By John Ikani
62-year-old retired teacher James Kagambi has made history as Kenya’s first native African to reach the peak of Mount Everest.
Kagambi, also known as KG, reached the summit of Mt. Everest on Thursday after a hard 40-day journey.
The retired school teacher was a part of the first all-black team to climb Mount Everest.
Six of the team’s nine members reached the summit along with their guides.
“I made it. I was on top of the world just a few hours ago. I did it, we did it,” Mr Kagambi is quoted as saying by his sponsor, Kenyan sports betting firm Betika.
“I didn’t know that I would make it this far with my old age and my weak knees, but I pushed myself to the next level. Africans should know that this space exists for them too,” he added.
KG has guided climbs on Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya since the 1990s. He trains search and rescue teams on Mount Kenya, Kilimanjaro, and the Rwenzoris.
In Kenya, he has been recognized and honoured for his long-term contributions to the areas of rock climbing and mountaineering.
When KG is not practising his favourite hobby, high altitude climbing, he likes spending time with his family and children.
