Author: Paul Mboya M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire).
Publisher: South Nyanza African District Council, by The Advent Press, Kendu.
There are some novels like Wadhi e Coronation (We are Going to the Coronation), by former chairman of Luo Council of Elders, Paul Mboya, published in 1953 that are a gem.
The 111-page book is written in Dholuo and is a narration of the author’s second visit to London in the United Kingdom with his wife, Maritha Mwango, to witness the historic coronation of Queen Elizabeth II who had succeeded his father, King George VI, upon his demise.
On the eve of her father’s death, Princess Elizabeth was on holiday in Kenya and got the sad news while at Tree Top Hotel in present day Nyeri County. The author’s first trip was in 1946 to the capital of the then British Empire in a delegation to celebrate the end of the Second World War which lasted from 1939 to 1945, and pitted the British and allied forces which included the United States, Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) and France against the Germany, Italy and Japan. It was from May 25, 1953 to June 29, of the same year.
Colonial Chief’s Maiden Flight
Says the author, who has five other titles under his name: “We left Kisii town on April 25, 1946, and travelled to Nairobi, where we arrived on April 27, 1946. We were in a delegation of seven people and our mission was to join the celebration and “goyo sigalagala (we were to ululate)” in the Victory Parade, on June 8, 1946.”
According to the author, who hailed from Karachuonyo in the then South Nyanza province in Kenya, that trip was organised, coordinated and led by Mr P. Wyn Harris, M.B.E., who was the Provincial Commissioner.
The first trip to and from London for the Victory Parade lasted from April 25 to August 24, 1946, and was at the end of the Second World War (1939 to 1945) which had pitted Britain and the Allies against German, Italy and Japan.
Others in the 1946 delegation were: E.W. Mathu (Kiambu), Solomon Adagala (Teacher at Government African School in Kakamega), Chief Elijah arap Chepkwony (Kapsabet), Rev. Charles Muhoro and Chief James Mwanthi (from Nyeri district), Mr Grant Ralph (Coast Province).
For the next 100 pages, the author gives a blow by blow account and thorough description of the environment, itinerary, politics of the day, English culture, tradition and culture of Britons and the Royal Family.
Indeed, for those who love vernacular literature, the book is a gem as it challenges the reader to discover new words in the language spoken by the Luos who had emigrated from South Sudan and settled in parts of Uganda and around Lake Victoria in Kenya and Tanzania in the last century.
Vernacular literature
The book is one of the five by Mboya, who is not related to Tom Mboya, who later served as Kenya African union (KANU) Secretary General and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the most famous of them is the classic, Luo Kitgi gi Timbegi (Luo Culture and traditions) published in 1938 and is must-read for members of the Luo community and those interested in learning and knowing the language, history and culture.
Mboya was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), went to primary school up to Class four, became a priest and later was co-opted by the colonial government to resign and become a senior chief. He later became the Ker (leader) of Luo Union East Africa (EA).
History and culture of the Luos
His second trip to the UK started from his home in Karachuonyo, near Kendu Bay on the shores of Lake Victoria, and took him and his wife to Kisumu town, across the Winam gulf, where they boarded an airplane at 5.25pm. and landed in Nairobi at 6.20pm. The couple was received by Mr C.N.C. Prichard who took them to Thika Road House Hotel for the night.
The Mboyas were accommodated at the hotel for two days, courtesy of the British Governor of Kenya, Sir Evelyn Baring, K.C.M.G., V.O. (The Royal Victorian order established by Queen, Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George), before being driven to the airport on May 27, 1953, for the 9am. London flight in a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) plane for the marathon and historic journey.
From Nairobi International Airport they made their first stopover at Khartoum, in Sudan, for one hour where they were amazed to see the majestic River Nile flowing towards the Mediterranean Sea that separates Africa from Europe.
They later departed from Khartoum for another stopover in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, and Rome in Italy before landing in the British capital, London.
Also in the Kenyan delegation was: Mulama from the African Appeal Court in North Nyanza; Chief Nathaniel Mbele from Taita Taveta in Coast; Joel Omino from Central Nyanza; Chief Daudi Kandie from Baringo in Rift Valley; Gideon Mpoke from Narok also in Rift Valley; and Jeremiah Pekoli from Kenya Tea Co. in Kericho, also in Rift Valley province.
Royal treatment for Kenyan delegation
For the next four weeks, the seven and their spouses were treated like royalty by being booked in hotels, driven around in official cars, and included in the very important people’s guest list to attend and witness the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in the iconic 7,000-seater West Minister Abbey.
During the visit, the author saw the first television set for the first time when he and his wife were hosted by a member of the British royal family for diner.
Each member of the Kenyan delegation was later presented with the Queen’s Coronation Medal as a gift and souvenir which was in an envelope.
On June 11, the delegation was invited to attend the Queen’s Birthday Parade, where the author and his wife were given reserved seats number 37 and 38.
But not everyone was comfortable with the delegation from Kenya, as one of the hosts asked the author: “There must have been a mistake to invite you here as your compatriots, the Mau Mau, are killing women and children!”
‘Ghost’ of Mau Mau in London
Other highlights of the trip were: the sight of the gold-plaited horse courage that was used to transport The Queen and her husband, Duke of Edinburg, from the coronation venue to her official residence at Buckingham Palace; a conducted tour of British House of Commons and House of Lords; and other visits to factories, a 3,000-acre farm owned by one of their hosts, educational institutions and homes for orphans and the disabled.
The memorable trip came to an end on June 25, 1953 when the author and his wife bid their hosts goodbye as they boarded another BOAC plane for the return trip to Nairobi via Rome, Cairo and Khartoum.
The former SDA priest-turned- chief, later used his office and opportunity to: “Caution the public to ignore misleading calls by Mau Mau leaders, who are like blind people leading others to a bottomless pit!”
By then, the colonial government had imposed a state of emergency and ordered the arrest of Jomo Kenyatta and his six comrades-in-arms; had them charged with “being members of a terrorists group,” and sentenced them to detention in Kapenguria in West Pokot District where they served for seven years.
The book is an eye-opening of the dark and dying days of colonialism before December 12, 1963 when Kenya gained independence and the Union Jack was replaced with the Kenyan national flag with Kenyatta as the first Prime Minister before he later become President of the new nation.
Synopsis: Author Paul Mboya and His Illustrious Career
By Duncan Mboya (one of his sons) & Odhiambo Orlale.
The author of Wadhi e Coronation (We Are Going to the Coronation), Paul Mboya, had an illustrious career as a teacher, a Pastor and a chief and penned four other books, all in his native language Dholuo.
The book was published in 1953, soon after his and his wife, Maritha Mwango’s historic trip to attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London, United Kingdom, in a delegation of eminent Kenyans.
The other books were: Luo Kitgi Gi Timbegi, (Luo Traditions and Customs), in 1938, Sirikand Luo E Ndalogi (Government of Luos These Days), and Richo E Kelo Chira (Taboos are brought by bad habits) and Chiemb Luo.
A part from Luo Kitgi Gi Timbegi, none of the other books have been translated into English to reach a bigger audience, but following a recent family meeting, plans are underway to have Wadhi e Coronation translated and launched later this year.
The Paul Mboya family, not related to the famous trade unionists, Kanu Secretary General and Cabinet Minister Tom Mboya, who hailed from Rusinga Island, in present day Homa Bay County, have also decided to have all the other four books penned by the patriarch also be translated and sold under Paul Mboya Foundation, that is already registered.
So far he has been honoured by having his name feature in his Karachuonyo constituency, Homa Bay County and in neighbouring Kisumu County, the former headquarters of Nyanza province. They are Paul Mboya High School, Paul Mboya Vocational Training Centre, and Paul Mboya Road in Kisumu city and in Homa Bay town
He was born in 1898; and his parents were Akoko Maruru wuod (son of) Ochieng and Osiru Ayallo nyar Kochia who were peasant farmers and livestock farmers.
The author went to Kisii and worked for a certain Briton and when the First World War broke out and the Germans invaded Kisii, he accompanied his boss to Mombasa where he attended Buxton School up to Class 4.
Mboya later returned to his home in Karachuonyo after WWI when peace was restored. He then decided to go with his friend a Mr. Osiyo to Kisii to look for further education but his father went for him with a promise that the SDA missionaries had arrived in Gendia and they were looking for young people to educate.
The author’s thirst for education saw him return to school where his teacher was Mrs. Morse, a wife to one of the SDA pastors. After graduating, he was later enlisted as teacher and posted to teach in Kandiege, Kital and Kotieno Gumba primary schools (all in Karachuonyo).
While teaching in the mornings, he sacrificed the afternoons to attend Mrs. Morse’s further classes, by riding his bicycle to the school.
He undertook other courses and was later ordained as a Pastor and became the first ordained SDA Pastor in Africa where he worked until 1935. His peers included late Pastor Isaac Okeyo.
In an arrangement between the British administrators and the SDA Synod then, he was asked to replace Dola Maira as Chief of Karachuonyo. Initially he refused and asked to be given time to consult, a consultation that lasted for one year.
The author took up the appointment and had his peers such as Musa Nyandusi of Kisii, father of former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae, Kasuku Matunga of Gwasii, and Gedion Magak of Kaisipul Kabondo among others.
While serving as a chief, Mboya pioneered the construction of schools such as Ongalo District Education Board (DEB) School, the first chief’s camp in Kavirondo region, health facilities and several other institutions.
In 1946 he was appointed to the position of Secretary to the South Nyanza District Council with its headquarters in Kisii town. On the eve of his retirement in 1960, the author requested the Nyanza Provincial Commissioner to divide Kisii into two – Kisii and South Nyanza District for easier administration.
The current Nyamira and Kisii counties were in Kisii district while the current Migori and Homa Bay counties formed the larger South Nyanza District. The Provincial Commissioner accepted the requested and appointed him to lead a team to help identify where the new headquarters of South Nyanza would be located. The team visited Mbita, Homa Bay, Oyugis, Kendu Bay, Sori, Migori, Kehancha, Macaldar, Ndhiwa but Homa Bay carried the day.
With funds from the District council he spearheaded the construction of the current Homa Bay DCs office, Police station, County Council offices (now County Assembly hall) and Masawa Hotel (Now official offices for the Governor) in Homa Bay town.
The author retired from public service and was elected Ker (leader) Luo Union East Africa at a gathering in Kisumu’s Moi stadium by delegates from all Luo clans in Kenya and representatives from other Luo communities in Tanzania and Uganda. While in retirement, the former chief served in many schools as a board member.
The author was a polygamist with three wives and was blessed with 22 children and many grandchildren.
Thu Tinda (The End)!
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