Bungoma man cycles 400 km to watch school football

Bungoma man cycles 400 km to watch school football

Few fit the description of ‘diehard fan’ better than Ken Wafula who cycled an incredible 385km from his Misanga Village, Kanduyi, Bungoma County to far-flung Lodwar to cheer on his beloved Bukembe High School at the Term Two B Secondary School Nzoia Region Ball Games.

Wafula was not riding in the geared state of art equipment that Kenyan born star Chris Froome and the likes are using at the ongoing Tour de France but his endurance would make the champion of the most prestigious cycling competition and his Team Sky sign Wafula up.

The crazed Bukembe fanatic hopped on his trusty, dusty and rickety Black Mamba bicycle- that costs around Ksh6,000 (USD60) and pedalled furiously through tattered tarmac, rusty and rocky road that leads to semi arid Lodwar where seasoned 4X4 off road vehicles are commonly used.

Wafula is the latest Bungoma native to make waves in the news after chopper-hanging Saleh ‘James Bond’ Wanjala, the ‘deity’ Jehovah Wanyonyi and Catherine Sabina, the area Miss Tourism who was disowned by the County after making ‘disparaging’ remarks about wheelbarrows costing Ksh1m apiece and the sky team member.

The journey through rough terrain to Turkana County took him 27 hours arriving in time to see his adored side silence home team Lokichar AGC 1-0 on Tuesday.

Defender Victor Omondi, who turns out for National Super League promotion chasing side, Nzoia United netted the strike that eased Wafula’s exhaustion.

“I love football so much, and I had to use my bicycle to come to Lodwar, to support my team. I left Bungoma early Sunday morning and I arrived at Kainuk Township later that evening.

“The police manning Kainuk Road Block refused to let me pass, so I slept there and left early Monday,” the rider who would fit the Tour de France peloton gushed.

Citing poor infrastructure in the treacherous journey, Wafula applauds the Pokot Community who reside in the area for encouraging him to go further.

“They were so many challenges, hot weather, there were no roads, but one thing I liked most is the people that I met cheered me on. Bukembe’s school bus only caught up with me in Lokichar,” the elated Wafula added.

Elated Wafula (right) stands next to Bukembe coach after the team won their opener 1-0.
Elated Wafula (right) stands next to Bukembe coach after the team won their opener 1-0.

“I Bought food in Kapenguria. Nilikuwa nakula kangumu, nilinunua 20 na maji litre tatu na ziliniwezesha kufika Lodwar (I survived on 20 hard dumplings and three litres of water to Lodwar),” he narrated.

The school has pledged to hitch him a ride back after in their bus after the games.

-Kakamega land with a thud-

Meanwhile, despite flying to Lodwar for the tournament Kakamega High School’s, Green Commandos landed down to earth with a thud when they lost their opener 2-1 to archrivals St. Anthony of Tranzoia County.

Paul Etem soared high in the crunch Pool A opener by notching the double as James Mazembe shook off the ‘jetlag’ to notch Commandos’ consolation.

In the girls category; Bishop Njenga lost their opening tie 1-0 to national champions Wiyeeta from Transzoia with Monica Pol scoring the lone goal. Tartar beat St Brenda 1-0 with Diana Kosgei the heroine.

Additional reporting by Philip Muchiri

Thursday fixtures

Day 3 July 2016 Preliminaries and Semi Finals

9:20AM POOL B-Lokitoung vs Ebwali –Lodwar Primary

9:20AM POOL B –Butula vs Kapenguria –Kawalesa Primary

9:20AM POOL A –Lokichar vs Misikhu-Prisons

9:20AM POOL A-Bukembe vs St Antony-Nakwamekwi Primary

4:00PM –SEMI 1 –Winner Pool A vs Runners Up Pool B- Lodwar Primary

4:00PM SEMI 2 –Winner Pool B vs Runners Up Pool A – Nakwamekwi Primary

Tags:

bungoma county Bukembe High School Ken Wafula Term Two B Secondary School Nzoia Region Ball Games

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