My Tale of Kupingwa Ngeta in Nairobi's Midnight Hour

In the eerie stillness of Saturday night, when most of the world slumbered, the hands of destiny conspired to weave a tale that would forever linger in the corridors of my memory. At around 3:00 a.m., a seemingly ordinary but important drive took an inexplicable turn, catapulting me into a realm of unsettling events.

I pride myself on being meticulous, always checking my car before setting off.

Yet, somehow, fate had a different plan for me that night. As I maneuvered my way through Nairobi's bustling streets, a flat tire abruptly halted my progress along Ngong Road. Perplexed, I stopped along Swedish Avenue – for those plying that route know the place - to assess the situation, unaware that this detour would soon lead me down a path of vulnerability and resilience.

With the faint glow of street lamps casting long shadows, I found myself confronted by two ominous figures. Clad in their signature reflective vests, these boda boda riders materialized like specters from the darkness. I honestly don’t know where these guys came from. I wasn’t sleeping on the wheel and as a good driver, I was on my far left, I wasn’t speeding so I would have seen who was coming behind me. Somehow, I missed these two. I still don’t understand. Fear gripped my heart as their menacing presence became apparent.

I moved quickly from back left heading to the driver’s seat, my intention was to get in the car and close the doors shut-but I guess I wasn’t too fast. Omanyala should give me a crush course on shot sprints. With trembling hands, I attempted to remain composed while one assailant brandished a gleaming knife with one holding a gun, a symbol of their malevolence. Their intent was clear: to seize whatever valuables I possessed and vanish into the night, leaving me shaken and stripped of my sense of security.

As they demanded my belongings, I complied with their wishes, surrendering everything I had. In that moment, a profound sense of violation consumed me, a feeling that is etched in the deepest recesses of my soul. Time seemed to stretch as they swiftly disappeared into the abyss of Nairobi's nocturnal labyrinth. I couldn’t race a motorcycle on foot; I couldn’t use a car either – either way I was screwed!

Left standing in the aftermath of the encounter, a flood of emotions surged within me. Anger, frustration, and despair threatened to consume my spirit. But even amid the darkness, a flicker of resilience ignited within, urging me to find solace and strength in the face of adversity.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I reached out to get my spare tire and get to work. A compassionate soul emerged from the shadows, offering aid and support. Together, we worked to repair the punctured tire, symbolizing not only the mending of a mechanical flaw but also the resilience of the human spirit. As I finally embarked on the journey back home, a new reality began to take shape. The trauma of that fateful encounter still lingers in my head, casting a shadow over my perception of the world. Each passing boda boda rider has become a source of suspicion, triggering a wave of anxiety that threatens to consume me.

Yet, deep down, I know that such generalizations are unfair and that my judgment is clouded by the haunting memories. In the grand tapestry of life, moments of darkness serve as catalysts for transformation and growth. My encounter with Nairobi's midnight shadows was a stark reminder of the fragility of human existence, but it also unveiled the power of resilience that resides within us all. By embracing this resilience, we can navigate the uncertainties that life throws our way, transforming moments of vulnerability into stepping stones on the path to personal strength and redemption.

So, let us not be defined by the shadows that darken our lives but by the light we choose to radiate despite them. For it is in these moments of resilience that we truly come alive and find the courage to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles that lie in our path.

After all these I still went to work till late on Sunday – working on a great podcast -#BHT, Baraza Hot Tea. Will air on Friday. Stay tuned!