Martha Huro is having a sort of last dance with time. You can tell from her guiding philosophy, which is, roughly: everything was better back in the day.
There were the childhood games: Three sticks. The novels, John Grisham and Hardy Boys and Harry Potter. Her past unfolds like a blooming flower as memory, that capricious seamstress, runs her needle in and out, up and down, hither and thither. She’s playing all the great retro album hits, no single tracks.
Martha treats the past like a museum—a place to visit, not to stay. The Managing Director, East Africa, and GM Kenya for Transsnet Music Limited (Boomplay) is at a crossroads: do our memories change us or reveal us? Perhaps it’s both—that we are changed by what is revealed.
Things are okay. Career and personal development have been on a good roll. I am trying out a couple of new passions—book reading and travelling.
What’s a book you think everyone should read?
Something that changed my perceptions of how I deal with people and about extending grace to people. It is “Confessions of Nairobi Women” and “Confessions of Nairobi Men” by Joan Thatiah.
Sometimes the way people act seems out of character, and this has taught me to extend grace. I am also in touch with spirituality a lot and that has led me to let go of things that are not in my control.
What about your travel? What does that look like?
Mostly local places where I haven’t been. I didn’t see my country, if you know what I mean. Moyale, Kisumu, Nyandarua, Kwale, Voi—I know these places but I never really went there to experience them from a scenic point of view.
What’s the first thing you do in a new place?
I look for good food. I am a foodie. I like cooking and I love food.
What’s your guilty pleasure when it comes to food?
Nothing fancy, just ugali, sukuma and a dry fry (meat). That’s my comfort food. I like mushrooms a lot too. People are asleep on mushrooms—it can be a soup, veggie; there is a lot of depth and layers to mushrooms that are symbolic of the life experiences I have been through.
Are you a bush or a beach person?
Beach. I don’t like insects and things that crawl. Mombasa when I was young was sort of a magical place. You would hear stories of Fort Jesus and think it is this grand thing and all the different fish and other creatures. I first went to Mombasa on a church trip when I was quite young.
What’s your favourite travel memory?
Miami. Locally, Samburu. There is a river that passes from Sarova in Samburu, and that is three things in one: water, which reminded me of the beach; stones and mountains, which reminded me of the Aberdares; and then the rich culture of the Samburu people. Now that I think about it, I have to go back.
What do you remember most growing up?
Wow. Playing games like Cha Mama, Cha Baba, Bladder, Kati , Rounda, Hide and Seek, Brikicho, Bano, Three Sticks et al. The streets were cleaner then; everybody was your parent too, and I was quite a playful person. I liked being around people. Thank you for taking me back, Eddy.
Anytime. How are you remaining playful in your life now?
Taking care of myself, speaking to people, and letting go, I have been speaking to a friend who has been encouraging me to come out of my shell and speak out more and less on the corporate. Experiencing the now because we are always chasing so many things at the same time.
What’s something new you have tried recently in your life?
Do shoes and clothes count? Haha! The outdoorsy stuff and being in the moment. There is a certain type of feeling I get now that I never got then—when I was too busy.
What’s your biggest battle now?
The economy and being in charge of a team—with all the layoffs in the industry, it really weighs on you. I learned about extending grace and saving the business.
What matters way less than you thought it would?
Money.
And what matters more?
Spending time with your loved ones.
What sparked the realisation?
Last year. Money is okay, but it is not everything. You can make more money but not enough time if it is gone it’s gone.
How do you spend time with yourself?
In my world of tech and music, there is a lot of data, but the problem is the interpretation of that data. I like reading books; it draws you in. I grew up in the era of Harley Quinn and Harry Potter, and there is a way they just keep you hooked, be it fictional or educational material. I am also watching a lot of movies. This is something I like to say: “Content is king, but context is King Kong.” Whatever content I have, I give it context to make sense. Quote me on that.
I will. What do you miss now?
I miss my dad, who passed away in 2014. He was my Superman, the first love of my life.
Martha Huro.
Photo credit: Pool
Were you a daddy’s girl?
100 percent. I have seven brothers, so you can imagine how well-protected I am.
What’s a special memory you share between you and your dad?
The way he babied me, even when I was an adult, I was still a child to him. I could tell him anything. He was my friend and always there for me.
What’s the soundtrack of your life now?
Champez by Khaligraph Jones. Or is it Memories by Femi One? You see there is some depth to memories but we are also the champez, the champions.
What memory would you like to relieve?
Childhood memories. They made us. Girls around my age may have stories of the games they enjoyed. Si that’s how you and I have bonded over dufa mpararo? Growing up is a hoax [chuckles].
What is an absurd thing or habit that you love?
I am a creature of habit so nothing absurd. Is it absurd that I still eat with my hands?
What is something I wouldn’t believe about you?
Wow. Hm. That I am a trickster. I like playing tricks. People do not believe I am cheeky but I really am! I have good vibes and bring joy!
If you could tell me just one thing, what would you tell me?
God loves everyone with a special kind of love. I love the journey I am on with him. I understand the Bible differently now. It’s very personal, and Christ is my saviour. My creator is for me.
What’s an aspect of faith you struggle with?
Saying the things I have seen/heard/felt to other people. It looks insane but these things happen. Whatever happened in the Bible is nothing new—they still do reoccur.
What’s your theory of life?
God first. In everything I do, I want God to be the centre of my life, not just a part of it.
What are you finally coming to terms with?
I cannot change the past, I can only learn and grow from it.
When things get tough, what do you do?
Take a moment, not be reactive. Know it is okay to fail and be human, to take a breather.
When you think of the weekend what comes to mind?
Relaxing and resting. Rest is not sleeping but detaching from professional to personal.
What’s your idea of a good time?
A good laugh.
What never fails to make you laugh?
Memes. I also have a rich collection of text stickers—the ones on the phones. They are hilarious.
What are you thanking yourself for?
How I have conducted myself so far. The lessons I have learned and the woman I have become. The choices I have made—formed experience. I am thankful for how I have lived my life.
Who do you know that I should know? And why?
Njenga. He has a wealth of knowledge that I did not think he had. His perspective on life is quite different and interesting.
