Inauguration Day....
The Masai Moran (warriors) began to gather on the grounds of the State House in the late afternoon before inauguration day. They were there to oversee the changing of the guard of our lion presidents. The Masai peoples, long linked in legend and fact to the lion had become the protector of the lion president when Ralph Lyon made them so. Now there was to be another and they were there to see him to the most important office in our land – the presidency of Kenya. Ralph Lyon followed by Shane Simba and his chosen vice president, Charley Lyon, came to the spot where they gathered. They saluted the president and president-elect with their spears and began their traditional victory dance, leaping high in the air. They would stay the night, symbolically guarding the lions that were changing places. Ralph and Mildred were staying in the guest cottage of the State House for the night. The Masai built fires and danced all the hours of darkness. When the sun rose, the helicopters began to assemble to take the inaugural party to the airport and a flight to Nairobi.
The Masai gathering.......the new flag of Kenya with the lions.....
How can I describe Inauguration day in Nairobi, Kenya? I seemed gripped in a vise of discordant emotions. The swearing in of new President Shane Simba went smoothly and elegantly. The handsome young lion stood as his brother, Chief Magistrate Sefu Simba, swore him into the highest office in our land. My concern was for my long time friend, Betty Chimpo Simba, now our first lady. She was so filled with the emotion of the moment as she watched her beloved husband in his hour of glory; she swayed on her feet so that I feared she might collapse. Then it was my turn as we poured onto the balcony that fronted the Parliament building in Nairobi. There was a ground swell of emotion and cries as retiring President Ralph Lyon came into view with former first lioness, Mildred at his side. The streets were thronged with what appeared to be every animal and person in Kenya. If a crowd can impart the entire panoply of love and devotion, this one did. A huge sound filled the air as they poured out their love for the retiring couple. Placards reading, WE LOVE PAPA AND MAMA SIMBA, waved about the massive crowd. Ralph held up his arms to ask for quiet. He was to address them for the last time. I, who had thought this day would never come, completely lost control of my emotions. My shoulders heaved as I tried to suppress my spasms of crying. Ralph began to speak assuring his beloved citizens that he was not telling them goodbye but was merely going into another phase of his leadership. He went on to tell his adoring countrymen that his chosen successor was President Shane Simba who stood just behind him. I convulsed in barely restrained sobs and felt a pressure on my shoulder. It was Shane Simba putting a paw there. I looked into his face and saw it was streaked with tears, his tawny eyes wet with those still unshed. Ralph spoke for some time but with my jumble of emotions, I hardly remembered what he said. I later framed the text of his speech and put it on my living room wall at home. Then it was Shane’s time to speak. The crowd roared with pleasure and enthusiasm as he pulled his wife next to him. I was still riveted with emotion but noticed a burst of applause. Shane asked me to come forward. He had announced that I would be his press secretary as I had been Ralph’s. I stood there with tears unabashedly flowing from my eyes. After I acknowledged the crowd’s salute, things quieted and Shane began his first speech to his countrymen as their president. It was riveting. There was complete silence as the young lion told of his dreams for Kenya. He spoke of a unified Kenya where man and beast lived and worked side by side in a peaceful and prosperous existence. He wove throughout his speech the thoughts that what Ralph Lyon had begun should progress to even greater levels. He expressed the need to fight the AIDS epidemic and ended by saying that a new Kenya was on the horizon - one of ever increasing prosperity and growth begun by the legendary Ralph Lyon. Shane then stood with Charley Lyon. When he ended there was a thunderous roar of applause and shouts of approval from the crowd. The torch had been passed.
Vice President Charley Lyon, President Shane Simba, me and President Emeritus, Ralph Lyon of Kenya.....
The first ball was in Nairobi in the State House. Betty and Shane attended it for no more than an hour and then it was back to the Mara and the one to be held in the Civic Center. They entered that glittering room, where Ralph Lyon and Mildred were already present, to more applause. The handsome young president, with his lovely wife by his side, looked completely at peace with himself and ready to take charge. Betty absolutely glowed in the dress Janice Jaguar Simba had designed for the occasion.
Shane and Betty attend the Inaugural Ball in the Mara....
Shane and Betty danced and greeted well wishers, enjoyed the provided entertainers and spoke with the various dignitaries that came to the Mara for the occasion. Staci Simba was allowed to attend her father’s inaugural ball in the Mara. Shane danced with his pretty daughter. Finally, the excitement of the day translated into a bone weariness that sent the President and his wife to their new State House Mansion. They entered the mansion and went to their newly refurbished personal quarters. A houseboy served them cognac while Betty slipped off her shoes. Shane took off his jacket. They sat on the couch and enjoyed the pricey drink. Suddenly music piped through the house. It was a soft, lazy Cole Porter tune. Shane got up and pulled Betty to her feet.
“Let’s dance, Mrs. S.,” he said in her ear. “I’ve gotten a second wind and tomorrow’s a holiday. No work. We can dance the night away.”
“Oh, Shane, I can’t believe all of this…….my actually being married to you and your being president.”
“Believe it, Betty. It’s all perfectly true.”
They danced until the sun was coming up across the savanna. They ate an early breakfast served beautifully by what seemed an army of servants. They went to their room after and fell into bed. They fell asleep immediately.
Ralph and Mildred Lyon didn’t stay late at the Mara Ball before returning to their new home in the Lyon Pride Compound. A party was awaiting them at the main bungalow of the lionesses. Sylly Cougar Lyon had worked with Doris making sure that a great feast was prepared. Banners were streaming from the bungalows reading “Welcome Home”.
I, having undergone one of the most emotional days of my life, stayed at the ball in the Mara for a short time then went to my house where Lachlan was waiting after a late session at the inpatient wing of the mental health center. He had brought fish from his freezer. The aroma of saffron awaited me as the fish were placed on the grill. We ate a leisurely supper with a dry, white wine.
“How do you think you will like working with Shane?” asked Lachlan, taking a drink of the sharp wine.
“He will be different but good, I think.”
“He will be different but he seems to have unwound a bit from his days with Catherine. I think Betty has been good for him.”
“Betty is all about him. Every male likes that,” I laughed.
“She’s all about him and she’s sane. Catherine, for all her good qualities and brilliant mind, was quite disturbed. I think Shane walked on eggshells with her.”
“Are you saying it’s good they found each other?” I giggled.
“I think it really is.”
The next day, Shane arrived at WMM-TV and gave his first televised presidential speech to his nation. Later, he and Betty drove to meet Lewis Lyon at their new retreat in the savanna. They found it a wonderful home for the young president and his wife to kick back and relax from the rigors of holding office. Betty and Shane walked the entire house with Lewis who was to put the finishing touches and turn over the key.
Caroline Cheetah was ringing the operator in the State Mansion demanding time with her son, Sonny. The major domo brought the messages to Shane who decided to tackle the issue the following day. Chief Magistrate Sefu Simba had been forced to allow the troublesome Caroline visiting rights if she remained drug free. She was taking her cooking show to the top again, writing her cook book and keeping her nose clean.