Chapter 58

News of Jacob's arrival spread like wild fire in the village. A few days after his arrival, Jacob's kinsmen and close relatives started streaming into

Old Kasamani's compound to see him. They hoped to learn more from him. And it went on for quite some time.

Jacob was sitting with his grandfather outside their house on easy chairs when they saw a one-legged man come limping across the compound on a large walking stick.

"This is Mukabana; one of my kinsmen." Old Kasamani began to introduce when the man sat on an empty chair.

Then, turning to the dark man who also had grey hair, Old Kasamani said: "You must have heard about the arrival of my grandson. He's this one seated with me right here."

Mukabana started probing him almost immediately. "How's life in Uganda? We in the village used to hear that there was a lot of anarchy and chaos during Idi Amin's rule and even after the liberation by Tanzanian soldiers. It is said that it also worsened under the Okellos. Is that true, young man?"

"Well, I lived far from the war-tone areas. But I used to hear people say Amin's soldiers used to go on rampage and looted people's property. I used to hear people in the village talk of how the property of the Asians was seized by the soldiers when Amin announced their expulsion," Jacob tried to explain.

Unknown to Jacob, Mukabana was thinking about his grandfather. What a mean and selfish man! Mukabana thought. A man who does not want to leave anything to his kinsmen but instead has to bring this young man to inherit the wealth the clan had earmarked as his gift to them.

"Well, at least you did a good thing to come back. Uganda became an unfortunate country when it was torn by war. People think that the killing of the early European missionaries and even the Ugandan martyrs could be the cause of the unfortunate turn of events in that country. Some people even suggest that God decided to punish Uganda because of the shedding of the blood of the missionaries and early converts to Christianity," Mukabana said and chuckled as he spoke.

Jacob said nothing. He just listened as his grandfather and Mukabana were drowned in deep conversation about the affairs in the village. Then, later, Mukabana rose to leave.

"Well, goodbye Jacob. Don't always stay at home but take a walk at times and visit us. You'll visit us, won't you?"

"I will," Jacob replied almost immediately but noticed his grandfather was staring at Mukabana rather strangely.

Mukabana walked towards the gate and stopped briefly at the exit. Then he slid out of the compound and started walking along the road. Old Kasamani watched him disappear and then began to talk to Jacob, "He's one of those people who used to laugh at me. Now, they are just pretending to be good friends because they imagine they stand a good chance of inheriting my land and property when I die."

Kasamani paused briefly and then went on: "But their hopes are false. Do not even go to their homes. I know they aren't happy about your arrival because you're my next of kin, and they don't stand a chance of getting anything now."

The old man coughed, cleared his throat, and then continued: "Don't go near them because they could even poison you when they give you food or drinks. Poisoning and killing you would be their only sure way of inheriting my property."

A warning sounded, and Jacob knew he could not risk his life at the hands of greedy and jealous kinsmen. His sudden arrival had jumpstarted envy and plots to eliminate him. Jacob realized he would have to follow his grandfather's advice to the letter.

It was obvious the old man talked from his experiences of life in the village; he was wise and honest about what to expect from the villagers.

He came back to his senses when he heard Old Kasamani call out, "Josephine, my dear. Come here!"

"I'm coming!" Josephine's soft voice came from inside the house.

A few minutes later, Josephine appeared in the doorway and stood staring at them. She was a little girl aged twelve years old. She had short black hair and large innocent eyes. She wore a simple dress which reached her knees and white rubber soled shoes.

As he saw her standing on the doorway, Old Kasamani smiled and said, "Go into my suitcase and get me the large brown envelope."

The little girl obeyed and went back into the house. Then she re-appeared a few minutes later carrying the envelope.

"That's it. Let me have it!" The old man exclaimed and was apparently happy as he took the envelope.

Then he opened to confirm that the contents were still there. Satisfied, he said: "This is my land title deed. It shows me as the owner of thirty acres of land."

Kasamani gave the certificates to his grandson to examine. Jacob read and saw all that was written in the title deed.

"How many acres are indicated in the title deed?" The old man queried.

"It shows thirty acres."

"Correct! It's all yours now," Kasamani laughed.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"Well, there's still work to be done. We'll leave for Mumias next week to obtain an identity card for you as the first step. You'll have to renounce your Ugandan nationality because you are and have always been a Kenyan."

"Won't there be any problem, Grandpa?" Jacob wanted to know.

"I hope not. I've already discussed this matter with our local chief, and he's agreed to give me a letter to take to the Registration Officer so that you are issued with a Kenyan national identity card."

"Looks like it won't be difficult after all."

"Oh yes! Once you have that, we'll leave for Kakamega to process the registration of this land under your name. Is that okay?"

What else could Jacob say? He simply agreed, "Yes, grandpapa!"

"Well, then get prepared for the journey to Mumias," the old man urged him.

But the old man also had to prepare him for his life in the village. So in the evenings, Jacob would sit next to his grandfather after supper to listen to his stories about life in the village.

It became evident that the old man liked chatting about the past, especially the traditions or history of their people. He told his grandson about the great war of 1939-45 and how those who came from the war were seen as heroes by their people.

He also liked motivational stories and explained that although he never went beyond primary school, he was happy that his hard work first as a laborer on colonial farms and later as a farmer had made him happy at last and urged Jacob never to stop having goals or working hard.

But it was clear to Jacob that the old man hated gossipers and drunkards whom he viewed as lazy people who wasted time doing nothing constructive. Jacob had to adjust to the old man's lifestyle of reading morning newspapers he bought at the shopping centre, listening to radio news at 1 pm, 4 o'clock, and 9 pm on a daily basis.

Moreover, the old man would play the piano in the evenings after supper and urge him to listen to the tunes. He would at times ask Jacob to try and play, but the young man lacked the skills his grandfather had.

On Sundays, the old man would insist they go to church and pray to God who gave them good health. And so it was Jacob came to adapt to life in the village where the villagers were so particularistic.