It does not stop the fairy tale of the "barber of Limuru", that a 44-year-old continues to be the protagonist in the marathon of the world after having established three years ago the record of all time in the classic competition of Milan.
Up to 35 years old, Kenneth Mungara has cut off the hair of fellow citizens in the small barber shop that with so many sacrifices he has put up. An armchair with a crankcase, a mirror and an electric razor.
Closed the shop, and on Sundays, it runs on the plateau of Rift Valley, a Limuru, not far from Nairobi.
Then, 35, someone advises him to participate in some competition, because he "ranks" more than young people. So begins with a second place at the marathon of Mombasa, is invited to Cologne, Germany, and is ranked fourth, then arrives second in the lake of Tiberias, Israel, but without walking on the waters. It does not make miracles, Kenneth, his legs go to the rhythm of so many races as a boy when they went to school at least ten miles from the village, back and forth.
Thirty-five years for a marathon are not old age, but it's a bit slow to make a career. At least that is how we think about the teams of keno-runners who, in Italy, Scandinavian countries or lately in the Arab Emirates, pay you well and train you, and even after a few years there is also a passion for citizenship. Mungara, after every race returns to her barber shop, studying a new hip hop cut for her young clients, who hardly keep her step. And here, between 2008 and 2009, put the first triumphs: Prague, Toronto, Mumbai. He is now famous in the circuits. A tournament will repeat successes for three years in a row, and will also take off in Singapore, where the prize will finally allow an off-road car and who knows how the rotary armchairs with the pedal, and how many shaved last models . Then a 41-year-old masterpiece: the victory in the Marathon of Milan, not only the longest competitor to win but also fix the record.
"Mungara here, Mungara there, great good ...".
Just so, the great tale of the barber of Limuru is not over yet.