Dusty - he knew everything that went on in the district, and passed on to the DC as much as he thought he should know. As a trader he was quixotically generous, giving credit for months, for years, when foot-and-mouth disease or other disaster prevented the Samburu from selling their cattle. In the long run he had surprisingly few bad debts, at any rate among the tribesmen. John Ch. was lamentably addicted to practical jokes. Explosive cigarettes, pens that squirted water on the writer, stink-bombs and itching powder - he was well versed in them all.

Terence Gavaghan, Of Lions and Dungbeetles, 1999  He was a general merchant and has been referred to as honorary mayor of Maralal. From his first arrival from Ethiopia at the age of 18 to join his uncle George he became an indispensable contributor to the administrative and social life of the district. In his discreet and sensitive but straightforward way he studied and advised many a DC as well as others, in an often stressful existence. He invented the evocative term 'buffalados' to cover the mood of depression which overtook many of us, enabling it to be used lightly to cover or excuse ill humour. He had four boys and four girls with his wife Njeri, a connection of Kenyatta, some of whom I used to drive to the White Sisters' School at Thika. Later he was godfather to our third son David. A recommendation for an honorary MBE was successful. When Kenyatta was released from prison and sent to detention in Maralal in 1960-61 he was informally entrusted by the government with his general welfare. Their good relationship continued into Kenyatta's presidency.