Retiring gardener rejects German Embassy’s Mercedes and BMW offer, opts for Chicken

Hesbon Imbwaka, a Kenyan gardener who was promised luxurious cars upon retiring after 34 years of service at the German Embassy in Nairobi, has surprised many by opting for chickens instead.

German Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth had promised to gift Imbwaka German machines after sharing a photo of the gardener holding a certificate—a gesture that sparked widespread reactions online.

Kenyans congratulated Imbwaka for his dedication, while some suggested additional gifts, including the possibility of him traveling to Germany.

Meanwhile, Crystal Gardens Landscape & Gardening Services applauded Hesbon as a skilled plantsman: “A knowledgeable plantsman. No wonder the garden at the German Embassy is superior. Congratulations Hesbon.”

Gabriel Maunda also praised Hesbon’s loyalty and dedication, highlighting it as a shining example of a strong employer-employee relationship, humorously adding that he hoped Hesbon now has a German passport.

Groth later responded that the retiree would receive “1 Mercedes and 1 BMW for every year in service.”

However, in a post on Friday, August 29, Groth revealed that he had initially intended to present the luxury cars, but Hesbon opted instead to receive chickens to establish a poultry farm.

“Hey guys — I noticed that you followed the retirement of our Chief Gardener Hesbon with big interest. Today was his very last day. I wanted to hand him over the 68 German machine,” Groth wrote.

“He opted for some kuku instead to start off a poultry farm. That’s the real Luhya spirit.”

Images shared by the diplomat on X platform showed Groth and Hesbon Imbwaka holding one chicken while four others lay nearby, alongside 50 kg of layers mash and a feeder.

The announcement sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with users expressing a range of emotions from amusement to admiration for the gardener’s practical decision.

While some jokingly lamented missing out on luxury cars, others praised the Embassy for recognizing a dedicated worker in a meaningful way.

Kivaki wa Othaya tweeted, “Mluhya sio binadamu” (loosely translated as “a Luhya is not a human being”), while Yusuf Anyanzwa joked, “Congratulations but still #BenzForHesbon.”

Clinton Opati commended the gesture, asking whether the gardener had been provided with a small chicken house and guidance on raising poultry.

Many others celebrated the move. Tr Felix Owuor commented, “That’s being human, thanks a lot on his behalf Sebastian, meanwhile I can be the next gardener,” while a user @_abincha added, “Thank you for appreciating the man and gifting him in retirement.”

Some reactions were humorous, such as Herbert Walker, who wrote, “Thank you very much, Ambassador, for your kind heart. Kindly, if there is any other work, I am available for it. God bless you,” while Eric Kubu suggested, “An Audi Q8 will top it up better.”

Meanwhile, others reflected on cultural pride. Arwas Sulwe noted, “Now you understand why African culture is one of the greatest in the history of humankind.”

Source: thekenyatimes.com