The 

River and the Source

The River and the Source - Study Guide, Notes, Themes, Typical Essay
Questions and Answers

The River and the Source Plot:

The River and Source has a very simple plot. I would easily define
the plot as a linear plot-in the sense that the book begins with the
birth of Akoko, the flow and pace that the writer uses is of
progressive nature.

It moves from one event to another progressively to the end.

Unlike many books, The River and the Source lacks real conflicts for
one cannot fight with nature.

The supernatural forces within the book sets the motivation in Akoko
to live on and see another day unlike in other novels where, revenge
is motivated with a wrong done or the antagonist has to face off
with the protagonist.

The protagonist has to learn the antagonist‟s weaknesses and

defeated for a happily ever after life.

The River and The Source begins with a fine morning where a child
is born in the house of Aketch the Second wife of the Great Chief of
Yimbo Odero Gogni Adinda.

The child is the first born daughter in a family of already seven

sons.
Significant in the beginning of the text is the naming process, the
Nak festival and the resounding marriage of Akoko to Owuor Kembo.
Akoko‟s marriage, despite the love that exists between them, faces
some challenges.

Akoko is hard at bearing children a condition that rubs the mother-

in-law the wrong way.

Despite her being industrious and successful she is faced by

galloping problems.

Her first born son, Obura escapes home and is reported to have died
in the First World War of 1918 in Tanganyika (Tanzania).

Before long, Chief Owuor Kembo passes on followed closely by the

last born son Owang‟Sino.

This lives Akoko technically „barren‟ that is with no son. Among the
Luo and most African communities boys were valued and looked
upto more than girls.

A man‟s strength was only as strong as the number of boys they

sired. Akoko, though she still had Nyabera, had little to do in Sakwa
and trooped back to her paternal home in Yimbo.

As fate could have it, Nyabera did not get a son to lean on. She
stealthly walked out after her attempts to continue Okumu‟s family
with Ogoma Kwach hit a rock.

She decided to live her matrimonial home and seek refuge in Aluor
at the mission Station.

Akoko uncomfortable of her life as a migogo (unmarried woman)

joins Nyabera.

The young female controlled family includes Awiti, Nyabera‟s

daughter and Owuor Sino Owang‟ Sino‟s son. The new life in Aluor
shapes Akoko‟s perception of life.

Her perceptive nature sees her accept life as it unfolds. Nyabera

tries her luck with family but life has dealt unfairly with her.
Beaten up, Nyabera embraces her solitary life, cues her life with
that of Akoko and the two women look after their family like
accustomed lesbians.

In Aluor Owuor Sino develops a new liking for priesthood breaking

the chain of leadership in Sakwa forever.

Regardless, times had changed and chieftaincy, as it were, had

changed with colonialism.

Awiti on the other hand trained to become a teacher. She met a

young man Mark Athony Oloo Sigu.

The two were betrothed to each other but before the big day, Akoko,
having lived a life of determination, dynamism and love, died
peacefully in sleep.

Nyabera stood in her mother‟s stead and the river moved on.

Awiti got married and her young family started her life in Nakuru.

Mark with his infidelity learned the spirit of fidelity and brought
forth a family of seven children-Vera, Becky, Aoro, Anthony, Opiyo,
Odongo and Mary.

Becky Married John Courtney a Canadian and got two children- Alicia
and Johnny. Vera joined Opus Dei and chose celibacy.

Aoro now a doctor married Wandia a doctor from Central Kenya.

They had four children-Lisa, Daniel, Mugo and Kipusa. Opiyo married
Edna and they had two children-Elizabeth Jnr and Mark Jnr.

Anthony became a priest like his uncle Peter Owour Kembo.

The book, in its dying embers extinguishes the life of Awiti after she
had buried her mother many years ago in Aluor besides Akoko.

Mark too, succumbs to his loneliness and is buried beside his wife.

Overlooking their grave is the beautiful flowers on the grave of

Becky who died of AIDS. The Book that started with life continues
with life dropping life after life to the engulfing death that never
tires.
The River and the Source is a genealogy with one key message, life
is lived with an open mind that embraces change as it comes.

Death is an inevitable loss that bestows in us the spirit of

determination to face anything thrown at humanity with life.

The book underscores the power of feminism and the role of women
in shaping a generation of change and tackling anything that is
thrown to them by life in the male dominated society.

Character and Characterisation: River and the Source by

Margaret Ogola

1. Owuor Kembo

He is the chief of Sakwa. At young age he had to personally go to

Yimbo to negotiate for Akoko to become his wife.

Owuor with Akoko get three children; Obura who died in 1919,
Nyabera and Owang‟ Sino. He dies leaving the chieftaincy to Owang‟
Sino

Character traits Considerate/Keen/Generous

He listens to the council of jodongo before he makesany decision.

When he is told of the antecedents of Akoko he listens keenly and

every word of the Jawng‟yo, the spy, goes to his making what will
be his ultimate decision-to marry Akoko no matter the cost.

His choice of words reveals a person who is thoughtful before he

speaks.

He generously accepts to the 30 head of cattle of bride without

negotiations.

He is ready to share his office with the family of Otieno Kembo, he

tells the elders that Otieno has many children who can take over
chieftaincy in case his own son is taken away.

Decisive/Proud/A Man of Honor

Chief Owuor Kembo decides to surprise his in-laws by paying the
suggested bride price. this reveals to us his pride an devaluation of
life.

He is the kind of a person who takes challenges easily as long as he

knows the value of the challenge.

In so doing, he earned the respect of Yimbo and admiration of

Sakwa and above all the love of Akoko.

Chief Odero Gogni tells Oloo, his Spokesman to set the bride price
at 30 so as he can trim the pride of this people from Savanna land.

When he visits Yimbo he stands upright exuding respect and honour.

The writer says he was obviously a man of Nyadhi.

Stubborn/Incorrigible/Quick to Anger When Provoked

Chief Owuor Kembo stubbornly remains monogamous in a land that

worships polygamy.

This is aggravated by the fact that Akoko, however beautiful, was

not the kind of a woman who easily got children and therefore the
children came in sparingly.

Despite pleas for his mother and incessant calls from the council of
jodongo, Owuor sticks to his decision of having only one wife.

He was in position of marrying more wives but he was satisfied by

having only one wife a condition that almost caused him to smite his
mother out of anger.

This incident occurred when Owuor arrived home to find his wife
missing.

He learns that she had had to leave after being accused by the
mother-in-law of being a juok.

After his anger was calm, he called the council of Jodongo and
wisely consulted, stubbornly insisting that he should bring the
mother of his children back regardless of the dissents among the
elders.
Loving/Accommodating/Caring/Friendly/Wise/Brave

Owour loved his wife so much that he did not further wish her any
more pain when she gave birth to Owang‟ Sino after a laborious
labour.

He decided not to try and make any more children. He persistently

remains monogamous despite the incessant calls from the people of
Sakwa because of his feeling for Akoko.

He is satisfied by her. Akoko is treated as a queen and she does not

disappoint in contrast Otieno Kembo treats his wives like sluts and
they do not disappoint either.

Owuor likes to sit around with his wife and listen not only to her
voice but also to the wise counsel she espouses.

He makes friends with her and after the evening meal he would go
to her house to talk.

A wonderful man indeed! He carefully advises Obura to forsakes his

dreams about seeing the world and concentrate on getting ready to
be chief after he is gone. He does not use force over his child but
let‟s Obura speak his mind.

2. Obura

Obura is the first born son of Owuor Kembo and AKoko Obanda. He
joins Kenya African Rifles (KAR) where he does in war in 1919.

He was down to earth/obedient

Despite being the son of a chief, Obura does not use his position to
intimidate his friends but treats them with respect and us equals.

He obeys his parents command.

Loving/expressive

He loves his parents and he is very apt. he likes his mother and
feels comfortable with especially when expressing his thoughts and
feelings.

Early Riser/Hardworking
Akoko ensures that Bora is not a lay about. Even though they had
servants, Akoko made sure that some of the chores were done by
Obura or that Obura helped in looking after her humongous her.

In this regard, Obura appreciated hard work and always woke up

early.

Sturbbon/decisive/friendly/social

Obura decides to make a voyage out of Sakwa and see the world. He
is talked out of it by both parents who thereafter believe that the
boy is reformed only for him to go missing one day.

He inherited his father stubborn behavior.

He is friendly and overly social interacting with the likes of Nyaroche

where he learns of the Jorochere, the Whiteman.

3. Otieno Kembo

The brother to chief Owour Kembo and chief of Sakwa after the
death of Owang‟ Sino Greedy Otieno kembo is avaricious.

He envies his brother‟s wealth an unashamedly uses it to marry

more wives.

His greed for power surpasses reason and he steps into Akoko‟s
wealth when all her sons and husband die.

He marries two more wives in quick succession when he is ordained

as the custodian of the chief‟s stool.

Inconsiderate/malicious/unreasonable

Despite having not worked in building the wealth of his brother, he

relishes it as his own. He and his family expect the Owuor Kembo‟s
to pay bride price for his sons.

Outrageous enough, with mature sons he has no sense of reason but

to continue marrying women.

Coward/insensitive
He fears Akoko despite her small body. When Akoko rouses the
whole village in the morning, he threatens to teach her a lesson but
grows cold feet when she confronts him.

He also fears to confront Akoko when he learns that she had

reported him to the do.

Chauvinist/abusive

He does not value women; he treats his wives like sluts while his
brother treats his wife like a queen.

He does consider the situation of his women and that is why, in

Akoko‟s words, they go borrowing food in the house of the money
due to the number of children growing in his house hold.

He abusive Akoko when she threatens to go back to her people in

Yimbo.

4. Nyabera Odero Mary

She is daughter to Owour Kembo and Akoko. She gets married to

Okumu Angolo where she gets an only child Awiti after all the other
children died.

Mary She is inherited by Ogoma Kwach but decides to leave her

matrimonial home after Ogoma Kwach is accused of neglecting his
wife for her.

Kind/generous/loving

Nyabera loves children and while young willingly shares her food
with them. She loves her daughter Elizabeth and feels so bad when
Elizabeth is to join a teachers training college.

Her love for children makes her fear that Elizabeth, with her
education, might not get a husband.

Her love for children makes her, despite the many deaths in her
children, as a married woman to Okumu, inheritance with Ogoma to
still try her luck which again turns out disappointing.

Considerate/patient/determined/relentless
She looks at the mess she had created by involving herself deeply
with Ogoma Kwach and realizes the pain she could have caused his
(Ogoma) wife and children.

She decides to opt out.

She is patient but determined get children despite the fact that all
her children die after living for some time.

She does not give upon her quest to get more children until when on
the third man, she decides to give up to fate and take care of her
Awiti.

Visionary/calculating/approachable

She makes a decision to join Christianity after getting some

information from Pilipo.

In her new religion, she contemplates that her mother Akoko might
love the idea.

She goes to Yimbo to get her mother, daughter and nephew.

Owuor „ Sino is confides in her about his plan to join priesthood. He

finds courage in her (Nyabera) to go and speak to his grandmother
about going to the seminary.

5. Owuor Sino (Peter Owour Kembo)

He is the son to Owang‟ Sino and Alando nyar Uyoma. He is later

renamed Petro Owour Sino then Peter Owuor Kembo after he joined
the seminary.

Humble/conscious

He is a humble boy who is conscious about the feelings of others.

He changes his mind about chieftaincy but is reluctant to tell his

grandmother whom he cares about how she will react to such an act
of betrayal.

Caring/Loving
He loves his grandmother and feels horrible about hurting her with
his change of mind. He cares about her hopes and dreams to rebuild
her shattered life in Sakwa.

Pious/dedicated/bright

He performs well academically. He looks a promising student. He

decides to follow religion which he has dedicated most of his time
studying and obeying.

Decisive

He makes a hard and lifelong decision to live a celibate life despite

his family‟s lack of male history.

6. Owang’ Sino

He is the last born to Akoko and Chief Owuor Kembo. He became

Chief in his father stead.

He dies after choking on a fish bone. Eager toplease/Ready toplease

As a young boy he was always calm and eager to please.

After the death of Aoro he tries his best to be the image of Aoro or a
better person for he lived in the shadow of his (Aoro‟s) fame.

When he becomes chief he is good to his subjects like his

predecessor but the people of Sakwa get shocked when he chokes
on a fish bone and dies.

Loving/considerate/an apple of hisfather’s eye He glows with pride

when his father is around.

He knows that with the death of his brother, a young man of repute,
a huge responsibility had been bestowed on him (Owang Sino) His
leadership therefore is without incident.

He shows love and consideration to his subjects and tries as much

as he can to earn their love.

Submissive/tolerant

He is not rebellious and does not exercise his will like his brother.
He follows the dictates of chik and marries as soon as was deem fit.
He takes over his responsibility as chief and subjects himself to
making his people happy.

6. Awiti, Elizabeth

She is the only child of Nyabera. She becomes and teacher and later
married Mark Anthony Oloo Sigu from Seme. She was baptized
Elizabeth.

Hardworking/dedicated

She works hard in school and achieves the highest level of education
at the time for a girl. Focused/vision-oriented She does not deter
from her dream of success in life.

She steadily progresses avoiding any interruptions from the

overtures from the boys around until she meets Mark Anthony Oloo
Sigu.

Loving/caring

She loves her husband and cares about her children. She
understands Mark Sigu even when he cheats on her. She works at
bringing a united her. She is the first one to get up when Anthony is
attacked by acute appendicitis.

She comes to Aoro‟s rescue when he faints before his father.

Strict disciplinarian/conciliator/observant

She reports Aoro to his father and takes a cautious background

while he is being punished.

Though she allows Mark to be as strict as a military man he is, she

also comes to the aid of the children.

She gives Aoro and Anthony when they are denied food for not
taking care of Oloo and Opiyo.

She reconciles Becky and Vera when the two get into a
confrontation.

Social/accommodating/friendly/magnificent host
She gets acquainted to Wandia in the shorts time and the two hit
out a conversation like old friends who have just been reunited.

Wandia was AKoko while Awiti was Awiti of the old. Their friendship
blossoms into a kind that exists between a mother and a daughter
until when she dies, Wandia faints.

When in what could be viewed as sheer coincidence the family of the

Sigus have a small unexpected re- union, she cooks a lot of food for
the family and generously shares savors the moment During her
burial, many people who knew her, old and young came to share the
grief of the Sigus.

Her contribution as a teacher and disciplinarian and accommodating

nature was seen in the number of those who came to mourn.

7. Mark Anthony Oloo Sigu

He is the husband to Elizabeth Awiti. He was in the army. He left the

army and was recruited to work in Nakuru. He has seven children
with Elizabeth Awiti.

Determined/exuberant/Witty

He relentlessly wrote to Awiti until she replied to his letters. His

uncle says that they trusted his judgment on issues and that is why
when he told them that he had found a girl, they came to negotiate
on his behalf.

While talking with Akoko, Akoko is seen to have heard a happy

laughter and gay eyes showing just how much Akoko approved of his
witticism.

Strict/Tough/ambivalent

He does not condone laziness and indiscipline. He punitively

punishes Aoro and Anthony when they err.

He almost sends Aoro to his death with starving when the boy is
suspended from school.

However, he gets to soft with Mary until Becky wonders loudly what
Mary could do to get punished.
Becky feared Mark‟s toughness that after her A-level, she had to
run away from home to further her career as an air hostess- a
profession Mark was against.

Vera on the other hand, was level headed enough to ask her father
whether she could go on a date with her boyfriend Anthony
Muhambe.

Industrious/Disciplined/Flexible

He works hard to provide for his family. He ensures that besides

food on the table and comfortable house, all his children have
achieved education to the highest level.

His value in education is shown when he insists that Becky must do

her A-levels.

He disciplines himself to love only his wife after a short lived

rendezvous with a certain girl. He also ensures that, his work ethics
and competence are adhered to hence earning him the deserved
promotion.

When Kenya achieves her independence, Mark takes a

correspondence school to enhance his expertees at work. This shows
his dynamism to embrace change and also meet the goals of the
rapidly dynamic world.

Purpose driven/Loving/Caring

He loves his family and wife. He makes them comfortable and offers
a sence of security.

His purpose in life is to take care of the welfare of his family. He

does this by directing his energy at work.

His is a rather caring parent too. When Elizabeth gets complications

with her last pregnancy he does everything in his power to be with
her.

This makes his love for Mary to hit the roof because of how delicate
the situation had been.

8. Aoro Sigu
He is the second born son of Elizabeth and Mark. He studies hard to
become a doctor. He meets Wandia Mugo Medical school thereafter
the two gets married and have four children; Daniel, Alicia, Mugo
and Kipusa.

Playful/Innovative/Keen Observer/Naughty/Mischievous

Aoro and Tony love playing just like any other young people. Their
mischief lands them in trouble, when Oloo almost drowns as the two
elder boys had gone on their separate ways.

He observes Tony‟s stitches after he had come from hospital with

interest and with a dexterity that was amazing, managed to
successfully operate on a frog.

Bright/competitive/relentless

He is always at the top of his class making distinctions in sciences, a

feat that is highly regarded in Kenya, which lands him to medical
school.

In medical school he meets Wandia Mugo an equally brilliant

student. The two are neck to neck in class taking the first two slots.
In anatomy, Aoro loses to Wandia.

This defeat makes him take a very tough challenge; dating Wandia.
She turns him down severally but Aoro is relentless. He finally wins
her over.

Homely/supportive/loving

Aoro decides not to further his studies in Medicine. He takes to

private practice. However, he supports his wife‟s endeavours to
further her career.

Wandia says that she almost gave up but his determination and
support gave her the agility to go on.

Level headed/Pragmatic

Aoro is level headed. In many societies in Africa, women

overachievers are always looked at as loose cannons or feared for
their open mindedness.
Aoro embraces his wife‟s higher educational accolades and
respectfully loves her as who she is.

He is pragmatic enough to reason with his father and change Mark‟s

perception of the Gikuyu.

9. Wandia Mugo

She is the wife to Aoro and a doctor. Visionary/Perceptive/High

Achiever Wandia Mugo as a young child wanted to be a doctor and a
teacher too.

She envisions that as a doctor, she would be able to help her

society, as a teacher, she would train future doctors. She works
hard to achieve both goals. Additionally, she makes sure that she is
at the top of her profession.

Loving/Down-to-earth

Despite learning and getting to the top of her career, she values
Aoro who is just a simple doctor.she recognizes the sacrfifce Aoro
made for her sake.

She stands by Aoro and she is greatful to have him for a husband
Wandia teaches modern women the value of education in life and
the essence of respecting men regardless of their low standard in
life.

She recognizes the fact that, men and women need to treat each
other with respect regardless of one‟s level of education
Accommodating/easily-embracing She accepts Aoro even though
they were from different tribes. She falls into intimate friendship
with Elizabeth Awiti.

In fact she finds it hard to accept her death. She takes in Becky‟s
children and treats them as her own.

10. Vera

She and Becky are the first children of Mark and Elizabeth. She
studies engineering and religiously joins Opus Dei after breaking up
with her long time boyfriend Anthony Muhambe.

Loving/extremely generous
She declines to join the school she was called to so that she can be
with Becky. She is overprotective of Becky until when Becky shows
her true colour. Regardless, Vera, while at the university, takes the
initiative of going to look for Becky at JKIA.

Supportive/Caring/intuitive/observant

She supports those around her, talks to Alicia against her moving to
away from home. She also supports Wandia when Daniel gets ill.

She cares for her sister a lot and sacrifices a lot to make sure that
Becky is comfortable. For instance, she joins Riverside to be with
Becky in the same school.

She keenly observes the relationship between Becky and her

children and is forced to intervene.

Sensitive/Decisive/Pragmatic

She gets into a confrontation with Becky which hurts her feelings
deeply. She decides to breaks up with her boy friend and hence
decides to join Opus Dei.

She is a realist, she asks her father to go out with Tony. She turns
down Tony‟s proposal.

11. Becky

She is twin sister to Vera and an air hostess. She marries John
Courtney a Canadian but they are divorced because of her infidelity.

She and Courtney have two children Alicia and Johnny Courtney.
She dies of HIV/AIDS leaving a large estate to her children.

Sensitive/irrational/self-possessed

Becky is overly self possessed. She gets jealousy of the attention

given to Mary. She accuses Vera that Vera always hated her.

She concerns herself with her own well being. Amorous/Gold

Digger/Unfaithful/Visionary Becky despite her marriage to John
Courtney engages in extra-marital affairs.

She is divorced physique.

Becky (Rebecca) was startlingly beautiful and an avid attention
seeker while Vera was quite intelligent and independent minded.

When Vera and Becky were two years old, Elizabeth got another
child, a boy Aoro.

Mark decided that his young family could no longer stay in Nakuru
because of the raging struggle for independence in Kenya.

He took Elizabeth and the kids to Aluor where he thought they will
be safe.

This decision was questioned by Mark‟s mother who felt the children
should her stayed in their paternal home. Back in Nakuru Mark
engages in extra-marital affair with a certain girl.

This woman after staying with Mark for some time, she claims to be
pregnant.

The allegation snaps Mark out of his dreamland and he sends her
parking. He decides to go back to Aluor and see his family.

At Aluor Elizabeth decides to park their things and go back to

Nakuru since it looked like Mark had forgotten all about them.

Elizabeth heard the rumours about a woman in her house but chose
to keep them under the bed.

Significant Events in Chapter One

1. The birth of the twins; veronica and Rebecca.

2. Aoro, durng the dry season is born.

3. The fear of Mau Mau rebels forces Mark to take children to Aluor.

4. Mark engages in extra-marital affair.

Questions From Chapter Three

1. Do you think it was excusable for Mark to cheat on his wife? If it

was, do you support Elizabeth decision to keep quiet about it?

2. Explain the difference in the character of Vera and Becky.

Observations Made From Chapter Three

1. Mark realizes the harsh reality of monogamous relationship. He

strays a little but now seems to accept the fact that he confessed to
have one wife.

It does not occur to him that in some parts of his world including his
own culture men have more than one wife.

What is written all over his face is the guilt of cheating on his wife
Elizabeth Awiti.

2. The responsibility of taking care of the family has slowly shifted

from being that of a woman to being the duty of a man.

Mark Elizabeth says, must have someone to remind him of his

responsibilities. Compare Mark‟s responsibility to that of Akoko.

Chapter Two

Freedom of Kenyan and Work

The country celebrates its independence under Mzee Kenyatta and

Oginga Odinga, everyone is happy that finally Uhuru has come.

The country is faced by so many problems including incompetence or

as Kenyatta put it ignorance, poverty and………… the leaders call
people t go back to the lands and work.

There were so many job opportunities and in 1967, Mark got a

promotion as manager and moved to a much bigger house.

He now had a bigger family which consisted of; Vera and Becky,
Aoro, Anthony Jr, the twins, Opiyo and Odongo and the last born
Mary.

Vera was a brilliant and hardworking student while Becky, who got
everything she wanted did not know hoe to put in much more effort.

Vera passed her certificate of Primary education but declined to join

the national school she had been called to.

She joined Becky‟s school (Riverside high) instead.

Significant Events in Chapter Two

1. Independence and its associated problems.

2. Marks hardwork and the labour of putting shelter on his family.

3. Progress of Marks family.

Questions From Chapter Two

1. Expound on the emerging differences between Vera and Becky.

2. According to the chapter, outline the problems Kenya inherited

from the colonial government that still bedevils her.

Observations Made From Chapter Two

1. The chapter reveals the new kind of slavery. Mark Sigu has to
work extra hard to provide for his family. He is enslaved to his job
and paying of rent.

He does not own a home but rather has to move from one house to
another according to how much money he earns.

Everything surrounds money and one is counted as being rich

according to how much money he/she earns. The money one gets
determines where that person lives.

2. Despite earning substantial amount of money Mark has chosen to

stay in rented houses.

This is one of the bigger problem that faces most Kenyan towns - a
large percentage of urban dwellers do not consider the said urban
centers as homes but rather there ancestral homes.

3. Academics has taken a caste system where those who perform

well go to better schools while those with abysmal performance are
relegated to what is considered as smaller schools.

Does this procedure inhibit some student potential?

Chapter Three Aoro Sigu

Aoro sigu was like Obura son of Owuor Kembo. He was „swift and
bright; confident and curious‟ with three younger boys under him,
he became overly adventurous.
One day they went fishing, Aoro and Tony took to fishing oblivious
of their brothers Opiyo and Odongo.

Odongo Almost drowned but the noise of Opiyo who was screaming
attracted the bigger boys who rescued their brother.

At home, there was a case waiting for them.

Aoro and Tony were punished for it was there word against the
younger boys.

The boys swore never to go anywhere with Opiyo and Odongo.

Meanwhile Tony develops acute appendicitis and is rushed to the

hospital at night.

Aoro is very worried of his brother but receives the good news that
after operation, Tony will be well.

Significant Events in Chapter Three

1. The near death experience of Odongo by drowning.

2. Tony develops an acute appendicitis.

Questions From Chapter Three

1. Narrate and event in your life where your parent(s) punished you
severely.

2. Do you support how the Sigu‟s treated their children?

Observations Made From Chapter Three

1. The rigors of family life are setting in and the Sigu‟s have to deal
with the day to day challenges of raising a family.

The near death experience of Odongo opens Mark to the dangers

crawling outside there where he thought the boys could not venture
out to.

He now realizes that there is so much to young boys that just sitting
around or in the neighbourhood.
2. Tony‟s appendicitis literally gives us the notion that, as a parent,
one sleeps with one eye open.

This emergency also opens a door to good neighbourliness, if it were

not for the neighbour‟s help, Mark would have lost his child.

Chapter Four

An Epiphany for Aoro Sigu

Aoro examines Tony‟s stitches and a fortnight later, he operates on

a helpless frog successfully.

His journey to medical school had begun.

Peter pays them a visit.

Every child in the house is excited to be with him especially Tony

who has hundreds of questions about priesthood. Mark is
apprehensive for it is evident that Tony is eyeing priesthood.

Many parents have reservations when children tend to incline to

fields they (parents) are not comfortable with. Peter was on his way
to getting a promotion to become bishop.

After staying for a while, he left for Aluor to pay a visit to his Aunt
Maria, (Some versions of books say Cousin Maria*but it should be
considered just as a typing error and corrected) It was decided that
Opiyo and Odongo should go with Peter and keep their grandmother
Maria Awiti company.

Aoro performs exceptionally is invited to join one of the best schools

in the country.

This inspires Tony to work even harder.

At school Aoro takes time to adapt and is sent home for indiscipline.
His suspension attracts the wrath of his Father who grants him
independence as an adult to start a life.

Aoro is troubled to submission and changes his view of his father.

He resolves to go back to school and never disappoint.

Significant Events in Chapter Four

1. Aoro like his great great ancestor Obanda, from whom Akoko
Obanda got her name from, shows his passion in medicine.

2. Tony shows an interest in priesthood when Uncle Peter pays them

a visit. Peter is on the way to becoming Bishop.

3. Opiyo and Odongo are taken to Aluor to keep their grandmother

company.

4. Aoro joins Form one but he receives a suspension which ends him
on the wrong side of his father.

Questions From Chapter Four

1. Do you think Aoro‟s punishment was justifiable? Explain.

2. What are some of the harsh realities in boarding schools?

3. As a parent, would you allow your child to join priesthood?

Explain.

4. Write an essay showing how priesthood is looked at today.

Observations Made From Chapter Four

1. Many parents fail to notice the interests of young children at this

age. Aoro is now discovering his niche and according to the result of
his experiment he is quite good.

There are things children do in childhood which opens up new

avenues for r their lives in future and technically Aoro is on the
right track.

2. Regardless of their choices, children stir quite a dilemma in their

parent‟s life.

Anthony Jr. has overzealous questions for his uncle Peter about the
seminary and church.

Mark calmly contemplates whether he has the audacity to let his

son, though he had other sons to follow what he (Tony) believes in.

most parents have had to kill their children‟s dreams by virtue of

controlling their life and knowing what is better for the kid.
Chapter Five

Near Death Experience!!!

This chapter is a flashback of the birth of Mary the last born of Mark
and Elizabeth Sigu.

The pregnancy was a torturous one for Elizabeth given that she
developed a high pressure.

The doctors feared for both the mother and the child‟s life.
Elizabeth held on until the induction of labour which gave her the
girl Mary.

Mary received glowing love from Mark her father. She was taken to
the best private school and her father personally drove her to
school.

This attracted envy from Becky who was known to be the only
attention seeker.

Becky‟s remark about how Mary was loved by their father brought a
huge scuffle between the twins Vera and Becky.

This brought a huge rift between the girls never to be amended

Significant Events in Chapter Five

1. Pregnancy and the birth of Mary- the last born child.

2. Showers and floods of love shown to mary by her father creating

envy in Becky.

3. Confrontation between Becky and Vera which attracts intervention

from their mother.

Questions From Chapter Five

1. Do you believe in the saying that most last borns are spoiled?
Explain.

2. Vera and Becky show the height of sibling rivalry. Explain the
impact of this rivalry to their relationship.

Observations Made From Chapter Five

1. The value of life is appreciated in this chapter. Mark puts
everything at risk to try and save his last born‟s life from the jaws
of death.

He puts his wife‟s life in danger but at the end of the day, his
prayers and fears pays up.

2. Vera and Becky‟s relationship degenerates into bitter and painful

reflections. Did the parents see this coming?

It is important for parents to be on the look out for such vital signs
especially when kids advance in age.

More often, sibling rivalry break that blood bond beyond repair
especially in occasions where children have different personalities
like Vera and Becky.

Chapter Six

The Death of Maria Awiti

The secondary school results came out and Vera had done well in
sciences and Mathematics.

Becky got second division which she was well pleased with. Antony
got 36 points in his Certificate for Primary Education. He surely
knew he had earned a spot in Aoro‟s school.

Becky wanted to look for work but Mark insisted that he should go
back for A-levels.

Meanwhile a telegram from Aluor brings in news of Maria‟s sickness.

Elizabeth is beside herself with fear. Maria dies in hospital Elizabeth

by her bedside.

Significant Events in Chapter Six

1. The children pass their exams and Mark prevails upon his
beautiful daughter Becky to continue with her A-levels.

2. Maria dies at the age of 70.

Questions From Chapter Six

1. Relate the death of Maria to that of Akoko Obanda.

2. In your opinion and basing on Becky‟s decision not to join A-

levels. What is the importance of education?

Observations Made From Chapter Six

1. Beckey was extremely beautiful. Any man certainly would have

paid heavy bride price for her.

Consider many years ago- Akoko was exceptionally beautiful and

thirty head of cattle were given in appreciation.

At this age and time hover, what Beckey is looking for is work and
Mark, instead of being ready to take in suitors, is busy sending his
girls to school.

2. The death of Maria Nyabera yanks life away from Aluor and the
present da river rages on in Nakuru wanting to burst into other
corners of the world. From what we see, this river does not turn
back.

Chapter Seven

The Runaway Becky

Opiyo and odongo return to Nakuru after staying with their

grandmother. Education is central among the Sigus and as
examinations approach, five candidates at the same time, the house
is on fire.

Aoro was sitting for his O-levels, Vera and Becky for the A-levels
and Opiyo and Odongo for the Certificate of Primary Education.

Vera and Becky are now in the prime of their ages and boys are
milling around.

One guy, Tommy Muhambe is interested in Vera.

Vera brings this question to her dad requesting for permission to go

with Tommy to the movies.

When results came out, Aoro had performed well in his O-levels with
six distinctions.
Vera got two A‟s and a B. she decided to do electrical engineering at
the university.

Becky flunked in her subjects but she had other plans which after
the results she put into force by secretly eloping from home leaving
behind a note.

Significant Events in Chapter Seven

1. Opiyo and odongo return to Nakuru after the death of their

grandmother.

2. There are a total of five candidates at different levels in Mark‟s

houe.

Opiyo and Odomgo doing their CPE, Aoro his O-levels and Vera and
Becky their A-levels.

3. Vera asks permission to go to the movies with Tommy Muhambe.

4. When results come out, Vera decides to pursue electrical

engineering while Becky elopes to the city.

Questions From Chapter Seven

1. Differentiate between life in traditional African courtship and

modern day courtship.

2. Explain the character of Vera as shown in this chapter contrasting

it to her twin Becky.

Observations Made From Chapter Seven

1. Vera portrays maturity when she asks her father to give her
permission to go to the movies.

She showcases aspects of adult responsibility and respect for her

father unlike many girls who elope without asking.

It was unthinkable for her father to deny her such a huge chance
when she had expressed herself very well.

2. Becky on the other her shows her sheer lack of self expression by
simply slipping away without having her chance with her parents.
The image here is reminiscent of many families whose children
choose to escape into a world where they think they can make
independent decisions.

Chapter Eight

Life in Campus and the Break Up

Life in the campus was fun. Vera did not know what to do with so
much freedom at hand.

Many girls in the campus were either dating the rich affluent that
picked them at school or seeing some campus students.

Vera maintained her steady relationship with Tommy. Tommy

proposes to her but she declines ending their 3 year relationship.

With emptiness in her heart, Vera ventures on a journey to look for

her long lost twin sister.

She finally tracks her sister at Jomo Kenyatta International airport.

Significant Events in Chapter Eight

1. Vera adapts to campus life and its freedom.

2. Tommy‟s proposal from marriage is humbly rejected by Vera.

3. Vera goes on the hunt for her long lost sister and tracks her down
at the Airport.

Questions From Chapter Eight

1. Explain the reasons for Tommy‟s rejection. Was it premature to

propose?

2. Do you think Vera made the right decision to track down her
sister? Discuss.

Observations Made From Chapter Eight

1. The decision on marriage now lies between two consenting adults.

It is not like time ago where the father accepted or rejected the
offer.
Vera unlike her great grandmother turns down Tommy Muhambe‟s
marriage proposal.

Chapter Nine

Becky Returns Home

Becky lived an affluent life. She was now dating John Courtney a
Canadian national who was a pilot.

Vera was shocked that they were planning to get married without
informing Becky‟s parents.

The conversation turned towards going back home. John quipped in

and the two

Chapter Ten ‘opus Dei’

Mary-Anne Ngugi was Vera‟s friend and roommate in the university.

In her loneliness, Vera opened up to Mary- Anne about their love
gone sour with Tommy.

Vera too had been heartbroken with her action.

The two girls talk about Vera‟s twin Becky.

The conversation extends to the larger Sigu family.

Mary-Anne invites Vera to a recollection at Park view College, which

she readily agrees.

It was Sunday the two girls went to church where they enjoyed
service.

After service Vera‟s mind had many questions about her religion and
how well she knew it.

That evening she went to watch a play and enjoyed it.

The week that followed was full for most student in the university
were preparing for their final exams.

Vera had learned the art of preparing early and so she was more
than ready.
When Saturday came, the girls boarded a matatu towards Kangemi.

Vera was introduced to a group of Christians who had different view

of church and work among other lives challenges.

She got out of the church puzzled but Mary-Anne offered to give her
books which will help her understand better.

Significant Events in Chapter Ten

1. After the break up Vera resumes normal life trying to re-establish

herself.

2. She attends a church service where she starts questioning her

spirituality and how well she knows God.

3. Mary-Anne introduces her to a group of strict church people

where she earnestly starts on the journey of understanding her
mission towards God.

Questions From Chapter Ten

1. Vera sets on a new journey to redefine herself. Discuss the

events that transpired in Nyabera‟s life back then that led to such
huge change we see in the book.

2. There are many questions about spirituality that we confront

every day.

Basing on Vera‟s questions, do you think learned people appreciate

Christian values and their roles? Discuss.

Observations Made From Chapter Ten

1. Usually when one is faced by major challenges in life, they reflect

upon their life to make some decisions which may ultimately change
their future.

Vera, recovering from a broken relationship tries to make some

decisions which bring her closer to understanding her spirituality.

This leads us to the question, is it only pain and despair that draws
us closer to our God?

The River and the Source Themes

A theme is the main subject or agenda pushed by an author or
writer.

The river and the source has the following themes:

1. Feminism

Feminism: the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other

rights of women equal to those of men. (dictionary.com)

• The advocacy of women‟s rights on the grounds of political, social,

and economic equality to men. (online dictionary)

The story revolves around Akoko. The buck stops with women in the
fight against oppressive testosterone.

It is upon women to tap into their innermost strength to transform

the world it what they imagined.

Akoko, being on the losing end in a male dominated family fought

her way to earn her father‟s love.

She had to put her feet on the ground to make the world recognize
her.

Aloo, the family spokesman said that Akoko‟s hard work had been
incorporated into a saying that women sending their children on
errands would mention her.

She did not show any female shyness when she was introduced to
her husband to be.

With her head held high, Akoko stirred into Owuor Kembo a feeling
that had not earned vocabulary among the Luo – love.

Akoko did not subject the chief to monogamy. She was okay with
him marrying as many women as her wealth could manage.

It was the chief‟s decision, despite growing outcry, to remain

faithful to his wife.

We are not told of any arm-twisting but sure as the sun rises in the
east, Akoko build Chief Owuor Kembo to stand in her defence and
love her unconditionally.
I don‟t want to explain how she did it, and I don‟t want to sound
melodramatic about it.

One thing that is for certain is, women have the power to change
oppressive traditions to accommodate them.

Otieno Kembo treated his wives like sluts. He thought he would do

the same to Akoko, short as she was; she had the height in
confidence.

She stood him down on various occasions.

She earned his fear and she cherished it.

The difference between Akoko and Otieno‟s wives are, she was
daring where the wives were submissive, she was confident where
they were shy and she was loving where they were just doing their
duty to their husband.

Many women in oppressive regimes choose to me dutiful.

To ask little, oppose little and take in as much as they can.

(Read Khaled Hosseini‟s A Thousand Splendid Sun‟s). In most

occasions, women wait until it is too late to do too little.

Akoko stood before the DO and DC to fight for her infant grandson
birthright in Kisumu in defiance to Otieno Kembo.

She did not have to use men to right a wrong; she did what any
mother would do in the face of uncollapsible wall.

She forwarded the case before the white man herself, defiant like
Mekatilili before the British who were conscripting young Giriama
men into a war they knew little about.

She knew her days in Sakwa were over, she therefore packed,
having won the war, and went away.

Let me shift gears and burrow into other characters that bore a
mark on feminism in the book. First on the list is Vera.

Vera as a young lady broached a question which by standards of the

time would have brought the earth to a standstill.
Even in some societies today, such acts are despicable. She asked
her father for permission to go out on a date with Tony Muhambe.

This was an atrocity that could lodge a fish bone in any father.

Her mother of course intervened in the matter but this act alone
marked Vera as a woman daring to stand against forces that had
difined her community.

She turned down Tony‟s proposal for marriage! Who does that? She
therefore decided to live unmarried life!

This alone would have earned her father shame that would have
landed him hanging on a tree in a banana plantation shame written
over his face.

A girl‟s destiny was determined by her father. Vera did the

despicable and her dad was okay with it.

Wandia Mugo the wife of Aoro sigu is a significant woman too. She
did ask Aoro to marry her! Further on in the book, she becomes the
first Kenyan woman to earn a doctorate in Medicine.

Men should shallow a hard pill on this! A woman! A doctor! A doctor

Woman! Basically, the trendsetters in the book are women who
stand out to live a life they dreamed about to stand down regimes
that are oppressive and to disapprove those who thought that they
cannot.

Women have been joyriding on the affirmative action but its time
they should ditch the tomfoolery and proactively stand out equal to
the task and look down upon regimes that reward them with
sugarcoated buffoonery of half-baked men opportunity called
affirmative action.

2. Tradition

Tradition in most occasions refers to African traditional values that

are or should be done away with.

In this context though, I explore tradition on the concept of African

(Luo) practices that are both good and bad and have been passed on
from one generation to another, some still in existence while others,
non- existent.
I contextualize them in accordance to the mastery of Margaret
Ogola‟s book.

The naming ceremony of Akoko sets the bar very high on how a
simple function like naming can take astronomical grounds call in all
levels of spiritual intervention.

The Luo name according to: season-Adoyo, the will of the dead-
Obanda, intervention by the ancestors- Akello and the characters
exhibited by the child- Akoko.

Secondly the Nak ceremony has to be performed to both genders.

The ceremony has its rituals which are to be obeyed.

Nak cannot be performed to the second born before it is done to the

first. The ritual involves the removal of six lower teeth.

Marriage is a significant cultural event. Before marriage, a jawangyo

(spy) is sent to look around for ladies of marriageable age who can
make a good wife.

Fascinating enough, the society looks more on the basis of what you
are marrying from more than what you are marrying to.

It only lies with the father of the girl to decide where her girl is
getting married to.

This puts women at a disadvantage; men too are not given the
vantage to marry who they want.

If the Jawang‟yo has found a suitable mate, the negotiations begin

in earnest.

Bride price ones determined, the wedding follows and has to be a

mock struggle like an eagle stealing a chick-pun intended.

The brutality of tradition is seen as the backbreaking industry of

Akoko is unnoticed.

Tradition notices a woman who grows a generation than the one who
ensures food sustainability.

Tradition does not recognize love but instead looks at a woman who
is loved as a witch. Akoko is accused as a witch by her Maro,
mother-in-law, which draws her wrath. When her husband and boys
die, Akoko is left groundless.

She has to fight using external forces because her tradition does not
recognize a woman who has no sons or husband.

She would have secured her life if she had chosen to be inherited by
Otieno Kembo according to the dictates of tradition.

3. Post-colonialism/colonialism/christianity

The whispers of the coming of the white man are first had from
Nyaroche and his friend.

The two enjoy spreading the beauty of the world man drawing the
attention of Obura Kembo.

Obura decides to explore the world outside without his parents‟

permission.

We learn of Obura‟s demise in the war in Tanganyika and

subsequently, the calendar floats in.

After Obura‟s death things in Sakwa are untouched by the

influences outside.

Like the fictional ridges in Ngugi Wa Thing‟o‟s book The River And
The Source- Kameno and Makuyu, Sakwa remains behind like
Kameno.

In her agony and loneliness, Nyabera decides to join the Christians

in Aluor.

She is drawn by the rumour that, the white man‟s religion

recognizes people like her.

She is later join by her mother and her daughter Awiti and her
nephew Owuor Sino.

The family of Akoko is baptized into Christianity.

Akoko is named Veronicha, Nyabera-Mary, Awiti-Elizabeth and

Awour-Peter. Akoko seems at home with the new religion.
She takes to faith as she has embraced the ups and downs of the
life she lived.

She counsels Awiti and strengthens her in patience and love. She
reprimands Nyabera and reminds her to rely on internal comforts
when Awiti joins college.

Peter Owour wants to become priest but what stands between him is
the return back home to take his rightful position as the chief of
Sakwa.

He struggles with indecision fearing Akoko would not like his

decision.

Nyabera and Owour join Akoko in the garden but the visionary
already knew what was cooking.

She readily blesses peter and renames him Peter Owuor Kembo after
her husbands. Peter joins the seminary.

The element of sacrifice is evident here. Akoko sacrifices her only

chance to go back to her matrimonial home for Peter‟s sake.

She forgets about grandchildren roaming in her homestead and

chooses to live a lonely life.

To her life is giving happiness and finding happiness in generosity.

Her element is sometimes construed today as a generalization that

Luos forget their homeland and build big houses and mansions in
the cities away from home.

To Akoko, Alour was home just like any other, times had changed
and so was she.

Christianity imparts reason, discipline in the generation Akoko built.

Her reflection is seen in the eyes of Elizabeth Awiti and Wandia

Mugo as they model their family on Christian virtues.

Margaret ogolla mentions little on colonialism but focuses her

attention to the independence of Kenya. She relishes the new
freedom gained.
She portrays her characters as the people who recognized that with
independence came the responsibility of building a better society.
Mark works extra hard to provide for his family.

He takes evening lessons to double his efforts and also rise in ranks.

He knows that, with independence better skills are required to build

the country.

These opportunities are also exploited by Aoro sigu, Vero, Wandia

Mugo and the postcolonial generation.

She does not portray the society as the one mired with corruption
but hope.

4. Education

Informal education had basic principles which enabled young people

to live cohesively with the society.

Akoko had been taught to follow the ways of chik. She had been well
groomed to obey her husband.

The education was tailored to ensure that responsibility and

obedience was imparted by instilling fear i.e. one was to abide by
the ways of chik.

Mothers were given the responsibility to train children that is why

Akoko has greater responsibility in training her children.

She ensured that they knew the value of hard work by indulging
them in work. “….. his mother‟s adage that the sun should never
rise and find a man still asleep.”

“Stupidity in a woman was a sin only greater than stupidity in a

man..” Formal education came through by the Missionary.

The disparity in gender is clearly felt as young people joined higher

system of education.

Many boys joined high school than girls.

There were higher dropout rates among girls than boys.

Awiti and Peter studied hard to follow their vocation.

They took different paths; Peter studied for priesthood while Awiti
took to teaching.

They had learned the value of education given that resources were
awarded according to one‟s occupation.

Mark made sure that all his children had decent education. He
struggled to convince Becky to finish her A- levels despite her
reluctance.

The Aoro‟s too dedicate their resources to educate their children

Wandia Mugo excels in education to become a doctoral degree in
medicine.

5. Death

Death has been used variously in the book. Death represents an

end. It cycles around the life of Akoko. The book portends death as
inevitable.

The first chapter opens with Akoko receiving the name Obanda after
her recently dead uncle.

In another twist, Nyabera is given the name Odero after her dead
grandfather Chief Odero Gogni. Obura after escaping home meets
with death at the hands of the Germans in Tanzania.

The death of Obura represents deprivation. Everyone feels for this

loss.

Though Obura was the only one who everyone looked upto, this
death also creates an opportunity for Owang‟Sino as the next heir-
to-the- throne.

Owuor Kembo‟s health fails him and he soon dies leaving the
chieftaincy in the hands of his son Owang‟Sino.

This death signifies a change of guard as everyone looks for the

leadership of the promising young Owang‟sino.

When Owang‟Sino chokes on the bone of fish, Akoko is at loss. She

loses her sense of direction and is left without a pole to hold on to.
She has to relay on her own instincts, her inner power and wisdom
to forge a life of her destined future.

This death represents despair and confusion. It determines a turning

point from the decadent tradition of male property ownership to
woman self-reliance-feminism.

Nyabera is surrounded by death.

All her children die save for one-Awiti. Nyabera‟s life brings about a
change of course as she moves away from hope in ever diminishing
life of child bearing and walks on the path of appreciation of
individual life and what Were has to offer.

The death of Akoko represents transition. She had become the light
and cushion and hope everyone looked up to.

Her death is a seal of the new bond she found in the union of Mark
and Elizabeth.

It is a blessing in sadness that after all is said and done; she has
fulfilled her life as a father/mother to a generation of change.

Fate had made her grow wiser and her decisions transformational.

When Elizabeth loses her first to ignorance, we learn the sad reality
that, with the new education, few get to learn about the basics of
child bearing and caring.

The young couple is so ignorant of the early signs of pregnancy that

they take it as malaria-a common mistake.

Becky‟s death wakes the sad reality of HIV/AIDS as it pops its head
in Africa. Becky‟s lifestyle and mannerisms exposed her to the
ugliness of life.

A lesson that students have to learn that life in itself has monsters
and limitations to any choice one chooses to live.

Awiti and Marks death finally rests the life that begun in Sakwa
many year ago, pulsated through the caves of Aluor almost finding a
water fall in the death of Akoko but picked up to Nakuru culminating
in Wandia and Aoro.
Many will argue that death is not much of a theme but recurrent
topic.

Majorly, I argue that death is as much a theme and a strong one

because theme is what recurs in a story.

Having said that, I believe that, death offers lessons of

perseverance and the will to survive despite the prevailing
circumstances.

Death also re-evaluates and opens up other avenues in life that

have been unexplored.

6. Change

Change as a theme has been of central focus in African literature. In

so many ways, change is viewed as the move from traditional
perception of society to the modern ways.

Change can be radical or transitional as seen in The River and The

Source.

The River and The Source brings about a situational type of change.

The characters we come across in the book are open-minded

individuals who are visionaries.

They embrace change and accommodate radical views moderately.

Akoko involves the white administration in securing the custody of

her grandson. The way the colonial administration handles the
matter is profoundly unimaginable.

The DC involves the traditional customs and regulations to resolve

the matter amicably instead of descending on Sakwa with guns and
clubs.

This raises some hope in Akoko and her confidence in the white
administration.

The subtle British influence on the matter and the knowledge of

traditional culture shows that the DC understood the importance of
coercion as opposed to use of radical force. He knew it was just a
matter of time.
Petro Owuor‟Sino and Elizabeth Awiti start the white man‟s
education after leaving Yimbo.

They learn Arithmetic and religion and successfully secure careers

based on education and not a transition from childhood to adulthood
where the only obligation was marriage.

The new education offers opportunities and diversifies.

Regardless of the education, owuor remembers that he has great

responsibility as the chief of Sakwa.

This responsibility makes him uncomfortable but soon he is given

blessings by his grandmother to pursue what his heart desires.

Change requires sacrifice. Akoko knew how much she sacrificed to

make Owuor pursue his padre education but she was happy that she
was embracing this new life leaving the little about traditional
obligations behind.

Nyabera sacrifices her love for Awiti and lets her join a Teacher
Training College.

The marriage negotiations of Elizabeth are a fascinating spectacle.

For the first time, the women are directly involved in this age old
custom. Akoko makes sure that the marriage does not take the
aspect of selling a girl to her potential husband but a custom that
has to be obeyed.

In this context, the little Mark Anthony gives is just a way of

appeasing chik and not dowry per se.

It comes as a surprise that Akoko serves Kong‟o during the

negotiations.

Many would have expected that since she was a Christian, Akoko
would not indulge in traditional practices, which in some churches
are condemned to witchcraft but to Akoko. Change is about
embracing the new and the old alike.

7. Parenting/reponsible Parenthood
In traditional Luo society ladies were trained to respect their
husbands.

Of Akoko, “she has been carefully brought up and has been taught
all the requirements of chik.

She is a very apt pupil and will therefore not bring ruin to her
husband by improper conduct.

Akoko taught her children to value and appreciate work.

She reprimanded them on idling, of obura she says, “It seems I

don‟t give you enough work. Only an idle mind can think of such
nonsense……. Now go and help the herdsmen with their task.”

Akoko teaches her children to wake up early

. When Obura ran from home, Akoko thought that he had overslept.

She had taught him to wake before the sun rose.

On Nyabera, “ (Akoko) she believed that a young woman had to be

intelligent, fast on her feet and hardworking.”

Akoko and Nyabera brought up Awiti and Owuor Sino in a loving

way.

They were given education at the mission station and baptized to

Christian. Akoko gave her kin space to make choices and she
approved of them.

“I had also hoped that you would marry and provide many sons to
ensure the continuity of Owuor Kembo: but no I will not stand in
your way” Nyabera learned the art of consolation from her mother.

When Akoko dies, she takes it in gracefully to console Elizabeth

Awiti who was inconsolable.

Mark and Elizabeth worked hard to take care of their children. When
Aoro misbehaves in school, “Since when did you see breakfast
walking in here by itself?” Mark says as he sends his boy Aoro to go
and look for food for himself.
Mark wanted Aoro to learn perseverance and hardwork. “……his
mother rushed out to her son.

Mark walked into the bathroom and returned with a basinful of

water….” Mark displays principals of a strict disciplinarian who
values hard work though he loves his children.

Elizabeth checks Mark‟s anger by bringing in some kind of motherly

tenderness where Mark shows relentless brutality.

Aoro and Wandia Mugo also are exemplary parents. They are much
caring especially to Daniel who suffers Down‟s syndrome.

They take in Alicia and Johnny Courtney, the children of Becky after
Becky passes on.

In love and guidance, the Aoro‟s help shape the destiny of the
Courtney‟s “Johnny you are the most lovable person I know.

I couldn‟t love you more if you were my son, but never blame the
colour of your skin for anything” Wandia told (Johnny )