Chapter 2
“Sorry, the mobile subscriber cannot be reached. You can leave a voice message after the tone..."
Henry Owino ended the phone call. It was his third unsuccessful attempt since morning.
"Well?" The elderly woman donning orange headscarf asked.
“His phone is still off. Let's wait for about half an hour then we will try again."
She sighed anxiously then lifted both hands in the air and muttered, "Oh Lord, bring those young men plus Lois safely. Have mercy on me Nyasae!"
Owino, the highly revered gang and Luo community leader stepped outside for a cigarette. The 5ft 8, hefty and dark skinned 42-year old man sat on his favourite wooden, brown three-legged stool. Anxiety loomed at the back of his mind as he wondered about his unreachable foot soldiers. 2008 had started on a brutal and bloody note.
“How will I win this battle?" He asked himself.
The date was January 14th, two and a half weeks of mayhem and total anarchy attributable to the controversial presidential election results announced on 27th December 2007. The presidential race was a neck-to-neck contest between two major tribal horses, the Kikuyu and Luo. Despite the Luo's candidate overwhelming national popularity and staggering votes garnered, he lost in quite unclear circumstances. All hell broke loose on the fateful evening the Electoral Commission of Kenya's chairperson declared Mwai Kibaki as Kenya's new president. Two hours later, the incumbent president took a second oath of the Presidential office in a not so glamorous dusk inauguration ceremony.
While the rich but vengeful opposing politicians flew their children overseas for their safety, the common and gullible electorate killed, raped and burned each other. The war between the Kikuyu and Luo in Mathare and other violent hotspots were fuelled and sponsored by the same politicians. Owino and his tribesmen had the upper hand against Steve and his tribe during the first week of chaos however, the Kikuyu managed to turn the tables after two veteran and wealthy Kikuyu politicians committed resources in full support. Steve's gang also took charge of major roads leading into the vast ghetto. Any handcart or vehicle ferrying groceries and basic household items destined towards the Luo divide was instantly torched. Steve's men stole the supplies and sold them at throwaway prices to Kikuyu shop owners and grocery vendors.
Suddenly, there was a loud urgent knock on Owino's gate. He calmly rose and walked towards it. A sweaty and scrawny young man in a green vest and orange shorts panted as he stepped inside his commander's compound.
“Okello, what's the matter?" Owino asked. His forehead instantly creased with concern.
“Jared and Ricky were beat up pretty badly. They’re at George's clinic getting stitched up."
The bad news felt like a forceful blow to Owino's potbelly.
“Did they return with the woman?" He asked.
“No. They failed."
The elderly lady inside Owino's house rushed outside. When she saw Owino's long face, she immediately grabbed hold of his right forearm and demanded, “My son, please don't lie to me. Just tell me whether my only granddaughter is dead or alive."
It was moments such as these that made Owino regret his leadership. He shook his head miserably and answered, “My boys didn't manage to rescue her. I'll think of something else."
"No! No! No...This can't be happening to me! God, why have you let those evil men murder my poor Lois?" She wailed loudly and angrily tossed her orange headscarf, revealing her grey and shaggy hair.
“What will we do?" Okello asked his master.
“I will personally call that Kikuyu son of a prostitute and talk some sense into him."
He returned inside his house, unplugged his Nokia 1600 from the charger and dialed Steve Ndegwa's number.
“Hallo?"
"Hallo Steve, this is Owino."
"What do you want?" He asked uncouthly.
“We have fought for too long! I just want you to release that lady you've held hostage since December."
“Are you crazy?" Steve answered.
“Calm down my friend. The lady sent her grandmother a text message last week using one of your neighbour's phone. I know what your men did to my men this morning when I sent them to talk to you."
“That’s what happens when uncircumcised idiots trespass into my territory, understand?"
“Just tell me what you want and I will give it to you! I want that woman back to where she belongs!"
“So you can make her your third wife? Stop thinking with your penis!" Steve mocked.
Owino's hands trembled with anger. He was about to fire back with his own ammunition of crude ethnic insults but reluctantly bit his tongue out of wisdom. “I will bring you two sacks of weed then you will release her, okay?"
Steve paused in silence as he contemplated the offer. "When will you bring them?"
“I will bring them tonight at eight o'clock."
“You better keep your word or else you'll find her head floating in the river,” Steve Ndegwa cautioned.