Let custodians of Maasai culture reap the benefits

By Erick Wamanji

A mortified silence suddenly fell over our animated chatter. Joash ole Moi’s fingers trembled as he placed his mug of coffee on the oak table; his eyes trailed a couple – a young African man and an elderly white lady. The young man was draped in the characteristic Maasai checked shuka, his hair plaited and smeared with red ochre. He wore brown plastic shoes, white socks, and walked with a forced spring. Hand in hand they vanished into the coffee shop.