Five years ago, the Rotary Club of Nairobi Thika Road proudly sponsored the birth of the Rotary Club of Kericho. What began as a vision has now blossomed into a vibrant club creating tangible and life-changing impact within its community.
There is something profoundly beautiful about watching something you nurtured grow into a force of impact on its own. Much like a mother watching her child spread their wings and thrive, that is exactly how we felt as a club during our recent visit to Kericho County.
Five years ago, the Rotary Club of Nairobi Thika Road proudly sponsored the birth of the Rotary Club of Kericho. What began as a vision has now blossomed into a vibrant club creating tangible and life-changing impact within its community.
Together with our friends from Rotary Club of Nairobi Celebrate and Rotary Club of Embakasi, we embarked on a three-day mission to the lush green landscapes of Kericho County — Kenya’s famed tea-growing region fondly known as the “Emerald County.”
But beyond the rolling tea plantations, this was a journey of witnessing hope in action.
Our first stop was Kaboswa Comprehensive School, home to the county’s only fully equipped public ICT laboratory. Through a partnership with the Rotary Club of Tacoma, learners now have access to 20 computers and a newly established library — opening doors to digital literacy and opportunities many of these students had never imagined possible. In a world increasingly driven by technology, this project is not just about computers; it is about bridging the digital divide and preparing young minds for the future.
We also toured the remarkable AIC Litein Eye Hospital, a Ksh 70 million facility that stands as a beacon of hope for thousands suffering from preventable blindness. Through partnerships with Friends of Litein and international Rotary partners, over 1,000 cataract surgeries have already been successfully conducted. Behind every restored sight is a story — a grandmother seeing her grandchildren again, a father returning to work, a child finally seeing a classroom blackboard clearly.
At Kedowa Health Facility, we witnessed how even the smallest intervention can mean the difference between life and loss. A baby warmer worth Ksh 270,000 is now helping protect premature and vulnerable newborns, strengthening maternal and child healthcare in the community. Quietly sitting in the maternity ward, the machine symbolized something bigger — dignity, care and a fighting chance at life.
Yet beyond the projects and statistics, perhaps the most touching part of the visit was the fellowship. We shared laughter, exchanged gifts and reflected on the Rotary journey during a joint fellowship bringing together all the visiting clubs.
The warmth we received from the Rotary Club of Kericho was unmatched. As a mother club, we found ourselves deeply humbled listening to stories of the impact they continue to create independently within their community. It was a powerful reminder that Rotary is not merely about projects — it is about planting seeds of service that continue to grow long after they are sown.
We crowned the visit with a serene Sunday tour of the iconic Sasini Tea Plantation, graciously hosted by Rotarian Priscah Keah, a fitting close to a journey marked by service, partnership and purpose. As we made our way back home, one thing became abundantly clear: our baby club has truly come of age.