When a local daily carried a front page picture with caption “Usain Bolts into Kenya” in the same page with “32 ministers still cling to their prestige limousines” not many people in Laikipia took notice. But in the next four days Laikipia was constantly in the news as the land of endless horizon, affable people and spectacular wildlife played host to arguably the most recognizable face of modern sport, Usain Bolt. As the fastest man on earth enjoyed his first game drive, Laikipia also staked a claim as a “must visit” for anyone who enjoys wilderness experience.
But what was sprint king doing in the land of long distance runners? The likeable and down to earth man from Trelawney Parish in Jamaica was in Kenya as guest and ambassador of the Zeitz Foundation’s Long Run initiative during the launch of its Kenya chapter. Founded by Jochen Zeitz, the Chairman and CEO of Puma AG, , the foundation is inspired by a vision of the Ecosphere – our planet and all of its life-sustaining regions – maintained in the healthiest possible state, and is committed to promoting an inclusive, holistic paradigm of conservation that enhances livelihoods and fosters intercultural dialogue.
Through the Long Run initiative it seeks to show how working toward ecosphere safety can be commercially viable by having a sustainable balance between conservation, community, culture, and commerce through mostly tourism-driven enterprises, community development and cultural stewardship. Asked why he joined the initiative, Bolt says "I was attracted to the initiative because of its objectives on the conservation of the environment and co-existence of different cultures,"
Laikipia being the melting pot of Kenyan cultures, Bolt was not disappointed for the two days he interacted with the locals. On Saturday the 31st, after a game drive at Segera Ranch, the Kenyan headquarters of the Zeitz foundation, he was made a Maasai moran and aptly named Loingwany.
After an hour of dancing Maasai warrior style Loingwany Bolt was heard telling Collin Jackson, a former Olympic 110 meters hurdles champion and foundation’s ambassador for sport “these Maasai men can dance man! It is like a gym workout”. That dance was perhaps a warm up for the following day as school children gave Bolt and other invited guests from Laikipia a proper cultural “workout” though dance and poetry recital after a luncheon hosted by Mr. Zeitz for local leaders.
The finale of the launch was showing of HOME movie by celebrated French filmmaker Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The thought provoking movie shows the diversity of life on the Earth and how humanity is threatening the ecological balance of the planet. As the narrator says in the movie, we cannot afford to be pessimistic, each of us has role to play in ensuring ecosphere safety.
After the track star left my place of work at Laikipia, I could not help wondering how humble and grounded the man was and how Zeitz Foundation was lucky to have him as our ambassador. Though the Morans may not have watched him run the phenomenal 9.58 secs in Berlin, they found a kinship with him due to his demeanour and his warrior qualities. Loingwany Bolt may have gone back to Jamaica and his track competitions but the conservation awareness he helped create will forever be appreciated by the good people of Laikipia.
