Voi floods

Voi town in Taita Taveta County is experiencing heavy flooding after heavy rains that visited the area this morning.

The town is rich in history which predates modern political establishment.

When Kenya was a British colony, Voi was a trading centre named after Chief Kivoi wa Mwenda. This is where he used to rest with his elephant and rhino tusks and ivories from the mainland after successful poaching (hunting and gathering) before taking them to the White man for barter trade.

In return, he was given sweets, clothes and pepper. This is according to Eng Cephas Mutai, a Tseikuru engineer specialising in geospatial planning.

As for another town called Mariakani, it is also named by Kambas from Bara, probably from Tseikuru. Bara means upcountry. It was originally pronounced as Mathyakani which was a place for exchange of game trophies and (Thyakas) full of arrows, says Chris Vundi, a Kwale resident who is also an urban planner.

Was Kavoi and his tribesmen conned in batter trade or it was a fair exchange? Drop your comments below on the comments section or email us at mwingitimes@gmail.com

According to Kenya Meteorological Department weather forcst for this week, the Coastal Strip (Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale counties) will experience showers in the morning, afternoon and in the evening.

“Morning showers as well as afternoon and evening showers are likely to occur over few places during the forecast period”, says Ms Stella Aura, Director General of KMD.

Story by MUSYOKA NGUI