Muthaiga Country Club Magazine January-March 2024 by Shelleys the Printers Ltd

The M ut ha ig a Country Club M agazi n e

January - March 2024

Front Cover Photo by Harvey Herr The Bowling Green is enjoying a new Night Life thanks to the recently installed Flood Lights and a full moon.

C o n t e nts page 1

Letter from the Chairman

page 2

Letter from the Secretary

page 3

Membership Matters

page 4

Roving Eye & Letters

page 5

Balloting & Financing

page 6

Staff News

page 7

MCC Events

page 10

Forthcoming Events Diary

page 11

Muthaiga Sports Round-Up

page 14

Christmas @ MCC

page 16

Members’ Honours

page 18

Members’ Achievements

page 20

Opera & Ballet

page 21

Library News & Book Reviews

page 22

Heritage – Muthaiga Now & Then (Part II)

page 24

Bird Quiz

page 25

Hatches & Matches

page 26

MCC Christmas Draw Prize Winners’ List

page 28

Obituaries

The Muthaiga Country Club Magazine is published by MCC for Members Editor: Yoyo Volak

14 16

15 18

Magazine Production: Matthew Rudd, Mercy Wanyeri, Diana Waithaka, Eunice Mulwa, Yvonne Magambo, Vincent Ford, Francis Kitoto. Contributors: Edita Camm, Peter Usher, Simon Roberts, Bob Dewar, Matthew Rudd, Steve Mills. Design & Layout by Shelleys the Printers. Printed by Graphite Lounge.

Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

25 www.mcc.co.ke

From the Chairman Members Here we are in 2024. I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing and fun festive season. I have let you all know about the appointment of Daniel Chao as the new Club Secretary. He starts on 1st March 2024 and we look forward to him getting his feet under the table. Daniel has thirty years’ experience in hospitality in many countries. We are confident, after having carried out a recruitment exercise during which time we interviewed many impressive candidates, that Daniel is exactly the right person for the job and will take the Club forward to even greater heights. We will be announcing a function soon when we will introduce you to Daniel and his wife Anissa. Michael and Lilly Flint have left us for the Caribbean. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours. We will miss them. I know many of you enjoyed Alessandro Palazzi, world famous Barman from Duke’s Hotel in London, who hosted three dynamic events in November and, continuing in the same spirit, we are introducing Martini Thursdays (See Page 7). I have also heard from many Members that Chris & Maire, the Irish musical duo went down incredibly well as did the hauntingly beautiful sound of the Nairobi Chamber Chorus. The choir will be performing in May at the Festival Musical Sacra International to be held in Germany and also in France, Poland and Norway as part of the ‘World of Hans Zimmer’. From small acorns… Thank you to Club stalwarts Mike Craig and Steve Mills for putting on such a splendid carol singing evening (a permanent and immensely popular fixture in the Club calendar) and also to everyone involved in the Christmas Draw Lunch Party. However, I cannot mention Christmas without thanking the staff for hosting over 750 of us to lunch on Christmas Day. I don’t think we have ever hosted that number before. What a magnificent logistical and culinary exercise, executed seamlessly. A monumental effort and our grateful thanks to every single member of staff involved. The New Year’s Eve party also went off with a suitable bang and great fun was had by all. Looking forward we have some wonderful events lined up for your enjoyment including a live piano recital performed by Hungarian-born Japanese pianist Kendzsi Tanaka, who specialises in works from the 20th century, Bach and mixing electronic music with classical piano. The Club is also hosting two performances of the ‘Liberty Truck’. This dramatic production is being directed by Kenyan theatrical great John Sibi-Okumu and will be performed entirely by Club Members and staff. The play was written by Kenya-born Laurie Slade. The only other time the play has been performed was in 2019 in Middle Temple Hall in London with a cast of luminaries that included Edward Fox, Simon Callow, Dominic Grieve KC (yes, the British politician), John Kamau and Hugh Dennis. This is a very powerful and moving play and I urge you all to watch it. So please book early (See more on Page 10). That’s all for now. I hope you all have a happy and successful 2024 and we look forward to seeing you at the Club throughout the year. Best wishes to you and your families,

Philip Coulson, Chairman, Muthaiga Country Club

www.mcc.co.ke

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

From the Secretary Parting is such sweet sorrow… And so I’ll make this short and sweet… Lilly and I are heartbroken to leave Kenya and MCC. It has been wonderful to meet you all and get to know you better. Family duty unfortunately calls and we will be closer to Lilly’s parents. We will be moving to The Bahamas… I will be taking over the helm at The Abaco Club on Winding Bay. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Jacqueline Anjao, our new Food & Beverage Director. She will work alongside Chef Macharia to continue improving your food and beverage offering… I am happy to announce the appointment of your new Secretary, Daniel Chao. Daniel has more than twenty years of hospitality experience and has had the opportunity to work in extraordinary destinations in every corner of the world. He is currently serving his notice as General Manager of the Dusit Princess Hotel in Nairobi and will officially be with you on March 1. I hope I’m remembered for more than just toilets & cats :)… and that we brought the Club back to you… Hopefully see you at one of the London Outreach events in June… Enjoy the Padel courts! Best wishes,

Michael Flint MCC Secretary

Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

www.mcc.co.ke

MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP AE T MM AT T R ST E R S With the winding down of a communications committee, this page is devoted to being more

A HAPPY C A S E OF BAC KI NG T HE W RONG HOR S E ! WE LC OME B REE Z E TAKE S NG ONG BY STORM .

of an opinion page, where prevailing moods and sentiments of Members on current Club he winding down ofissues, a communications committee, this wepage devoted expressed in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, want tois know what’s on to being more your mind, and will always welcome your feedback. opinion page, where prevailing moods and sentiments of Members on current Club , expressed in comments and mails, are echoed. As always, we want to know what’s on mind, and will always welcome your feedback.

chli with some of the . The staff presented him ved wooden elephant.

PHOTOGRAPHY WITHIN THE CLUB

at Pinks RECEN TLY, A DECI SI ON WA S MA DE TO O OFFER BREAKFAST ON LY AT PINKS …

Breakfast at Pinks only is a mistake. Do away with the chafing dishes and cook to order as it used to be. TP

MORE GENERA LLY

PinksWe wish to inform Members that photographs Appalled by people’s behaviour at Pinks, and disappointed to have to have breakfast there… I am an overseas Member and come to the Club for the Club, not to come to an average hotel. FP

Your German sausage has not seen Germany and the saurecraut [sic] was not cooked. It tasted ok as I was very hungry. PE

taken during Club Events may be used in our

Why is it that there are never any ice-creams

Quarterly be shared LY, A D ECISION WAS MMagazine. AD E TO O These will not in the fridge? Also, never any low-fat milk. RH While I agree with the economic reasons for having only venue P for I do not agree … RE AKFAST ON LYoneAT I breakfast, N K S… with any third party, butwithlet us know if you Not the place it used to be. WR the argument that economy alone justifies

he to l

dispensing with breakfast in the old restaurant in a prefer not to be photographed. Please also note child-free environment. RS There are only three things wrong with Pinks: at Pinks only is athat mistake. Do away with 2. Service. 3. Service. DN the Club is not liable for any1. Service. photographs No waiters, tables not laid, multiple trips required, g dishes and cooktaken as REEvents G E NEor RA LLY no to logicorder to by layout, foodit in used chafing dishes cold, eitherMO Members during Club ck table not cleared as food finished, coffee b's disgusting.ABFunctions. Private

by people’s behaviour at Pinks, and ted to have to have breakfast there… I am as Member and come to the Club for the to come to an average hotel. FP www.mcc.co.ke

www.mcc.co.ke

ree with the economic reasons for having enue for breakfast, I do not agree with ent that economy alone justifies g with breakfast in the old restaurant in a environment. RS

Your German sausage has not seen Germany BUT IT WA S N’T A LL B AD… and the saurecraut [sic] was not cooked. It Thank you to the team for a wonderful Red tasted ok as I was veryevening hungry. PE Pinky Blinders Racing Syndicate celebrated their first win with Welcome Breeze in the The Room dinner… It made for a special and MCC a great meal. DB

1,400m V. Salle Handicap at Ngong Racecourse recently.

Why is it that there are never 3any ice-creams The newly founded MCC Racing Syndicate, the Pinky Blinders, celebrated an in the fridge? Also, never any low-fat milk. RH April– June 2017 Muthaiga Country Club

H Y B R I D AG M

historic first win with their horse Welcome Breeze, trained by MCC Member Gilly Fraser.

Not the place it used to be. WR

In a mix up between two racehorses sent from South Africa, the Pinky Blinders

received, not Pinks: Venetian Link, as they were expecting, but a lively young filly called There are only three things wrong with Welcome Breeze, 1. Service. 2. Service. 3. Service. DN who blew across the finishing line in first place, in her maiden race in Kenya, beating the odds and whipping up a whirlwind of excitement in her wake.

s, tables not laid, multiple trips required, o layout, food in chafing dishes cold, cleared as food finished, coffee .AB

MCC CHRISTMAS DRAW 2023

With a record-breaking attendance BU of over T IT 900 WA SN’ T ALL B AD… Members - 86 members attending physically and 897 tuned in virtually - the AGM 2023 Thank was a great you tosuccess the team for a wonderful Red with nine of the eleven motions passed. Room dinner… It made for a special evening and

TOP PRIZE WINNER

a great meal. DB

April– June 2017 Muthaiga Country Club

The MCC IT team working on the digital broadcast of the AGM which reached almost 900 Members virtually. www.mcc.co.ke

Former Chairman of Balloting Gail Paul is pictured here with Club Chairman Philip Coulson after a farewell luncheon that was held in honour of past Balloting Committee Members, who take on the demanding responsibility of interviewing and selecting prospective Club Members. Other past Balloting Chairmen attending the luncheon were Lisa Karanja and Gordon Weston.

With her lucky 200/- Christmas Draw raffle ticket Debonnaire Falkland-Brown is the winner of two Return Business Class Tickets on Delta Air Lines to any destination in continental USA. She is pictured here with Jane Mwangi, Area Manager for Delta Airlines (East Africa), and Club Secretary Michael Flint. January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

roving eye

Roving Eye Eye hears more on the grapevine than was ever gleaned on the ground and thanks kind readers for voluminous correspondence addressed to rovingeye1923@outlook.com – some funny, some not, some excoriating, some scandalous, some simply unbelievable. Which brings Eye to cats, and contemplation of hilarious missives from the Club’s leader and sometime leading lawyer, in the manner of that classic game, Cluedo. Was it the Club Sec’s wife with the ginger one in the hall? Or the marmalade mog with the hussy in the office? The white-tailed mongoose with an askari in the bushes? Who did for sweet pussy in the pond? There can surely be no finer euphemism than “managing Ginger out of the Club”, and as for Cruellainspired tales of cats being carted off to Karura in boots of cars, it would be hard for Eye to make this stuff up.

Members matter? Thinking of which, having long enjoyed the quarterly section in this magazine titled Membership Matters, occasionally raising Eye’s brow at careful editing of not-so-quiet crusades, Eye wonders whether Members really do matter. Zooming in to the AGM in early November, remarkable for a large number of Zoom-mates similarly conjoined and almost complete lack of controversy, it seems the unruly mob (er, that’s you and Eye) might be under control. Except, wait, a lull before the storm, as mobsters pipe up to ask why, if the Club is so flush with cash, should drinks cost 850 bob a glug? Are the two related? Eye agrees we should be told. 4

Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

And sneaked in, literally around the back – conceivably by Flakey Fred, soi-disant padel afficionado, observed perhaps only by jilted bookworms who’ve long pined to implement grand plans for the library, patiently accepting earnest assurances each year that books are the Committee’s main priority – come new Padel tennis courts. What the?! How did that happen? And if padel, then why not books? Or bowls? Or, some say, subsidised gym membership?

Eye hears another couple similarly managed to charm a packed crowd without being drowned out by other noise (sorry, piped muzak). Playing an unusual combination of guitar and harp were the hyper-talented Chris Newman and, wait for it, Màire Ni Chathasaigh (pronounced Moira, obvs). Eye’s sorry, because the mass of mails suggests Eye missed something special.

The Nairobi Chamber Chorus delighted Members with a live Christmas Concert.

On their first visit to Kenya, the greatest Celtic harpist of our age, Màire Ni Chathasaigh, and Chris Newman, one of the UK’s most influential acoustic guitarists, held the audience captive with their blend of hot jazz, bluegrass, baroque and traditional Irish music.

Members may not matter but they certainly do mind. Eye learns that “if the muzak don’t getcha the pumpin’ bass will”. At least one irate Member mails that no mad sound engineer could conjure such sonic dissonance. Apparently, on any given Friday, the tinned cacophony in every corner of the Club mimics an average downtown Hilton, the live band at Pinks thumps its own version of once popular choons, as the latest luckless group of talented musicians prepares to perform. Eye really couldn’t make this up, but evidently Nairobi’s famed Chamber Chorus were the most recent to find themselves competing for aural attentions. Still, Eye hears the NCC managed to soar above background distractions, enthralling listeners with an eclectic mix of jazzy carols, pop medleys and African traditionals.

Eh bien. Eye certainly misses the heat and dust, hot gossip, fizzing talent and occasional outrage, but loves the warmth of exchange and depth of emotion with regular (often highly irregular) Members. Do keep the correspondence coming!

www.mcc.co.ke

balloting committee It has been noted, on rare occasions, that Members have attempted to bring in guests without 'signing in'. Fortunately, our very polite and eagle-eyed security have picked up on this, informed the Secretary, who in turn will be dealing with such, in the appropriate manner.

Happy New Year to you All, Hope your 2024 has started off well. I’m delighted to inform that we continued with a healthy number of applications in all categories of Membership for 2023. Whilst we do not, in any way, take for granted the demand and eagerness to join our dear Club, a polite reminder that only a proposer or seconder are to contact the Membership secretariat directly for any enquiry, and not the candidate. The secretariat will not entertain nor respond to any approaches by a candidate. A few updates and reminders for the year…

Another polite reminder is that Membership Cards are ONLY to be used by the respective Member. Junior Family Members from the age of seven up to 18 years can be provided with their own cards and parent/s are responsible for settling these bills

request, check first with the Membership Secretariat. On behalf of the Balloting Committee, I would like to thank all Members who have kept a keen eye on the bulletin board and monthly news letters and brought to our attention their concerns on candidates under application. I stress any objection made is held in the most strict confidence. The Balloting Committee welcomes your input on any area of Membership you feel we can improve on, so please send your ideas, suggestions and concerns to Diana in the Membership Secretariat membership@mcc.co.ke

Temporary Membership is for nonKenyan residents. However, should a Member wish for a Kenya resident to stay at the Club, this is permitted provided the Member also stays at the Club for the duration of their guest’s stay.

Thank you and wishing you and your loved ones a Happy and Healthy 2024. Best wishes,

We have also had some Temporary Members ask other Members to re-apply for their Temporary Membership once it has expired, and this is not permitted. Should you be approached with such a

Kush Bhardwaj Chairman Balloting Committee

finance Costs have been managed prudently and the Club’s cash position is strong. We have achieved break-even after applying subscriptions, which permits entrance fees from new Members to be used exclusively for investment in capital projects and new services, to enhance Members’ experience.

Dear Members First and foremost, I would like to thank you for attending the AGM in record numbers and for supporting the various resolutions that were all passed with large majorities. I would also like to thank you all for your continued support, by using the Club and paying your dues promptly. I am happy to report that the Club has largely weathered the global inflationary pressures and managed to achieve impressive results in the financial year ended June 2023.

www.mcc.co.ke

Our key focus remains to seek opportunities to invest our cash reserves in a way that secures the long-term financial sustainability of the Club. We will also continue to allocate adequate funds to maintain and renew Club facilities, in order to continue delivering great value to Members in terms of quality and service. In this regard, three new Padel Courts are under construction and will be commissioned early in the New Year, and we have more projects under consideration. The strong financial performance has also afforded us some headroom to partially cushion Members from the full effect of inflationary increases in food and beverage prices. You will have noticed that any price increases have been less steep than those in the comparative market.

On the administration front, we still have a large balance of unidentified credits and therefore remind Members to please indicate their account numbers in full when making direct payments to the Club’s bank accounts. We request those Members who may have deposited money in the Club’s bank accounts and not informed us, to send an email to accounts@mcc.co.ke or call +254 (0)111190221. The majority of our Members still do not use the Club on a regular basis, and we therefore continue to entreat all Members to come and enjoy your Club. In the meantime, I thank you again for your support of MCC, with our best wishes for the New Year.

Daniel Ndonye Daniel Ndonye Chairman Finance & Strategy Committee

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

staff news

Staff Visit Mogra Children's Home

PLANTING FOR THE PLANET 13 NOVEMBER 2023 While Kenyans celebrated a special public holiday on 13 November 2023, dedicated to a nationwide tree-planting initiative, the MCC Staff members who were on duty that day did their bit for the planet and for Kenya’s Tree Planting Campaign, which aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. Pictured above - The MCC gardening team were joined by members of the Kitchen staff and former Club Secretary Michael Flint who, between them, planted 38 indigenous and ornamental trees about the Club grounds.

As part of the Club’s Corporate Social Responsibility, MCC staff visited The Mogra Children’s Home before Christmas, taking with them their donated clothes, toys, food and other gifts, to bring some Christmas cheer and happiness to the orphans. Mogra offers a safe haven to over 600 children ranging from new borns to 18-year-olds, offering support to youngsters who are orphaned, needy, abandoned and disabled. The MCC staff delighted the children and plan to continue to support the Home on the Kiambu Road, giving back to the local community.

Staff vs MCC Members Tennis Tournament 2023 In the inaugural Staff vs Members Tennis Tournament, MCC staff beat the Members in a closely fought final, which resulted in a comprehensive win with an overall 5-game margin. Joshua Likuyi (right) was the Champion of the annual Staff Singles Challenge.

Jacqueline Anjao

Director of Food and Beverage

Jacqueline Anjao has been employed as Director of Food & Beverage. She brings a wealth of skills, enthusiasm and fresh perspective to the F&B sector. She has prior experience as F&B Manager at Wasini Luxury Suites, The Tribe Hotel and most recently, F&B Manager under the Accor Group. Jacqueline holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Institution Management and other Leadership certificates. 6

Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

STAR OF THE SEASON Teresia Njeri Mutinda

Officer in the Security Department Teresia Njeri Mutinda has been awarded the prestigious honour of Star of the Season for embodying our core I-BEST values - integrity in executing her duties, diligence and commitment. This achievement also reflects her unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards within our organisation. We commend her for this well-deserved honour.

www.mcc.co.ke

events

Seas4Life & the Olive Ridley Project Partner in Turtle Conservation in Kenya

Christmas Carol Service

Members turned out in full voice for the Club Christmas Carol Service ably co-ordinated by our inimitable comperes Steve Mills and Mike Craig (on piano) – longtime stalwarts of this very happy, melodious, festive, family occasion. MCC Member and founder of Seas4Life Julie Church is pictured above (right) with marine biologist Joanna Hancock of the Olive Ridley Project for Marine Conservation, after giving a fascinating talk about Sea Turtles and the conservation work being done to protect them in Kenyan waters and globally.

BOOK LAUNCH

Cocktail Master Class

BY PAUL ENRIGHT

with Alessandro Palazzi

TRAVELLING NATIVE Travelling Native is a captivating story of extreme adventure and survival along some of the wildest and remotest rivers of South America. Paddling solo down the largely unexplored Casiquiare River into the vast headwaters of the Rio Negro in northern Brazil, MCC Member Paul Enright, documents the extreme hardships he endured and the fearful perils he encountered on his journey. One of the unique travel memoirs of modern times, the Council of the Royal Geographical Society elected Paul as a Fellow of the RGS for the success of his solo expedition. He is pictured here (centre) at his book signing evening at MCC.

www.mcc.co.ke

Celebrity Bartender and Cocktail Specialist, Alessandro Palazzi of Duke’s Hotel London, delighted wannabe mixologists by demonstrating how to prepare the perfect Martini Cocktail. As one of the world’s most famous barmen and creator of the legendary ‘Shaken Not Stirred’ Vesper Martini favoured by 007, Alessandro shook up the Popsy Bar with some high spirits and a cocktail shaker. Members can continue to enjoy the sophisticated cocktails experience every Thursday in the Popsy Bar, with a pre-dinner cocktail as prepared by the maestro Alessandro, on Martini Thursdays.

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

events

“Remembering the Unremembered” East African Remembrance Weekend 2023 The East African campaign of WWI stands out for its extended timeline, commencing a full week before the commencement of ground hostilities in Europe and concluding two weeks after the armistice was declared. Unlike the European theatre, the East African campaign was marked by prolonged suffering and adversity, primarily stemming from diseases and illnesses rather than the sheer scale of casualties. The weekend provided a solemn opportunity to honour and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the East African Campaign, whose profound suffering and losses have often been overlooked in the broader historical narrative.

Brigadier Yahya Abdi, Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy salutes the fallen of the East African Campaign of WWI at Taveta War Cemetery.

Buglers at the Mwashoti Fort service remembering the fallen soldiers of the King's African Rifles and the Carrier Corps.

British High Commissioner Neil Wigan thanking the Quarter Guard after the service at Taveta War Cemetery 2023.

Remembrance Sunday MCC MCC held its annual Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in keeping with the armistice signed in Europe on 11 November 1918. Lt. Colonel Geraint Jenner of the Royal Artillery and British Peace Support Team (BPST) is pictured here laying a wreath during the Remembrance Sunday Service held at the War Memorial.

Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

www.mcc.co.ke

events

Poppy Ball 2023 in Aid of the British Legion Kenya The British Legion of Kenya Poppy Ball hosted by MCC was another glittering event with medals and splendid uniforms very much in evidence. The event raised Ksh1,350,000 for the Poppy Appeal.

Christmas Draw Lunch 2023 The Christmas Draw was a tremendous success once again, kicking off the Festive Season. The number of prizes donated by our ever-supportive Members came to over 70, contributing to an all-time record of 270 prizes in total. We also sold a record number of tickets this year. As 10 per cent of proceeds go to the MCC Staff Welfare Fund, the more tickets that are bought, the more the staff benefit, so thanks go to all the Members who supported us so generously this year. We are particularly grateful to our Top Prize donor, Jimmy Eichelgruen, Director of Sales for India, Middle East, Africa and Europe for Delta Air Lines who, for the second year running, donated two return Business Class tickets for two people to mainland US. The lucky winner this year was Debonnaire Falkland-Brown who is now planning her trip State-side! A list of all the prize winners can be found on Pages 26 & 27.

www.mcc.co.ke

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

forthcoming events

The Liberty Truck 22 – 23 February 2024 Ballroom 6.30pm.

Presented in the form of a radio play, The Liberty Truck, written by Laurie Slade, is based on the trial, R v Tharacithio, which took place in 1945 colonial Kenya. The accused is a young African (Tharacithio) who drives the army truck, the Liberty Truck, from which the play takes its title. He is accused of the rape and murder of a British servicewoman. Laurie Slade was born and raised in Kenya. He studied law at Oxford, was called to the bar by Lincoln’s Inn, enrolled as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and practiced law for 25 years in Nairobi and London. His father, Humphrey Slade, was the real life defense barrister portrayed in The Liberty Truck, and much of the dialogue is drawn from the transcript of the trial.

Equality before the law is a cardinal principal of Britiah justice, and enshrined in Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Liberty Truck is not only an absorbing courtroom drama, it is a play about the ease with which that principal was disregarded in the heyday of the British Empire. As Tharacithi is put on trial, so too is British justice. Renowned Kenyan actor and director John Sibi-Okumu will be staging a production of The Liberty Truck at MCC with a cast drawn entirely from Club Staff and Members. Book your tickets early as this will be a drama-filled evening, performed by and for MCC Members.

26 January, Popsy Bar, 5–7pm. 27 January, Ballroom, 7pm onwards. 27-28 January, Bowls Greens, 9am. 28 January, Tennis Courts, 9am.

FEB 2024

Six Nations Rugby – Live Screening Bowls – Captain’s Day & Ladies vs Gents 2023 Squash – Social Mix-in Social Bridge – All players welcome Live Piano Recital – Kendzski Tanaka Special Valentine’s Day Dinner Opera Night – ‘Aida’ KMS Speaker’s Evening Tennis – Ladies’ & Men’s Doubles Drama Evening – ‘The Liberty Truck’ directed by John Sibi-Okumu Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks) Duplicate Bridge – Partners only Heritage Presents… The History of Rugby in Kenya by Aggrey Chabeda

2 Feb – 16 March, Pinks & Bush Bar, TBC. 4 February, Bowls Greens, 9am. 7 February, Squash Courts, 4.30pm. 5 February, Ballroom, 1.15pm – 4.30pm. 9 February, Ballroom, 6pm. 14 February, Club Dining Room & Pinks, 7pm onwards. 15 February, Ballroom, 6pm. 17 February, Ballroom, 6pm. 18 February, Tennis Courts, 9am. 22-23 February, Ballroom, 6.30pm. 23 February, Popsy Bar, 5–7pm. 26 February, Ballroom, 1.15pm – 4.30pm. 29 February, Ballroom, 6pm.

Bowls – St. David’s Day Spoon Social Bridge – All players welcome Squash – Social Mix-in Bowls – MCC 2-Wood Trips Tennis – Hakuna Matata Trophy Martini Thursdays Bowls – St. Patrick’s Day Spoon KMS Speaker’s Evening Ballet Night – ‘An Evening with the Royal Ballet’ Duplicate Bridge – Partners only Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks) Children’s Easter Carnival

3 March, Bowls Greens, 9am. 4 March, Ballroom, 1.15pm – 4.30pm. 6 March, Squash Courts, 4.30pm. 9-10 March, Bowls Greens, 9am. 10 March, Tennis Courts, 9am. 13 March, Popsy Bar, 5–7pm. 17 March, Bowls Greens, 9am. 23 March, Ballroom, 6pm. 14 March, Ballroom, 6pm. 25 March, Ballroom, 1.30pm – 4.30pm. 29 March, Popsy Bar, 5–7pm. 30 March, Pinks Lawn, 12.30pm onwards

10 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

Dates and times of events were correct at the time of going to press. They may change post printing so please check with the Events Office when making your bookings.

JAN 2024

Club Night – Happy Hour (50% off all drinks) Caledonian Society – Burns Night Supper Bowls – MCC 2-4-2 Competition Tennis – MCC Aussie Open

MAR 2024

Fo r t h c o m i ng E v e n t s D i a r y

www.mcc.co.ke

squash The Squash section of the Club continues to be well supported and the number of players continues to increase.

days Anish Harkani beat Akash Parmar 3-2 in the finals of the Nina Bell Challenge, playing on one leg by the end!

In 2023 we held the annual Closed Challenge Cup - now in its 109th year - and the Nina Bell Trophy, which represents the plate tournament.

The final of the Closed Challenge Cup saw a dynamic clash between two past winners Daniel Szalpak and Chris Childs. Chris came out the eventual winner after a well-fought final.

Kindly sponsored by Rosewood Furniture Ltd the tournament attracted a record turnout of 23 players.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and we look forward a busy 2024 on the Squash Courts.

The players who failed to make it through the main draw proceeded to play the Nina Bell Trophy. After a competitive four

Nina Bell Trophy winner Anish Harkani receiving trophy from Gavin Bell (brother of the late Nina)

Kunal Bidd Squash Captain

Finalists in the Nina Bell Trophy Akash Parmar & Anish Harkani and finalists of the Closed Challenge Cup Chris Childs (winner) & Daniel Szalpak.

COMPETITION Answer to our October - December 2023 Competition QUESTION: Who is this Kenyan, why is he famous, and what is his connection to which MCC Member? ANSWER: McDonald Mariga, - footballer for Harambee Stars and later for Parma and Inter Milan. Mariga was First Kenyan to play in the UEFA Championships in 2010. An alumnus of MYSA (Ligi Ndogo) McDonald Mariga is just one of many of MCC Life Member Bob Munro’s long list of successful protégés.

Question:

WINNER: Mike Ouya

Where was this photograph taken? And what was the occasion?

DID YOU KNOW?

Prize: The first correct entry that we receive will win dinner for two with a bottle of House Wine in either Pinks or the Club Dining Room. Please send your answers to communications@mcc.co.ke

www.mcc.co.ke

Former Kenyan international footballer McDonald Mariga began his football career at Mathari Youth Sports Association (MYSA ) and turned professional with Harambee Stars, before launching his international football career with Enköpings SK and Helsingborgs IF in Sweden. He went on to play for Italian Premiership teams Parma and Inter Milan. He remains the only Kenyan to date, to have played in, and won the UEFA Champions League – the biggest trophy in club football - playing in Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan squad of 2010. Other MYSA sporting protégées of Bob Munro include Arnold Origi – No. 1 Goalie for the Harambee Stars; Dennis Oliech – Striker for Premier French League AJ Auxerre; Doreen Nabwire – former Captain of Kenya Women’s team and first Kenyan woman to play professional football in Europe (Holland) and Jamal Mohammed – Mid-fielder for Al-Nasr S.C.S.C. Oman.

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

bowls The Bowls Section kicked off September with the annual Poppy Bowls fundraiser for the British Legion and the Askari Fund, which was arranged by Jenny Larby and her daughter Kerin. A Spoon for the regular bowlers was followed by an introductory session for new bowlers. We hope that some of them will return to bowl again. The Club Singles, sponsored by Ian Stamp, proved to be an exciting event, ending with a fiercely fought final between Maureen Lilygreen and Ian Stamp, but Ian won the contest 21-16 to take the trophy for the nth time! The winners of the Spider were Maria Cunningham and Oliver Fowler. The annual Mackenzie Shield fixture MCC vs. Karen Club was played over a weekend in November. The first half on Saturday afternoon at Karen Club comprised two trips and a pair. MCC won the pair and one trip. Unfortunately, on Sunday morning two Karen Club players pulled out at the last minute which meant there were only two trips. MCC won overall by 3 matches to 2.

Winner of the Club Singles Ian Stamp (left) with runner-up Maureen Lilygreen and winner of the Spider Oliver Fowler.

The MCC Club Pairs sponsored by Marion and Gordon Weston also took place over a weekend in November. The entry of 14 players was divided into two Leagues. Two sets of round robin matches were played on Saturday afternoon, and the third on Sunday morning. The winners of each League then played each other in the Final. Oliver Fowler and Peter Brice beat Gerry Cunningham and Andrew Hollas quite handsomely. The winners of the Spider were Lesley Mullan and Peter Brice. In December 24 players entered a competition in honour of the late Alan Collis. They were divided into two sets of pairs and two sets of trips, playing 3-wood and 2-wood respectively. Alan’s family had already installed a bench in his memory under the tree at the corner of the Green. Play was followed by a reception and a short memorial service. Mary Collis presented a beautiful spoon to the winning Skip, Sheelagh Zagoritis, and prizes to the winners Sheelagh and Peter Brice; and the runners-up Clare Jethwa and Fabian Collis, as well as the winners of the Spider – Patricia Killian and Peter Brice.

MCC Bowls Team proudly retain the MacKenzie Shield

The annual Ladies vs Gents competition was thrown into disarray by the absence of sufficient gents and was postponed until February 2024, which will also be Captain’s Day. The Green is now closed for annual maintenance, and all being well will re-open in mid-January. We hope that in 2024 we can advance our plans to further Junior Bowls and also to reinstate Friday evening Floodlit Bowls. Although the Greens are being used for private functions such as birthday parties, we would really like them to become more committed to the game itself. Finally, the Peter Vernon Evans Trophy is for the member who has contributed most to the Bowls Section, not for the Most Improved Player, as was recently stated in an earlier issue of the Club Magazine. Clare Jethwa Bowls Captain

Mary Collis presenting prizes to the winners of the Alan Collis Memorial Competition, Sheelagh Zagoritis and Peter Brice and runner-up Clare Jethwa.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 13-14 Jan 21 Jan 27 - 28 Jan 4 Feb 3 Mar 9-10 Mar 17 Mar

Green reopens MCC vs. Kenya Irish Society MCC 2-4-2 Competition Captain’s Day & Ladies vs Gents 2023 St. David’s Day Spoon MCC 2-wood Trips St. Patrick’s Day Spoon

12 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

Winners of the MCC Club Pairs challenge Peter Brice and Oliver Fowler, with Bowls Captain Clare Jethwa (left) and Sponsor Marion Weston. www.mcc.co.ke

tennis Christmas Crackers Tournament The heavy rains disrupted our normal Club tournament schedule resulting in a packed December. The popular Christmas Crackers Tournament attracted 20 players and followed the King & Queen of Court format. In this format, winners move up a court and split (except winners on top court who hold fort) and the losers move down a court and split (except losers on bottom court who also stay put). The winners on Top Court at end of the final round were Paul Hartig and Tessa McLellan who were crowned King & Queen of the Court. Erik Habers and Katharina von Maltzan were the worthy Runners-Up. Adil Suleman, Harold Zagunis and Nazma Rawji deserve special mention for accumulating the highest number of games, despite not ending up on Top Court.

Winners of the Christmas Crackers tournament (from left) Paul Hartig and Tessa McLellan and Runners-up Katarina von Maltzan and Erik Habers.

MCC Staff Singles Trophy Our season-ending tournaments involved the Tennis Staff and were absolute thrillers. First, the six tennis staff (Julius, Joshua, Ken, Michael, Richard and Sammy) competed in the MCC Staff Singles Trophy. Last held and won by Michael in 2019, it took a deciding tie-breaker set in a final between Joshua and Michael, for a new winner to be crowned. Congratulations Joshua!

Joshua holding the MCC Staff Singles Trophy with Staff and Member players (and future participants).

Subsequently, the six staff took on seven members in the inaugural Staff vs Members Competition. The final was closely fought and resulted in a comprehensive win by the Staff with an overall 5-game margin. Hearty Congratulations to the Staff team for their win, and to the Members Team (Adil Suleman, Armaan Moledina, David Percival, Erik Habers, Troels Sørensen, Katarina Karanja and Yan Welffens) for their gallant effort.

Exhibition Match with Angella & Rosy Okutoyi MCC once again welcomed 19-year-old Angella Okutoyi (currently WTA ranked 889) and her twin sister Rosy, to an event hosted by the SYZ Team. SYZ Group is sponsoring the sisters throughout their 4-year studies in the United States. They played a short exhibition match, hit with members and invited guests, and shared the inspiring story of their tennis journey. Aida Kimemia Nesbitt Tennis Captain

FORTHCOMING TENNIS TOURNAMENTS FIXTURES 28 Jan

MCC Aussie Open Wimbledon Championship

18 Feb

Ladies Doubles & Men’s Doubles

10 Mar Hakuna Matata Trophy

Angella (left) and her twin sister Rosy, with aspiring tennis champions, young members Hope and Dream Vater. www.mcc.co.ke

The Tennis section holds a Mix-in every Saturday morning from 9am – 11am for all levels. All welcome, but players must be able to rally from the base line and serve (over/under.) January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

CHRIST M A CHRISTMAS LUNCH

SANTA C TO PIN

The Children’s Christmas Part occasion with over a dozen Mi receiving a present from Santa arrived at Pinks in his helicopt the totos enjoyed a special Chr 14 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

www.mcc.co.ke

M A S @ MCC

A COMES PINKS

NEW YEAR'S EVE

stmas Party was a very exciting dozen Mini Members from Santa in person when he is helicopter! After that thrill pecial Christmas tea party. www.mcc.co.ke

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

members honours

JOHNNY ONSLOW MBE Johnny Onslow was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s last Birthday Honours list, for services to education, “particularly girls’ education and special educational needs in Rongai, Kenya”. Long regarded as one of this country’s finest pedagogues, Johnny spent ten years as a highly admired and respected headmaster before retiring (at least from hands-on teaching) at the age of 42. Peponi Prep School’s music department had become the envy of all other private schools and under Johnny’s leadership, the school set a high bar that has only recently been matched by others. Peponi’s continued success is built on an ethos and culture that was carefully inculcated in the late 80s and nurtured into the 90s. Johnny then completed an MBA and moved his family to Gogar Farm near Rongai, north of Nakuru, where he established Gone Fishing, a successful fly-tying business that has trained many skilled workers in the area. At around this time, Vanessa, the much-loved wife of Johnny’s oldest friend Hamish Grant, died in childbirth, on the eve of her 37th birthday. In Johnny Onslow MBE with his family at Windsor Castle her memory, Hamish set up the Vanessa Grant Trust (VGT), honouring her unfulfilled commitment to reinvigorate a dilapidated primary school on the farm and to include a facility for mentally handicapped children. The VGT initiatives allowed Johnny to return to school development and provided a chance to bring education to able and disabled youngsters through bursaries, who might otherwise have been locked out by lack of funds. This is a distinct echo from his own education at Christ’s Hospital in the UK, where school leavers are charged to “give back” according to their means and skills, in recognition of opportunities similarly afforded to them. Over the years the Vanessa Grant Trust has raised more than GBP 3m with which it has developed six schools and now runs a bursary programme for secondary and university students as well as a programme for volunteers. A lengthier description of the extraordinary work being carried out was published in the last edition of the Club magazine. Discreetly describing himself as ‘Project Manager, VGT’, it is not at all obvious that the driving force behind all these remarkable initiatives and institutions is Johnny Onslow, coordinating Trustees, fund-raisers, volunteers and school committees, recruiting staff and providing direction, leadership and vision to head teachers and community leaders. Despite his unassuming manner, preferring always to remain in the background, his work has not gone unnoticed and was duly recognised by His Majesty King Charles III, at a ceremony at Windsor Castle in July 2023. 16 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

Johnny suggested the King might pay a visit to Rongai during his planned visit to Kenya. A warm welcome by several thousand children would be assured and he would have the chance to pick up some salmon flies at the same time. Although King Charles said he would very much appreciate and enjoy the opportunity, he politely declined, citing protocol. www.mcc.co.ke

members honours

TERENCE CHILDS MBE (TERRY)

Terry Childs MBE with his family after receiving his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from His Majesty King Charles III at the British High Commission in Nairobi.

The acquisition of Hillcrest Schools was finally agreed and sealed on the very same day that Terry Childs was informed he had been awarded an MBE, for services to education “and to the wider community in Kenya and Tanzania”. Hillcrest so became the tenth school in the highly-regarded Braeburn ‘empire’, extending from Dar es Salaam to Kisumu, first founded in 1979 when, on an impulse, Terry walked into a small school housed in a domestic residence in Lavington and asked the owner if she wanted to sell. The positive answer changed countless lives, with more than 40,000 children having been educated by the Braeburn Group of Schools. Fittingly, Terry was one of a small group to be honoured by His Majesty in a private ceremony at the British High Commission during King Charles’ recent visit to Nairobi. Arriving in Kenya nearly 48 years ago as a maths and physics teacher, Terry has pursued his interests – from education to theatre, in sailing, cricket and aviation – with unswerving dedication and devotion and, recognising the importance of the international schools as a vital part of the educational infrastructure in Kenya, he started the Kenya Association of International Schools (KAIS), the better to engage with Government. KAIS now has 45 members, is financially self-sustaining, and acts as an umbrella organisation to regulate the relationships between member schools and its advocacy remit. Some Members may recall Terry as Richard D’Oyly Carte performing on the Muthaiga stage alongside Simon Smithers and Tony Massie-Blomfield in Smithers’ www.mcc.co.ke

production of Savoy Nights. Theatre has been an enduring focus of his life and the theatre he built on the Braeburn Campus in Lavington in 1988 is testament to that, being among the finest in Nairobi. Selfdeprecatingly, Terry says the only way he could be guaranteed a part was by building his own theatre, and his performances as pantomime dame are both legion and legendary. A belief in people is characteristic of Terry’s leadership and is something that permeates through Braeburn. A school education should prepare children for the real world, and perhaps the most important outcome of a Braeburn education is that pupils are taught to value and believe in other people – entirely reflecting Terry’s own outlook, ideology and values. Terry has been unwaveringly committed to the development of Kenyan and Tanzanian teachers. Through partnerships with the University of Warwick, Kenyatta University, Catholic University of East

Africa (CUEA), and the Universities of Dar es Salaam and Nottingham, Terry and Braeburn have facilitated and financially supported training for hundreds of teachers in Kenya and Tanzania.

His Majesty spent time acknowledging and applauding Terry’s role as a genuine ambassador for the UK in Kenya and, discussing shared years of birth and different paths to the High Commissioner’s residence in Nairobi, noted wryly that while one was settling down to enjoy his retirement, the other was only just starting out on his career. January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

members' Achievements

MCC Members Dominated at the Classiest Event on the Kenya Motorsports Calendar

The Concours d’Elegance 2023 Since 2006 the Concours has been recognised and sanctioned by FIM Africa, the continental governing body of motorcycle sport, and has full Africa continental status for cars and motorcycles as a motorsport event. Held at the Nairobi Racecourse in September last year the Concours celebrated the 51st anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club in Kenya, and attracted entries from 27 other countries from around the world. MCC Members dominated the awards bagging nine of the prizes, including Overall Winner.

As Club Member Peter Wanday was the Event Director and is the Chairman of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, he allocated his cars to his family. His daughter Joy was the winner of the 2000cc touring car category in a 1980 BMW and his son Ted won the 2000 GTV category with his 1972 Alfa Romeo. Kamene Wanday finished second in the over 1600cc category followed by Alec Davis in his 1969 Spider.

MCC Member Gayling May was placed Second Overall in the 2023 Africa Concours d’Elegance. He is pictured with his trophy beside his rare 1967 Alfa Romeo Sprint 2600. The first success for Club Members came in the class for pickups, Land Rovers and other utility vehicles, which was won by Gary Farrant with his 1957 Chevrolet pickup (pictured above leaving the inspection ramp) and Jonathan Somen who came third in the class with his 1949 Land Rover.

Sachit Shah’s 1964 Triumph Spitfire was the winner in the up to 1600cc sports car class, and the 3000cc touring car category was won by Gayling May in his burgundy coloured Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint sports coupe, which placed him second overall.

MCC Member Patrick Mweheire entered a team of four MercedesBenz cars from Uganda. He came second in the 2400cc touring car class with his 1959 Mercedes-Benz Ponton.

Africa Concours d’Elegance officials check the exterior of Patrick Mweheire’s 1959 Mercedes Benz Ponton, which won second prize in the 2400cc touring car Class. 18 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

But, the prestigious, much-coveted title - Overall Winner of the Africa Concours d’Elegance 2023 - was awarded to MCC Member Kevit Desai. He is pictured here, with his gleaming gold 1968 Jaguar 420 luxury saloon, which he has spent the last 27 years painstakingly working on, to achieve his dream of winning the classiest Motor Sport event on the Kenya calendar. www.mcc.co.ke

members' Achievements on the side of the overturned lorry with the heavy flood waters rolling around them.

Daring Helicopter Rescue by MCC Members Saves 8 Lives During the recent heavy rains in the north of Kenya, MCC Member Andrew Francombe received an urgent call from his friends at Save the Elephants asking him to help some people whose lorry had overturned in a lugga and was being swept away by rapidly rising flood waters.

It was very difficult flying conditions with driving rain, strong winds and choppy, swirling waters below. To make the rescue even more challenging a live electric cable had snapped and fallen into the water. Everytime Andrew hovered low over the lorry for Oscar to haul the people into the helicopter he got a huge electric shock. Andrew and Oscar made a total of eight shuttles bringing the stranded passengers to high ground one at a time – the lorry rolled underwater completely ten minutes later. It was an incredibly daring and dangerous rescue, but it turned out happily for all involved. Scan the QR Code below to watch the video.

Andrew scrambled his helicopter and, with his nephew Oscar Tundu, headed off in atrocious weather to see how they could help. The scene when they arrived at the flooding lugga near Ololokwe was far worse than they had expected. Eight people, including three children and an elderly woman, were perched precariously

EAWL GILGIL Sponsored Walk for Charity The East Africa Women’s League Gilgil branch recently organised a sponsored walk on Soysambu Conservancy to benefit three local charities - Shelter Yetu in Naivasha, Saidia Children’s Home and Kivuli Trust, both in Gilgil. The walk followed a scenic route along the shores of Lake Elmenteita and ended with a picnic lunch in the Acacia forest on the north shore. There were over 70 participants, the oldest being 88 year-old MCC Member Jane Leete, who walked 2km and raised an astonishing Ksh 132,900/-. She was accompanied part of the way by the youngest participant - 3 year-old MCC Mini Member James Morley (son of Geoff and Allison), who raised Ksh 37,000/. James and Jane (pictured) made very happy walking companions pacing out the distance together at the same speed.

ONELIFE RALLY SAFARI KENYA 2023 MCC Member Lisa Christoffersen was the first and only female driver to take part in the OneLife Rally Safari 2023 driving a Mobius, which was staged for the first time in Kenya in October. The Rally combines high-performance cars, ranging from Porsches 911 GT3 and Lamborghinis URUS, to the rugged Ford Raptor F150 and Ferrari 458. Starting in Nairobi and ending in Malindi, the Rally traversed 1,500km over six days, through the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo. The aim of the OneLife Rally is to promote tourism, culture, and investment opportunities in Kenya. The 12 high-performance Supercars that took part in the OneLife Rally Safari Kenya 2023 created a combination of horsepower and heritage as they sped across the backdrop of Kenya’s wilderness. The only female driver to take part, Lisa Christoffersen, is pictured here, next to a Porsche GT3. Lisa plans to drive in the WRC 2024.

www.mcc.co.ke

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

edita’s ballet and opera programme

FILM – ‘Hilary and Jacqueline du Pre’ ‘Hilary and Jacqueline du Pre’ tells the remarkable story of one of the world’s best-known cellists, the late Jacqueline du Pre. The film covers Jacqueline’s meteoric rise to fame, her alleged affair with Hilary’s husband Christopher Finzi, and her struggle with multiple sclerosis starting in her late 20s ultimately leading to her death at the age of 42. The exquisite passion of Jackie’s playing provides a magnificent backdrop to a story of volatile passions thwarted ambitions and siblings’ rivalry. Both Emily Watson as Jackie and Rachel Griffiths as Hilary were nominated for OSCARS in this powerful and affecting film of musical genius and personal tragedy.

‘Hilary and Jacqueline du Pre’ will be screened on 18 January, in the Ballroom, at 6pm.

OPERA - ‘AIDA’ Egypt and Ethiopia are at war. Egyptian Army General Radamès is chosen to lead an assault on the enemy, and hopes by being victorious, to win the hand of his lover Aida – an Ethiopian enslaved as handmaiden to Egyptian princess, Amneris. However, Amneris is in love with Radamès herself, and is growing suspicious. This is the story of a love triangle set in the grandiose world of ancient Egypt amongst wars, religious fanatism and ceremonies - a roller coaster of emotions told through Verdi’s powerful music. I have seen many productions of Aida before, but never one as dynamic and moving as this.

‘AIDA’ the Opera will be screened on 15 February, in the Ballroom, at 6pm.

BALLET – ‘An Evening with the Royal Ballet’ Take a seat in the stalls at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for an unforgettable evening of ballet, performed by world-renowned stars of the Royal Ballet past and present. As the title informs, this most enjoyable DVD is made up of highlights of the ten best and most popular Ballets produced by the Royal Ballet company during the last 70 years.

‘An Evening with the Royal Ballet’ will be screened on 14 March, in the Ballroom, at 6pm.

20 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

www.mcc.co.ke

book reviews

New Arrivals ‘RAVENOUS’ by Henry Dimbleby and Jemima Lewis In ‘Ravenous’, Henry Dimbleby takes us behind the scenes to reveal the mechanisms that act together to shape the modern diet - and therefore the world.

100 Years of Polo in Kenya by Colleen Hogg Compiled by Anthony Gross

By his own admission, maintaining a healthy weight for Henry Dimbleby, the co-founder of Leon restaurants turned food campaigner, has always been a struggle. And he isn’t the only one. In fact, 28% of Britons are clinically obese, compared with just 1% of the population in 1950, an age when the planet too was in far better nick. The food system is one of the most successful, innovative and most destructive industries on earth. It sustains us, but it is also killing us. Diet-related disease is now the biggest cause of preventable illness and death in the developed world - far worse than smoking. The environmental damage done by the food system is also changing climate patterns and degrading the earth, risking our food security. Part of the problem is that the enemy is invisible - we are caught in the formidable creation of supermarkets, food giants and fast-food chains that produce, process, market and sell the food we eat. Highly processed foods make up 75% of our diet, which correlates to an increase in cancers, depressive symptoms, and cardiovascular disease. ‘Ravenous’, which is co-written by Dimbleby’s wife, the journalist Jemima Lewis, is a highly readable call not only for a healthier food system, but for a more sustainable one.

‘THE SEVENTH SON’ by Sebastian Faulks ‘The Seventh Son’ Faulk’s latest (his 20th) book, is a work of science fiction that begins in the year 2030. It tells the story of a monstrous experiment carried out by a shadowy billionaire who, like many tech-bros before him, spends his money ¬trying to answer questions nobody asked, whose Londonbased institute conducts genetic research. The narrator is an American anthropology student called Talissa, who carries a surrogate child for an English couple. It’s a business transaction - she’s funding her studies for research in evolutionary genetics. The institute offers to engineer a child and place it in Talissa’s womb, but without her or the couples’ knowledge, the sperm sample is switched with that of a recently thawed Neanderthal. ‘The Seventh Son’ is an extraordinary novel that offers a fascinating discourse on the role that genetics play in the development of our personalities and teaches us about the history and science of genetics. We come to understand why the Neanderthals might have died out, how we have differed from earlier species of human and what it was about Homo sapiens that enabled us to survive.

It is thought that the game of polo was introduced to Kenya as early as 1903, but continued on a somewhat fitful existence until the 1920s and 30s, when most polo Clubs were formed. In the late 1940s Kenya polo received a tremendous boost with the arrival of a great many Soldier Settlers. Most of these were ex-Indian Army and all very good players who contributed skilful horsemanship and polo tactics to the local game. The 1950s were the heyday of polo in Kenya with about 17 active clubs. In the early 1960s with the coming of Independence most Clubs had to close, today there remain only three active clubs. 100 Years of Polo in Kenya is a gloriously illustrated volume, which takes the reader through the decades, charting the evolution of polo in Kenya, from its humble beginnings, through to today’s flourishing international polo scene. Kenya was the only Colony that actively encouraged female and Kenyan riders and has produced some excellent, high-goal players. 100 Years of Polo in Kenya is full of lively anecdotes, documents, newspaper cuttings, artefacts and treasured photographs, sourced from the Kenya Polo Association (KPA) archives and players and their families - often several generations old. Whether you are a Polo aficionado or not, this feisty gallop through the history of the sport in Kenya is a both a nostalgic look back on life in the colonies for early settlers, and an auspicious look to the future of this increasingly popular equestrian sport in Kenya.

Through his characters, Faulks examines the evolution of human consciousness, what anthropology can teach us about ourselves and what it costs to be human.

Researched and compiled by Colleen Hogg and produced by Anthony Gross – polo player, KPA Chairman (2001 – 2007) and MCC Member - 100 Years of Polo in Kenya, uncovers a treasure trove of information about the sport in Kenya.

Sweeping between New York, London, and the Scottish Highlands, ‘The Seventh Son’ is a thought-provoking piece of fiction that asks the question: just because you can do something, does it mean you should?

Anthony will be signing books at the Club – date TBC. If any Members would like to order a copy, please contact Anthony on afg@afgross.com

www.mcc.co.ke

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

Heritage Presents…

MUTHAIGA NOW AND THEN (Part II) by Simon Roberts

Photo courtesy of the Monty Ruben Collection. 'A Call to Arms'

The fascinating review of the MCC Members who lost their lives in WWI, by Simon Roberts, is continued here with the names of the fallen as they appear on the War Memorial. The article that appeared in the previous issue of the Club Magazine prompted several Members to ask for more details about the individuals. Simon has researched the subject exhaustively and has much more detail than we could fit in the magazine so, for more information, he can be reached on robertssimon031@gmail.com

And if anyone has any additional information on any of the men mentioned below or in the previous issue, we would be very grateful to receive it. Charles Murray Charles Murray was a veteran of the 1899-1902 war in South Africa. Murray arrived in Kenya in 1909 as ADC to the British appointed Commissioner Sir Percy Girouard. He had previously been with Girouard in Nigeria 1907-09. When Girouard resigned as Commissioner in 1912 Murray left the military to settle in Kenya. He started a dairy farm in Njoro. After his death the land was sold to John Destro, a well known dairy farmer. He was born in Scotland. His father was a grandson of the Earl of Mansfield. He was educated at Haileybury School and the Royal Military College Sandhurst. He was killed in 1914 in Belgium.

22 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

Tommy Musgrave Tommy Musgrave’s activities in Kenya are unclear. He was born in Montevideo in Uruguay. His father was a naval Captain. He was educated at Eton and Magdalene College, Cambridge. He was commissioned into the Irish Guards in 1910 and served until 1913. He was killed in 1915 in France.

Gerald Nugent In late 1913 Gerald Nugent is recorded as being resident in the Kiambu area. The 1905 Army List records him as serving as a Second Lieutenant in the West Indian Regiment. His route to Kenya is unclear. He was born in Ireland. His father was a Baronet and mother was born in France. He was killed in 1915 in Turkey.

Jack Pixley Jack Pixley worked in an architect’s office until 1912 when his close friend and notable Club Member, Denys Finch Hatton, suggested they go into partnership in Kenya. They shared a house close to the Norfolk Hotel. He was born in England. His father was a barrister, accountant and author. He was educated at Eton and Merton College, Oxford. He was killed in 1917 in Belgium. www.mcc.co.ke

Heritage Presents… Hugh Sandbach Hugh Sandbach came to Kenya in 1912 to begin a partnership with Colin Isaacson (see July – October issue) in Londiani on land they called Kedowa estate. He served with 1st (Royal) Dragoons, together with Henry Lambert (see July – October issue), in the 1899-1902 war in South Africa and subsequently for eight years in India. In 1914 he was appointed Commandant of the East African Mounted Rifles, a volunteer unit consisting of many Muthaiga Members. He was born in England to a Cheshire landlord and was educated at Eton and Christchurch College, Oxford. He was killed in 1914 near Longido hill in Tanzania while trying to rescue Harold Drake (see July – October issue).

Roy Tate-Smith Roy Tate-Smith built Muthaiga Country Club. He was poached from the Public Works Department by Freddie Ward in 1912 to assist with construction of the Muthaiga estate project which he delivered together with Harold Henderson, an architect newly imported from England. Some of his sketches of the Club and a map of Muthaiga estate drawn by him may be seen hanging in the Members’ Bar. He arrived in Kenya in 1907 as a draughtsman in the Public Works Department. He was born in England to a timber merchant in York and educated at St Peter’s School. He died of disease in 1918 in Tanzania.

Sketch of Muthaiga Estate drawn by Roy Tate-Smith circa 1912

Alan Tompson Alan Tompson arrived in Kenya in 1903 and established a dairy farm in Ruaraka which he called Karura. In 1909 he began a partnership with others on land beyond Thika which they called Makuyu farm. They established Sisal Ltd, one of Kenya’s earliest successful businesses. In 1948 Sisal Ltd merged with Kakuzi Ltd, a business that remains successful to this day. He is also recorded as leasing 5,000 acres of land at Uasin Gishu. His cousin, Ronald Tompson (see right) followed him to Kenya in 1905. He was born into a farming family in England and was educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was killed in 1915 in France. William Woodhouse William Woodhouse arrived in Kenya as an assistant game warden to Richard Woosnam (see right) and also served as a District Commissioner in Taveta. In 1912 he was an intelligence officer with the Legion of Frontiersmen. He was born in Coonoor in India where his father was a mining engineer. Details of his schooling are not known. He died in 1918 in Mozambique. It is interesting to note that his and Woosnam’s names are out of alphabetical order on the memorial; a mistake, or a later addition? www.mcc.co.ke

Ronald Tompson Ronald Tompson arrived in Kenya in 1905 and leased land previously owned by Florence Delamere in Kiambu which he called Kiltannon. He was a partner with his cousin Alan (see left) in Sisal Limited at Makuyu Farm. He established another large farm with Donald Seth-Smith, which they called Punda Milia. He was born in England to a barrister and Justice of the Peace and was educated at Harrow School and Trinity College, Oxford. He was killed in 1916 in France.

Richard Woosnam Richard Woosnam arrived in Kenya in 1908 having been appointed as head game warden in Kenya. His predecessor was Col JH Patterson, author of the Man Eaters of Tsavo. He served in the 1899-1902 war in South Africa following which he pursued a career as a naturalist and won the silver medal of the Zoological Society of London in 1909. He was born in Wales to a barrister and was educated at Wellington College. He was killed in 1915 in Turkey.

Architect’s sketch of Muthaiga Country Club by Roy Tate-Smith circa 1912, which now hangs in the Members’ Bar, together with the sketch of Muthaiga Estate (above). January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

bird quiz

Bird Quiz An assignment for all those vacationing at the Coast this year. See and identify all twelve Shorebirds. For those staying home, can you identify the one very infrequent visitor among these common Coastal Waterbirds?

Answers on page 29 24 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

www.mcc.co.ke

hatches & matches fo re

er of

Madeleine Emma Herren

Richard Turner & Kimberley Elms

Born 12 April 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. To Jeremy and Ashley Herren (née Anderson) of Karen, Kenya. fo re Second grandchild to Susan and the late Jock Anderson of Karen, and third grandchild to Hans and Barbara Herren, previously of Nairobi, but now California, USA.

Richard Turner, son of Steve and Jayne Turner of Nairobi, married Kimberley Elms, daughter of Guy and Fiona Elms of Ololua, Karen. The wedding was held on the 22nd July 2023, at Mukima House in Nanyuki, Kenya.

Elsie May Anderson

Marcus Church & Ellen Louise Moens

Born 24th February 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. To Robert and Lottie Anderson (née Rowe) of Langata, Kenya. First grandchild to Sue and the late Jock Anderson of Karen, Kenya and fourth grandchild to Simon and Lucinda Rowe of Watamu, Kenya.

Marcus Church, youngest son of Nicole and the late Colin Church of Green Park, Naivasha, married Ellen Louise Moens, eldest daughter of Tom and Elisabeth Wynn Heyman of Belgium. The wedding was held on the 21st October 2023 at Loldia Farm, Naivasha, Kenya.

er of

All newly-weds who send in their wedding photo for publication will be offered a romantic dinner for two with a bottle of House wine, either at Pinks or in the Club Dining Room, to be booked before publication of the next issue. Send your photos and details to secretariat@mcc.co.ke and please send high-resolution images.

www.mcc.co.ke

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

christmas draw winners 2023 Prize

Winner

Debonnaire Falkland-Brown

Two Delta Air Lines Business Class Return Tickets to any destination in continental USA.

Prize

Winner

1 x King Duvet Cover Set, Sophie Allport

Danton Vorster

1 x Wooden Tray + Chopping Board

Shamila Unnikrishnan

A Year of FREE CREDIT to use ALL facilities and services offered by MCC

Shirley Scroggie

1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

David Hutchison

4 x Nights for 2 guests HB + City Tour at BlueBay Beach Resort & Spa

Jay Sondhi

1x 10,000/= Vouchers for Woolworths Kenya

Harold Zagunis

2 x Nights for 2 FB, Great Plains Ol Donyo Lodge.

Bruce Field

1 x GoPro Hero 9 Camera with Harness Set

Giles Littlewood

1 x 55" LG UHD Smart TV

Jennifer Cege

1 x Harmony Home & Garden Products Hampers by Cooper (K) Brands Ltd

Roger Sylvester

1 x Inflatable 1-Real Man Kayak plus Accessories

John Onslow

1 x Bravecto Pets Supplies Hamper by Cooper (K) Brands Ltd

Devina Meinzingen

1 x Procera Gin Hamper

Philip Onyango

1 x Voucher for 15,000/=, Hotpoint Appliances Ltd

Eric Mungai

1 x Year Gym Subscription at Muthaiga Country Club

John Gethi

1 x Ksh 50,000/- CREDIT to use ALL facilities and services offered by MCC

David Stogdale

1 x Day Big Game Fishing + 1 Night for 2 guests, Pemba Channel

Jonathan Evans

1 x Hand-made Bellows

Joyce Karanja

1 x Dinner for 8 guests + 2 bottles of House Wine in Red Room, MCC

Horace Burnett

1 x Beko Mini Oven

Jennifer Cege

1 x Cosori Air Fryer plus Recipe Book

Catherine McLellan

1 x 10,000/= Voucher, Healthy U

John Gethi

1 x Voucher for 35,000/= Patrick Mavros

Lindsay Kennaway

1 x Fitbit Versa Bundle

Joyce Karanja

1 x Night for 2 guests, Kichaka Cottages, Nyeri

Sharon Koimett

1 x Apple AirPod + Charging Case

George Kariuki

1 x High Power Rechargeable Flashlight

Annette Wangong'u

1 x Bottle of Champagne and Ice Bucket

Jonathan Stichbury

3 x Nights for 8 guests Self-Catering, Ol Endeti House

Jonathan Sutton

1 x Sundowner Cocktails plus Tumbler

Mariella Furrer

1 x Sandstorm Canvas Pioneer Bag

Balbir Bains

1 x Voucher for 15,000/=, Hotpoint Ltd

John Lloyd

1x Set of Thermos Cooler Boxes

Charles Maye

1 x Browns Cheese Voucher 10,000/=

Jonathan Stichbury

1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

Peter Scholes

1 x Langstroth Beehive + Starter Kit

James Lomax

1 x Gift Voucher, Serenity SPA

Andrew Waruhiu

1 x RockRider Mountain Bike

Fiona Fox

1 x Sandstorm Leather Explorer Duffle Bag

Arnolda Shiundu

1 x Set of Garden Jewellery, Kitengela Glass

Tillmann Proske

1 x Sandstorm Cecilia Small Backpack

Julio Garrido-Mirapeix

1 x Kenwood Kettle + Toaster Set

Philip Toye

1 x Gin Making Set with Cocktail Glasses

Ushwin Khanna

1 x Postcards from the Mara Triangle & Mara Safari Cuisine

Jeanne Finestone

1 x Bakuli Blu Dip Set

Yvonne Flammer

1 x Greenspoon Gift Voucher 15,000

Harvey Herr

1 x Bottle of Champagne and Ice Bucket

Katherine Muoki

2 x Nights for 8 people, self-catering, Samawati House, Msambweni Beach

Joerg Weich

1 x 10,000/= Voucher, Healthy U

Sean Garstin

1x Oral B Electric Toothbrush + Replacement Brush Heads

Nisheel Shah

1 x Original Watercolour Painting by Frances Simpson

Balbir Bains

1 x Greenspoon Gift Voucher 15,000

Joanna Trench

1x Hand Woven wool/cotton Rug from India

Morris Kaburu

1 x Gift Voucher, Serenity SPA

Horace Burnett

2 x Nights for 2 guests FB, Olepangi Farm

Anthony Wainaina

1 x Shakespeare Omni Fly Combo + Reels with Flies

Jolyon Mills

1 x Lippa Wood Recipe Book

Lucy Njoroge

1 x Set of Kitengela Water Jug + Glasses

Paras Shah

1 x Gift Voucher, Serenity SPA

Ngugi Kiuna

1 x 32-piece Cutlery Set + Christmas Table Linen

Simon Evans

1 x Leatherman Wingman

Helena Mortensen

1 x Coffee Making Machine, Safari Lounge

Sarit Raja-Shah

1 x Nintendo Switch Game Console + Video Games

Gerhard May

100 1 x Set of Kitengela Water Jug plus Glasses

Robert Trundell

1 x 10,000/= Vouchers for Woolworths Kenya

Eric Mungai

101 1 x Kitengela Glass Table + 4 Chairs

Azmina Janmohamed

1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

Grace Waithira

102 1 x Set Single Duvet Covers

Gordon Weston

1 x Camel Igull Unisex HandBag

Christopher Outram

103 1 x Original Painting by Local Kenyan Artist

Niklas Rogers

1 x Set of Bakuli Blu Planters

Franz von Maltzan

104 1 x Set of Ornamental Metal Kuku + Breakfast Set

Theresia Mawenu

1 x Luxury towel set + Bathroom Mat

Mark Tilbury

105 1 x Postcards from the Mara Triangle & Mara Safari Cuisine

Ngene Gituku

1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

Marion Weston

106 1 x Set of Kitengela Water Jug plus Glasses

Joel Mugo

1 x 2-piece Leaves King Luggage Set

Ariana Issaias

107 1 x Dayliff DG 1200P Generator

Petrus Ruysenaars

1 x Leatherman Wave Plus

Nadira Dossa

108 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

Eric Mungai

1 x Mosaic Mirror, Linda Camm

Christopher Everard

109 1 x Night B&B for two guests, Safari Park Hotel and Casino.

Ravi Kumar Kohli

1 x Bush Princess Safari Bag

Paul Rossiter

110 1 x Voucher for 15,000/=, Hotpoint Appliances Ltd

Amar Parrin

1 x White Heat Verandah/Garden Bench

George Issaias

111 1 x Gin Making Set with Cocktail Glasses

Marten Sievers

1 x Kindle PaperWhite 16GB + Protective Cover

Simon Herd

112 1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

Jonathan Somen

2 x Nights for 6 guests self-catering, Ol Bobongi House

Githu Muigai

113 1 x Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 Binoculars

Stephen Kunyiha

1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

Oliver Poole

114 1 x Kindle PaperWhite 16GB + Cover

Sally Mutiso

1 x Box Tambuzi Mixed Scented Garden Roses

John Barnard

115 Christmas Hamper, Farmers Choice

David Fisher

1 x Greenspoon Gift Voucher 15,000

Christopher Wilson

116 1 x Car Breakdown Accessories plus Umbrella

Kamau Maruvu

1 x Jua Kali Nyama Choma BBQ Grill + Spice Rub

Yvonne Flammer

117 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

David Hutchison

1 x Taylormade 2023 Golf Bag + Umbrella

Barbara Hall

118 1 x Kenwood Blender

Gail Paul

1 x Dayliff DG 1200P Generator

Morris Kaburu

119 1 x Bottle of Champagne and Ice Bucket

Muthoni Okanga

1 x 40" Samsung LED Smart TV

Natalya Kariuki

120 1 x Kitengela Glass Table + 2 Chairs

Mark Tilbury

1 x Case of Mixed Wines, Domaine Kenya Ltd

Michael Barker

121 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

Suzanne Heath

1 x Kitengela Glass Coffee Table

Shaleen Keshavjee

122 2 x Return Flights to Malindi, Safarilink

Bridget Davis

1 x Set of Thermos Cooler Boxes

Naomi Poulton

123 1 x Sandstorm Canvas Sylvester Bag

Chris Kariuki

1 x Hand Carved Verandah Table Lamp

Chris Kariuki

124 1 x Nintendo Switch Game Console + Video Games

Richard Coate

1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

Julio Mirapeix

125 2 x Nights stay, Takaungu Private House, Kilifi

Paris Issaias

1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

Sophie Dyer

126 1 x Set of Garden Jewellery, Kitengela Glass

Kabir Chal

2 x Nights for up to 6 guests at Chingwede House in Msambweni

Balvinder Sahni

127 1 x Brother Printer Wi-Fi All-in-One Ink Tank Printer

Githu Muigai

1 x Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 Binoculars

Michele Castegnaro

128 1 x Hand Woven Woollen Rugs, Elmenteita Weavers

James Cheshire

1 x Ksh 50,000/- CREDIT to use ALL facilities and services offered by MCC

Chris Kariuki

129 1 x Hand Woven Alpaca Wool Pashmina

Tillmann Proske

1 x Oral B Cross Action Electric Toothbrush + Replacement Brush Heads

Alan Gachukia

130 1 x Night for 6 guests + 2 days fishing at Ndongoro Log Cabins.

Jay Sondhi

1x 10,000/= Vouchers for Woolworths Kenya

Irene Wamakau

131 1 x Sandstorm Men’s Travel Wallet + MCC Merchandise

Jonathan Stichbury

1 x Skin Treatment for 30,000/= at Taneet Medical SPA

Paolo Rocca

132 1 x Set of Ceramic Lamps

Anna Aranibar

1x Hand Woven Cotton Rug from Afghanistan

Charles Scroggie

133 1 x Original Artwork by Local Ugandan Artist

Sean Garstin

1 x Gift Vouchers Serenity Spa

William Pike

134 1 x XPanda DIY Safti Door, East Africa Security Options

Christopher Wilson

1 x Von Cooker 3 Gas + 1 Electric

Catherine Kenyatta

135 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

Sammy Chepkwony

26 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

www.mcc.co.ke

christmas draw winners 2023 Prize

Winner

Prize

Winner

136 1 x Skin Treatment for 20,000/= at Taneet Medical SPA

Lynn Tundo

204 1 x Airflo Fly Fishing Rod + Reels with Flies

Iain Leckie

137 1 x Kitengela Glass Water Dispenser

Penina Kamau

205 1 x Brown's Cheese Voucher 10,000/=

Adam Withey

138 2 x Safarilink Return Flight Tickets to Diani

Edward Morrison

206 1 x Skin Treatment for 30,000/= Taneet Medical SPA

Njoroge Ngigi

139 1 x Dental Consultation - Radiographs, Cleaning & Polishing.

Jonathan Kinisu

207 1 x 18" Von Stand Fan with Remote

James Kahuha

140 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

Paul Brussel

208 1 x Langstroth Beehive plus Starter Kit

Eugene Ngumi

141 1 x Set of Ornamental Metal ‘Kukus’

Philip Kinisu

209 1 x Hand-made Bellows

Shaheen Lilani

142 1 x Set of 2 single Duvet Covers, Sophie Allport

Eugene Ngumi

210 1 x Philips Vacuum Cleaner

Robin Nixon

143 1 x Home-made Christmas Cake + Plate

Lizzie King'angi

211 1 x Sandstorm Men’s Sponge bag + Shaver unit

Githu Muigai

144 1 x Bush Princess Loisaba Ladies Bag

Margaret Day

212 1 x Sundowner Cocktails plus Tumbler

Tillmann Proske

145 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

James Coulson

213 1 x Kitengela Glass Coffee Table

Jonathan Stichbury

146 1 x Christmas Hamper, Farmer’s Choice

Gayling May

214 1 x 35,000/= Voucher Craig’s Sports

Arnolda Shiundu

147 1 x Ben Sayers 2022 Golf Bag plus Umbrella

Jon Cavanagh

215 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

Nizar Hemraj

148 1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

James Lomax

216 1 x Sandstorm Cooler Bag plus MCC Picnic Blanket

Nicholas Nesbitt

149 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

Robin Nixon

217 1 x Skin Treatment for 20,000/= Taneet Medical SPA

Lesley Wartnaby

150 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

Anthony Barlow

218 1 x Home-made Christmas Cake + Plate

Gordon Weston

151 1 x GoPro Hero 9 Camera with Harness Set

Anna Aranibar

219 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour

Ashok Desai

152 1 x Kanga Bean Bag plus a Matching Safari Blanket

Salim Manji

220 1 x Set of Bakuli Blu Pasta Bowls

Peter Ngori

153 1 x Leaves King Carry-on Cabin Case

Peter Kimani

221 1 x Sophie Allport Picnic Bag and Blanket

Jonathan Evans

154 1 x Case of Mixed Wines, Domaine Kenya Ltd

Sallie Tilbury

222 1 x Camel Igull Unisex Shoulder Bag

Sue Roberts

155 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

Karim Fazal

223 1 x Set of Kitengela Water Jug & Glasses

George Kariuki

156 1 x 198 Litre Von Chest Freezer

Luis Galiana

224 1 x Sophie Allport Picnic Bag and Blanket

Peter Kanyago

157 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

David Fisher

225 1 x UE Wonderboom Wireless Speaker + Carry Case

Arnolda Shiundu

158 1 x Dental Consultation, Cleaning, Polishing & Teeth Whitening

Margrit Von Lekow

226 3 x Nights for 2 guests on FB, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge.

Barrie Thomas

159 1 x Luxury towel set + Bathroom Mat

Mwangi Kariuki

227 2 x Safarilink Return Flight Tickets to Malindi

Hiran Shah

160 1 x Hand Woven Woollen Rugs, Elmenteita Weavers

Philip Onyango

228 1 x Bush Princess Eden Ladies Bag

Ashok Shah

161 1 x Car Breakdown Accessories plus Umbrella

Mohamed Malik

229 1x 10,000/= Vouchers for Woolworths

Cor Roest

162 1 x Christmas Hamper, Farmer’s Choice

Kunal Bid

230 1 x B&B for two guests at Tamarind Tree Hotel + Meal for 2 at the Carnivore Jack Wootton

163 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

Paras Shah

231 1 x Sophie Allport Picnic Bag and Blanket

Patrick Henfrey

164 1 x Harmony Home & Garden Products Hampers

Sarit Raja-Shah

232 1 x Tent + 2 Sleeping Bags

James Brooks

165 1 x Greenspoon Gift Voucher 15,000

Joe Kariuki

233 1 x Hand Carved Verandah Table Lamps - White Heat

Michael Evans

166 2 x Nights, 8 guests Self-Catering at Ol Endeti House

Karim Fazal

234 1 x Luxury towel set + Bathroom Mat

Jane Parmley

167 1 x Home-made Christmas Cake + Plate

Paul Muite

235 1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

David Hutchison

168 1 x Pair of polarized sunglasses, Optica Africa

Francesco Vincenzini

236 1 x Von Hand Blender + Philips Hand Mixer

Ronald Beaton

169 1 x Sundowner Cocktails plus Tumbler

James Lomax

237 1 x Von Washing Machine F/Load 9kg

Eric Mungai

170 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour Supermarket

John Gethi

238 1 x Sunday Brunch for 2 guests at Sarova Panafric

Rienye Nyika

171 1 x Case of Mixed Wines, Domaine Kenya Ltd

Neville Warren

239 1 x Set of Place Mats of King’s Coronation Parade 2023

Balbir Bains

172 Dinner for 2guests at Sarova Thai Chi Restaurant, Sarova Hotels

Malcolm Wilson-Smith

240 1 x Lippa Wood Kitchen Recipe Book, Apron + Scales

Ronald Meru

173 1 x Gift Vouchers Serenity Spa

James Kibinge

241 1 x Browns Cheese Voucher 10,000/=

Anthony Combos

174 1 x Set of Place Mats of King’s Coronation Parade 2023

Martin Dunford

242 1 x Bravecto Pets Supplies Hamper

Radhika Shah

175 2 x Safarilink Return Flight Tickets to Lamu

Ashwin Gidoomal

243 2 x Nights for 4 guests at Rutundu Cabins, Mount Kenya

Paras Shah

176 1 x Original Painting by Local Kenyan Artist

Kabir Chal

244 1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

Anthony Combos

177 1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

Richard Markham

245 1 x Apple AirPod + Charging Case

Arnolda Shiundu

178 1 x Beko 251 Litre Fridge

Sarah Hepworth

246 1 x Bakuli Blu Breakfast Set

Nadira Dossa

179 1 x Gift Vouchers Serenity Spa

Pamela Bitange

247 2 x Return Flights to Diani, Safarilink

Theresia Mawenu

180 1 x Voucher for 15,000/=, Hotpoint Ltd

Anna McFerran

248 1 x Large Cool Box, Specialised Fibre Glass Ltd

Linda Benvenuto

181 1 x Sandstorm Cecilia Big Backpack

Rajinder Mohindra

249 1 x Hand Spun Woven Blanket, Elmenteita Weavers

Alexander Dietz

182 1 x Gift Voucher, Little Red Group Ltd

Philip Kinisu

250 1 x Bottle of Champagne and Ice Bucket

Sarit Raja-Shah

183 1 x Case of Mixed Wines, Domaine Kenya Ltd

Catherine McLellan

251 1 x Pair of polarized sunglasses, Optica Africa

Anthony Clegg-Butt

184 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour

Jack Wootton

252 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour

Paula Herr

185 1 x Box Tambuzi Mixed Scented Garden Roses

Nicholas Patel

253 1 x Browns Cheese Voucher 10,000/=

Robert Ndonga

186 1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

Mark Low

254 1 x JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Helen Dalton

187 1 x Browns Cheese Voucher 10,000/=

Sean Garstin

255 1 x Voucher for 15,000/= Hotpoint Appliances Ltd

Jacqui Mitchell

188 1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

Hugh Cholmondeley

256 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour

Horace Burnett

189 1 x Sundowner Cocktails plus Tumbler

Robert Dewar

257 1 x Postcard from the Mara Triangle & Mara Safari Cuisine

Sheilah Combos

190 2 x Nights for 8 people at Kweisos, self-catering, Homa Lime

Duncan Mitchell

258 2 x Return Flights to Lamu, Safarilink

Mburu Karanja

191 1 x Gift Voucher, Serenity SPA

Celia Evans

259 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour

Willem Dolleman

192 1 x Weekend for 2 + Sunday Brunch, Sarova Panafric

Betty Mwangi

260 1 x Luxury Christmas Hamper

Richard Coate

193 1 x 10,000/= Voucher, Little Red Group Ltd

Radhika Shah

261 1 x Transcend 2TB Portable Hard Drive

Thomas Herr

194 1 x 10,000/= Voucher, Healthy U

Balbir Bains

262 1 x 48-piece Cutlery Set + Christmas Table Linen

Eric Mungai

195 1 x Brother Printer Wi-Fi All-in-One Ink Tank Printer

Vib Sakaria

263 1 x Set of 2 Step Ladders

Roger Sylvester

196 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Carrefour

Phillip Aliker

264 Dinner for two guests, Safari Park Hotel, Nyama Choma

James Mathenge

197 2 x Nights B&B for 2 guests, Hodi Hodi, Zanzibar

Tracy Pallister

265 1 x Watercolour Print Sophie Walbeoffe

Mary Collis

198 1 x 10,000/= Vouchers for Woolworths Kenya

Jonathan Coulson

266 1 x High Power Rechargeable Flashlight

George Kariuki

199 1 x King Duvet Cover Set, Sophie Allport

Robin Nixon

267 1 x Night for 2 guests all-inclusive,Turtle Bay Beach Club

Phillip Aliker

200 1 x Kenwood Coffee Making Machine

Anuj Kapila

268 1 x Samsung Galaxy A24-6GB 128

Gillian Robertson

201 1 x 10,000/= Voucher for Mr. Price

Ronald Meru

269 1 x Home-made Christmas Cake

Shamila Unnikrishnan

202 1 x Fitbit Versa Bundle

Giles Prettejohn

270 1 x Salon Malibu Voucher

Brian Allen

203 1 x Dental Consultation, Cleaning & Polishing

Salome Mwangi-Kang'oro

www.mcc.co.ke

January – March 2024 Muthaiga Country Club

obituaries

August 1943 - August 2023

John George Honour Goodwin

survived thanks to the pipe tobacco tin he was carrying in his shirt pocket, which deflected the bullet and saved his life. He holds the dubious honour of being the first British European to be wounded in the East African Campaign. John was schooled at Kenton College and then St Mary’s. After leaving school John went to work for Cable & Wireless in UK from where he was posted to the Bahamas. Surprisingly, he was bored and returned after a year to England where he began training to become a P.E. teacher in Winchester, but John hated the English weather, and he moved back to Kenya to teach at Kenton College as soon as he graduated in 1968. John was born in Bideford UK in 1943 – which, but for a pipe tobacco tin, he may not have been. His father and uncle were both graduates from Cirencester Agricultural College and in 1912 they moved to Kenya and set about developing a coffee estate in the Donyo Sabuk area. At the outbreak of WWI in August 1914, John’s father signed up with the East African Mechanical Transport Corps (EAMTC) as a Motorcycle Scout, based in Voi. One early morning patrol he was ambushed and shot twice in the chest. He was seriously wounded but

1971 was a memorable year for John he became Second Master at Kenton; he started the Inter Schools Hockey Festival (which is still played today) and married the love of his life, Kate. He left Kenton in 1976 and became the main tennis coach at Parklands. In the late 1980s both John and Kate returned to England to teach at Sandroyd School in Dorset. They returned to Kenya in 1993 where John took up a post at Peponi School teaching maths and coaching tennis

until his retirement in 2012. John and Kate lived for many years in Kileleshwa, but when Kate died in 2013, John was bereft and rarely went out despite coaxing from friends. The move to Fairseat rejuvenated John. He was an enthusiastic resident who was very community-minded and he threw himself into organising activities including holding regular ‘Maths lessons’ for his fellow residents, Croquet Club and monthly musical mornings – known as the Copa Cabana Club – playing his eclectic collection of jazz and South American music, which were always enthusiastically attended. He led his Tuesday morning exercise group on the Big Lawn almost until his 80th birthday. The other thing that revitalised John was his involvement with tennis at Muthaiga Club, where he played for almost 30 years and was Captain for six (2017 – 2022). The Club was very dear to John and he served it with great distinction. The Committee thanks him for his dedication and service. John is survived by his sister Cathy and his nephew and niece in UK. He was a Member of MCC for 28 years.

DEATHS

The Club regrets to announce the deaths of the following Members ADRIANO LANDRA on 25 September 2023 RAY MORRELL on 4 November 2023 EDDIE FERNANDES on 7 October 2023 LINDA MUIR on 3 November 2023 LADY JENNIFER (JAY) HEWETT on 17 November 2023

STEWART (STUTTI) MILLAR on 18 November 2023 RICHARD MUIR on 18 December 2023 STIRLING HORSLEY on 24 December 2023 ROGER CORFIELD on 29 December 2023 JOHN ROWLAND on 30 December 2023

If anyone would like to publish an obituary for a Member who has died recently, please send a tribute and photograph of the deceased to the secretariat@mcc.co.ke

28 Muthaiga Country Club January – March 2024

www.mcc.co.ke

candidates being considered for membership CANDIDATES BEING CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP 1ST DECEMBER 2023 - 31ST JANUARY 2024 Proposer

Candidate