“Yes, I did!! Seemingly, a job prospect is not the usual conversation to be having when you’re 5000m above sea level without a CV or recommendation letter at hand. Ideally, it would be the banter in the line of “Are we there yet? How many kilometers to go? Wueh! Nimechoka! Si turudi aki… ” I sighed as I was saddled with a weighted backpack, heavy boots, and the cold weather to crown it all. The slippery surface and steep gorges did not make the experience any easier. Hiking is not for the faint of heart, but funny enough, regardless of challenges, I still find myself signing up for the next scheduled hike!”

Wangechi Kiboi, an aspiring Sports Lawyer, Manager and Director, a vibrant, energetic and avid hiker narrates to us her experience summiting Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

“The impetus to begin hiking was sparked about two weeks before graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) in 2022. Together with a group of parishioners and friends from Don Bosco Catholic Church in Upper hill, Nairobi, Kenya, we hiked the Aberdare ranges, Ngong Hills and Mt. Kilimambogo, in a bid to raise funds to aid in the construction of a music school that is housed under the Marian Shrine Spiritual Centre (MSSC). I must say it was such an amazing experience. Hiking gets you out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. No alerts popping up on your phone as there’s no internet connection. One gets to enjoy long, deep and entertaining conversations with hiking companions or even the people you meet along trails with a common goal to complete the hike.

Networking on a hike
With Mt. Kenya recorded as the second highest mountain in Africa, conquering it was definitely in my bucket list. And so on 19th September 2022, 42 friends from church and myself packed our bags and went to summit Mt. Kenya. The uphill climb was strenuous as we hopped over large rocks and traversed through thick green cover which grew closer together as elevated. The placement of the foot on each step was crucial as one could easily slip or trip and possibly injure themselves. We took a few breaks here and there pondering on whether we should go back or continue summiting. “We must finish what we started..” We motivated and encouraged ourselves, and eventually, we got to the top! The amazing view was worth both the workout and the view.

Besides the hours of climbing, the cold air, traversing the thick green tree cover and snow-capped peaks presented a fascinating scenery. Picturesque! While we were relaxing and enjoying the amazing view and fresh air at Point Lenana, 4985 meters above sea level, the idea to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro was born.

Additionally, I encountered the real life networking that extends far beyond LinkedIn connections and business meetings. Even while hiking, strike that conversation you never know what lies ahead. While we were at Shipton’s Camp, I was introduced to William Agan, a lawyer and a lecturer here at Strathmore University; he mentioned that there was a three month job vacancy at Agan Associates Law firm and encouraged me to sign up. I applied and a few days before my graduation, I reported to work. I gained valuable experience and knowledge that has an impact in my career.

It was through this opportunity that I was able to attend the first Africa Football Business Summit and got a scholarship to do a Masters in Sports Management and Legal Skills at ISD Law Business School in Barcelona Spain in October 2023.

The Journey to the rooftop of Africa – Mt. Kilimanjaro

After months of intense physical training and mental preparations, on April 10th 2023, together with 21 other eager hikers, we crossed the border and began our 7-day hike to tick off Mt. Kilimanjaro off our bucket list with Uhuru peak as our final destination.

Oh, it was not easy! The ascent was exhilarating and a humbling experience. There were rough, rocky or root-filled zigzag paths that forced the body to activate seldom-used muscles around the knees and ankles. Our bodies, numb and cold, crying out for warmth that only movement could bring. The cold air and getting used to the low oxygen levels posed a challenge for some of us.

“Mlima ni polepole. Hakuna haraka…” Phrases that our tour guide would often echo as we trekked through the densely tropical forest. There are no hotels on Mount Kilimanjaro. No running water or flush toilets. We slept in cabins on  sleeping mats and in sleeping bags. I found myself constantly dreaming of my cozy bed and warm duvet. Now, some of you might be discouraged by the thought of being in the wild, but think about the adventure and adapting to the new environment.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, we made it to the top! The tears of joy while looking back and remembering the moments we wanted to give up but instead we kept on moving. Under the gray clouds, blistering winds and misty air, we gathered together at Horombo camp and had Mass led by Fr. Henry Mathagu and Fr. Peter Nyaanga. It was such a peaceful experience.

A memorable experience was raising the #Strathmore@60 flag with Anthony Kahindi, the University Secretary at Strathmore.

Lessons learnt while hiking;

• Team work

You may go faster alone but further together. An old proverbial saying, and like many old proverbs, bears a lot of truths. But truly, you need each other to conquer it. From tent pitching, a tedious activity we had to do every night when we set up camp, to camp chores such as fetching firewood to building and maintaining fire, collecting water; all which cannot be done by one person. Most importantly, overcoming obstacles along the trails. Motivating and encouraging each other to complete the hike, to lending or receiving a helping hand at the challenging sections of the trail, to trusting and depending your life on your teammates.

I am grateful for the team that I went with as they got me through some of the toughest parts of the journey, making it memorable.

• Mindset – Conquer yourself everyday

It’s all in the mind. The game is physical strength, the player is mental strength. It takes self-discipline, resilience, commitment and perseverance to summit. Truly, ‘tough times never last but tough people do’ – Robert H. Schuller.

Any opportunity to hike is worthwhile and rewarding. The chance to breathe in fresh mountain air, stroll past wildflowers or rare fauna is valuable. And the view from the top is amazing and breath-taking.

This article was written by Jemmy Kamau. 

What’s your story? We’d like to hear it. Contact us via communications@strathmore.edu