The Power of a Promise Kept
(A Speech)
Distinguished Guests,
The People of Ndakaini,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Please allow me to start with a word of welcome to all those of you who have come to join us on this day. For the people of Ndakaini, this day and events surrounding it, marks a very special occasion for those of us who are old enough to remember.
Let me elaborate for the sake of our visitors and those of us who are much younger.
Historical Perspective
In the year 1960, a few things happened in this place. The first was the final break-up of the colonial village that the people of this area had been forced to live in by the British colonisers for the last seven years. It was a humiliating experience many of us do not even want to think about.
The second was that land consolidation had been completed and people were now free to go back to their shambas and start rebuilding their homes and continuing with their lives which had been severely interrupted by the state of emergency in the country.
The third one one was a decision by those wazees who owned land and what they did for the sake of posterity. They had decided to put aside from their own land holdings an area around Ndakaini village where each could build a new home in case another state of emergency was declared and made a provision for various social amenities for shops, schools, dispensaries, water points, cattle dips and even a cemetery.
But, in my view, the most visionary was the setting aside of a 2-acre piece of land where, in future, “a suitable field could be built so that their children and children’s children could have a place for them to play.”
That fully developed field with related modern facilities like changing rooms, showers and toilets is what we are for ally receiving today, 9th November 2019. Nearly 60 years later. This may appear like an inordinate delay but, for me, it represents in a very special way, the power of a promise kept. They dreamt, we have made it happen. As most of them are gone, may their spirits rest now in eternal peace.
Our Venture Partners
In order for this realisation to happen, we have many people to thank for. First, those residents of Ndakaini who made sure that this piece of land was not used for purposes other than what it was reserved for.
Second, all those institutions and individuals who helped us to build the new facilities.
These include:
• The County Government of Murang’a for ploughing and levelling the initial field;
• UAP Insurance Co Ltd for financial assistance in fencing and planting grass;
• East African Breweries Ltd who financed the construction of the modern ablution block and the re-design of the new playing field;
• Royal Media Services for publicising our cause very generously.
And, finally, our dedicated NDEKA Team led by James Mukuna for getting the work on the ground done.
To all of them, a mighty THANK YOU for helping us to keep our promise.
May God bless you all.
The Future
Now that this job has been completed, there is still a lot that needs to be done. The facilities need to be used effectively so as to realise the full benefits.
As you are aware, in addition to this facility we have created an excellent running circuit known as the Ndakaini Half Marathon now in its 16th edition. The 21km route for this event is now fully tarmacked thanks to support from the government of Kenya. It is up to us to develop this social event further.
We have also built a medical facility next door through a donation from a generous supporter. It is now ready for occupation and we appeal to the county government to make it functional.
Finally, the effort to conserve the area around the dam and its catchment area must now be passed on to the legal owners of the dam, i.e., Athi Water Services Board and the Nairobi County Government.
We have done our part. It is up to you to take it to the next level.
Prof JH Kimura,
Chairman,
NDEKA.
9th November 2019.