Kugongewa in Mtwapa

Kugongewa first knocked on my door in 2015, and - as they say - the first cut is always the deepest.

Many years and relationships later, I've never quite recovered.

I had me a sweet, bubbly Meru girl - Kionyo, to be precise. I was living in Shanzu, then, someplace near Shanzu Teacher's College.

Kelly would crush in my house for a week or so - disappear for a couple of days - tell me she's at home with her mum, in Kilifi.

In Dec 2015, Kelly says she's going upcountry with her mum for two weeks until the New Year.

Her brother was supposedly 'getting the cut' - a needlessly fussy occasion with cooking, entertaining visitors, et al.

I totally understood.

I took her to Naivas, did a bumper shopping (including a roll of Kitenge for her mum), and paid her ticket to Meru on Imani...