Chapter 59

They left for Mumias a month later. They arrived at the Registration Office at nine in the morning.

"May I see the registration officer, please?" Old Kasamani requested one of the administration policemen.

"Yes. Go right in. The office is the third door to your left." The tall slender policeman replied.

"Wait here," the old man left Jacob standing outside the office and proceeded inside.

Old Kasamani remained inside for a while and then appeared later with a broad smile on his lips.

"Everything is alright. Come right in, the man wants to see you."

Jacob steadied himself and followed his grandfather into the office. An averagely built man with a bald head sat behind a desk facing them. There were many files on his desk, and he was reading a newspaper. On the desk was a wooden plate written: P.A. Mukuna, Registration Officer.

Mukuna regarded him as Jacob stood in front of him. "Is this the young man?"

"Yes," Old Kasamani spoke quietly from behind.

"Okay then," Mukuna said.

"Let me see have the birth certificate and a few details about him."

Old Kasamani produced the birth certificate his daughter, Angela, had given him to keep many years back.

Then Jacob gave a brief background about himself as Kasamani produced the letter from their local chief. He also gave his passport size photograph.

Fifteen minutes later, the identity card was ready and presented to him.

"Thank you, sir." Jacob said as he took the card and dropped it into his shirt pocket.

Then they walked out of the office. It was Old Kasamani who was the first to speak, "To Kakamega now for the registration of the land under your name. I'd like you to emerge as the new landowner."

The old man chuckled as they went. He was happy that everything was going according to plan. His mind briefly ran into the past few days since his grandson's arrival to day he took Jacob, on advice from his land surveyor, to the District Land Board to whom they appeared and were given the consent for the land transfer from him to his grandson.

The prudent surveyor, upon being paid his fees, had taken the land transfer forms to the land Registrar, Kakamega.

Meanwhile, Jacob fished out his new identity card and started reading it as they were walking to the bus stop. He could not believe his eyes when he saw what was written on the Identity Card.

Written in block letters was the name: JACOB KARAHANI.

For a few seconds, Jacob was nonplussed about the whole thing. Then he decided to find out from his grandfather.

"My name has been changed, Grandpa. What's the matter now? Why is this so?" Jacob's face looked puzzled.

"What name have they written on your card?" Kasamani pretended to be surprised at what his grandson was saying.

"Jacob Karahani!"

"But that's your father's name! Your father is known as Alfredo Karahani. That's what I had to tell the chief and even the registration officer. It is because they never wanted you to continue using your Ugandan name. Musani is only your step-father and not your biological one."

Old Kasamani paused for a moment, then went on, "You should be happy you are now using your father's name because you're likely to meet him one of these days. He's still alive and lives in Mombasa at the coast."

The old man had dropped the bombshell. Jacob only stared blankly at his grandfather as he talked. For a moment, he could not believe that the old man was telling the truth.

Then Jacob suddenly remembered that his own mother had wanted to tell him something about his father before she died. Jacob knew that Old Kasamani could not tell lies in such serious matters.

His father was still alive! This new idea thrilled him. His heart burned with anxiety as he listened to his grandfather, who continued talking.

"Your father divorced your mother for reasons I have never really understood. It was quite foolish of them to divorce each other as they were still young. They should have learnt to persevere, forgive, and love each other. Yet Angela gave him a reward he should always be grateful. You had a..."

"Is this not Old Kasamani?" A tall middle-aged man suddenly appeared and interrupted. "What brings you to Mumias?"

"Oh, it's only you, Kutswa! I came to do business at the district registrar's office. I wanted my grandson here to get an identity card.

"Is he the one who came from Uganda?"

"He is the one," Old Kasamani replied and started walking fast towards the bus stop.

"Well, goodbye, Old Kasamani. I'll meet you in the village." Kutswa said and went in the opposite direction.

Jacob was overjoyed by the knowledge that his father, whom he thought had died, was still alive somewhere in Mombasa. Even when they reached Kakamega and he applied for a land title deed previously owned by his grandfather, he was still happy about this latest discovery.

The land registrar informed them that the transfer of land ownership would take about a month and they could collect the certificate at that time. Stisfied that everything was in order, they left.

Jacob was happy to know he was now the proud owner of thirty acres of land. Moreover, the old man kept livestock like cattle, sheep, and goats on his compound. He never seemed to lack anything as he also kept ducks, chicken, and guinea fowls, which looked quite beautiful to watch as they ran around the compound.

And it appeared he had realized his aim in life when from a farm labourer, he became a farmer who owned thirty acres which he gave his grandson to inherit. Old Kasamani was realist, thought Jacob.

That night in their home, Jacob was quite an excited man. He started believing he would one day see his father. Surely, he thought his father would be very happy to see him after all those years.

Jacob now realized another great challenge of trying to find his father in Mombasa faced him. The task ahead of him was difficult because he hardly knew anyone in that distant coastal town.

Yet he only thought of trying to find his father and never knew that his grandfather had wanted to tell him more, but Kutswa had interrupted their talk.

Old Kasamani had not told him everything; especially the fact that Jacob had a twin brother called Esau. He also never knew that finding his father would be an uphill task.