The River Between

In a building with an iron roof, Waiyaki stands in his own office in a European school, watching a downpour that leaks into the classroom hut across from him. Just like him, his friends Kamau and Kinuthia are now teachers as well, and the three often discuss the Europeans’ growing political power. Colonialism has surpassed the confines of Siriana and has gained control of the ridges, and white settlers are now taking land from the people and forcing them to resettle elsewhere. People have turned to Waiyaki for guidance, viewing him as a leader, and other groups have divorced themselves from Siriana, wanting revenge against the Christians’ governmental structures. These groups worry Waiyaki.

While Waiyaki and Kinuthia experience a mutual kinship, Waiyaki and Kamau have an antagonistic relationship, for Kamau is the son of Kabonyi, who at one time was a supporter of Joshua. Kinuthia analogizes the European presence by comparing it to a man who visits a family one day and soon suborns the role of the father and head of household. Kinuthia sees it as the son’s responsibility to rebel against this injustice. Kinuthia’s passion makes Waiyaki wonder if life is inherently a “contradiction”—he observes the absurdity that they all have been educated in Siriana yet have passionate feelings against colonial control.