The team of bikers from Nairobi Chapel riding across Africa to raise funds for an education endowment kitty has just concluded the second leg of the tour.
Rev Nick Korir gives a glimpse of the bikers’ tour which has had its share of challenges and wins.
Day 12 we were having a restful day in Livingstone, Zambia, visiting a crocodile farm, where we learned about the amazing creatures.
Who knew crocs could hold their breath for over an hour, or that their jaws snap shut with a force of over 3,700 pounds per square inch? We left with a newfound respect for nature’s most patient predators.
Early the next day, which was the 13th day of the trip, we set for cross over to Bulawayo in the neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Clearing at the Zimbabwean immigration was smooth, but customs clearance took longer than expected.
We discovered that Temporary Import Permits are now applied online, but—surprise!—the border WiFi was down, and what followed was a frustrating three-hour wait, buying SIM card and Internet to get it done.
As we rode deeper into Zimbabwe, we discovered the country’s vast potential suppressed by depressing poverty and inequality.
Hardly 20 km from the border, we found ourselves riding not on a road with potholes but potholes with bits of road in between.
Unfortunately, one of us hit a particularly deep pothole, bending his rim and giving us a flat tire. Lunch was a quick roadside meal at Lupane town.
The Kenyan Ambassador to Zimbabwe Stella Munyi and her team had driven 500 km from Harare to Bulawayo just to welcome us.
Waiting for us at Bulawayo Town Hall was: the Mayor of Bulawayo David Coltart, the Kenyan community, dignitaries, city officials and well-wishers.
We came as bikers but received as diplomats. The evening ended with dinner at the hotel hosted by the ambassador.
Day 14 was a ride to Botswana. We were flagged off by Judith Ncube, Zimbabwe’s Provincial Affairs minister and MP for Bulawayo. It was a brief yet precise ceremony, concluding with a processional ride and formal flag-off.
However, just as we were getting into rhythm, our journey came to an abrupt halt—despite having a VIP police escort, thanks to punctures on two bikes.
Ambassador Munyi and the High Commission team waited for us, giving us a moment of chatting. At the garage, we bumped into a Kenyan from Machakos who—believe it or not—is an MP in Zimbabwe.
At the Zim-Botswana border, clearance took only 15 minutes. Not only was the process smooth and well-organised, but the hospitality from the Botswana border officials was next-level. Day 15 started in Francistown and we rode to capital Gaborone.
Just as we were getting comfortable on the ride, disaster struck—one of the bikes that had been struggling with a puncture this time had the entire front wheel tyre torn beyond repair.
It was Saturday afternoon, all tyre
dealerships were closed until Monday,
and we had 300 km to go. Two young
men with pickup trucks agreed to
carry other bikes to the capital.