Masai Mara

IBM CSC Kenya team 4 had a opportunity to go and visit Masai Mara over the week end and were able to enjoy full day game drive. Masai Mara is about 270 kilometers from Nairobi and it takes about five to six hours by road. 










We started our journey in the afternoon and around 4:00 pm we were at the Great Rift Valley. Rift Valley runs approximately 6,500 kilometres in length, that runs from northern Syria in Southwest Asia to central Mozambique in East Africa. We reached Masai Mara around 8:00 and were staying close to the reserve. We were told about the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo and Black Rhino). I was could not wait to visit the Reserve.

We started early at 6:30 am to the reserve. The moment we reached the Masai Mara National reserver, we had a warm welcome from the Masai Women's selling their products. And two of the women approched and requested to take the picture. I got down from and took ched  are out on the savannah, taking in the fresh smell of the moist grasses and observing the scenic nature and its amazing wildlife. The moment we enter you encounter with gazelle, and impala's.

















Masai Mara is world famous for its beautiful Big Cats.We all were eager to find some active lions. It started well with a gaggle of young lions – nine of them and followed by a Male.

As we moved in the park, we saw two brother of cheetah.Large herds of zebra are found through the reserve.






The plains are also home to the distinctive Masai giraffe as well as the common giraffe.

In the park, we saw Vultures, marabou stroks, Secretary Bird, Crowned crane and Ostriches.

In the afternoon, We enjoyed a delicious lunch by the Mara River with couple of Hippos submerged and lazing at the poolside  by the Mara River and close by couple of Croc's awating for its prey. Many wildebeest are caught and eaten by the luring crocodiles. But most die because of drowning. Or because they fatally break a leg on their way down the banks. Others die in the rush and excitement. Trampled to death.

As it started to turn evening. we saw the great wildebeest migration, this migration generally takes place between July and October. We were very luck to see the migration. It was a fascinating moment to see such a large number of wildebeests. It was sensational to watch a large number of wildebeest and zebra migrate. The wildebeest migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara is believed to be the greatest and most spectacular migration in the world. The wildebeest prepares to move southwards to seek the generous grasslands areas of the Serengeti.

Around 5:00pm we saw a the fearless hyenas roaming all alone.

Giraffe Center - Nairobi

Myself, Jennifer, Dilhun and Henriette had a wonderful experience in Giraffe Center in Nairobi. It is a about 30 mins drive from our Hotel Country Lodge.  Giraffe Centre is a non profit making organisation, which was founded by the late Betty and Jock Lesilie Melville in 1979. They are leading wildlife conservation education organisation in Kenya.

The tour gave us a complete up close and personal interaction and a opportunity to view giraffes as well as feed them.

 I was under the impression of having one species of Giraffe, But from this tour, i was made aware on the other species of giraffe. In Kenya they have the Rothschild Giraffe which is the most rare,  the Maasai Giraffe of Southern Kenya which is the most commonly seen, and the Reticulated Giraffe of Northern Kenya. They live to be twenty to thirty years old in captive and in wild there life spans between fifteen to twenty years. Their main enemy is man. Killed for their meat and hide. Their main defense is their keen eyesight, running speed (upto 55km/per hour) and their powerful kicks. 

Sweet ...Daisy.....  :-)

Richard, Jennifer, and  Henriette with Daisy.

Richard kissing Daisy, You can see how I was closing his eyes.

 














Henriette With Daisy

















Dilhun with Daisy

Meeting with the MoHEST

This was the first day with our Clients 'Ministry of Higher Education Science and Technology' in Jogoo House. It was a great opportunity of IBM CSC team to meet our client. 

We had the opportunity to meet Prof. George A. Ombakho and his team to support on the building Innovation Hubs and to harness Innovation in Kenya. We could not meet Professor. Crispus Kiamba who was the key stakehold of this project.








Prof. George A. Ombakho and Richard Daniel at MoHEST in this Picture.

Later, we went to IBM Nairobi @ Upper hill to meet the country General Manager of East Africa Tony (Anthony) Mwai. 

IBM CSC team in front of IBM front office.

IBM team with MoHest

Team Twiga (Giraffe) working with on Innovation Hub in Kenya had a opportunity to meet the Ministry of Higher Education Science & Technology (MoHEST) team. 

In the front row, ....

IBM CSC Kenya team 4 - Assignment

We have been given three assignments, as listed

1. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat (www.vision2030.go.ke)

2. Kenya Association of Manufacturers (http://www.kam.or.ke/)

3. Ministry of Higher Education Science and Technology (www.scienceandtechnology.go.ke)

First Day in Kenya

I landed in Kenya at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around 19:30 local time. I walked to to the Visa Desk to get my Visa. I was too tired and was eager to go out from the airport and see my team members at Country Lodge. By the time i got my visa and came out from the airport, Wilson was eager to pick me from the airport.

At the airport, I meet Alex from Digital Opportunity Trust (DoT) Country Program Manager for East Africa. I was eager to meet Alex. This was the first time I was meeting Alex, very good person. I dont have word to express him. A tall well built person with a eagerness to meet all the IBM team 4 members on the Corporate Service Program. He is a humble, and kind person.

Alex, mentioned that Edna and Kunle are also landing Nairobi by 20:30 and 20:55. So we decided to wait and pick Edna & Kunle.

Edna has been traveling for the 20 hours from Mexico. I met Edna at the airport and Alex, We all very eager too meet each other. We three waited for Kunle and finally left to hotel.

Reached Country Lodge around 23:00 too tired and went to Bed.  This was the first day in Nairobi..

- Richard

Machakos - Where We Live

Machakos is a town in Kenya, 64 kilometers southeast of Nairobi. It is the capital of the Machakos County in Eastern Province of Kenya.

Machakos was established in 1887, ten years before Nairobi. It was the first administrative centre for the British colony, but they moved the capital of Kenya to Nairobi in 1899 since Machakos by-passed the Uganda Railway that was under construction.