The year was 1969. We lived in Karatina, and at that time Mwaniki was a teacher at 'Pani'. He owed a Parker pen, a rare treasure. Perhaps it had sentimental value too, because it was greatly valued. Absolutely no one was allowed to play around with it, & that's exactly what we (phase 2) loved to do! Well, I got overly adventurous this one time, & actually took the pen to school! Just to show off to my Std.3 friends I guess; no way I would dare use it.

Some time after, the pen was missed. I actually don't remember how long after, because I had completely forgotten about the pen. Wacha itafutwe! Then someone (Ndambiri, Iruku or Muciru) remembered seeing me with it at school & told. I've never been so scared; we feared Mwaniki more than dad & mum combined!

Crying & cowering, Mwaniki took me by the hand & we walked to school. At night! (Well, it was after school and almost dark.) This was even more seriousness than I had thought. Somehow, he got the classroom opened for me; he was that 'powerful'! And there in my desk, I found the precious pen! I was actually surprised, and ever so thankful. Now my tears really flowed; mainly tears of relief, but also from self-pity and from feeling somehow betrayed.

What happened next was such a welcome surprise! Mwaniki took me into town (a treat) and bought for me (another treat) a small packet of our favourite Quality Street sweets (a HUGE treat). I could not wait to get home and show off! You can imagine how gleeful I was (Did I share? Over to you, Iruku or Michael.).

I knew then, that my big bro had a heart of flesh. While he remained tough through my growing up years, I now respected him more than I feared him. And since then, I generally feared people like Daddy Munini less. I started learning to look beyond the 'bark' to really 'see' the person behind it.

Memories...

It is sad that I will not again see u and share alot from u again. Eng. u gave me advices on what to do when I faced handships on roadworks for sure I don't know if i will get someone else to help me the way u did. you are the one who encourenged me to join civil eng. works back in Kitale. may God rest your soul in peace till when we meet again singing in that mighty choir asking "ooh death where is your sting,gravel where is your hold....." amen.                                                                

Family and freinds, lets us take heart he has only rested and he cannot come back we are the one to go where he hasgone.may God help us with strengh to overcome the grief and comfort us.

Edward Karîithi wrote:
The most humble and gentle soul. We were but Children when we met the Makanga Family back in 1979, apparently Ndambîri and Dad were law proffessional friends and the Mbembe and îbuku era was upon us. . When Mwanîki came by he treated everyone like an Equal, imagine, I could not believe the Mwanîki of îthe wa Mwanîki was a grown up, I was but in nursery school. But hey since dad was buddy to his dad, we were buddies. Needless to say, it shocking and really sad to loose Mwanîki.

One of those guys you could always pick from where you left, like nothing ever happened, like you never left. No complaints about 'nîworire', no attachments to money or possessions. He bought when he could and never bothered you to buy when he couldn’t.

Just a friend, who will share listen and advice, and tell you the wagon you were speeding in, was headed for a cliff. The highest praise I can think of is to say, This man was (is) a true son of  Makanga.