There are many reasons why this small island is the African Hawaii. Timeless attractions such as lighthouse whose trademark is fresh crunchy kachri that one can eat Cliffside while watching the guy sliding his knife effortlessly on the hard coconuts. Fresh mahamri and viazi every morning and the bhajia, viazi and ukwaju in the evening at almost every corner. The warm breeze swaying around the towering palm trees all over the compact island. The vibrant culture pulsating through the ground and its people. The beautiful and breathtaking sandy beaches, crowded town streets where one can find handmade goods and really cheap second hand imports.
Mombasa is a fusion of culture, religion and language coexisting in perfect unity.
“Mama…?” alimaka Wanyika baada ya kuitwa na nyanyake na kuelezewa kuwa mgeni aliyewasili alikuwa mamake mzazi.
Jua lilikuwa limewaka sana na ulikuwa ni msimu wake wa mwezi wa Januari ambapo jua huwaka bila msamaha. Lilichoma kila jani, mimea ikakauka, shamba likabaki kavu na udongo kupasuka pasuka na kufanya machimbo makubwa makubwa kama mikorongo nyikani.
Mchana huo, Wanyika alikuwa akisanya mizizi ya viazi vitamu angalau yeye na nyanyake wapate chajio. Imekuwa ni siku ya nne sasa kabla ya kupata chakula cha haja cha kujaza matumbo yao. Mara nyingi walikunywa maji ya moto tu ili kudanganya matumbo yao na kulala. Na asubuhi ilipofika mpango ulikuwa ni kusaka vibarua kutoka kwa majirani angalau wapate posho. Haya ndiyo yaliyokuwa maisha ya Mgange Nyika, wakati wa msimu wa kiangazi. Matajiri walitoa vibarua aina kwa majirani zao na kuwapa kibaba cha posho kama malipo badala ya ngwenje.
