Humble Power.

Today marks the end of my term as chairman of the Kenya Golf Union. As I look back to the last one year it has one roller coaster ride.

Like many other Africans and global citizens too, Nelson Mandela is a man I greatly admire. This man is a classic demonstration of having the power but not having to use it. He was the president of the biggest economy in Africa yet he interacted with people as if he needed to ask them for a favor. That is a trait I have sought to emulate since I got to the helm of Kenya Golf Union.

But the character that I have coveted the most from Nelson was one I read somewhere. I can’t recall where but it stuck on my mind like writings done using a black permanent marker on a white board. Mandela was described as one who has the rare ability to be fully present and comfortable eating ugali in the Soweto townships while bonding with the locals.  He is equally at home when dining with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham palace sipping green or purple tea from those tiny expensive cups with matching saucers.

This level of simplicity in power is what made Mandela stand out for me. As I look back over the last one year I hope that I’ve been that kind of leader who exhibits power but didn’t have to use it. Power dressed in a down-to-earth form helps a leader get more stuff done I believe.

Thanks to my parents, my siblings and I grew up with little or no regard for class and social status. We were taught to fear God and work hard and all the things in between. Being the chairman of Kenya Golf Union has been a wonderful opportunity to practice what we were taught. I have travelled to many golf clubs across our beautiful country (and a few out of Kenya) and met some amazing humans. I chose to interact with them as a friend who has visited and not as chairman. That has enabled me to see that many people are good most of the time. Once we choose to fence ourselves in social classes and positions then we remain poor, relationally bankrupt. Of course I’m saying this being fully aware that power tends to make people suck up to you. But then again how we react to the sucking up is within our control.

I was invited to a golf tournament last Sunday that we had sponsored at the Ndumberi Golf Club deep in Kiambu County. The golf course is a short nine hole course that golfers there share with soccer teams, church crusades, public barazas and even the chief’s office. It’s definitely one of its kind. It was formed way back in 1963 by the local caddies who carried golf bags for the wazungus playing in the nearby Muthaiga and Kiambu golf clubs. Ndumberi is where they would learn and practice their golf since they were not allowed to play in the main  private members’ clubs. Big names in golf like Nginyo Kariuki and John Mucheru emerged from here.

What’s more hilarious than the chief’s office being on the golf course is their clubhouse. It’s a typical local pub in Ndumberi town that the golfers have rented as their clubhouse. This earns them much needed cash because as a clubhouse they are exempted from the Waititu rules of closing pubs by 11pm. So many thirsty souls end up at this watering hole on a daily basis. Truth be told I doubt I would ever find myself there were it not for this public service job.

I was happy to go hang out with the locals. This pub had two flat screen TVs fixed to the wall and protected by metal cages. The bar man looked like a prisoner in a cell serving drinks to patrons through the burglar proof chumas. I’m sure that was more for protection of the drinks than his own. The tables in the bar were dressed with those Tusker branded plastic sheets. All this description I saw through the single bulb that illuminated the room.

The Chairman Mike was a good host leading guys almost three times his age. He fed me nyama choma and ugali with kachumbari. It was my first time to eat kachumbari with avocado. Guacamole made in Ndumberi. It was surprisingly delicious. Maybe they should consider exporting it hehe.

The club captain Karangi did the presentation in Kikuyu and it was comedy hour reloaded. I was asked to speak in Kikuyu too when my turn came to address the members. Luckily I knew enough to gain acceptance among these folks as one of their own. The winner of the event in his winner’s speech said he has never shaken the hand of a chairman and that he was very honored.

I got drowned in accolades and I found that quite amusing. I suppose once you are a leader, your self-view is very different from the view of others on yourself. Once the official presentation was over, I took a few photos with the folks there and soon after got served with my dessert. It was a tasty glass of muratina brewed to perfection. After imbibing a bit, I knew I needed to make an escape because that thing is lethal. I feared I might soon become one-man guitar but the accapella version standing on the table.

I bid the folks kwaheri and they escorted me to my car. As I drove home I was humbled and delighted at the affection and attention I received from the Ndumberi members. I think I came close to Mandela’s virtue of being at home with the locals in their hood and hopefully I’ll be at ease when I go for uji at the house on the hill (my dreams are valid ama) one day.

When we refuse to be imprisoned by mental cages of class, social status and biases we free ourselves to get the best from people across all walks of life. And that definitely makes us better humans. That’s the kind of person I want to be.