When he first participated in the President’s awards scheme in 2004 while still a student
at Kenyatta University, Gitonga wa Wandai, a hiker enthusiast didn’t know how this trek
would end up being his pursuit all his life. So far he has not only managed to summit
various Mountains like Mount Kenya more than 20 times, Mt Kilimanjaro 13 times, as
well as Mount Ruwenzori but has also built a communities of hikers.
He desires to pass on this passion to his son 9 year old son, Wandai Gitonga where he
managed hike Mount Kenya.
“I was very proud of what he was able to achieve at that age and that he was enjoying the
mountains despite the challenges. I am amazed that he is so self-driven,” says Gitonga
The young Gitonga had attempted to climb this mountain in December 2018 but failed
to summit. He picked himself back again and with encouragement from his father, he is
glad that this second time was successful.
To prepare for this, they began this year to hike every two weeks. On March 8 th this year,
they hiked Mount Longido in Tanzania. The preps had gone well since they were meant
to hike this in March which coincided with Wandai’s birthday on the 20th. All seemed
well with the practice until Covid-19 happened and it cut short all their plans for
practice.
“He was a bit disappointed but I told him once the borders open again we shall head out
for Mount Kenya and we did,” he recalls
It took them 4 days to summit. On the first day, they managed to hike 5 km to the first
camp at Chogoria Gate. Gitonga was glad that his son enjoyed himself as his body was
slowly adjusting to the mountain weather.
“He enjoyed himself as he had been here before and was very excited to return for the
2nd attempt with his eyes set on the summit this time.”
However on the second day, Wandai had altitude sickness- slight head ache- but his
father fixed it by drinking lots of water. On this day they managed to see Nithi waterfall
and then camped on the shores of Lake Ellis. They covered a total of 11 km that day. On
day 3, Wandai got up before everyone after having a good rest. That day he managed to
walk 9 km and in good pace.
“On day 4 was the big day, the weather looked great early morning and we were set.
However, later in the morning the snow started to fall and it was freezing. There were
moments of giving up on both parties but then later we decided to push on.”
Gitonga recalls moments when his son felt that he couldn’t go an extra mile but he
encouraged him to move on until they reached the summit.
“In that moment he got a glimpse of the peak and I told him that’s just 45 minutes and
you are at the summit. He stood up and told me lets finish this thing. My heart just
smiled and true an hour later were at the pick. It snowed a bit but he had made it to the
top. He panicked a bit when he felt breathless and I had to calm him down. He was
worried he will never feel his fingers again but I reassured him that all will be well,” he
narrates
Where it all began
In 2014, just as Gitonga was preparing to hike Mount Kenya for the first time, he began
preparing by going for shorter hikes. He took young Wandai who was two and a half
years old then to hike at Mount Kilimambogo and he realized that he loved it.
From then on, Gitonga ensured that his son at least hiked once every quarter up until
when he was 5-6 years when he began doing more and longer hikes. “The more we
headed out the more he got curious about other mountains and looking at photos and
asking which mountain is this. And that’s how we started with Mount Meru in Tanzania
when he was 7 years and he loved it.”
His mother was a bit hesitant especially because Wandai had some allergic reactions to
cold but later, seeing her child’s enthusiasm with hiking, she allowed him to hike with
his father. They did more hikes and Gitonga taught his son how to walk slow but
consistent and to keep himself hydrated. Then he got him the required hiking gear and
they went on their first cross border hike to little Meru in August 2018.
“It was fun. He was disappointed he could be allowed to go to the highest peak due to
age Parks age limitation at 10years. We only did a lower peak Little Meru.”
Wandai has a younger sister who has also began hiking. The two and a half year old has
also walked in Karura and Ololua forest and soon will join in the longer hikes
“I would love them to pursue their passions with what they may be not necessarily in the
outdoors and I will help them achieve. I desire to listen to their heart early and have the
courage to the call of their heart and to believe in themselves.”
One of the greatest lessons that Gitonga has learnt with his children is to be extra
patient.
“Kids are observers they will not sprinting on the trails. They ask question on every step.
You have to let them know the curiosity is important. Asking question is awesome.
Taking in the beauty is precious.”
While Gitonga has bigger dreams of climbing the tallest mountain in the world—
Everest, his son, Wandia as set his eyes on other East African peaks like Mount Meru,
Mount Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori mountains.
