On a slightly chilly Wednesday afternoon in July 2011 – the 27th to be precise – four of us got into a blue Opel Astra and drove 12 kilometres west to the settlement of King’eero in Lower Kabete, Kiambu District. The mission: To spend some time with the members, officials and supporters of Kabete Cares Chess Club as part of GM Dimitri Reinderman’s visit to Kenya.
I was part of the ensemble mainly as a representative of Chess Events EAC and to visually document the historical visit. My compatriots included Kim Bhari, chairman of Nairobi Chess Club; Mehul Gohil, secretary of Nairobi Chess Club and GM Dimitri Reinderman himself.
King'eero Primary School building where Kabete Cares Chess Club meets
On arriving at King’eero Primary School, we were informed that the classroom where Kabete Cares Chess Club met was being readied and so we could wait in the staff room instead.
Here, we met the chairman of Kabete Cares, George Kinuthia. He informed us that Kabete Cares is a social organisation that was formed in 2005 to fight drug and alcohol abuse through sport and art and to nurture talent, amongst other things. Some of the sports that are being offered by the organisation at present include: athletics, football (soccer), chess and baseball.
George Kinuthia, chairman of Kabete Cares
After a brief chat, we proceeded to the classroom to meet the chess club where the captain, Moses Kwereba, introduced Dimitri Reinderman and Nairobi Chess Club officials to the members.
Moses Kwereba, captain of Kabete Cares Chess Club introduces Dimitri Reinderman and Nairobi Chess Club officials to club members
To encourage the club to continue its efforts in recruiting and training members, Nairobi Chess Club donated a brand new chess set to them.
Nairobi Chess Club Chairman Kim Bhari and GM Dimitri Reinderman donate a chess set to Kabete Cares Chess Club represented by Moses Kwereba
The kids were thrilled at the chance to interact with a Grand Master though they didn’t quite fully comprehend what it meant to be a GM.
Members of the Kabete Cares Chess Club crowd around Dimitri Reinderman while Kim Bhari looks on
They were also very happy to receive a new chess set.
Members, officials and supporters of Kabete Cares Chess Club pose for a group photo with Nairobi Chess Club officials and GM Dimitri Reinderman