Ab-Titchaz
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- Jan 30, 2008
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Masaku 7's 2015
Masaku 7's 2015
- Thread starter Ab-Titchaz
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Ab-Titchaz
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 30, 2008
- 14,630
- 4,253
- Thread starter
- #2
[h=1]The sights at Masaku Sevens[/h]
Fans enjoying themselves at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos during the Masaku Sevens rugby tournament on July 4, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
By STEPHEN MUTHINI
The Masaku Sevens rugby tournament has returned and the crowds are here. I have never seen anything like it. Forget about the matches being played inside the Kenyatta Stadium, the real action is on the Machakos streets.
The town was packed from Friday morning, but that was nothing compared to the spectacle on Saturday with hordes descending on the town - the Masaku Sevens crowd.
Judging from the number of cars parked along all the main roads leading to Machakos, they come from far and wide - young people taking alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, seemingly enjoying them as much as the occasion.
"We have taken over Machakos," a clearly inebriated youth shouted in jubilation.
They were draped in all colours and shades. Some flew the national flag on their cars. The girls were skimpily dressed.
Two fans arrive at the venue. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
From the least patronised pub in the market to the high-end, newly-opened eight storey Gelian Hotel, the bars were packed.
The crowds were also at the stadium, the People's Park and the Machakos Golf Club, but it was the venue known as Hornbill Pub, or simply Kwa Munuka, at the entrance to the town where revellers were the most animated.
A girl with bottles of whisky in holsters on her waist entered the packed pub. She wass dressed as a cowgirl and serves shots to the patrons, who were seemingly not worried about the cost of the drinks, they just wanted to have fun. Marquees were put up outside to accommodate the swelling crowds.
Everything here had had its price inflated for the weekend; a full chicken goes for Sh1,300, a sausage Sh100, a beer Sh200.
The place got so busy one has to queue to use the toilet.
Down at the golf club, tents were put up for the visitors to sleep in. All places of accommodation are fully booked, with some homeowners even opening their doors to provide a place to stay. Others offered their compounds for parking as every available space in town seemed to have been taken. "There's more space and accommodation here" a sign written - seemingly hurriedly - on white paper hangs at the entrance to one of the private premises.
A section of the stands at the Kenyatta Stadium. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Traders in Machakos may not have an in-depth understanding of the game of rugby, but they are surely making a killing out of it. From the man doing temporary tattoos at the stadium entrance to hawkers selling all kinds of merchandise, business is booming, but the beer seller is king. The crowds appear to have come with one mission: drink the shelves empty.
Amid all the excitement, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua arrived at the stadium in a blue helicopter. The crowd went wild, vuvuzelas blaring.
"So who won the game?" I asked some fans. None of them knew.
The sights at Masaku Sevens - Counties | Daily Nation
Fans enjoying themselves at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos during the Masaku Sevens rugby tournament on July 4, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
By STEPHEN MUTHINI
The Masaku Sevens rugby tournament has returned and the crowds are here. I have never seen anything like it. Forget about the matches being played inside the Kenyatta Stadium, the real action is on the Machakos streets.
The town was packed from Friday morning, but that was nothing compared to the spectacle on Saturday with hordes descending on the town - the Masaku Sevens crowd.
Judging from the number of cars parked along all the main roads leading to Machakos, they come from far and wide - young people taking alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, seemingly enjoying them as much as the occasion.
"We have taken over Machakos," a clearly inebriated youth shouted in jubilation.
They were draped in all colours and shades. Some flew the national flag on their cars. The girls were skimpily dressed.
Two fans arrive at the venue. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
From the least patronised pub in the market to the high-end, newly-opened eight storey Gelian Hotel, the bars were packed.
The crowds were also at the stadium, the People's Park and the Machakos Golf Club, but it was the venue known as Hornbill Pub, or simply Kwa Munuka, at the entrance to the town where revellers were the most animated.
A girl with bottles of whisky in holsters on her waist entered the packed pub. She wass dressed as a cowgirl and serves shots to the patrons, who were seemingly not worried about the cost of the drinks, they just wanted to have fun. Marquees were put up outside to accommodate the swelling crowds.
Everything here had had its price inflated for the weekend; a full chicken goes for Sh1,300, a sausage Sh100, a beer Sh200.
The place got so busy one has to queue to use the toilet.
Down at the golf club, tents were put up for the visitors to sleep in. All places of accommodation are fully booked, with some homeowners even opening their doors to provide a place to stay. Others offered their compounds for parking as every available space in town seemed to have been taken. "There's more space and accommodation here" a sign written - seemingly hurriedly - on white paper hangs at the entrance to one of the private premises.
A section of the stands at the Kenyatta Stadium. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Traders in Machakos may not have an in-depth understanding of the game of rugby, but they are surely making a killing out of it. From the man doing temporary tattoos at the stadium entrance to hawkers selling all kinds of merchandise, business is booming, but the beer seller is king. The crowds appear to have come with one mission: drink the shelves empty.
Amid all the excitement, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua arrived at the stadium in a blue helicopter. The crowd went wild, vuvuzelas blaring.
"So who won the game?" I asked some fans. None of them knew.
The sights at Masaku Sevens - Counties | Daily Nation
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