TRIBUTE TO RICHARD KIPCHIRCHIR BOIT (1972-2007)

 I really do not think any form of literary expression, verbal or nonverbal can express the great shock I felt when I heard of the untimely passing of Richard Kipchirchir Boit on 30th April 2007. His sudden departure quickly took me adrift to the wonderful times we spent together and the last time we spoke. I recall having called Richie to check on him. Due to poor connectivity our call did not last long. My continued procrastination turned, hours into days, months and years. How time files… Now Richie is a memory, I will never talk with him. This is the sad reality of life.

            In the early months of 1993, Ronnie Okwara introduced me to Richie at the famous shopping center at Kenyatta University. The shopping center was an integral part of life on campus and I am sure many seeds of friendship were planted there. Richie and I immediately struck a chord and our friendship took root. Ronnie, thank you for sharing this great friend with you Very few people know this, but one of the strong aspects of our friendship was the fact that we both for many years grew up under the care of our mothers after we lost our fathers in separate incidents under similar circumstances, road accidents. Richie like myself drew a lot of courage, respect and love from the strength of our dear mothers in bringing up our respective families. Further, Richie fondly referred to me as Mbloo, (Bro); I later came to learn he has a brother called George. I believe that friendship is built on the small things that bring people together rather than the big things that tend to overshadow reality. For any one who had the great opportunity of rubbing shoulders with Richie, you will concur with my assertion that Richie was a humble generous man full of charm and an explosive smile to go with it. One would hardly know that Richie grew up in the environment he grew up in. His parents really did a good job in shaping his life.

            Our campus days were filled with numerous ups and downs. We spent a lot of our free time at the student’s center, socializing over a drink or two. Our conversations were simple and straightforward bordering on pedestrian statements especially after one too many. Indeed, any passer by wouldn’t know that we had graced the corridors of one of Africa’s most prestigious Universities. I recall once having had a heated debate with Richie on who would attend the others funeral, we finally came to the “logical” conclusion that no matter what, whoever passed on first would be buried by the other. The time came on 4th May and I thank God for giving me the strength to be there as Richie’s days as a protagonist on the stage of life came to an end.

            The large crowd that gathered at Kapsuswa farm on that day was a true reflection of the many friends Richie had. As it was aptly put in his Eulogy read by Charlie his brother, “ his friends transcended race tribe and religion.” Richie attracted friends like a magnet; sometimes I believe that this became his Achilles hill in that some people were only friends at a convenient place and time. Far from that I also believe that this fallen humble comrade genuinely touched many people. For a man of his age and time Riche had a unique taste in music that I have never understood to date. Richie loved country music. At the funeral, Kanyi (Mike Ohawa’s wife) and a comrade in her own right, told me that the last time she spoke with richie, he had called her husband (who was asleep) and in their little tet a tet he told her how much he cherished listening to country music. Of all the genres of music, country music stands out on its own. Each song not only has a message, but also has a story to tell. Take time to listen to Kenny Rodgers and I am sure we will be on the same wavelength. Apart from occasionally “ pirating” on the dance floor, Richie was also a sportsman, at least in his school days.

            Richie played hockey and badminton. In badminton he represented Rift valley province at the national level. Mbloo was also a cyclist and took part in the 10km road race organized by the Rotarians in Eldoret. As a Rotarian he spent time giving back to society following his late father’s footsteps. I recall one day when we the ruffnex (a makeshift soccer outfit born after a bar argument with the A level group) took to the pitch to defend our reputation Richie really made us laugh. During the match he saw a cyclist pass by and decided to ask for a ride. Abandoning his position on the wing he proceeded to ride the bike round the pitch. It’s a wonder that to date Ruffnex still remains unbeaten. You should have seen the look on Franga’s (Francis Ngetich the only Blackburn Rovers fan I know) face that day, they guy uttered all the words he could and even settled for his local Kalenjin dialect to try and persuade Richie to rejoin his team mates. That was Richie; he always had time to share a joke.

            I am sure we all miss Richie in our own special way. For me I believe he was a true friend and that the only thing that changed was the priorities we had in the past few years. However, I always had him in mind and would have loved to share his final days with him, but this was not to be. I would have loved Richie to meet my kids and for them to call him Uncle for he deserved the title. To the family, my beloved wife Stella and I share in your sorrow and loss. You have lost a son, brother and friend, we mourn with you and celebrate a life well lived with you. We remain firm in our Faith and believe that we will meet again.

            Richie my brother, friend and comrade, rest, rest brother for your rest is well deserved. Richie I hope my attempt to do some justice to your memory has been successful for I know you would have done the same for me. Further, I know that you will understand, as I have never done this before.

Kudos!  

Your friend.

Georgie "Chacho" Songe

Richie's Burial and Below Georgie Songe, Mike Ohawa and Martin Keino