Written by Jagi, an avid adventurer who has made exploration not only seem easy but very possible, this book is a soul searching discovery into what one can do when determined to live life to the fullest. It’s an incredible autobiography that you will not put down as you shall be absorbed by the stories from his parents to his childhood to business to travel and even family. BG Gakunju, one of Jagi’s sons who wrote the forward for this book hopes we join them “on a journey to a life filled to the brim with riches that you will never be able to put in a bank, but will earn you peace and happiness that you have never known before.”

From the beginning, you will get a clear glimpse of where Jagi got his love for life, business, and adventure. His joyful way of storytelling will capture you from the first sentence. The book has a strategically well layout of the chronology of events that will leave you wanting to read more, chapter after chapter.

Just when I thought traveling to a different country affordably was surreal, Jagi will definitely make you plan an adventure out of the country now. Through the Uvumbuzi Club which he founded with a group of nature-loving enthusiasts for adults interested in wildlife conservation, one of their adventures that intrigued me was traveling to Okavango Delta in Botswana, by road. This seems quite impossible especially during a time when the roads and modes of transport were not comfortable as they are now. Some of the Uvumbuzians, as they were fondly called, deemed Jagi’s idea impossible which eventually led to a bet.

“If you fail to travel, your thinking will be confined to what you have seen in your home area.” – Jagi Gakunju

Clearly the journey was not going to be easy. Imagine traveling from Kenya to Tanzania, through Zambia and possibly Zimbabwe before getting to Botswana and eventually reaching the Okavango which is on the north-western side of that country. When you look at it from a point of distance, it does seem impossible. When you look at it from a point of why not, nothing can stop you.

The entire journey traversing these African countries for seventeen members of the Uvumbuzi Club, who became the Swinging Seventeen, must have been perilous but fun and adventurers with a story that will be passed from one generation to another. A story that Jagi highlights in his book with so much zeal and splendor.

The book also shares the beginning of Wajee Nature Park which is home to the Hinde’s Babbler, an endangered and endemic bird species. Wajee Nature Park and the Mukurweini Valley have been recognized as Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) to aid in the protection of the species. In hindsight, Jagi would have opted to grow crops and make money as his neighbors thought he would do. However, creating the park was his small way of safeguarding the natural environment.

If you are looking for a book that will inspire the adventurous spirit in you, that will ignite the love of adventure and discovery, which will encourage you to travel more and stir your passion for wildlife conservation in its truest form, this is it.

“The baton for making this world a better place has been passed to us to improve on what she and others like her were able to achieve so far against all odds.” Jagi Gakunju reflecting on Prof Wangari Maathai

Living on the Edge by Jagi Gakunju is available at Text Book Centre, Prestige Bookshop along Mama Ngina Street, Nature Kenya Bookshop, Bookstop at Yaya Centre, Airport Bookshop and FoNNAP Bookshop. You can also order the book directly from Jagi on 0722759515. The recommended price is Ksh 1500.