KERIO VIEW
Kessup river walk
The Kessup river route, to and from the Kerio valley, has its more steep and rocky
sections towards the top. The route is well defined and the rocks are, in many places,
smoothly polished by the feet of many generations of valley and escarpment dwellers.
Indeed, this is probably the most well-used non-motorable track between the Keiyo
highlands and the valley. Every day scores of people, including primary school kids
and old grandmothers, will be met on route. Most usually they will be carrying maize
or millet grain or firewood on their backs.
On the upward climb from valley to Kessup, when one is labouring for breath and
lifting the leaden legs at a snail's pace, it is mortifying to be passed by these locals.
Except for the traditional greeting or salutation, they pass silently and effortlessly,
despite their loads.
sections towards the top. The route is well defined and the rocks are, in many places,
smoothly polished by the feet of many generations of valley and escarpment dwellers.
Indeed, this is probably the most well-used non-motorable track between the Keiyo
highlands and the valley. Every day scores of people, including primary school kids
and old grandmothers, will be met on route. Most usually they will be carrying maize
or millet grain or firewood on their backs.
On the upward climb from valley to Kessup, when one is labouring for breath and
lifting the leaden legs at a snail's pace, it is mortifying to be passed by these locals.
Except for the traditional greeting or salutation, they pass silently and effortlessly,
despite their loads.
The river and the track take their
separate ways for most of the journey,
but, thankfully for the hiker, join each
other at the beginning and at the end.
It is almost sacriligeous to do so, but the
urge to plunge sweaty feet and faces
into the cool river water is unlikely to be
resisted.
As you would expect, the route provides
fine views down into the valley. Views
of birds and other wildlife, however, are
not generally up to expectations -----
maybe because of the human traffic.
separate ways for most of the journey,
but, thankfully for the hiker, join each
other at the beginning and at the end.
It is almost sacriligeous to do so, but the
urge to plunge sweaty feet and faces
into the cool river water is unlikely to be
resisted.
As you would expect, the route provides
fine views down into the valley. Views
of birds and other wildlife, however, are
not generally up to expectations -----
maybe because of the human traffic.
| Gloriosa Superba An orchid found on trees of the upper escarpment |
