Former Cabinet Minister Kenneth Matiba, who is also referred to as the multi-party crusader, is stated to have climbed Mt Kenya 18 times in his lifetime.
According to Naromoru River Lodge General Manager, Edward Wangeci, a hotel managed by Matiba's Alliance Group of Hotels, the legislator's move to climb the mountain many times was inspired by his love for the experience and adventurous journey.
Although he was not working at the hotel when Matiba climbed Africa's second highest mountain, he noted that the veteran politician was in love with the mountain.
"You know so many people fantasise about climbing the mountain but they never take up the challenge. Mr Matiba’s drive to climb the mountain was natural, not forced. He loved it," Mr Wangeci told Nation during an interview.
[caption caption="File image of Kenneth Matiba on Mount Kenya"]
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The hotel, which was acquired by the former minister in 1980, is claimed to have won the hearts of hundreds of domestic and international tourists who have 'conquered' the mountain.
Naromoru River Lodge has an album filled with black and white photographs of Matiba on the mountain.
A number of t-shirts have also been pinned on the hotel walls, marked as 'K.S.N' as a way of showcasing the businessman's exploits.
According to the hotel manager, the t-shirts paint a picture of a man who was not only brave but also an adventure lover.
He further explained that Matiba has since inspired guests who had no intention of climbing the mountain to sign up for the adventurous journey.
"We have had guests who admire the writings on the wall and desire a similar experience. We do not want people to climb the mountain and their presence here forgotten, it should be preserved,” he told.
The hotel usually asks guests who have “conquered” the mountain to inscribe on either a t-shirt or the country’s flag their experiences. (This could be how they felt at the peak or the soul-searching moments).
It is the t-shirts and colourful flags pinned on the wooden walls and some hanging from the ceiling that makes the hotel stand out.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was in November 2017, on a five-day excursion to the top of Mt. Kenya with the hopes of using it to promote the country’s tourism.
Speaking ahead of the excursion, the Cabinet Secretary asserted that the exercise was in a bid to raise awareness of Kenya’s adventure tourism as well as profile Mount Kenya as a favourable tourist destination.
[caption caption="File image of Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala"]
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