Proposal on top of Ngong Hills

Rose Nyawira, 28, and Kennedy Muchiri Maina, 30, met at a time when they were both going about their lives and a relationship was the farthest thing in their minds. But even before they knew it, some magnet had drawn them together. This humble and fun-loving couple shared their love story with ESTHER KIRAGU.

“We have different versions of when we first met,” Kennedy says, as the couple laughs in unison. This will be an interesting interview, I think to myself as we settle down to it.

“I first met Rose in 2009 when she was introduced to me by my cousin Sophie, during one of the many visits I paid her at the University of Nairobi, Parklands campus. As Sophie was escorting me home, we bumped onto Rose and introductions were done. However there wasn’t much to it,” Kennedy explains.

Rose, an advocate, says that her recollection of meeting Kennedy for the first time was in 2010 during a work-related assignment. “He didn’t look familiar,” she says, adding that she doesn’t recall meeting him earlier.

Kennedy, a banker and property manager, says that during the work-related meeting, he struck a conversation with Rose and instantly felt drawn to her. He quickly did a background check on her and got her telephone number from Sophie. Coincidentally, Rose was also doing a background check on Kennedy as well.

Dating and courtship…

A friendship flourished with the two constantly communicating on phone. “He asked me to be his girlfriend a month later and I didn’t hesitate since I already liked him,” says Rose. The couple says dating was a period of getting to know more about each other and they often met in the evenings after work, as well as during weekends.

“We spent Sunday afternoons at Nairobi Park, enjoying each other’s company and getting to know each other better. With time, I learnt that we shared similar values and were serious about the relationship. When we were comfortable with our relationship, we introduced each other to our families,” says Kennedy.

The couple admits that they had various conflicts at the beginning of their courtship but were able to resolve them through open communication. Kennedy asked Rose to marry him on April 7, 2012 during a hike in the Ngong Hills. “It was a pleasant surprise. As we got to the top of the hill, Kennedy went on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes without any hesitation,” says Rose as she recalls the elating day.

The couple took pre-marital classes at their church in preparation for marriage life. They say this opportunity was a great eye-opener and it helped them to clearly understand what they were committing themselves to. “We had conversations on temperaments, dealing with finances and in-laws, among other useful topics,” Rose explains.

Beautiful wedding…

Rose and Kennedy involved their parents and family about their plans soon after the proposal. Dowry negotiations and other arrangements were set in motion. Their love story culminated in a beautiful garden wedding on December 1, 2012 at the Railway Training Institute in South B, Nairobi, followed by a reception at the same venue.

They had put together a wedding committee made up of close friends to help plan the wedding. Their ocean blue and white-themed wedding cost Ksh 320,000 and was financed through personal savings and contributions from friends and family.

“Ours was a simple wedding. We invested on what we felt was most important to us –food, photography and décor, then sought other services from friends who provided them at affordable costs,” says the couple, adding that it turned up to be the most memorable occasion. They flew to South Africa for their honeymoon.

We wish the couple God’s blessings in their marriage.

Published on May 2013