From Dustbowl to Mudbath

Kenya is certainly a place of contrasts. A few months ago, we were in drought and parts of the country, particularly in the north were really suffering. Now, it seems that for the last month or so, we’ve had nothing but rain. That can bring its own problems, though at least crops will be starting to grow, there’ll be grass for the cattle and sheep, and people can get water again. Here in Nairobi, the rain has meant traffic that has been even worse than normal. We’re not talking about light rain here, but torrential downpours, obliterating the driver’s view (I drove onto a central reservation one time, as I just couldn’t see where the road was going – it was very disorientating), creating lakes in roads, and generally bringing traffic to a point of gridlock. It also brings with it mud – lots and lots of mud. It amazes me that in a country where so many people walk, more isn’t done to provide the multitude of pedestrians with something solid to walk on. Instead, they’re having to make their way through a morass of mud, occasionally getting absolutely covered in muddy water by cars inadvertently creating something resembling a tidal wave as they go through one of the previously mentioned lakes. And of course, the rain erodes away at the ground and the tarmac, so that the edges of the road disappear, and smaller potholes become craters, which when filled with water are of an unknown depth! The ‘short’ rains this year have been rather long. To still be wearing a cardigan (sometimes in the daytime!), keeping my windows shut at night, and having an Autumn-weight duvet on the bed, isn’t what I’d expect at all at this time of year. However, it looks as though that is changing now. The grey (often black) skies have been replaced with brilliant blue ones these last few days. Maybe it’ll be a warm Christmas after all?!

Sheltering from the rain for 40 minutes one day on the walk down to the office

Next week I’ll be driving to Lake Baringo, about 4 hours north of Nairobi, with my parents. I’ve been advised to phone them a few days ahead of time to find out the state of the road. It’s apparently been underwater several times due to a seasonal river, and has been impassable. Even if the waters have receded, the state of the road that’s been left behind could be quite interesting!
Living here, I’m very aware that rain is a blessing, but you can have too much of a good thing……!