This archive report was first published on 18 September 2019.
On August 31, the eve of this year's census, Kenyans were filled with optimism about the exercise. However, for Benard Karigo, a team leader of Kudu Hill Safaris Limited, the day would turn out to be one of the most challenging of his life.
Published on September 18, 2019, Karigo's story begins with a photo that went viral, showcasing a young man with a dusty face. The photo was taken in 2016 after Karigo endured a lengthy ride on a lorry from Nairobi to Magadi.
According to Karigo, he had taken a 'leave' to spend time with his family and friends in Kiambu, but received a call from his boss, who was the 'iron lady' of the company. She wanted to meet him over lunch, but Karigo lied, telling her he was in Magadi, eight hours away.
With almost eight hours to travel from Nairobi to Magadi, Karigo embarked on a perilous journey. He arrived in Kiserian two hours later, but after waiting for two more hours, he couldn't get a matatu to Magadi. A cab driver quoted him Sh7,000 for the trip, but Karigo's luck changed when a local Maasai suggested he hop onto a lorry heading to Magadi.
Karigo left Kiserian at 5:30pm, sitting on a sack carrying wholesale stuff, and endured the longest journey of his life. The lorry made several stops, leaving him with sore eyes, a running nose, and aching lungs. Everyone on board had a dusty look, but on reaching Magadi, Karigo was told that the managing director had an abrupt meeting in Nairobi, pushing their meeting to a later date.
