BEEFS
“ February 7, 2017. 22:49h. Hurlingham, Nairobi
BEEFS
Around Nairobi in One Night
Charles‘ Chanchori’ Ndegwa is the man who blew the minds of Kenyans after writing a story best described as the purest work of fi ction.‘ Around Nairobi in One Night’ the story popularly known as,‘ The Uber Guy’ story is currently the most read story for its well-crafted plot.
“ February 7, 2017. 22:49h. Hurlingham, Nairobi
I have just dropped a young lady off at“ The Hood” when the request comes through. An unwanted request because I wanted to go home after dropping this client off. Before I go too far, let me dispense with the introductions. My name is Daniel and I am an Uber driver. I come from Githurai 45. I wanted to go home at around 23:00h because my wife doesn’ t like it when I go home past midnight. As soon as the request comes through on my phone, it is followed up by the next client’ s call which I answer reluctantly. And the client’ s name is Charles.”
The story revolves around an Uber driver who ferries a strange client that engages him in deep conversations on their journey as drama unfolds. Ndegwa says the story was inspired by dialogue because it makes characters in a story develop into various levels.
“ Him:( Chuckles and runs his palm down his face. His smile no longer seems sad. Or lonely. Or painful. Now he looks like he’ s having fun. Finally) Daniel? Me:( Hoping he’ ll say,“ I was just kidding”) What! Him: I am going to deep my hand inside my trench
I have just dropped a young lady off at“ The Hood” when the request comes through. An unwanted request because I wanted to go home after dropping this client off. Before I go too far, let me dispense with the introductions. My name is Daniel and I am an Uber driver. I come from Githurai 45. I wanted to go home at around 23:00h because my wife doesn’ t like it when I go home past midnight. As soon as the request comes through on my phone, it is followed up by the next client’ s call which I answer reluctantly. And the client’ s name is Charles.” coat. Then when I pull it out, I will be holding a 1911 Colt, 45semiautomatic sidearm. I will cork it, then I will slowly lift it to your head( points at my temple) right here and I will not even count to three. I will just shoot you dead.( He looks right into my eyes so severely I am downright scared now. And he seems so calm like he has done this a million times.) Do you want me to kill you right now Daniel? Because trust you me, I will kill you …………….”
Currently the story which is less than a month old has over 8,000 likes, over 6,000 shares and over 5,000 comments on Facebook. Previously, when he shared his stories on Facebook, the best he got was 30 Likes, that has changed since his story went viral and now boasts over 15,000 followers on Facebook.
If you have read the story I am sure you are one of those people who have refused to come to terms with the fact that the story was pure fi ction. Ndegwa who is currently a student at the Kenya School of Law describes writing as something he enjoys doing.“ The worst fear of a writer is oblivion,” he says. Since his story caught everyone’ s attention, Film makers have contacted him with the aim of turning the story into a movie.
LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 2, No. 003 / 17 / March 2017 5