Raymond Matiba, the son to veteran politician Kenneth Matiba on Monday extended an invitation to all mountaineers for an event that would honour the memory of his father.
Matiba's son explained that the event was inspired by his late father's delight in the great outdoors, having himself scaled Mt Kenya a record 18 times.
The young Matiba told members of the press that those on the expedition would reach Point Lenana in the August 10 event.
"It brings together mountain enthusiasts and depending on its success, we can make it an annual event," he stated.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and Kenneth Matiba's son Raymond Matiba share a word during the funeral of the veteran politician"]
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Eritrean-American Naigzy Gebremedh, 84, who was a personal friend to Matiba will also join in the hike form Naro Moru River Lodge to point Lenana.
Edward Wangeci, who is the manager of the Matiba-owned Naro Moru Lodge told Nation that mountain climbing was more than just a hobby for the "father of democracy".
"Mr Matiba's drive to climb Mt Kenya was natural, it was not forced, he loved it," the manager conveyed.
Matiba was part of the first Kenyan team that attempted to climb the Himalayas' Island Peak accompanied by photojournalist Wallace Gichere, private physician Elijah Nyanjui, Solomon Kimani and Stephen Wahome.
"This was some adventure. We were going to an unknown country and had not met anybody who had been to Nepal let alone on a trek such as the one we were undertaking. Our only contact was the letters we had received.
"The terrain was difficult, the path narrow and deep due to heavy usage. It was the main route to Mount Everest and a host of other nearby mountains, all of which attract climbers from all over the world.
[caption caption="Veteran politician Kenneth Matiba, who died on April 15, 2018, speaks during a past visit from President Uhuru Kenyatta"]
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"By dawn, we were at 19,600 feet altitude. At 20,100 feet with only 400 feet left to get to the top we decided what we had done was enough. As someone put it, the fun had ceased to be funny. It was then about 9 a.m. I planted the Kenyan flag at that point, the first person to do so,then we started our descent," reads an excerpt from Matiba's book Aiming High.
