When one wakes up to the whistle of birds, the buzz of bees,
the crow of chicken, the scream of eagles, the croak of frogs, the bleat of
goats and the chatter of squirrels then they know they slept in Paradise. On
the serene, grasslands of Kiboko, on the peripheries of the Tsavo East National
park, lies my farm, my haven. It is here that I get intimate with nature,
nurturing it and bonding with it in more ways than one.
My love affair with the farm began many years ago as a
child. I grew up in the metropolitan city of Nairobi and every weekend, Dad
& I would drive down to the country side. I recall the wild and remote
nature of those trips where we would get jammed in the mud on rainy days; sometimes
the car’s radiator would soak in water rendering it immobile. I recall vividly
one night we spent in the car in the wild due to radiator issues (Thank God for
automobile technology, it does not happen today J
) I boldly recall the buffaloes hovering around in complete disregard of the
motor car. Despite all, I still looked forward to those weekend farm visits.
Fast tracked to date: The proactive Merit Farm in Makindu,
Kiboko is the actualization of my passion for gardening, environmental
conservation and healthy living. The farm is energized by solar power in both
water pumping as well as lighting. My awe with farming is derived from the self-fulfillment
of seeding that progresses to budding and into an elegant tree or plant. The
fact that I plant a neem tree that will for shade us on sunny days as well as provide
a key ingredient for homemade organic pesticides. The lovely multi-colored flowers
that sprout & monopolize, reaffirming that there is a heaven on earth. The
bees that buzz into the farm, diligently pollinating my plants, letting nature
take its course. The bountiful harvest that emanates from the bees love affair
with the flowers. The pure natural honey that drips out of the traditional
hives on harvest day. The evident smile on the consumers’ face on receiving the
farm produce…. My love, my passion, my life.
I have had absurd experiences as well. Life at the farm is
quite makeshift, if I may say. Bath water is fetched from a water tank into a
bucket which one carries to the bath rooms delinked from the main house. On dry
seasons, the bees usually hover around the tank tap to uptake the much needed
water. On one evening I fetched water as usual and scurried to the bathroom. I did not notice that a bee had fallen into the bath water. In the bath room, I filled my
cupped hands with bath water and swiftly wet my back. Sorry, bath water and an
agitated bee! Wasn’t I stung on my back! I emerged from the bath running like a
wildebeest. The rest is history. J
Our love affair is well informed, rational and balanced.
What I give is what I get. Hard work at the farm begets a bountiful harvest. I
have returned from another of the frequent stays at the farm and had my usual
excellent time. Typical breakfast includes fresh butternuts, organic milk and indigenous
chicken eggs. The stars at night are
sensational & spectacular, perfect to lull one to sleep.