A quiet afternoon with Dad turns into a deep dive into history, resilience, and fatherhood.
We thought we were going fishing.
An outing with our Dad (Bishop David Mungai Kiarie) at a favourite fish joint along Nairobi’s Eastern bypass. Somewhere between ordering and plating the tilapia, we ended up fishing stories out of his soul.
These were stories not written in textbooks.
He told us about his dad.
Our grandfather (Guka), Daniel Mungai Njoroge. A man whose absence wasn’t a failure. But, a forced silence.
In 1952, Kenya erupted into a State of Emergency (pronounced Imajeti 🤣). Triggered by the Mau Mau rebellion. His father, like many Kikuyu men was arrested.
Seven years behind bars. Not because he stole anything. But, because he belonged to a people demanding their land back. Raising their voice.
When he was finally released, freedom came with a one-way ticket.
The Kenyatta regime in a pact with Nyerere, “exported” him to Tanzania. Part of a government-led effort to transfer Kikuyu farming knowledge to Tanzanian fields.
Labor, wisdom and resilience was repurposed and relocated. From Naivasha 🇰🇪 to Arusha 🇹🇿, ‘with love’.
He travelled with his two wives and daughters. Leaving behind two sons (my dad and his small bro) to fend for themselves in Múthúre, Kikuyu (station). 🌱
So, our dad grew up… Not quite raised. He puts it simply: “I grew like a wild shoot.” No father figure. No blueprint. Just survival.
And yet, he chose to bridge the gap.
Not letting the trauma of one generation harden his own.
He raised nine of us! The best way he knew how. With honesty, faith and work ethic. With the kind of love that isn’t loud but shows up, every day.
Just six made it into the photo below 👇. Getting all nine of us in one frame is like herding cats! It’s still on the bucket list. 😆
Now, he looks at us. Grown and scattered across professions and counties.
Smiling. Not because we are perfect. But, because he knows: he turned a broken past into a hopeful future. He is proud. And so are we.
Thank you, Dad. 🙏
For the stories. For the effort. For choosing to father. Even when you were never fathered.
You didn’t just raise us. You rooted us.
This is despite your dad’s absence and our mum’s mental illness. Read: When Love Burns: Living Through the Fire of a Spouse’s Mental Breakdown.
We are forever grateful and owe it to the next generation!
🧬 #FamilyLegacy, #GenerationalStories, #FromShootToTree, #FathersAndSons, #HonouringOurRoots
💬 I’d Love to Hear from You
Has your family ever uncovered a powerful story from the past? One that helped explain the current or inspired you to live differently?
Share your reflections or a memory that captures your family’s legacy in the comments below. 📖📸
Joseph Ngaara is inspired by people’s life experiences. Do you have an intriguing life story and need to share your triumph or tragedy? Email: j.mungai@hotmail.co.uk
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