The Life of Odinga Bapfumo

By Benjamin Mitcham

The Life of Odinga Bapfumo is an auto biography about a young man from the Caribbean born of a large family in a time were slavery was gone but not forgotten and the quality of impoverish. Odinga refused to believe that this was the only life that he was destined to live and decided to do something about it.

However, this book is not just about the life of one man but the political struggle of a race.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496978035

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© 2014 Benjamin Mitcham. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/24/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7802-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7803-5 (e)

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

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CHAPTER

1

Odinga Bapfumo was born of the fourth generation of descendants of slaves. He was born on the island of St. Kitts. His life and story began in what could be nothing less than conflict. His mother was one of twelve children. The full list of names of the children is as follows:

Odinga Senior and Monika Bapfumo was determined that their children should be respectful and well behaved generally. Odinga senior was said to be a man of integrity, tall, elegant and always well turned out and well known and respected within his community. He died suddenly at the age of 42 years. In those days of mysteries of magic and voodoo it was believed that his rivals who were envious of his success and lifestyle had arranged for him to be overcome by evil spirit and the spirit had overwhelmed him. After the death of her husband, Monika was told by the colonial owner of the estate that she had to complete the outstanding payments on the loan which was used to extend the family home. In all the years of producing twelve children and raising them, some to mature age, she never worked. Her husband was an artisan who was the chief engineer in the Ginnery and Cooking Oil Factory. It was a step down from her normal status when she realized she had to work in the sugar cane field in order to repay the loan. Monika’s background was that of mulatto of African mother and European father. She was born in 1897, only a generation away from the abolishment of slavery in 1864.

By the end of 1938 things had settled down in the Bapfumo’s household. Everyone settled into their new role and accepted the new situation. By this time Habiba who was the eldest was already married. Odinga’s policy of family life was that a man should not take liberties with his daughters. Marriage was expected by any man who became involved with any of his daughters. Ewunke who was the second daughter grew into a tall elegant young woman who resembled her father. She was obliged to find work. Whilst working at the ginnery she was spotted by Nobimi Gamba. He was tall and handsome, Ewunke fell for him and a relationship began. The guidance and discipline of her father was still with Ewunke. Before agreeing to form a courtship with Nobimi she took advice from her mother. She was informed by her mother that she should inform Nobimi to write to her outlining his intentions for the progress of the relationship. As instructed Nobimi wrote the letter to her mother and a courtship began.

The pregnancy of Ewunke was a shock to the family. It was echoed again and again that if Odinga senior was alive this would never have happened. Nobimi made no effort to marry Ewunke. When asked by her mother to set s date for the wedding he gave evasive excuses. Time moved on and baby Odinga was born. The decision to call the boy Odinga was out of respect for Odinga senior. It was said that Odinga junior was the first grandchild of Monika to have been born in the house and it was fitting that the name Odinga should continue within the Bapfumo family. Monika was somewhat disappointed that Nobimi had not seen fit to marry Ewunke before deciding to have a baby with her. However, she was pleased with her new grandchild. There was a saying in the local language that when the man of the household id no longer there grass grows at your door and Monika echoed these words many times.

It was with great surprise and distress that three years later in 1941, that Ewunke became pregnant again and still no offer of marriage came from Nobimi. Time went on and preparation for the second child was being arranged. One Sunday Ewunke went to the shop and encountered an acquaintance of her by the name of Adanma. She said Ewunke, how are you? By that time Ewunke was eight months pregnant. She continued to discuss local gossip with Ewunke. She said I went to church this morning abnd a lot of people were there. I heard Nobimi’s name announced that he is going to marry Adande Ajayi. Ewunke was shocked. There was never any indication that Nobimi was involved with another woman. Ewunke left the shop forgetting what she went in to buy. The following day she delivered a premature baby boy.