The first time I visited Tharaka-Nithi County, was when I was a sophomore student in the university in Kikuyu. I was in charge of Missions and Evangelism in the Christian Union. So, I led an army of missioners to that distant land. It was a one-week mission full of thrills. This was at Chogoria. Rev. Michael Inoti Muriungi, a calm and clever cleric of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), was the host We have also worked together in PCEA Gaaki in Nyeri and PCEA Ilmerijo in Kajiado. He is now serving at Kandara, in Murang’a County.
Right at the onset. I must admit. It was a great mission. Passion for preaching fanned like flames of fire in us. Real zeal consumed every fibre of our being. We were with Moses Muchemi, Nyokabi wa Hungu, Justine Nyaga, Edwin Wang’endo, David Wachira and John Nyang’acha. We spent seven solid days in Chogoria, winning souls for Christ: Preaching and teaching about Christ crucified.
I did not know that I would later get several chances to visit plenty of places in Tharaka-Nithi County. For by the grace of God, I have had the privilege and pleasure to visit many parts of this colourful county. Through well-thought-out talks and training services, I visit schools right from Nairobi, Thika, Mwea, Embu, Runyenjes, Chuka, Chogoria, Igoji, Nkubu, Meru, up to Maua.
In Tharaka Nithi, Chuka and Chogoria, happen to be major towns, which also host big schools. In Chuka, I have visited Chuka Girls School, which sits in Chuka Igamang’ombe. Just before you get to Chuka, there is a road, which allows you to make a beeline for PCEA Rubate Teachers’ College. On that same route, there is Ikuu Boys School and Ikuu Girls School. I once felt thrilled, when I preached to the boys on a Sunday service at Ikuu Boys School. I was invited by the Chaplain — Rev. Nelson Ng’ang’a.
Slightly past Chuka, where there is Chuka University, you drive to Chogoria, but before you get to that tiny town that hosts the mission hospital, you will get to the famous Nithi Bridge, which was a notorious black spot in the distant and recent past. It was a vile valley where death refused to change its spots.
Like a leopard, it kept on pouncing on people like a gourmandizer. Many lives went silent on that dreary dot, which lacks doit of mercy. Beside bad news, around Nithi Bridge, I visit a cool school. It is Gituntu Secondary School. The pleasant principal of that school is a friend. We started working with him when he was at Auki Secondary School, which hides in some thick thicket past Maua Town. Now, the man is the Head of Institution at Njia Boys School, which is sandwiched between Meru and Maua.
In the whole scheme of things, I have experienced true thrills in Tharaka Nithi. More so, in Chuka and Chogoria. The former Principal Chuka Girls School was a magnanimous mother. We worked and walked together on many fronts.
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Before she transferred to St. Mary’s Girls School-Igoji, she invited me for the umpteenth time: to address different groups — staff, students and parents. In addition, she has also introduced me to one of her friends in Embu. Through her generous gesture, I have visited St. Paul’s Boys School-Kevote. Close to this, I have visited Nguviu Girls School. Of course, we cannot cite schools in Embu without mentioning Kangaru Girls School, which I have also been chanced to visit.
Then, how can I forget about Sacred Heart-Kyeni Girls School, which sits in Runyenjes? These girls are gentle giants. The Chief Principal of Kyeni Girls School transferred to Loreto High School Limuru. I will be training her Student Council in mid-March. Likewise, the Chief Principal we worked with at Nguviu Girls School is the one who moved to Kyeni Girls School. We are still in touch. In fact, I have trained her Student Council at some point in time.
Back to Tharaka Nithi, I have a riveting rehash of PCEA Kibugua, where Rev Timothy Mwaniki Njeru invited us to teach and train teens in a seminar. Those active teens were so many. They looked like a swollen swarm of ants inside a molehill guarding Onyoso wuon Moo.
Thinking of thrills in Chogoria, Rev. Mburu Ng’ang’a, also organised for us a three-day weekend challenge at Kiangua High School, which is slightly past Chogoria Town. Specifically, in Chogoria Town, I have worked with Chogoria Girls School.
In fact, we have trained the four generations of the Student Council. They received a new Chief Principal from Machakos Girls School. As the Chief Principal who was there moved to Njonjo Girls School in Laikipia County. Then, the Chief Principal Njonjo Girls School moved to Machakos Girls School. I have served with the three Chief Principals.
Slightly out of Chogoria Town, I have strong ties with Makuri Girls School, which I have worked well with. In the recent past, when I visited Chogoria, I experienced more thrills. I visited Chogoria Boys School. Then, visited Chogoria Girls Boarding Primary, which churned out national valedictorians in 2020 KCPE.
In that recent visit, where pupils from Chogoria Complex were plugged into our programme, I spoke to optimistic pupils who were set for thrills and hills ahead. They are ready to set indelible steps on the sands of time. Anytime I pass through Chuka and Chogoria, on my way to Meru, I whisper a silent orison for the towns. Past Chogoria, there is Igoji. On that pleasant spot, I visit two schools. There is St. Mary’s Girls School-Igoji. Then, in close range, on the other side of the road, is Gikurune Girls School.
From Igoji, you drive to Nkubu. Then, you reach Meru Town. In Meru, I work with the veritable giants there – Meru School and Kaaga Girls School. On your way to Maua, I have visited Ruiri Girls School and Mituntu Girls School. In close range, at around Kianjai, I have done this and that at Kanjalu Girls School, Miathene Boys School and St. Luke’s Boys School. Past Kianjai, at the far end, is Maua Town. In this ‘flowery town’, I have done this and that at Igembe School. I had three thrilling things here I will talk about when possessed again by the sweet spirit of welding words. Remember, my focus was on thrills in Tharaka-Nithi, with a special bent on Chuka and Chogoria Towns.
By Victor Ochieng’
Travelogue: Chronicles of a Peripatetic Speaker. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
