One man’s fight to preserve African art against all odds

Part of Donovan's art collection [Peter Muiruri, Standard]

The sound of thousands of wildebeest hooves hurtling down the Athi-Kapiti plains reverberates for miles on end. A cloud of soft, red dust hangs in the air, partially blocking out the rays of the African sun.  The animals pluck every visible blade of grass, transforming the lush green plains into a dirty brown carpet. Nearby, an old train known colloquially as the ‘Lunatic Express’ makes its way to the coastal city of Mombasa with tourists craning their necks to see the wildlife spectacle. That was Nairobi National Park 50 years ago.