The bus meanders the Kyalo Mwilu Hills along the Machakos-Kamuthanga Road, negotiating a sharp bend and reducing speed then gradually comes to a halt.
As Egerton University students alight from the bus, two young men approach them. The students are visiting this place that is famous because water defies the law of gravity and flows upward rather than downhill.
Briefly, the two men introduce themselves to the students and immediately start explaining to them the theory behind this.
Meet 30-year-old Peter Julius Munyao and his colleague John Munyao aged 25 years. Later Vincent Makau joins them. They are tour guides to visitors who frequently come to Kyalo Mwilu to witness this ‘wonder of the world’.
This magic hill has been a source of income for these young men. Each time they explain to visitors how this magic came to be, they make between 700 shillings and 3,000 shillings a day.
“This hill is named after two brothers; Kyalo and Mwilu who lived in this area in 1930’s. They both married a lady by the name Mwenda and had one child called Kamau whose father is believed was Mwilu. Kyalo wasn’t happy because Mwenda didn’t bear him a child and he became jealous of his brother Mwilu. Mwenda died and was buried at the bottom of one of the hills,” Julius explains of the myth.
He adds that people living around this hill believe Mwilu was more powerful than Kyalo as he tries to oppress his brother. Mwilu had built his house up the hill and Kyalo downhill. This is the reason behind why water flows upward the hill rather than downward.
This myth is fascinating as it is said to be the reason why women in this Kyalo Mwilu village in Machakos County give birth to boys only as John explains.
Julius has been doing this work for the last five years while John is only a year old in it.
“We realised that we have been spending much time in illicit brew dens and engaging in unlawful acts. 28 youths came together and we formed a group Kyalo Mwilu Magic Hill Youth Group at the beginning of this year. This magic has been generating income for us,” explains John who is the group leader.
The group has savings of over 10, 000 shillings so far.
“We do this work in shifts. Two members go to the hill and explain to the visitors. Collections from that day are directed towards the group account though each member on duty that day takes home some amount for upkeep,” John says.
When not on duty, the youths engage in some other works that earn them some money. Peter sometimes works as a matatu conductor plying that route and he also does some welding.
“Though not enough, the little money I get helps me and my family to press on. To me, this is far much better compared to other engagements like crime or illicit brew business,” he says.
And what are the challenges they face?
“Language barrier especially from foreigners. We have approached Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua to make the hill a tourist attraction and put up a big hotel. By doing this, it will bring more income to the community that lives around this place,” says Vincent Makau who has been doing this work for close to two years now.
These young men each day are optimistic that their lives will gradually change for the better.