A Grain of Wheat

The novel flashes back in time to explain The Movement, which dates back to the time when British settlers arrived in Kenya holding Bibles and claiming to be messengers of the Lord. The Kikuyu were at first interested in learning about the white men, seeing a parallel between the British queen and a past female ruler of their own land. Although the religious beliefs of the white men were puzzling—why would a god let himself be crucified?—some of the people were converted. The white men began acquiring more and more land and erecting permanent structures. The Kikuyu realized they were losing their own country, and fought back.

One opposition leader was Harry Thuku, who denounced the British for taking the land and homes of black people. He encouraged Kenyans to unite, and the Movement began. However, the British soldiers met a procession led by Harry Thuku with gunfire; many died and Harry was taken away to a remote part of the country.

Years after Harry’s capture, Mugo attended a rally for Jomo Kenyatta. Although Kenyatta was not able to attend, others spoke on behalf of the Movement. One of these men was Kihika. In the audience were Kihika’s beautiful sister Mumbi and her carpenter husband Gikonyo. Kihika declared that people will have to sacrifice for their country—“brother shall give up brother, a mother her son” (15). Mugo was repulsed. What right did that angry young man have to stir up more trouble?

Soon after Jomo Kenyatta’s arrest in October 1952, Kihika and other young rebels fled to the forest to plot their attacks. Kihika’s greatest conquest was the capture of Mahee, a British garrison that held weaponry and ammunition. Led by Kihika, members of the Movement set free the prisoners at Mahee and appropriated weapons. Because of his actions, a price was put on Kihika’s head. When caught, he was tortured and hanged in public, but the Movement continued to grow, fueled in part by Kihika’s words and actions.

In the present, in Mugo’s hut, one of the men speaking on behalf of the movement is Gikonyo. After serving seven years in detention, Gikonyo came back to Thabai and has become one of the most successful men there, a symbol of self-made success in the new Kenya. Also part of the delegation is Warui, a village elder who gave Mugo a small plot of land when Mugo was released from detention, and Wambui, a woman who served as a messenger during the Emergency. They are with General R. and Lieutenant Koina, Freedom Fighters who have been granted amnesty for Uhuru.

Although Mugo grows increasingly uncomfortable, his uninvited guests talk excitedly about the independence preparations. General R. asks what good God is, if he could not warn Kihika that he was walking into a trap. The others want to know if Kihika had been betrayed. General R. believes Mugo was the person who sheltered Kihika after the death of DO Robson and wonders if Mugo knew whom Kihika was planning to meet a week before his arrest. General R. believes Kihika was planning to meet Karanja, and that Karanja betrayed Kihika. Mugo, unable to speak, only shakes his head.

Gikonyo announces the real reason for their visit. Kihika and Mugo will be forever known as heroes, so Gikonyo asks Mugo to make the main speech at the Uhuru celebration. Mugo does not understand, but Gikonyo urges him to make a decision soon, as the celebration is only four nights away. He also encourages Mugo to consider being a Chief to represent the area in the new government. Mugo collapses onto his bed when they leave, asking himself what the Movement really wants of him.

Outside the hut, General R. and Koina talk about finding Kihika’s traitor. Koina felt a deep respect for Kihika, who elevated him from his job as a cook and made him aware of black power. Both General R. and Koina had served in World War II, but know each other only from their days as Freedom Fighters. Although Koina respects Kihika, the pain of Kihika’s death has passed. For General R., Kihika’s death is as fresh as ever and needs to be avenged.

Meanwhile, Gikonyo, Warui, and Wambui discuss Mugo’s strange behavior, which Gikonyo attributes to Mugo’s detention. Gikonyo goes home and finds a light on. Not wanting to see Mumbi, he returns to Mugo’s hut, believing that Mugo would truly understand his feelings. Outside Mugo’s hut, Gikonyo becomes embarrassed and goes home again. There, he demands tea from Mumbi. She asks why he did not tell her about the visit to Mugo, since their talk concerned Kihika, and Kihika was Mumbi’s brother.

Mumbi serves tea and asks Gikonyo to talk about the child. He replies that there is nothing to talk about. Mumbi asks him to come to her bed, as it has been many years since they have slept together as man and wife. Gikonyo refuses her and they go to bed in separate rooms.