Keeping Up in Kakamega

It had all the trappings of a political event: band, free food, speeches, local dancers, tents, native music, and of course crass commercialism. The coming of the Prime Minister was, in truth, a big kickoff for a local bank. Though the news led me to believe the Prime Minister wanted to work his voter base, he sent a deputy! So a bunch of people marched through Kakamega, more than once, and entered the stadium where everyone was served lunch (it is a modest stadium). There was plenty of cheap talk but it was really a low blow when our fair city filled all the potholes. You might jump to the conclusion that filling potholes was a public works improvement, but it you fill a pothole with dirt, tremendous amounts of dust rise in our now warm and dry metropolis.....so as time passes, the dust just keeps rising, and the rhetoric has long since blown away.

But not to be overlooked locally is the opening of Nakumatt, the Box Store. The promise has been fulfilled (or maybe I am spending too much time listening to the evanYELLicals)! But it was what might be considered a "soft" opening. The doors were open on Thursday March 11, but the shelves were not all stocked. So on my shopping Saturday, I decided to "do" Nakumatt. The mornings are truly the best time of the day as there is a fresh cool breeze and the walking is good. So off I went on the Best Road (paved) and arrived to a very quiet Box Store. I walked every aisle: there was some pricing in evidence but many mystery prices. I found a table to use in the kitchen as we have very little counter space. My first order of business was to negotiate a delivery price. At 200 shillings (just about $2.50....eat your heart out, New Yorkers) I loaded up on food and house stuff and found my way home in the Nakumatt truck. I certainly will return when the shelves are stocked as there appears to be lots of good stuff there. I will not forsake my Yako. The man in charge at Yako gave me free delivery in his own truck when we first moved into the house. Rumor has it Yako has dropped its prices, too, in order to compete with The Box. Loyalty is cheap here...my business is up for grabs......