Cherutich Chesire who was born in Mugurin within Mogotio Sub-County calls himself a senior citizen.
From far, one may mistaken him for former Permanent Secretary (PS) Edward Sambili.⁸
Chesire is a former Kabarak High School Mathematics and Physics teacher.
One time at the noon of his teaching career, he visited Japan to bench mark on how the Japanese do their
additions and subtractions.
Now the teacher is taking a different life trajectory.
He is no longer keen about zeros and algebra.
He is awakening to his own reality of how much fun there is in exploring the world next door.
Tourism and leisure is now his thing and he is out to provide a platform for those who love outdoor adventures.
Retired educationist Benjamin Sogomo and former Baringo Governor Chesire Cheboi are among some of his most cherished school mates back in those days.
They form the cream of Kabarnet Boys’ School alumni.
‘’Even the late Jeremiah Laanoi of the Ilchamus Land was a classmate of mine,” Chesire told The Scholar Media Africa during his trip to inaugurate a travel club called Equator Tourism and Adventures Group.
He is the patron of the group whose biggest mission is to explore, have fun and create wealth through Baringo’s Tourism sector.
Speaking at the Ol Dukai geographical formations on the outskirts of Mogotio, Chesire pointed out the need to map out, market and promote all tourism attractions in Baringo and Kenya at large.
‘’Baringo County is not marketing her tourist attractions nor fully supporting Community Based Conservancies such as the Kiborgoch, Ruko and even Irong,” he said.
He aims to ensure that more and more domestic tourists stop at the Kabarnet Sinkoro Hotel, Kibelion in Mogotio-Emining, Sun City in Marigat and the Lake Bogoria Resort.
He would like to see many Africans visiting Irong, Ruko and the Kiborgoch conservancies.
Africans should also visit the Cheploch George one weekend and pour some cash into the pockets of those Cheploch dare devils.
“And in any case, must our cultural dancers only
entertain the politicians and the wazungu?” he poses.
“Time for Africans to seat under a tree, and pay to get entertained by a Fellow African has come.”
Chesire is on a mission like that, to change the notion that tourism is a white man’s activity, and that game parks and luxury hotels are there to provide joy for the wazungu and not Africans.
Every time there is a conflict between humans and wild animals in Kenya, it is normal to hear an outburst from very angry Africans through the media telling the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), “come take your animals or we kill them!”
They feel that wild animals are conserved to benefit
some special people and not the ordinary African.
That notion too must change, according to Chesire.
Meanwhile, Ol Dukai is a unique geographical location, a feature formed through centuries of gully and sheet erosion.
It is now a big depression located within private land.
The history dates back to the Maasai who roamed Mogotio during the dawn of time.
In Maasai language, Ol Dukai means shopping center.
Maybe the region was a big Manyatta that not only served as an ’embassy’ for the Maasai, but that which also promoted barter trade where common items such as spears were exchanged for cattle and grains.
Possibly, it is here that the Maasai interacted much
with the tribe they gave the name Ol Torobo, referring to the hunters and gatherers that are the Ogieks of modern day Koibatek and Tinet Forests.
This is just an assumption.
Apparently, locals know very little about the history of Ol Dukai, but they can easily tell you that the region was one time a dense acacia forest, teeming with wild animals and notably the jackals.
A small seasonal stream rolling from the hills of Kiplombe sounds cuts across the rocky formation, adding more spice to this unique, beautiful but neglected tourist attraction.
The topography resembles the remains of the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, now located in the shores of the Middle East’s Dead Sea.
Surprisingly, the related activities that contributed to the demise of those evil cities also take place here in Oldukai.
Latex products are littered everywhere because at any time of the day, the serene atmosphere has very little human activity, just perfect for those who can dare steal those private moments.
According to people living around Ol Dukai, Emmy Kosgey, the celebrated gospel artiste did fall in love with the Ol Dukai scenery.
It is not far from her place of birth.
Emmy used Ol Dukai to shoot her gospel videos including Katau Banda and Alakara.
The videos marked the beginning of her thriving music career, propelling her all the way right into the heart of a Nigerian.
Chesire would like to see some tourism investment around Ol Dukai.
According to him, the Oldukai land owner will earn a constant income.
The region is good for photography and video shooting.
During the visit, this writer established that Ol Dukai is a good attraction especially for youngsters.
It is also good for meditation.
For Chesire, Equator Tourism and Adventure Group is
like a river journeying to the ocean.
The journey to success will not stop and especially because the group has an enticing plan to all adventure lovers.
PICTORIAL
