WANGARI

chapter 13

Wangari was washing her clothes when she was approached by two men.
She had been waiting patiently for them.
She led them inside her hut and served them some tea.
" I assume you know why we are here?"
One of the elderly men said.
" I do know."
She served them some boiled maize.

" you have mothered one of our chiefs.
With Miringu gone, may his soul rest in peace, Kahuria is the next on the throne.
But he is obviously too young to lead. So it is our job to entrust that position to someone until he is of age."
He continued.

" The clan is still talking of it and seeing as Kahuria has no uncles from his father's side, the only one left is you.
You have to be entrusted with that role."
He said.

Wangari was shocked with this news.
She had been expecting a lot but not this.

" we have other candidates if you feel you are not able to lead. Think about it and get back to us."
He said and they left.

Wangari thought on the issue as she nursed Kahuria to sleep.

She thought that if she left the throne to someone else, Kahuria may never get to inherit what is his if the chief was anything like the last chief.

Early in the morning she checked on her shamba which had grown so much and was greener than ever.

After her breakfast of sweet potatoes and warm milk, she tied Kahuria on her back with a shawl and left to go to the elders.

" Have you made a decision yet?"

One elder asked.

" Yes."

she answered.

" We are ready to hear it."

he said.

" I have decided that i will rule on behalf of my son , Kahuria, until he is of age."

she said.

Some elders nodded in agreement while others  shook their heads  in disagreement.

" A woman as chief? How is that possible?"

one elder asked.

" it is possible, it has been done before."

one answered.

" Yes, but Wangu wa Makeri was a much older woman and capable if not strong.

Wangari is just a young girl, a young mother, how will she manage being both a mother and chief?"

one asked.

"I can manage with help from the villagers."
Wangari said.

"What about her duties to her husband and community, surely she will not be able to manage that."

Another elder said,

" I have no husband at the moment, he is missing and i believe that i will soon find him, and when i do he will take over as chief."

Wangari said.

Some elders still shook their heads in disbelief.

"Wangari, go home for now and we will discuss it among ourselves and get back to you."

An elder said.

Wangari nodded in agreement and left the hut to go home.

She was sure to have made the right decision, even though she 'a mere young woman'  she thought,  did not believe that she was even considering being chief.

She did not have the tiniest clue where one started being a chief but she was sure she would figure it out for her son at least.

She had to do it for her son.

She walked as she felt the sun on her skin, it had been some time since she had visited Wanjiru,

she thought to stop by her hut for a chat.

Wangu wa Makeri-_

She was the first and only known kikuyu woman leader who ruled during the colonial period.