In June 2000 five staff waited for the two new owners to arrive at their small simple camp in the Northern Masai Mara. They had nothing to fear. One of them stood out straight away as he towered over the others and indeed some of the nearby bushes and trees. Shy, almost painfully but clearly with a burning desire to impress and a level of kindness and consideration almost unmatched anywhere, Lenye didn’t take long to become an institution.
He has been impressing for over 23 years and his laundry would rank with boutique hotels anywhere except he has neither electric dryers or indeed steam irons. Lenye’s laundry list even stars in a regular’s guest bedroom – a big talking point as is he.
Shamefully I have known regulars bring dirty laundry with them, so good is his service (OK it was me) knowing the creases are sharp enough to shave with, the stains vapourised and the care and attention in replacing them in the wicker baskets that of moving one of his young children.
Talking of which Lenye has brought his charming daughter into the Kicheche family. Lenye is now Mzee.
Lenye is now Mzee. LENYE is Kicheche clean through …. biologically.
