When Waiyaki began to speak again he felt happy. This was the moment to push his plans through. He spoke quietly, clearly, the elation of speaking to a large crowd making him feel light. He briefly outlined his plans for Marioshoni. The rotting roof needed more tin; the children needed desks, pencils, paper. And then more schools are to be built. More teachers are to be employed. He sat down, fearing that he had not made his point clear. But the applause that greeted him left him without doubt about the reception of the short speech.
A moment too soon Kabonyi was on his feet. He did not smile but looked defiantly around him. The battle was on. He was old but his voice was good and steady. Besides he knew his audience well and knew what to appeal to. He could speak in proverbs and riddles, nothing could appeal more to the elders, who still appreciated a subtle proverb and witty riddles. Kabonyi again knew his limits. He did not want to bring too many issues together. So he decided to leave the Joshua affair and come to it later as a final blow.
He reminded them of the poverty of the land. The dry months had left people with nothing to eat. And the expected harvest would not yield much. He talked of the new taxes being imposed on the people by the government post now in their midst. And instead of Waiyaki leading people against these more immediate ills, he was talking of new buildings. Were people going to be burdened with more buildings? With more teachers? And was the white man's education really necessary? Surely there was another way out. It was better to drive away the white man from the hills altogether. Were the people afraid? Were there no warriors left in the tribe? He, Kabonyi would lead them. That was why he had formed the new Kiama. He would rid the country of the influence of the white man. He would restore the purity of the tribe and its wisdom.
"Or do you think the education of our tribe, the education and wisdom which you all received, is in any way below that of the white man?"
He challenged the people present, appealing to their pride, to the manhood in them and to their loyalty to the soil.
"Do not be lead by a youth. Did the tail ever lead the head; or the child the father or the cubs the lion?"
A few people applauded. And there was silence.
About 450 words.
*UNFILTERED* [Series].
Amosun Paul Potter.
Teenage Coach.
_Story Teller_.