Christ is the Answer Ministies (CITAM) Ngong, choir performing a Christmas Cantata. (Photo: Courtesy) There was a time when Christmas announced itself quietly. You knew it was coming, not by flashing lights or countdown posters, but by sound. Choirs began rehearsing early, sometimes as far back as October. In the evenings, voices drifted out of church halls, carrying hymns that had been sung for generations. Children practised lines they did not fully understand, while adults arrived after long days, not for applause, but for tradition. The Christmas Cantata was not an event. It was a gathering. “I grew up with…
Author: Jayne Rose Gacheri
A Christmas escapade at the Nairobi National Park. [Jayne Rose Gacheri, The Standard] A few days from today, on a Thursday, we will be celebrating the highlight and climax of the festive season – Christmas Day. With hard economic times, the anticipation is that many Nairobi dwellers (and other counties too) may not be making it to travel, as the tradition is among Kenyans to their upcountry homes, or afford a holiday treat such as travelling to destinations. So, what do you do with the long Christmas holiday break if you are on a low budget to travel? Make use…
Recipe: How to prepare Christmas turkey for your family One of the most widespread practices worldwide during the December festivities is the Traditional Christmas dinner. Radisson Blu Chef Benson Kamanja helps us dissect this menu, which consists of roast turkey, eggnog, and pudding, that has roots in medieval England. “The Spanish introduced turkeys to Europe, where they spread rapidly, making it as far as Germany before the 16th Century was over,” says Chef Kamanja. He further tells this writer of a 1581 cookbook published in Frankfurt that lists over 20 recipes for “Indian chicken”. Because they were so grand and…
How parents are rethinking Christmas, raising generous children It is three days to Christmas, and the questions are already piling up. For many parents, this final stretch to Christmas is a familiar emotional tightrope. Between school closures, rising costs of living, extended family expectations, and children’s growing wish lists, December can quietly become the most anxious month of the year. Beneath the tinsel and wrapping paper lies a deeper parental concern: what are we teaching our children? David Kimutai, a father of two, admits that Christmas conversations have changed over the years. He recalls a moment earlier this month when…
How parents can practice self-care without feeling guilty Self-care for parents is not about indulging in fleeting luxuries. Rather, it is a daily commitment to preserving emotional, mental and physical well-being. According to Prof Rebecca Wambua, an educationist, counsellor and author of The Hows — a guide on raising disciplined children and maximising their potential — self-care is essential for healthy parenting. She says small, intentional habits can help parents prioritise themselves even on the busiest days. Below are expert tips to help parents incorporate self-care into their daily routines: Start small and stay consistent Even five to 10 minutes…
Why children panic in quiet and what parents can do It took the stillness of a forest for Joan Mwende, a single mother of one, to understand silence and what children are quietly losing at home. After days of noise, notifications, deadlines and the constant tug of responsibility, Ngong Forest offered something rare: a quiet that did not demand performance. “My steps slowed, my shoulders dropped, and even my thoughts learned to whisper. It felt unfamiliar at first, almost unsettling, then deeply regulating,” said Mwende, the mother of a 15-year-old girl. A question lingered. Had she raised a child who…
AI era: What parents need to know about new digital reality Today’s children are among the first generation to interact with AI as a companion rather than a tool. From Google Bard and ChatGPT to AI art platforms and coding assistants, the devices in homes and schools are not just screens – they are teachers, co-creators and playmates. Children are growing up not just alongside technology but inside it. And with AI increasingly woven into everyday life, the question is no longer if it matters, but how to guide children safely and wisely in a world where digital intelligence is…
Caption When a parent like Purity Kendi, a mother of seven, fell victim to an online love scam, it highlighted a harsh reality. That sextortion, the blackmail of victims through intimate content, is rising in Kenya. Families, adults, and teens alike are at risk. Here are expert tips on what parents need to know to protect themselves and their children: Understand the risk: Predators rarely start with threats. They build trust through charm, empathy, or small financial gestures, then request intimate photos or videos. Once trust is established, they threaten to leak the content unless the victim complies. “By the…
Maasai boys aged between 12 and 20 years in a procession as they mark their first rite of passage as boys [Stafford Ondego/Standard] The festive season comes with its own rhythm. Roads fill with travellers returning home, markets overflow with shopping lists, and families gather for celebrations, reflections and reunions. However, in many communities across the country – the Maasai, Meru, Bukusu, Kisii, Samburu, Kuria, and parts of the Kalenjin regions, December holds deeper meaning. It is the season of initiation, the time when boys transition into men. For generations, this window between harvest and holiday break has been sacred…
Tourists taking a walk in the Kakamega tropical rainforest [File/Standard] The road to Taita Taveta is a gentle descent into a world where time behaves differently. Hills rise and fold softly into one another, ancient, weathered, and knowing. Unlike the dramatic cliffs of Kenya’s north or the flat savannahs stretching toward the coast, Taita’s landscape carries a quiet dignity. It does not shout beauty – it whispers it. Taita Taveta is a place where the sky stretches wide and the land carries the memory of kingdoms older than maps. Here, the stones rise like guardians: ancient, sculpted by wind, rain,…
Purity Kendi, a meru mama mboga whose explicit images leaked online [Courtesy] When the story of Purity Kendi – the Meru mother of seven whose explicit images went viral – broke, it shook parents and communities alike. Many wondered how she could have fallen into such a trap. However, beneath the judgment lies a deeper truth: digital vulnerability knows no age, gender, or status. Digital experts say in a world where smartphones connect us to both comfort and danger, sextortion, the act of coercing someone into sharing intimate content and then using it for blackmail, has become a silent epidemic.…
Places you should visit this holiday season Whether your heart longs for the coast, the wild savannah, or the quiet rhythms of the countryside, Kenya offers an endless buffet of destinations that fit every mood and every pocket. From Mombasa’s golden sands to the rugged beauty of Marsabit, each trip tells a story of rediscovery, of self, of culture, and of a country so richly blessed with landscapes and warmth. Mombasa Raha: The coast’s golden glow Few places capture the holiday spirit like Mombasa. The coastal city has undergone a remarkable facelift. New highways, pavements, and beachfronts have turned it…
The Hows: New book helps parents decode children’s behaviour compassionately If parenting came with a manual, many parents would have ordered the express delivery version, and then the next day, there would be no confusion or guesswork. But here we are: learning on the job, sometimes whispering into the night, “Am I doing this right?” That is where The Hows steps in, not with judgment, not with jargon, but with an ease that feels like sitting with a trusted friend who has walked the parenting maze and returned with a map. The Hows: A friendly guide for parents raising the…
What’s in a name? How identity, faith, tradition shape what we call our children When Mama Ida Odinga stood before mourners during Raila Odinga’s burial to talk about how they named their children, her words carried both grief and pride. The moment reminded a nation that names are not just words. They are stories, whispered hopes, living prayers. For the Odingas, naming each of their four children – Fidel, Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie – was a spiritual act. Each name, she said, was chosen with care and meaning, capturing the family’s journey through love, struggle, faith, and history. In…
How to keep your peace, sanity till schools reopen When the school bell rang ushering in the long holidays, many parents breathed a sigh of relief, and anxiety for some. Suddenly, the quiet that used to live in your house has packed up and left. The long holiday can turn even the calmest home into a mini market, full of chatter, laughter, quarrels, and a few minor explosions. But it can also be the best time to reconnect as a family, if you plan (and pace) it well. Tiny tornadoes: toddlers and preschoolers Prof Ida Kiambi, a family counsellor and…
When news broke of Raila Odinga’s passing, Kenya did not respond with the solemn silence often associated with national grief. Instead, the country turned to its most familiar form of collective expression, humour. In a show of unity and creativity, Kenyans transformed their pain into laughter, their mourning into memes, and their tributes into viral trends. Across digital platforms, grief went viral. On TikTok, X, Facebook, and WhatsApp, Kenyans found a unique way to celebrate the life of a man whose name had long defined their political and cultural imagination. The timelines filled with laughter, music, and memory. Grief with…
How to prepare your child for a new sibling When five-year-old Tina Mwirigi learned she was going to be a big sister, she beamed with excitement. They walked the “pregnancy journey” with her mother, with the excitement growing with each month. Her mother allowed her to “play” with the unborn brother. Tina even helped her mother, Ruth, fold baby clothes and even sang lullabies to her mother’s tummy. But when the baby finally arrived, excitement turned to confusion. “She refused to call the baby by his name and kept saying, ‘take her back to the hospital,’” Ruth recalls, laughing gently.…
Lilly Ajarova [Courtesy] At a recent launch event in Nairobi’s leafy suburb, the air was thick with excitement. Guests mingled over glasses of wine alongside a menu of Uganda’s tasty traditional culinary delights. The event, the launch of the just-concluded Rwenzori Marathon, Nairobi chapter, attracted top-notch personalities in the sport, tourism, and hospitality industry. One figure stood out; Lilly Ajarova – calm, radiant, yet commanding in her presence. When she rose to speak about conservation and her new memoir, Echoes from the Mountains of the Moon, the room hushed – not out of formality, but out of respect. Watching her,…
Kibera to London: AfroWema’s sustainable fashion shines on global stage In the narrow, bustling lanes of Kibera, Nairobi’s largest informal settlement, a group of young artisans late last year, bent over their sewing machines. The hum of the machines blended with laughter and chatter, punctuated by the sound of scissors slicing through upcycled denim. On the wall, a hand-written sign reads: “Every stitch is a story.” One of those gowns, stitched with patience in this small workshop, would soon shimmer under the bright lights of London’s Freemasons’ Hall during Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2025. It was a moment no…
‘I see my mum on visiting day’: The emotional cost of boarding schools On a chilly Monday morning in Nairobi, seven-year-old Rakeli Kendi puts her backpack on and holds onto a smaller bag containing snacks and a change of clothes. Her mother, Miriam Kiambati, waves goodbye, knowing that she will not see her daughter again until late in the evening. After a long day of classes, Rakeli heads straight to aftercare, staying until 7.30 pm. By the time she gets home, she is too tired for anything other than dinner and a quick hug before bed. This is Kendi’s weekly…
Are your children being raised by influencers? When 10-year-old Alvin Odera gets home from school, his mother expects him to finish homework before watching TV. However, Alvin usually has other plans. He grabs his tablet, logs onto YouTube, and quickly drifts into a world of gamers, vloggers, and funny skits. By the time his mother checks in, Alvin is repeating phrases from a stranger he calls his “favourite auntie” — a 23-year-old content creator whom his mother has never heard of. This is a question many parents are asking: Are our children being raised by digital aunties and nannies”? Digital…
Nairobi Estate ‘Ofafa Jericho’ as seen in 1963 [File/Standard] Whether you are a Nairobi resident or a visitor, you might be familiar with the saying: “meet me at Ofafa”. The question is, which one? Jericho, Maringo or the school on Jogoo Road? Beyond this mix-up lies a story about a man, a city, and how communities keep memory alive. The word “Ofafa” is “sprinkled” all over Nairobi’s Eastlands – in estate names, in a storied boys’ school along Jogoo Road, and in directions shouted from matatu doors. It sounds like slang, but it is not. It is someone’s surname, and…
Milk of love: How breastfeeding strengthens, transforms families From Kilifi’s busy maternity ward to a private hospital room in Kisumu, breastfeeding is more than a meal. It is a ritual of bonding, resilience, and love. As the world marked Breastfeeding Week, Kenyan parents shared their intimate journeys, while experts reminded us that every drop counts. It is mid-morning at Kilifi County Referral Hospital’s maternity wing, just after dawn. Outside, the Indian Ocean breeze drifts in through the open louvre windows, carrying the scent of salt and damp earth. Inside the maternity ward, new mothers sit on narrow beds, their babies…
Launch of Polio, Nairobi (Jenipher Wachie, Standard) What began as a joyful Sunday School morning for 10-year-old Michelle Opondo, a time of singing, laughter, and shared memory verses, ended in confusion, fear, and a deep sense of betrayal. As she and her 16-year-old cousin Viola Owuor were leaving church, they encountered a group of women in yellow overcoats waiting by the gate, coolers in hand. “They said they were there to vaccinate children,” Viola recalls. “Other kids were lining up. So, I told Mitchel it was okay.” Without further explanation, Michelle was jabbed. But something did not sit right with…
Recently, I crisscrossed several counties — from Kajiado to Machakos, Nairobi to Eldoret, West Pokot to Isiolo — each stop offering fresh experiences, new faces, and stories pulsing with life. Countryside road trips are my favourite kind of escape. They allow me to soak in diverse landscapes, engage with different cultures, and build lasting memories. But nothing could have prepared me for the emotional and symbolic richness of my most recent journey across eight counties, six communities and the heart of the 2025 Peace Ultra Marathon Isiolo (PUMI). From pounding hooves in the Maasai Mara to pounding hearts in the…
Recently, I crisscrossed several counties — from Kajiado to Machakos, Nairobi to Eldoret, West Pokot to Isiolo — each stop offering fresh experiences, new faces, and stories pulsing with life. Countryside road trips are my favourite kind of escape. They allow me to soak in diverse landscapes, engage with different cultures, and build lasting memories. But nothing could have prepared me for the emotional and symbolic richness of my most recent journey across eight counties, six communities and the heart of the 2025 Peace Ultra Marathon Isiolo (PUMI). From pounding hooves in the Maasai Mara to pounding hearts in the…
Mukoma wa Ngugi (R) with the late Ngugi Wa Thiong’o [Courtesy] It began not with a funeral, but with a Facebook post. “Mukoma wa Ngugi learns of his father’s death online.” A jarring headline. A private heartbreak turned painfully public. For most Kenyans and the larger global community familiar with the celebrated author, Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s passing, a literary giant and conscience of a nation, was a moment for solemn reflection. For his family, it became a flashpoint. A son left out. A cremation was carried out quietly. A country torn between celebrating a hero and questioning how he…
As the school holidays approach, many Kenyan families are preparing their sons for initiation rites. But what if these cultural milestones trigger hidden fears instead of strength? One boy’s quiet undoing opens a conversation about childhood trauma, mental health, and what it means to truly grow up. If you met 16-year-old Sean, a year ago, you would think he was a normal “happy-go-lucky teenager. He looked neat and polite, always wearing clean clothes, a soft smile, and an extended hand of greeting. However, these traits are just appearances – camouflaging an uncomfortable trait buried deep in his soul. On closer…
Christine Wangari is the unsung hero of Kenyan environmental conservation story [Courtesy] “Let’s take a tour of honour around Nairobi,” says the spirited woman beside me, her voice brimming with quiet pride. Christine Wangari, bubbly, bond, and benevolent, is not just any tour guide. She is the woman who helped replant Nairobi’s soul, one tree at a time. As we stroll past City Hall, Kenyatta Avenue, Koinange Street, Valley Road, and down Ngong Road, she stops often. To hug a tree. To scratch its bark gently. To stoop and pick fallen seeds. “These,” she whispers, “can change everything.” We end…
Mum, am I sick? The question hung in the air like Ngong Hills’ early morning fog. Twelve-year-old Lynet Wanja stood quietly by the door of their one-room house in Gichagi, Ngong, her eyes wide with confusion. Her school dress was tied around her waist, an old hoodie draped over her hips. Her mother, Beatrice Mwaniki, paused mid-stir as she prepared porridge over their single burner. She turned slowly to face her daughter, heart pounding, not with fear, but with a sense of urgency. The day had come.“No, my sweet girl,” she said gently, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel…
On this Father’s Day, we honour fathers who do more than provide – they show up, stay present and shape their daughters’ lives in ways that last a lifetime. Experts agree that a father’s presence is more than just physical. It is emotional security, guidance, and a blueprint for future relationships. “Daughters with engaged fathers tend to develop higher self-esteem, confidence, and emotional resilience,” says Catherine Ochieng, a psychologist and family counselor. She says that while past generations referred to fathers as distant providers, today’s fathers are more engaged, strengthening emotional connections through bonding activities such as play, biking, hiking,…
Exhibitors display Rhino Charge gear during the briefing of the 2025 Rhino Charge event at Braeburn School, Nairobi Baringo County has been unveiled as the host location for Rhino Charge 2025, marking the 36th edition of Kenya’s world-renowned off-road motorsport event, which raises funds for critical forest and wildlife conservation efforts. The announcement came during a pre-event briefing at Braeburn School, Nairobi, where Don White, Clerk of Course, addressed a gathering of competitors, sponsors, officials, checkpoint crews, camp operators, and media. “This event, which is now in its 36th edition, is a growing conservation legacy, the return of inclusivity initiatives,…
Participants in action during the 32nd edition of Rhino Charge at Sabor Village in Baringo County [File/Standard] In a bold step toward eco-friendly motorsport, EV Explorers has unveiled Kenya’s first-ever zero-emissions electric vehicle set to compete in the legendary Rhino Charge. The innovation represents a major milestone in sustainable mobility, pushing the boundaries of electric transport beyond city roads and into some of the country’s harshest off-road terrains. This effort also aligns with conservation efforts spearheaded by the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust. Speaking during the launch at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi, Africa Practice Partner and EV Explorers team leader Richard Kiplagat said:…
When children travel alone, their journey can be empowering and nerve-wracking. With guided preparation and safety measures, young travelers can confidently navigate their adventures while parents enjoy peace of mind. Here are essential tips to ensure a safe and memorable journey. Preparing for the trip Ensure your child has all necessary documents, including passports, visas, tickets, and any required consent letters. Store them in a secure, easy-to-access pouch that the child can carry. Include essentials like medications, snacks, and toiletries. A printed list of emergency contacts. This includes numbers for parents, guardians, and a trusted adult at their destination. Give…
When children travel alone, their journey can be empowering and nerve-wracking. With guided preparation and safety measures, young travelers can confidently navigate their adventures while parents enjoy peace of mind. Here are essential tips to ensure a safe and memorable journey. Preparing for the trip Ensure your child has all necessary documents, including passports, visas, tickets, and any required consent letters. Store them in a secure, easy-to-access pouch that the child can carry. Include essentials like medications, snacks, and toiletries. A printed list of emergency contacts. This includes numbers for parents, guardians, and a trusted adult at their destination. Give…
In the heart of Kwale County, a silent revolution is unfolding. Shimba Hills National Reserve, a once-thriving sanctuary for Kenya’s majestic wildlife, is on the brink of a grand resurgence. Thanks to an ambitious restocking initiative led by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the reserve is poised to reclaim its former glory. This bold conservation effort is more than just an ecological revival, it is a visionary blueprint for protecting biodiversity, revitalizing tourism, and empowering local communities. For years, Shimba Hills has faced a dwindling population of large mammals, disrupting the delicate balance of its ecosystem. Now, KWS is stepping…
In the heart of Kwale County, a silent revolution is unfolding. Shimba Hills National Reserve, a once-thriving sanctuary for Kenya’s majestic wildlife, is on the brink of a grand resurgence. Thanks to an ambitious restocking initiative led by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the reserve is poised to reclaim its former glory. This bold conservation effort is more than just an ecological revival, it is a visionary blueprint for protecting biodiversity, revitalizing tourism, and empowering local communities. For years, Shimba Hills has faced a dwindling population of large mammals, disrupting the delicate balance of its ecosystem. Now, KWS is stepping…
Snorkeling at Kisite Mpunguti. {Jayne Rose Gacheri, The Standard} I am back in Kisite Mpunguti for an adventure that combines the thrill of exploration with the serene beauty of marine life – swimming with the dolphins and snorkelling at Kisite Mpunguti! Kenya’s stunning coastline along the Indian Ocean with its azure waters, vibrant coral reefs, a treasure trove of eye-catching sceneries, coupled with myriad activities, is always a welcome adventure. I arrived at the base for the tour to Kisite Mpunguti at 6.30 am, as the sun cast its golden glow on the crystal-clear waters. My adrenaline was building up…
Snorkeling at Kisite Mpunguti. {Jayne Rose Gacheri, The Standard} I am back in Kisite Mpunguti for an adventure that combines the thrill of exploration with the serene beauty of marine life – swimming with the dolphins and snorkelling at Kisite Mpunguti! Kenya’s stunning coastline along the Indian Ocean with its azure waters, vibrant coral reefs, a treasure trove of eye-catching sceneries, coupled with myriad activities, is always a welcome adventure. I arrived at the base for the tour to Kisite Mpunguti at 6.30 am, as the sun cast its golden glow on the crystal-clear waters. My adrenaline was building up…
In the footsteps of the Obama family at the Naboisho Conservancy. {Jayne Rose Gacheri, The Standard} The thought of a road trip to Masai Mara is always irresistible, especially if it comes with a dreamy offer, like a recent one that left me humming to myself in anticipation – in the footsteps of the Obama family in Naboisho Conservancy. This is a journey that put the now globally popular sustainable tourism destination (Naboisho Conservancy) on the map. The Conservancy has been praised for its eco-system conservation efforts. On D-Day, Brian Kimandi, an enthusiastic photographer/videographer and I were at our pick-up…
Courtesy. [email protected] Imagine a thrilling overland escapade across seven East, Central, and South African countries – Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa is explosive! Having been to these countries by air, I can vouch that such a trip is a winner for travel lovers. This epic journey will leave you questioning why you have not tried it yet! The thrill of taking such an adventurous trip in 22 is astounding and a worthwhile investment for lovers of ultimate adventure. Many tour operators are offering such road trips over the festive season at a pocket-friendly budget (approximately Ksh165,000)…
Toya Njeri Chege while her “me time” with a horse. (Jayne Rose Gacheri, The Standard) This year, Christmas and New Year will be a long holiday. Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday. This means employers will give their staff a break-off on the last Friday before Christmas, with the holiday rolling over to the New Year. Many parents will be sending off their children on solo travel. This may be for short or long distances, and for parents of teenagers and young adults, the travel may be out of the country. While parents of older children are used to letting…
A woman travelling. (Courtesy) Did you know that despite expert advice on always looking for breakthrough to help you minimise of your travel expenses, like the saying goes, cheap is expensive, so does being cheap while travelling can turn out to be expensive? According to Janet Kagina, an ardent, she learnt through the hard way that cheap can be expensive, especially during taking a vacation during the Christmas holidays. “It took me travelling on budget travel for a long time before I realised that some parts of travel are worth the splurge, because although when I saved a little cash…
Kenya’s magical destinations. (Courtesy) The festive season is upon us. The great time of the year – that time of ‘cheer’ when many let their hair down in celebration. It is a time for travel, both inbound and outbound. In anticipation of this festive mood, the hospitality industry is a beehive of activity, putting its best foot forward to capture this once-in-a-year season and make the best business out of it. According to travel experts, the festive season is the most expensive time to travel, which is why they advise travellers and holiday lovers to travel at any time outside…
A baobab tree. (Courtesy) Adventure comes to those who seek it. Some people are born with an adventurous streak and an insatiable curiosity, only quelled through discovery. Others seek out adventures to conquer the demons within fear, boredom, stagnation, a sort of dry rot of the soul. I am in the former group. Being adventurous means having the courage to try new things, and learn new things, myths, and cultures. My interest was recently stimulated by the sudden interest and demand for the baobab tree by the West and other countries. So much so that we saw the giant trees chopped…
Giraffe Centre in Karen, Nairobi. (DavidNjaaga/Standard} I had a heated discussion with a tour guide on how to best experience the highlights of Nairobi in just 12 hours. listening to Moreen Chelegat of QatKen Travel and Tours describe the thrill of “squeezing your one-day holiday or weekend” into a 12-hour experience in Nairobi (and other places) had me thinking. “Just imagine this, if you have a day to while away (layover for visitors) in Nairobi you have an extra day after your business visit, you have a holiday or one weekend day (for city residents), would you rather let your…
Rock stacking (Courtesy.) If you are an ardent traveller and adventure lover and have done hiking, visited parks reserves, and other remote-like destinations, you will have noticed piles of stones, placed in strategic places. Most probably you have dismissed them as a human-made pile of stones raised for a purpose – a marker or a burial mound. Allan Thuranira, a seasoned travel guide, says the pile of stones is called a stack or cairn. This is a human-made pile of stones built to communicate a message such as a direction marker or a burial site. The word cairn is derived…
Elephants wallow in the mud at Aberdare National Park. (Photo/Peter Muiruri) I thought I had a wealth of adventure experience sky diving, bungee jumping, snorkelling, swimming with dolphins, hiking, forest-bathing and cultural interactions. But never a live elephant translocation! That changed on Sunday in October. Destination? Mwea where elephants were being moved to Aberdare. Our ten-seater Caravan flight left Wilson Airport a few minutes after 7pm. 30 minutes later we landed at the Masinga Air strip, ready for an onward transfer by helicopter to the Mwea National Reserve KWS base camp. Here, we found a beehive of activities. During the briefing,…