Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Elliptical 20:11:2010


It’s not everyday that the rugby fanatics ditch their trademark patriotic tee-shirts for tuxedos…plus going all formal, arriving for a gig on time and making sure everything runs according to plan…these would be a test for them and yours truly was invited to be part of this event.

Being a weekend full of rugby action, most of the fanatics are torn between rooting for their team (Impalla was trading punches with Quins) and getting to the Club Barn, Racecourse on time. Am sure most of them left home carrying two sets of clothes, and am talking about you Tony Munge! TKB…pia wewe! I know the game was nail biting…

…and typical of Kenyans with the last minute rush of things, Arigi Obiero was in town shopping for a shirt at 3.03pm…and still wanted to attend the game…talk of treading on a thin line!

He offers me a lift (bus fare nilikuwa nayo but….) and we have to pitia picking one of the Mc’s for the night, one sweet Renee, and thanks to the traffic on Ngong rd, Renee shares lots of stories regarding….mmmm…that’s a tale for another day!

We get to Club Barn and meet Katini, who is just happy that Quins are grilling Impalla. (mmssschhheeeewwww!)… Tony Onyango is also present alongside Katbabie, working on the décor and last minute touches…you guys did an amazing job, kwanza the patriotic theme…eeeiissshhh, harusi yangu muko kwa committee!

The guests start streaming in and there is no admittance without a black tie. Such a move really cost one Levi who is used to tee’s and jeans…word is that he hired the sharp suit he was dressed in! if not in a full tuxedo, there was an option for the Maasai shuka, this is the way to go, said a patron…problem is that when it reaches level 5 with the shukas, iko shida!

Kule and Renee are warming up the crowd, but I kept wondering why Kule kept missing some names…their delivery is indeed marvelous…am now thinking of doing a biashara for MC’s for hire!

There was a red carpet (hii wizara imejipanga!)
which Tony Munge, Maureen Mugane and Faith Diana had fun on, they never get to see and experience such things☺ Nyamoita, towering and mbeativul is also having fun at the red carpet.

George Mokuasi, all the way from US of A decided to celebrate the night in his own style, and a brother rode all the way to work dressed up in a Maasai shuka and a tux coat…things we do and yet to do for the Ministry!

Stephen Kadongo, all sharp and ready for the night! Millie Mwango aka kung-fu panda was in the house. She had managed to win the Fanatic of the year award and she dedicated it to George Mokuasi, the two of them have done wonders for the Fanatics!

Nancy Kihenia walks in, alongside Joy Wachira. Joy is turning a year older and what a surprise to pull for her by telling Arigi to imbia her…Arigi of all people! May you have a noisy year ahead Joy!

I got the chance to share a table with Lina Gichure (who stole a tee-shirt our table won…na utegwe!), Julie (she hosts Karaoke…worth check it out) and Kat (who refused me to sit next to her..ati nitamwambukiza ujinga)…I get the chance to meet Kiarie, who reminds me of my blog, am humbled Kiarie.

Madi read the Hall of fame speech, and also got the chance
to share the same stage with Steel Pulse. Steel set the pace for Madi and his lewd crazy songs, which they sang that night…talk of a father-son connection!

Clifford Kinyua, all sharp and ready to go! Puree was conspicuously missing…Ken Oyugi was also present, sad that they lost the okombe to Ulinzi..now, how do you balance Gor and rugby?

Jules Katsivo and Ellah also check in. The previous night they dazzled me at how they were going to rock in high heels…Ellah Eh Eh Eh!

Quite a representation in the house from DSTV, who said that next year, the event may be relayed live☺, Red Dot Engraving who did the invitation cards (they so beautiful) among others. I hardly spot a boss from the Union☹

Arigi and Tonyango had the hardest time with the speeches. That English was too deep and Arigi bore the brunt of chants, mostly from Larry Asego…at one point, Arigi was told “hiyo ni ya kuandikiwa, sasa sema yako….”

Tonyango wept, Arigi hid his feelings!

Then came the awards, Ayumba Ayodi and Chris Omollo collected the best print media award on behalf of the Nation Media Group.. Ayodi and I used to share desks with each other while I was at NMG..and did I say he was dressed in a 3 piece suit…Muluya! Wait till he was called on the stage to collect his award and words ran out of him…kuzoea kuandika!

Ps: the brother has also been nominated for the KRFU awards…VOTE!

Our Kung-Fu panda won the Fanatic of the year, and the rest of the Fanatics decided to do a Kayumbet dance that this climaxed the night…I however imagined if those in the Maasai shuka’s hadn’t tied them tightly…level 5, level 5!

There was an auction of the first ever tee-shirt from the Ministry,
which has autograph's from the team that reached the semis while in Dubai..
The whole bidding process raise over 100k…proceeds from these will go towards a charity event scheduled for December at the St. Thomas Berando’s Home in Lang’ata. They did it early this year and its indeed a worthy deed.

Then the full dunda starts, and here is where you would see the real people…coats were left open and the ties taken off…the dunda had began…

I hear you people left there at 7.00am…kwani hamuendangi kanisa?