors requires some protection! 

7. How did we handle obstacles together?

We leaned on each other, spoke about the obstacles and in some cases anticipated them and spoke through the various options before making a decision

8. What part of the hike was worth the journey?

The feeling at the end! ended up doing 19km instead because we fell back from the crowd so took a wrong turn

9. How did nature shape your worship?

The silence is amazing -the trail is really not crowded. Apart from this large group I was in, we hardly passed people who were walking - many on bikes.. but simply walking or jogging - very few - note to file..dont come alone! there could be safety concerns

10. What’s one step we’ll take this week because of this hike?

Put this trail in my list of hikes for 2026!

Footnote

ROPES - Rite of Passage Experiences is an excellent program by Tanari Trust that offers a curriculum for 13-14year olds as they transit into adolescence. Its a year old program that is offered by churches, youth centers etc and supports young ones to be more aware of various aspects of their life as they grow up 

Why am loving the Dhow CSD App!

I recall the day I went down to CBK to open a CSD (Central Securities Depository) account to enable me invest in T-Bills and T-Bonds. This was after the relentless nagging from my older sister...I got the forms from CBK and took them to my bank for signing and think I did this move between my bank and CBK twice before it was accepted (not sure why the back and forth)

Finally I had my account, and now to bid for the T-Bills. You had to fill a manual form and drop it in a tender box at the entrance of CBK, and in the correct box else its rejected. Then wait for a couple of days and call for the results. The call was not automatic..the line was very busy and you had to try a couple of times! I remember there was once my bank didn’t process the payment and I got a strongly worded letter from CBK via post, weuhh!!

Then the Covid/Corona pandemic happened in 2020 and I suspect this hastened the process of finally making this online and therefore seamless for investors. 

Enter the DhowCSD app in 2023!

Revoluntionary I tell you!

For those who did the whole manual thing ealier, this was a relief like no other

A google search reveals that the name 'Dhow' was deliberately adopted to signify the role that the CSD will be playing in our financial and capital markets. The 'Dhow' refers to the traditional wooden boat, which was used to facilitate the trading of merchandise along the coasts of East Africa, Eastern Arabia and South Asia

There you have it! Sign in now! its very easy, I promise! 

First Graduation

First graduation of the grandkids of the family

so today Friday July 3rd 2026, the first nephew of the family graduated with a Bachelors degree

we are all beside ourselves!

Yaani this day has come

This is the DAY that the Lord has made!

It has not been an easy ride..

the new way of learning without handwritten notes was very new for all of us around him

He called us CIA since we kept peeping at the university student portal to confirm he is still a student weuh!

and here we are

Congratulations deNephew!

May God bless you always!

Target: 12 walks/hikes in 2026

 So I have told myself that for 2026 I need to get to 12 walks/hikes by end of the December 2026

This means on average 1 walk/hike per month

We are halfway into the year and I have done only 2!

Imagine!!

May - Mater Heart Run Walk - 8km

June - Expressway Walk - 10km

I need to do better, weuhh

10more to go!

AIDEX Nairobi 2026

 

The AidEx Nairobi 2026 conference themed "Beyond Delivering 'More with Less,'  has gone ended on a high note! The message to the development sector was very clear – the funding ground has shifted, a systemic "reset" is underway. 

5 Key lessons for me:

1. Actualising Localisation – its time for this buzz word to leave the reports and into action!. The examples of from Uganda & South Sudan really made me realise that indeed this is possible- they showcased an innovative flexible funding model that saw them assess funding as a locally led network and be able to respond to real needs at real time especially on deep community data and knowledge of cultural context. The challenge of course on how this can be scaled -and the element of trust was highlighted; trust that local agencies can effectively absorb huge budgets.

2. Anticipatory action – Shifting from reactive programming to predictive, risk-prepared strategies. This requires longer term funding to become a reality

3. Embracing Mutualism: Scaling up resource pooling and asset sharing between development actors.This approach is our new reality and indeed as FCA, this is already embraced!

4. Supply Chain Management – the challenge given to the audience was how many agenies involved Supply Chain team in strategy development – this is a glaring gap for many agencies yet a material percent of annual budgets go into supply chain management – food for thought!

5. Diversify Funding via Private Sector & Philanthropic Blended Finance

As traditional institutional funding declines, NGOs must adapt to become "investor-ready." Organizations should strategically pitch to Kenyan and regional corporations, family foundations, and commercial suppliers, aligning proposals with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals

I enjoyed the sessions – lots of food for thought…especially the reminder that governments are the custodians of development – NGOs are partners in this…now to action!

Kazi kwetu

Michael!

So we went to see the movie Michael on 27th May

I must say I was pleasantly surprised..the movie was done really really well...and of couse Jafaar Jackson (his nephew, son of his older brother Jermaine Jackson) embodied Michael like nothing else!!

Getting a glimpse of what inspired his best selling albums was insightful...and of course the break MTV gave him! What amazed me was the reminder of the level of influence Michael had and this was pre-social media! He filled stadiums over and over again across America & Europe. Cant imagine what kind of ICON he would be in this day and age

He was simply one of a kind....wow wow wow!!

The movie hinted at why he did a nose job (aki parents...words are powerfiul wena!) and why he loved animals (he was clearly denied a childhood) - the movie barely scratched the surface of what the man, the myth, the legend was...but....what they delivered was excellent for me! Maybe a part 2 is in the works?

Michael, thank you for the music!

Easter 2026

This Easter was special

I was determined to take part in all the church activities

Thursday April 2 -Missed the Chrism mass at 10am Holy Family as i had to attend to some work obligations

Thursday April 2 was evening mass where the Priests washed the feet of 12 men

Friday April 3 - Way of the Cross...we walked slowly for 3.5km taking 4hrs / and then Passion of Christ at 3pm to 5pm

Saturday April 4 - visited a sick relation

Saturday April 4 evening - attended Easter Vigil Mass from 8pm to 2am! and i loved the Easter Exultation sang by Fr Dan...I have had this as my ringtone for 2yrs now!

Sunday April 5 - visited Mum

Monday April 6 - attended a nice ayie - marriage introductions

Tuesday April 7 - took a break!