We are finally in Mombasa!!! We did it!!!!!
What a great day! What magical sensation! Our heroes have completed a 1000km walk! If that isn't seismic, I don't know what is!!!
From last evening, our supporters had already started to trickle into Mombasa. Some drove in overnight, others flew in last evening, all with one mission, to walk with our heroes through the finish line. It is truly a momentous occasion.
By 8.00am, the team is up and ready to roll. The Mombasa motocycle team are ready with their fabulously huge machines ready to provide outrider escort into town. The Coast Region Traffic Enforcement Officer has sent his team to manage traffic. The Mombasa County Inspectorate is ready to clear the roads ahead of us. Big Phil and his moving sound is already entertaining the residents of Jomvu, who have turned out to cheer on the team thanks to Mr. Ustadh Rama, the village head.
We set out at 9.30pm, quite a procession, moving slowly towards the finish line. The heroes are getting a true heroes escort. Family, friends, strangers all walking together with lots of cheer and good humor. Thomas is wonderfully surprised by his sons and their uncle. They have travelled overnight to be here! All my siblings in Kenya are present. And I certainly do have a huge family! They have been my pillar through this whole walk and I couldn't make it without them.
Our clinical divison is here! The Cancer Research Trust team with the colourful banner are here marching on to the finish line! Who better understands the burden of cervical cancer care than these humble heroes?
Our ambassador, Janet Kanini Ikua, bless her resilience, is on the road. Did you hear that??? On the road walking! Walking so that fellow women could live. Just so you know, Janet had chemotherapy a week ago and is just recovering from a sore throat but she is here!!! Miracles are made of these!
5And while I am name dropping kindly take note that Churchill is walking with us! Yes he is! And has surprised me because I never believed he would cover the final 12km stretch on his own two feet. He has proved me wrong. He keeps us all entertained and indulges his fans along the road.
And finally Jimmi Gathu, who has walked with us on radio the whole journey, is here to walk with us to the finish line! Walking is not for the faint-hearted but the finish line has a way of turning everyone into a walker. Jimmi is doing great, catching up with Thomas on what he missed yesterday.
At the end of the Makupa Causeway, we are met with more supporters. The Migori County Team is here to finish the walk with their sons. Oh they are so proud of our heroes! They promised to be here at the flag off and they have turned up in style, led by the Deputy Governor himself!!!
As we snake through the town of Mombasa, the crowds are jubilant. I am still absorbing the wonder if it all! THOMAS CHACHA, PHILIP ROGORO DANIEL CHOGO, PETER CHACHA AND NYANGI NYAMOHANGA HAVE WALKED 1000KM TO MOMBASA!!! I can't quite wrap my head around that yet.
And so it is that His Excellency The Governor of Mombasa County, Hassan Ali Joho, gives a fitting reception of the team to the finish line! True Mombasa hospitality at its best. The Governor is accompanied by the Health Committee team, The Office of the Governor team, members of his county assembly and Mombaa residents at large. With traditional drummers setting the tempo, we finally cross the finish line at the iconic Mombasa Elephant Tusks on Moi Avenue!
If you thought that was all, you are wrong. Wonderful receptions were not in short supply. A generous well wisher hosted the whole group to lunch at his house. The governor invited the entire team to his home for Iftar. Uh huh, we shared a meal with him and his family when they broke the fast for the day! After such an exciting day, we are grateful to the famous Sarova Hospitality once more. The Sarova White Sands Resort and Spa is our home for the night!
This is definitely how heroes complete their noble task!
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