Shortly after, a fattened rich looking Kenyan showed up and introduced himself as the chief of the area. He started demanding information on our reason for being there and further information on who we would be employing from the area. We informed him that we were doing forest research for 4-6 weeks and that Solomon had helped in finding a few people to employ. The look on his face betrayed that he wasn't too happy with this arrangement and started laying down his plans mercilessly. I was forced to stop him and say that we (me and Rach) were unable to make decision on employment as Rona was the one with the cash, and the one in charge of the project, so he would have to wait till he got up.
Unimpressed that I didn't run to get her for him, he wanted to know how long she could be, to which I explained that it was going to be impossible to tell, but that I recommended not hanging around to wait. At this point he ambled off, disgruntled, to wait with the KWS staff, where he stayed for a while before believing me and taking my advice.
Rona rose and retired a couple of times before he returned, and so was in a reasonable state to deal with him. After his previous knock-back he had come better prepared this time, bringing two prospective employees with him and firm intentions of having them put on the register.
He succeeded in this task, knocking one of Solomons men off, but Rona successfully fought for the other position to be of Solomons choosing. This mean we had two people from BINDAR, Solomons organisation, one elder of the community and person from the Samburu Wildlife Forum, a reasonable balance.
We decided it could be nice to employ a cook also, and we were immediately suggested a name from the chief. This man was to be the brother of a Lenaroshi, a corrupt man high up in the SWF. We lived in hope that the brothers were not alike.
In addition to all this we agreed that it would be a more appropriate to allow KWS guards to act as our security throughout, instead of community members who might not be as well trained.
Soon after this meeting finished, with the agreement of meeting with the chief, Solomon, Peter and the village elders tomorrow, we were met by Solomon and our extra food. This consisted of a few bits of fruit and veg and a large jar of honey!His face dropped, however when he learned of the chief's visit, but was happy enough when he found out that we had kept one place for him to fill.
We then went on a walk with Solomon, Litelit (one of Solomons and Peters suggestions), and Jambas, who was now our paid guard. We went out of the camp, along a path lined with different species of tree, being introduced to them and failing to remember the names.
Suddenly the trees gave way to a large open grassland area, about one football pitch in size with a river flowing down the right side. A path led down the center to the tree line at the far end. All of this had a backdrop of lush forest which rose up behind on a route we would soon be ascending. This was the Bawa forest we would be surveying. As we wandered up the track, chewing branches the locals use as toothbrushes, we were casually informed of elephant problems , and that this area was to have been our campsite!
We walked on, through the clean air the forest provides, until it was time to return. Back at camp, hopefully, our meal would be waiting for us, as we had left our chef with some ingredients before we departed.
Our worries were unwarranted, however, as upon our return there was a spiced rice and vegetable dish with beans on the side. Enough to feed an army, so there was a little waste that we can have for lunch tomorrow.
Having had varying views on the safety of sleeping in the tent, we sought Jambas' advice one last time. He assured us it was safe and so Rona could sleep there hopefully undisturbed. Off she went complete with radio, and just as I got into bed, the call came through: "I'm scared"
Having had my presence requested I got up, put on the shoes, armed myself with sleeping stuff and a machete and made a run for the tent. It was pitch black and scary. I made it though, and now it's time for sleep.
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