Arsenal Africa Easter Festivals, April 2019: Mombasa Edition (Part 3) – What You Should Know About Kenya

Kwibuka25      

Because it is the month of April, this article is dedicated to all our beloved friends in Rwanda. 7^th April of every year Rwanda marks the International day of Commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. 25 years ago, the most gruesome acts against humanity happened in Rwanda. Over 1,000,000 people lost their lives, millions destroyed, millions displaced, a country was left in shatters.

We the Arsenal family, take a moment of silence and join the rest of the world in praying for the people of Rwanda. We cannot say we understand the pain but we assure you of our love, our support, & lots and lots of hugs. Remember. Unite. Renew. Dennis, president Arsenal Kenya, promises free hugs and kisses to all Rwandans coming to Mombasa...!

Et Voila! Karibu Kenya! It is no secret that lately, I tend to focus my attention towards Kenya’s latest globally recognized glory moments that I keep finding myself ‘helplessly’ mumbling; “I am a proud Kenyan”. Over and above that, we will all acknowledge that, this ‘biasness’ of mine got justification that can be substantiated, no?   

Allow me, once more, to get biased and tell you a little more why you all Gooners & Goonerettes should attend the Arsenal Africa Mombasa Edition and more so make magical Kenya your travel destination!

The Country

Colonized by the British in the 19^th century, Kenya attained its Self-rule on 1^st June 1963 gazetted as a public holiday called Madaraka day, and later attained Independence on 12^th December of the same year, gazetted as a public holiday called Jamhuri day. Kenya has had three (3) presidents since its independence, with the current sitting president H.E Uhuru Kenyatta being the fourth. 

With the time zone of GMT +3, Kenya lies in the Northern Hemisphere and the Equator crosses five (5) of its town. Did you that the equator divides the African continent into 2 equal parts North and South? Now you know! Kenya has five (5) neighboring countries bordering her including Tanzania(South), Uganda(West), Ethiopia(East), South Sudan(North) and Somalia(East). The currency in Kenya is Shillings (KES) with an exchange rate of 100 to a dollar(keeps fluctuating). The highest court in land is Supreme Court, and Kenya is governed by one of the most progressive constitutions which was  promulgated in 2010. The country code is +254.

The People

With over 44 tribes, it is estimated that the population of Kenya as at 2017 was 49.7 million people, with life expectancy of female 68.9 and male 64.4, an average of 66.7 (WHO 2018).

People of Kenya are called Kenyans, who are generally very hospitable, generous, aggressive, hardworking, friendly and we are never ‘too busy’ to make time for strangers who later become friends. Kenya, is a Christian dominated country who makes up 84.8% of the population, Muslims coming second with close to 10% and other religions form the remainder of the population.

Nairobi

The only capital city with a National Park inside it, Nairobi boasts of a cosmopolitan population of about 6.5 million people. As a county with its governor Hon Mike Sonko, Nairobi holds two (2) United Nations (UN) headquarters and 22 other UN agencies, and is famously popular with investors touring Africa.   

With over 2,000 clubs/bars opened within the Central Business District (CBD) alone (Daily Nation, Wednesday, April 3, 2019, pg 19), our visiting gooners will be spoilt for choice on which entertainment spots to visit! 

While in Nairobi gooners can check out; The Space Lounge & Grill & Brew Bistro and Lounge (Ngong rd), Whiskey River Lounge & Club Sidai Oleng(Kiambu rd), The Switch Lounge (Off Thika rd), Alpha Lounge & Level 7 Lounge (Mombasa rd), Club Hypnotica & Aqua Blu Club Lounge (Waiyaki way),  64 lounge & Lazarus INN + 2,000 other clubs make up the rest of the bars in the City center. 

Remember Lazarus Inn is our venue for the Europa league match between Arsenal and Napoli scheduled for Thursday, 18^th April 2019

For one moment don't be carried away by the niceness of Nairobi, we have street beggars, random thieves, pickpocketers and petty crime offenders! Keep your phone where you can see all the time, avoid browsing your phone while sitting near a window in a moving vehicle, don't leave your drinks unattended to unknown crowds (ask any Kenyan the meaning of ‘kuekewa mchele’), if you get lost in Nairobi walk to the nearest building, locate a guard/soldier usually in blue and ask for direction. There are also pickpocketers and thieves at the ferry(Mombasa), take care of your personal belongings.

Don't take photos in prohibited places like; state house, government buildings, times tower, central bank building, ferry (Mombasa). Don’t even film our police officers if you see them taking bribes from moving vehicles, if they catch you (‘utalala ndani’) and you will miss out the Easter event. Luckily enough, we can take a million photos& videos in the SGR!

Nairobi is an almost a 24 hour economy city and you can buy almost anything you can imagine within the CBD. Nairobi comes alive at night, and loud music from bars/clubs hit the airwaves as early as from 1800hrs. The official time by government where bars can start selling alcoholic drinks is from 1700hrs GMT+3.

Shisha was banned in December 2017 by the government of Kenya stating its hazardous side effects and that it was part of the campaigns towards fighting drug abuse in Kenya. Anyone caught smoking Shisha stands to face a penalty of up to six (6) months jail term or a fine not exceeding Kes 50,000 (USD 500). We need you all in Mombasa, stay woke my people!

Inside a Nairobi Club you will find almost all alcoholic drinks you can name. All local beers are sold, as well as certain brands of whiskeys, rums, cocktails, spirits, brandy, wine, etc. The price ranges of beers are between $2 and $3. Friday nights are usually referred to as 'Members day' and all through to Sunday, Nairobi nights will make you think Kenyans do nothing else but just drink, drink, drink :-). Some clubs got dancing floors and some don't, but we all usually dance the night away anyway. Happy hours and Karaoke are very popular with most Kenyan clubs. Almost every club has a day for Reggae & Rhumba nights, with Sundays, Wednesdays & Thursdays being the most preferred days. You will find egg & smokie vendors outside Nairobi clubs. Its a common practice for Nairobians to buy a smokie or an egg with a Kachumbari on their way out or their way in to a club. Grab one sometime and feel the Kenyan vibe.

If you ever find yourself in any public service vehicle, don't be surprised when you see hawkers or preachers entering the buses. Usually, if there is loud music in the bus, the driver would switch it off and the preachers would be your pastors for the rest of your journey until you reach your destination. You don't have to really listen to the preaching but it would look rude if you put your earphones on or seen to be chitchatting with your friends. I mean, 20-30 minutes of preaching won’t kill you, would it?. Don't forget to give your offering as well. 

Mombasa

Situated along the coastal line of Kenya, Mombasa is home to many foreign tourists some who came and went back and some who never left! As a hot and humid coastal city in Kenya, Mombasa Island connects to the mainland through the Ferry that takes you to Likoni and through the Nyali Bridge that ushers in revelers from other parts of the country. Famously associated with the Swahili people, Mombasa largely holds Christian's and Muslims believers in almost equal number.  

First time in Mombasa? The temperatures there could go as high as 40°c accompanied by high humidity from the evaporating waters of the Indian Ocean. Most travelers to Kenya will need vaccinations for yellow fever, as well as medications for malaria prophylaxis and travelers' diarrhea. 

Malaria risk is high throughout the year in the whole country, but low in Nairobi and the immediate surrounding areas. Many Kenyans living in areas with low malaria transmission, such as Nairobi, have little or no immunity to the disease and can easily become infected when they travel to high transmission areas, such as Mombasa. Often enough, they start to develop symptoms after returning home to low-transmission areas.

Ms. Juliet Mbenia, a Trustee Member of the Arsenal Kenya and a Pharmtech by profession reiterates that; "Malaria prophylaxis is not a 'pick and choose' option". She adds to say that, "prophylaxis has to be started BEFORE travel to a malaria zone, (time dependent on which treatment), and for a prescribed period AFTER leaving the zone. In other words, before leaving home, and after going back home. To be effective, prophylaxis needs to be taken continuously from start to finish". Prophylaxis exists in form of tablets and you can get them over the counter at any pharmacy or chemist. "Don’t take any risks, malaria can be a killer. TAKE THE MEDS", Ms. Mbenia asserted.

Mombasa Starter Pack

Did you know deep inside the Indian ocean there is an island that no one is allowed to visit? Indian ocean is named after India because India holds a central location which is at the head of Indian Ocean. 'Mombasa beaches' is one of the reasons why tourists from all over the world go to Mombasa for vacation.

Mr. Stephen Ndung'u, Assistant Organizing Secretary Arsenal Kenya recommends light clothing & beachwear and lists starter pack for the extremely hot Mombasa island:- shorts, beach dresses, sleeveless, short-sleeves shirts & tops, sun hats, Sombreros, sun glasses, sun screen, sandals, beach shoes & flip flops, bikinis, bathing suits and swimming costumes. Dear beautiful goonerette, don't let that 'long awaited blind date' not to happen because of a bad hair day. Any hair style goes for you EXCEPT; wigs/weaves! (your expensive hair makeover wont survive the heat darling).

Also NOT to be forgotten the starter pack should include; mosquitoes & insect repellents, bottle of cold water, tickets & passport, cameras, prophylaxis & painkillers, asthmatic patients to carry their hospital insurance cards (in cases of emergency) and of course if you have to forget anything, please don't forget a pack of condoms just in case you get lucky :-),  rubber up, condomize it baby, AIDS is REAL! Listen to Attention na SIDA by Grande Maitre Franco Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 

Transportation

Kenya is a country with improved public transport road network. There are planes, boat, ship, ferries, buses, Matatus, local taxis, digital taxis, Tuk Tuk, Boda Boda, Bicycles etc and soon introducing the Bus Rapid Transfer (BRT) buses just like our good neighbors Tanzania and Rwanda. Speaking of which; have you ever heard about The Matatu Culture? Read on…! 

The Matatu Culture is all about celebrating the Matatu Industry though Art, Music, People & Culture. The artwork and graffiti displayed on Matatus are usually used as a form of communication and a way to create awareness in a wide number of topics like soccer, politics, public figures, trends etc (https://matwana.co.ke/). 

 Matatus are easily found in reasonably sized cities and towns that have plenty of services covering every major road and suburb ready to serve millions of people everyday. The ‘pimped’ Matatus are dearly referred as ‘Nganya’ by its users.

Digital taxis first came to Kenya in January 2015 in form of Uber Kenya. Four years later, we have over seven (7) digital taxis in Kenya including Little Cab, Taxify (Bolt) among several others. Uber is the most popular and is available in three (3) in Kenyan cities that is Nairobi, Mombasa & Kisumu. The fascinating thing about these app-based taxis is that, hiring a taxi is just a call away. Whether it’s midnight 12 or early 6, one doesn’t need to wait for Matatus to get started. Pick up your phone and book the cab through the application. 

Visiting gooners & goonerettes and especially those who like club hopping, are strongly advised to download at least one of the taxi apps as they will come very handy. Truth be told, digital taxis are the second best thing to ever happen after eating crocodile meat.

Communication    

We have three (3) networks across the country Safaricom, Airtel Kenya & Telkom (formerly known as Orange). Safaricom has the widest coverage in the country with about 26 million subscribers. M-pesa is the most popular product from Safaricom that not only Kenya has embraced it but also over 15 other countries in the world including Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, India among others. 

Good news is that M-pesa users can send and receive money worldwide! M-Pesa is a mobile phone-based money transfer, financing and micro-financing service, launched in 2007. Whenever you are in Kenya visit any M-pesa agent and you will be able to send money, pay bills and buy anything with Mpesa. It is fast, secure, convenient and very easy! No more hustling, karibu Kenya J

Language

The constitution of Kenya (2010), Chapter 2, Article (7) Section (i) & (ii) states that the national language of the Republic is Kiswahili and that the official languages of the Republic are Kiswahili and English. However, visiting gooners and goonerettes are informed that most spoken language in the streets of Nairobi and especially among the youths is Kenyan Creole (SwaNglish) popularly known as 'sheng', our street slang. 

The most spoken language in Mombasa is the coastal Kiswahili, more or less like the Tanzanian Swahili. Good news is that all Kenyans understand both Swahili and English and therefore our visiting friends will not have any cases of language barrier as long as you stick to any of the two languages.

Down the memory lane, and in a special way, I want to give a big shout out to: Matinya(tz), Daiddo(rw), Herbert(Rw), Jangwa(ke), Willy(rw), Stephen(ke), Olive(rw), Kibbs (tz), Mboye(tz), Fadhil(rw), Billy(Ke), Deno(ke), Dickson(gh) Edgar(tz), Wambua(ke), Eunice(ke) Titiboy(ke), Ooko(ke), Jurgen(tz), Bepari(tz), Kulwa(tz), Dennis(ug), Kampala Sevens, Kamy(rw), Freddy(tz), Verminator(ke), Olivier(rw), Milika(tz), Maurice(rw), Gabby(rw), PD(zm), Luwie(zm), Baah(gh), Getty(ke), Njishi(rw) and all those friends not mentioned here.

Psychologists say; “Not every friendship is going to be a ‘friends forever’ type of relationship; sometimes, it is about ‘friends of convenience’ and those we need most in a situation. And if things grow less convenient, and that individual isn’t available in the way that he or she once used to be, that’s actually alright! Cheers to friendship! To friends that never left".

#ArsenalAfricaFestival
#TukutaneMombasa

The writer of this article is a lifetime goonerette, who attended both first and the second editions of the Arsenal Easter festivals in Dar es Salaam and Kigali. She is also a freelance writer and a blogger at Up-close & Personal with LB