I didn't know i could be conned let alone be conned in Eldoret town,until when someone beat me to a scrumptious meal of kuku and ugali.
I had just popped into a hotel in town, waved the waiter to bring me ugali na kuku wet fry.
He came about some minutes later with my plate balanced in his arms. The moment he lay it down and i had just taken a tiny bite on the generous wing of the poor bird,The conman walked in.
"Mkubwa!" He shouted in excitement as he walked towards my table.I swear i had that momentarily feeling that i didn't know the guy nor had i ever seen his face in my entire life,but i smiled back as i extended my hand for a handshake.
He swung his hand and let it break in my palm with a loud sound that everyone including the waiter turned around to see us. I didn't mind... ( It is customary for the Kalenjins to deliver such greetings to prove long term friendships).
He sat down by my table and probed me.. "unanikumbuka kweli?"
I tried remembering the face but gave up midway as i conceded defeat. "Hebu nikumbushe...."
At that very moment, the waiter came to take his order and the smiling con shouted back, "leta tu kama hii ya bro yangu!"
The waiter brought back another ugali kuku and we continued eating."uko sure hukumbuki?" He said as he dug chunks after chunks of his food.
"Ni hii eldoret tulipatana..." He gave me the first clue."jaribu kumbuka..."
I began thinking of the places i might have seen him.
" Ni Belasco? " I asked thinking about my local hangspot.
"Baaaas unakaribia... " He said smiling as he finished his food..." Guess tena..."
I had began getting bored that i didnt notice he had finished his food quite quickly.
"But ni hapo Belasco tulipatana bro... Uko poa lakini?" He said as he rose from his feet and patted me on the back.
"Bro acha nikimbie mahali... Si tutabonga..."
I nodded in relief as i had wanted to end the stupid (unanijua) conversation.He then left.
Problem began when my bill came and it was double what i was to pay. On inquiring about why my bill was too high, the waiter said... "Si ule bro wako alisema unamlipia!" I froze.
"Bana mi sijui huyo jamaa!" I tried to protest but the waiter smiled back saying... "Mpaka mkakula chakula same na mnapiga stori hiyo time yote!...acha hii aibu ndogo ndogo mkuu!"
Later i painfully paid the two meals as it dawned on me that i had just met face to face with the best conman in town.