Sunday 17th May 2026
I do (have a restful Sunday).
Monday 18th May 2026
I am devastated. My heart is, I think, broken. I open my door this morning to see if either of my lovely cats were about, only to glimpse Mummy Cat’s rear disappearing into the open door across the balcony. The HARLOT. I feel utterly betrayed.
Today does not improve. There is mandamano (demonstration) against the outrageous government hikes in fuel prices. Demonstrations in Kenya can be complicated things. The police usually get a bit out of hand. This particular demo is led by the matatu saccos, owners and drivers and really … really … reasoned debate is not their forte. Then pretty much any kind of dispute anywhere is seen as a chance for what they call here “goons” to join in, set things on fire, hurl lumps of stone at any vehicle on the road and generally turn the whole thing into a running battle.
I am supposed to be going to Limuru for a funding with Purity, but Naivasha Road has been barricaded at Kawangware and nothing is getting past. David is not keen on even giving it a go. In Limuru everything is closed down but there is not much violence on the streets. Our ladies for the funding are so desperate that they have walked to meet Purity.
I fling a load of airtime in my phone, walk down to the corner caff where I can get a coffee and a chapati (it is open, god bless it !) and do the entire funding by phone. Purity will have their paperwork for me when I go to Limuru (demonstrations allowing) at the end of the week) to see the businesses I could not see today.
Much like the last eleven groups in Limuru the problem is horrendous, and daily domestic and sexual abuse. Of both women and children. Again the women and kids are starving because there is no money for food (husbands take an tiny amount the women earn doing casual labouring to drink and gamble), kids cannot go to school and life is hell. So now they are leaving, once away from the husband and with friends in a safe place, they will start their new ( and impressive) businesses and start a new life. I talk to all the women, at some length, and the business plans are great. They have all (as is usual with Purity’s groups) got orders from schools / hospitals / supermarkets (thank goodness for kids and sick people) and businesses will start like Jorge Martin from pole position. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the hilarious simile, it is a MotoGP thing, but very apt, I assure you. Please laugh anyway. There are groups selling cassava and eggs and dragon fruit and beetroot, tea (leaves and liquid) and pumpkins straight from the farm and local avocados and thorn melon and tree tomatoes, onions and carrier bags. The average profit margin is around 200%. I am very happy. Of course it would have been better to be there but Kawangware is barricaded off by the protesters (which always involves rocks and fire) and that is the way to Limuru.
Purity reports that all the ladies are very happy and quite excited to have had a phone conversation (most do not own a phone) with a mzungu.
I call around some of the market people to see if they think the market will be open tomorrow. I get a motorbike and scout around the area then go to buy steel wool to polish my peacock (just wait till you see him !)
