Still Sings the Nightbird

Time up

281 T Time up abi was swallowed by her writing. She was quiet and meditative. She was in that meeting place of the heart and mind. She had seen a chopper swooping and hovering around Matiba- Rubia Road. It was as if it was chasing an eagle that descended fast from the sky and hid with a squirrel. It was scaring how the plane came so close to the ground. Matiba and Rubia were arrested in a black vehicle which came just as the plane flew higher up. They were incarcerated for leading the Kamkunji meetings on Saba Saba Day. Kabi wrote: “An eagle is not white and a squirrel is not black. The British rule gone? Freedom. Always shades of color, shades of meaning and colors of change. I think about the future for children. Is this the freedom we fought for? What was the freedom we had before colonialism?” At that moment, Kabi realized there was tension in the house. Joe and Jugus were in a heated discussion. In serious tones they spoke about policies and politics. “Why do you think Mandela refused to leave his plane when he passed through Nairobi?” Joe asked. “A lesson for our consciences,” said Jugus “We have to be courageous!” Jugus knew more about courage than his mother thought. He had found a page in her papers. He had read it and so fully engrossed was he that he did not hear anything else for hours. “The Mothers at Freedom Corner, they want their sons back. They have been on hunger strike; he would not heed their call; the President would not. The mothers at Freedom Corner know only one thing – that their children must be free. They will only speak the language of freedom. The mothers at Freedom Corner had done everything but no-one heard them. The Mothers at Freedom Corner were pelted with hard K 282 jets of water as they hid in the church. The mothers at Freedom Corner being delivered of baby freedom in endless birthpangs. The hours of labor turned into a year. At that time other people died in slum fires. They said it was because there was no fire brigade to quell the fire. But there was a firefighter. The police were using it to silence mothers dying for freedom for their children.” That is what Kabi had written and Jugus read. Kabi stood before her sons now. “Jugus!” said Kabi taking him by surprise. “What, Mum?” he asked eagerly. “I am going into politics. I want to work. I will look for votes. I will go to Parliament.” Jugus turned his tightly shut lips outwards at the edges, letting them extend almost down to his chin. But it was Joe who spoke first. “No. Mum. No! That is a big mistake… going to Parliament does not change anything. It is the people that must change. I mean it! You will be good, they will kill you! Politics in our country kills people!” “In other countries too, but it is politicians who kill. Not politics. This should not always be so!” “No! they killed Dad.” “Haaah? Come here darling…” Kabi asked with a rising voice. She hugged Joe. “Yes, I know, Mum. You love us. You love people. That is why we have Tuva… Mum, public life is dangerous. Remember how that minister died in February? Remember the bishop…Muuu? Muge?” Added Jugus. “Jugus, we cannot bury our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich. I see things, even here in the city, I see things I can change or at least help change. Shall I say no? I cannot ignore the hawkers, the small business people,” She said. “They need strong women who have braved all seasons to defend them.” “Yes, they need women. Not you!” Said Joe. Nobody spoke. 283 For the first time in his life, Jugus paced up and down like an old man. In an instant, it was as if he saw something. His face changed and beamed. “Yes, Mum. Go for it! We’ll tell the whole family!” We’ll support you always in all your plans! Hakuna matata!” Kabi smiled. And yet. The two were silent for a while. Mother and son stared beyond the stars. The sun and moon were dancing right in their eyes. In their trance, Kabi saw Googo of Kenyalini Village return with a small lantern called koroboi in her...