The Club’s record for long serving staff goes a long way. While both Goan and Seychellois nationals were often employed in key positions and Asian accountants remained in the office for many years, a programme of training from the beginning meant that Africans formed the core of the personnel employed. 1941 saw the introduction of an African Employees Benevolent Fund with contributions made monthly from the Club revenue. Long service medals for staff were introduced in 1956. Among eight recipients were Said bin Waziri for 38 years’ service, Mr. Hassan bin Sururu, 30 years’ and Marefu Hassan and Mr. Agostino Ogagu 29 years’ each.
In 1969, mention was made by the secretary that a sum of money was always tied up to help staff in their private affairs. In 1946 plans for building new staff quarters were discussed, in the event 15 single quarters costing 5,500 pounds and 20 married rooms and two cottages for Asian staff plus all amenities were approved and building control approval was received very promptly
The system of making awards is a long standing institution, while retirement ages are now observed, few if any, of the modern employees will reach the impressive totals of some of their predecessors. Mr. Mohammed Ali, for example, retired in December 1980 after serving the Club for 46 years whereas Mr. Gregory Njoroge retired in 1983 after 47 years having entered Club service in 1936. A staff service charge was introduced in 1980 for which full members paid 10/- monthly, by the end of the year staff were receiving an average of 100/- monthly each, the service charge later went up to 20/- and is now 200/-. Although relations have generally been good, there was an unfortunate strike in November 1964. It arose over the dismissal of a cleaner for disciplinary reasons. Although there have been disputes and misunderstandings, with a staff of more than 200 these are inevitable, underlying staff relationships have been good.
Club staff now enjoy a health scheme where the employee pays 260/- a month with the Club paying 283/-. The staff Cooperative, Nyota provides a very useful lending service.
Club sporting activity is not confined to members. There are staff football, volleyball and darts teams that play in local leagues and in September 2000 staff members formed a 75 strong team to enter the Hotel and Tourism Sports Organization Festival. It was a successful foray, the team finishing third overall behind Utalii and Sarova and well ahead of up market establishments like Inter- continental, Grand Regency, Carnivore, Nairobi Safari Club and Hilton.
Among the team’s achievements were runners up in the volleyball, third in soccer and a ‘bronze’ medal for the ladies in the 4 by 100 metres relay. The men, too, showed up well in the relays with ‘silver and ‘bronze’ medals in 4 by 100 and 4 by 400 metres events. Individuals to shine were Alex Kamanga from Services with a second place in both 200 and 400 metres while Patroba Ogaga from kitchen ran third in the 100 metres, a hotly contested race. Things didn’t end there. With a third place in draughts, fourth in Netball and fifth in Darts, table tennis and tug of war Nairobi Club’s team came home with much credit.

Full Stream Ahead

But challenges lie ahead: the demand for facilities of an increasingly high standard, the need to be managed as an efficient and profitable business while making members and guests feel welcome and part of it, rather than as mere patrons, the maintenance of elderly buildings and the provision of a secure ‘second home’ with warmth and hospitality, the need to enhance the Club’s attractions to younger members, especially to bolster the sport and fitness sections, all have to be met and resolved – at a time when the country’s economy is in indifferent health but with high hopes for recovery. With the Club having financed the installation of electricity generators to provide enough power to run its amenities, it’s a far cry from the days when the Club declined ‘to waive its right to electricity’. That times will change there’s no doubt, there can be no doubt, too, that Nairobi Club will strive to maintain its standards and traditions. The ‘New’ membership displays the same qualities of commitment, pride and loyalty to their Club as their predecessors. In their hands and those of their successors lie the next 107 years. Current members show, time and again, support for Club activities and functions. There is pride in the history and traditions of the Club and its premier position in Nairobi and Kenya’s sporting and social milieu. We belong to a great institution and, as noted elsewhere, tradition is a hard nut to crack – so be it.

That said, the Club remains faithful to Major Gerry Edwards’ words: ….’ A home for those who have not got one and a refuge for those who have’.