Kenyans have been known for their daring and never-say-die attitude, always pulling interesting stunts that have severally made their way to international media.
One such story is that of a local journalist who surprised the world by offering to marry the daughter of United States (US) Democratic candidate in the recently concluded election, Hillary Clinton.
In 2000, Godwin Chepkurgor - a freelancer and Nakuru Councilman - wrote a letter to then US President Bill Clinton offering 40 goats and 20 cows in exchange for his daughter's (Chelsea Clinton) hand in marriage.
In Hillary's memoir: The Hard Choices, the Democrat recalled how she was tasked to answer whether she would accept the offer while being interviewed at the University of Nairobi stating it was the first time she was being pinned on the wall about the issue.
"Five years earlier a Kenyan city councilman had written Bill a letter offering 40 goats and 20 cows in exchange for our daughter's hand in marriage. As I prepared to return to Nairobi, he made a stir in the local press by announcing that the offer was still on the table. To the delight of the crowd, Zakaria (the interviewer) wanted to know what i thought of the proposal. I paused. I had answered a lot of questions all over the world but this was a first. "Well, my daughter is her own person. She's very independent," I said. "So I will convey this very kind offer." The students laughed and applauded," the memoir reads in part.
With the proposal still open, Chepkurgor in 2006 got married to his campus sweetheart but promised to keep tabs on Chelsea. Later in 2009 during Hillary's tour of Kenya as Secretary of State, the journalist made good his promise and asked Hillary whether her family had considered the offer.
The then Secretary of State, noting the seriousness of the matter, assured that she would pass the message to her daughter.
The lovelorn Kenyan was so determined in his quest that he even told his wife about his infatuation for Chelsea, claiming that the wife was actually comfortable with the issue.
"Had I succeeded in wooing Chelsea, I would have had a grand wedding. I would have invited South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu to preside at the ceremony," Chepkurgor told a local media.
The love story was however, cut short in 2014 after the journalist was trampled to death while filming elephants in Oldebes, Baringo County.
During the unfortunate incident, the 45-year old father of four is said to have been attacked by a jumbo which was trailing him from behind seriously injuring him.
He was later rushed to Rift Valley General Hospital in Nakuru where he succumbed to the injuries.
Godwin Chepkurgor's photo:
Here is Chelsea Clinton:
