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Church Elder Bolts off to Win in Heated Couples’ Race

Top finishers: Stephen Kanyoni, appoaches the tape to win a 100 yard couples's race followed by Michael Mathenge (red top) and Henry Githinji as part of the outdoor activities during a cookout held by the PCEA Ushindi church in Nashua, NH last week. H.Maina/Ajabu

By Harrison Maina, AjabuAfrica News, posted July 11, 2010

A 60 year-old church elder left dozens of younger men and women behind when he blasted past the finish line during a 100 yard couples’ race at a cookout organized by the men’s fellowship of Ushindi church last weekend in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Stephen Kanyoni, a well known master of ceremonies on various community events in Lowell and the surrounding areas, bolted off in high speed when the referee blew the starting whistle, finishing off in a split second hilarious win over a field of more than 10 other mostly younger men and women, including his own wife, Salome Njoroge, who hit the ground before she could finish the race after being tripped by other competitors.

In a photo finish snapshot captured live by an Ajabu Africa News Reporter, Kanyoni clearly crossed the line a split of a second ahead of the much younger Michael Mathenge , who also managed to squeeze another split of a second to beat Henry Githinji who took the third position.

The rest of the contestants followed soon after that, wondering what had hit them. “This is unbelievable. Kanyoni was too fast but it’s hard to tell what positions the rest of us came in at,” said Margaret Mwariri from Nashua.

“I don’t know how he beat me. I thought I was first,” said Michael Mathenge the runners up.

A woman performs a hula hoop trick with her neck during the Ushindi church cookout

Kanyoni was mobbed by fans who congratulated him for the outstanding performance that shocked many at how fluid a 60 year old man can be.

“I think he deserves an Ajabu Award,” said one fan.

The well attended cook out, that took place at the Greeley park in Nashua, was organized by the men’s fellowship at the PCEA Ushindi church to entertain the women and children from the church.

Hundreds of men, women and children of all ages frankly enjoyed the day out. Lots of Kenyan traditional dishes including barbecued goat meat, chapatti, mukimo, Sambusa, Ugali and refreshments were available to all and sundry.

The food was all prepared by members of the men’s fellowship, who asked the women to sit back and relax as they cooked for them.

“Reke tumarugire Jimbi,” (let’s cook Jimbi for them) said one man as he poured maize flour into boiling water, with a colleague stirring vigorously to make Ugali, a Kenyan delicacy of maize flour that can be eaten with anything, from tea to veggies, goat meat and any type of sauce.

Mbogo said the Goya brand of the maize floor he was using to make the Ugali reminded him of the Jimbi maize flour brand back in the motherland.

Men prepare Ugali, a Kenyan delicacy , during the Ushindi church cookout last week

Speaking to Ajabu Africa news during the cookout, the chairman of the Ushindi men’s fellowship, Sam Thiong’o, said that, “We just decided as the men’s fellowship to do something special, to provide some outdoor entertainment to our members and I am very happy it has gone well.”

The event included many outdoor activities to loosen up the body for everyone like soccer, running, volleyball, badminton, hula hoops and many others.

However, the highlight of the event was the shocking dash by Kanyoni followed by an entertaining soccer match by the women from Ushindi church.

The match, which was tightly controlled by the referee, Peter Kimani aka Meja, to maintain the elusive discipline and order, ended in a 4-0 win for one of the teams.

Sicily Wamunyu struck the winning goal with a few seconds left towards the end of the match, blasting a close range, left footed kick to the goal, leaving the keeper, Mary Lobas puzzled.

Sicily Wamunyu (left , strikes a goal past the goal keeper, Molly Lobas ( partly hidden) to seal a 4-0 win over an opposing team in the women's soccer game during the ushindi church cookout last week.

“It’s fun to have the opportunity to come out and spend time together in a relaxed manner like this. I am happy our team won the soccer game,” said Phyllis Ngaruiya, one of the opposing team’s goal keepers, after the match.

The event was also attended by the church pastor, Rev. Dr. Munbui Karimi and two visiting leaders of the PCEA church, Eustus Kabui and Rev. Dr. Eliud Nderitu

Kabui is the Assistant Director in charge of missions at the PCEA church in Kenya , while Nderitu is a PCEA pastor from Indiannapolis, Indiana.

Both said that they were amazed at how much fun Kenyans in America were having. They however cautioned them not to forget to do the work of God in the midst of having a great time.

The fun filled event ended with an award giving ceremony to all the winners of the various categories. The awards ceremony was presided over by Peter Ngaruiya and Meja, Peter Ngaruiya and Stephen Kanyoni himself, all who worked tirelessly to over see various activities during the day. More goat meat came in as the darkness approached in the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the park in Nashua.