When the alter became an enterprise
That evening found me alone in the room, wrestling with school assignments and the familiar boredom of campus life. Then the door creaked open and Rotich walked in. My roommate, now late. He had that usual boyish excitement written all over his face. He always smiled innocently; the kind of smile that gave away nothing. You would never know when Rotich was angry. Francis Rotich Kangogo hailed from Baringo County. We met during admission at Kenyatta University and quickly discovered we had been admitted for the same course. Friendship became inevitable. On campus, friendship meant survival, showing each other directions when lost, alerting one another of impromptu CATs, and sharing news faster than any noticeboard. I even picked up a little Kalenjin along the way. Words like “Imiano?” which loosely meant where are you? and I’d reply, “Ami Computer Center,” meaning I was at the computer center. Rotich didn’t have a room, so I invited him to stay with me. That’s when culture shocks began ...