Customer Reviews

Coming to Birth (Women Writing Africa)

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A social history of Kenya 1957 to 1978, interwoven with the political changes of the times. At the center of the story is Paulina, who progresses from a 16-year old farm girl from Western Kenya to a self-assured and matured woman in Nairobi. Maybe for the first time, an author who lives in Nairobi, tells us about the common people and the disenfranchised masses in that city - something a tourist would never see or even think of. It is a fascinating story, and so very well written. Interwoven with this tale are the political happenings, from MauMau to Uhuru and to the final statehood under Kenyatta. She describes the feuds between the different tribes, such as the Luo from Lake Victoria, the Swahili from the East Coast, and the dominant but persecuted Kikuyu from the Rift valley. Murder and mayhem did not bode well for the new country and the inside readings from this book are fascinating.

On a personal note: early in 1969 I had the very special experience to meet Tom Mboya, who was then 39 years old and a rising star in Kenya's politics. At that time, my stated view was that he would either be president, or be killed. Tom Mboya was assassinated in July of that year. I am very glad to see from this book that this brilliant young man has not been forgotten.