Personal Memoirs about Kenya

At the beginning, contacts were formal, but gradually became friendly and close. Visits to our home became frequent; relaxed and mutual jokes were cracked

Once, I was talking to Odiambo and Wera: "Just imagine that your struggle would be fruitful, your efforts crowned, the aspired independence achieved, and is imminent, return to (Home Sweet Home) proud and independent."

"More imagination, I would travel to Kenya during my business career, look for my old friends, locate their addresses, and knock at their doors." The knocking answered. 1 would hear recognisable voices: "Who is there?"

I would answer sheepishly, "Wilson from Egypt!"

Then the unexpected answer would be heard, "Never heard of him!" and the doors would be closed

Endless jokes and laughter!

Incredibly and unexpectedly, jokes came to fruition when I received an invitation from "The Government of Kenya" inviting me to be present at the "Celebrations in Nairobi from December 11th - 13th 1963 to Mark the Independence of Kenya".

I was "physically" in Nairobi, the capital of a newborn, Free Independent Country. A chauffeured car bearing "UHURU" (meaning Freedom) flag, was allocated to me during my stay in Nairobi.

I was treated like a royalty. I visited and admired grandiose receptions, and festivities, and magnificent natural scenes. As a matter of fact, every venue was indescribable and memorable.

Some of the festivities that I attended during the celebrations were:

• State Ball, City Hall
• Garden Party at Government House on the occasion of the visit of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh
• Party at the residence of the Minister of Home Affairs
• The Flag Raising Ceremony
• Fireworks display
• The handing over of Instruments and Swearing in Ceremony
• Kenya National Parks
• Playing the National Anthems of the United Kingdom and Kenya
• The Kenya Amateur Athletic Association
• The Amateur Boxing Association of Kenya
• The Coffee Board and the Tea Board of Kenya

I was the only non-official guest from Egypt. Nevertheless, I was offered VIP treatment everywhere.

I was honoured when my friends introduced me to the First African Prime Minister of Kenya, H.E. Jomo Kenyatta - during one of the official receptions - by saying:

"This is Mr. Wilson from Egypt who used to help us a lot (before attaining independence)."

This happened thirty seven years ago, but I still remember that Great Man: Tall, strong stature, smiling face, coloured head gear, holding a walking stick and a fly whisk!

It was the first memorable encounter with the New Prime Minister of a New Free Country!

When the Hon Jomo Kenyatta became the First President of the New Republic of Kenya, he visited the first embassy of his country in Cairo in 1964. During a reception held in his honour, I was privileged for the second time to meet him.

I introduced myself to His Excellency and said, "I was pleased and honoured to attend Independence Celebrations and Festivities in Nairobi in December 1963, but I missed three things:"

1. "Your Excellency did not sign my autograph." It wav ready with me then (at the reception) and he signed it."
2. "I missed the opportunity of seeing the lion. It seems that the African lion went to see the British lion off!"
3. "I was not honoured to have a photo with Your Excellency".