As the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, painting the Equator area in Mogotio, Baringo County with a golden hue, Ann Keter diligently tends to her collection of woodcarvings within the cosy confines of her curio shop.
The walls are adorned with a stunning array of sculptures depicting the vibrant wildlife and cultural heritage of the people around, each piece telling a story of its own.
"Welcome to Mogotio Equator Point," Ann greets us warmly, her hands cradling a well-carved elephant.
Beside her shop stands a brightly painted monument marking the Equator line, the main attraction in this area. Visitors from far and wide flock here to take photos and witness the fascinating phenomena that occur at this unique geographical location.
"A few days ago in the evening hours, my colleagues here had gone home because of the rains, and I was also about to close. A man came here with a tourist from China, and they wanted me to guide them through the Equator and explain to them, so I did it, and they left after spending a few minutes here," she recalls.
Hours later she said she received calls informing her she was all over social media. It took the effort of her in-laws to come and show her the video for her to see.
"I didn’t know I was trending because I don’t have a smartphone," she said.
Ann understands five foreign languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, and French, in addition to Swahili and English. By Kipsang Joseph, The Standard
