King Charles visit a reminder of last time he toured Buru Buru

This week, King Charles embarked on an official visit to Kenya, generating varied reactions from the public.

In today's digital age, platforms like X, formerly Twitter, serve as avenues for people to voice their opinions. Many individuals expressed their discontent regarding the visit, demanding compensation from colonial powers for the historical atrocities inflicted upon older generations. It's a stark contrast to the admiration younger generations once held for colonial rulers, marking a significant shift in perspectives.

This marks King Charles' third visit to the country; he previously visited twice as a prince, with his second visit in 1987 being particularly memorable. During that trip, he explored Buru Buru estate, a place of pride for my childhood family. Back then, Buru Buru was not only a preferred residential area in Eastlands but also in Nairobi. The construction of Buru Buru began in phases, with Phase One commencing in 1974 and Phase Two in 1975. My family moved there in 1976, and this transition transformed our lives. Living in an organized estate was a novelty for many, and parents, thanks to mortgages from HFCK, fulfilled the dreams of providing their children with ideal homes.

Each house in Buru Buru had a backyard adorned with a planted tree, and the houses were reminiscent of those seen in movies. The front yard featured a wooden gate painted in yellow, and there was a see-through fence. The houses were arranged around a central roundabout, fondly known as the "Rounder," allowing vehicles to manoeuvre easily. The estate was divided into courts, each with unique names like Kapsiliat Court, fostering a sense of community and leading to the eventual installation of gates for added security, especially as surrounding areas became prone to crime.

In those days, valuable items like black and white TVs, radios, and sofa sets were frequently stolen when the opportunity arose. Buru Buru Phase Two had east and west sides, each boasting a single shop, necessitating trips to Jericho market for groceries. The well-maintained roads featured pavements ("Pevu") on the sides, which have unfortunately deteriorated in recent years. Although some playing fields were eventually lost to developments, Buru Buru once had vibrant sporting events, including interstate football competitions at the expansive field called "Uwanjo soo."

As we welcome King Charles, there is a collective hope that he does not visit Buru Buru, for fear that he might be disheartened by the stark contrast between the current state of the estate and the idyllic vision that once captivated everyone's imagination.