First Timer: Owango Onyiro - I fell flat on my face trying to hop off a matatu like a 'donda'

The first time I came to Nairobi was in 2008. I had just cleared Form Four. My father told me to get out and look for a kibarua and the first thing that came to my mind was to travel to Nairobi. I had a friend who said he was living in South B, which turned out to be Mukuru kwa Reuben.

Since he had promised to host me, I decided to give the big city a try. I came in those Nyalgunga buses. I was very careful and on my guard when we finally arrived at the country bus station.

I had been told about the crime rate in the city and how thugs preyed on naive washamba landing in Nairobi for the fi rst time. So, I was ready for them. But the buildings, oh, the buildings! I was so amazed by the buildings. I had never seen such tall buildings and could not believe this was actually Kenya.

The highlight though was when I tried hopping on a matatu like a donda and fell, leading to serious injuries. So much for a first day in the city!

As told to Irvin Jalang'o