Birds swim in river before Mutula

By Isaac Ongiri

Some strange birds are making nonsense of Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Mutula Kilonzo’s dream to be the first to swim in the rehabilitated Nairobi River.

In a message delivered on Mutula’s behalf by Assistant Minister Elizabeth Masha Ongoro, Mutula told a 17-member inter-ministerial committee on the rehabilitation of the Nairobi River that his dream to swim in the river was still alive and would be realised irrespective of the water’s condition.

Said Ongoro: "My minister is now threatening to swim in Nairobi River in its current state, if there are any hindrances in completing the project."

But John Michuki, the man in charge of the ministry that has custody of the river, informed Ongoro that Mutula’s dream may have been overtaken by events.

"Mutula had a good dream, but there are birds already swimming in the river. He can only be the second to swim," the minister said.

Apparently, the area between Globe Cinema and the Museum Hill roundabouts, where a rehabilitation programme has been going on, has attracted wildlife.

Now Michuki says the birds are only waiting for Mutula to join them upon completion of the remaining part of the project.