On Saturday 25th May 2024, I was booked to travel to Cape Town on an 8am flight. I arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) well ahead of check in time since some of the city roads were to be closed for Mater Hospital Heart Run.
I obediently submitted myself and my earthly posessions for mandatory security clearance. Once the personel of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) were satisfied that I was not a security risk, I was allowed to re-posses my goods and proceed to boarding.
That was when my gifted iWatch left my persona.
I was sure it must be with me, so I proceeded to the airline check-in counter, past immigration upstairs to the final boarding security screening. It was at this point I discovered my watch was not with me. I had forgotten to collect at the initial screening gate.
Sweating profusely for my early morning stupidity, I frantically used my iPhone to locate its buddy. It was where I thought it was. My passport had by now been stamped as having left the country so I could not go to reclaim the watch. My mind raced to the ‘find me iWatch app’ which I promptly used to locate and lock the watch thereby disabling it from unauthorized use. In utter desparation I called a friend who works with the authority. Calming me down, my friend assured me that if it was lost where I said it was, there was nothing to worry about. I only needed to report to the KAA security desk on my return.
That was I did and to my amazement I found my watch. During the process I came to understand the elaborate process used to document and store lost items. The authority stores lost items for up to 3 months. Theteafter they are habded to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). My watch appeared insifigant among a large consignment of lost items including petsonal computers, glasses as well as, believe it or not, false teeth!
Kudos KAA and your hardworking and honest staff.
I particularly single out and applaud Ms. Mary Mutua and Mr. Ndambuki.
You all make me proud to be a Kenyan!
JPR is a scientist, author, playwright, blogger, and
beekeeper, all rolled into one!