Mucii ni Mucii , written in Gikuyu one of Kenya's indigenous languages, is a moving story of a peasant girl who defies odds in her childhood to become one of the most prosperous people in the country. Starting in a background of biting poverty and an abusive father, Wahito drops out of school after her primary education and gets a low paying job after another.
Meanwhile, evil clouds are hanging over her horizons. In her youthful naïveté, she lets of the man who truly loves her and falls into the old trap of being lured by a "use and dump" type who has loads of cash to spend. In the most confused phase, her young life takes a downturn after that; and she moves from one crisis to another, including being orphaned while still a single mother.
But fate has other plans for her. She ends up with the man who was destined to be her soul mate. Together, they traverse a terrain full of many risks and barriers to realize the dreams of their lives. Through providence or destiny, it seems Wahito's life is forever intertwined with those of her girl friends. The story has a gripping climax with a lot of the unexpected happening.
In the end, all (of almost all) the pieces of Wahitos' chequered life fall into place and she seems to lead an exciting, happy prosperous life. But then, one never knows what happens next in Wahito's life.
Here is what others say:
"A fast-paced narrative with multiple surprise elements flavoured with episodes confronting contemporary societal issues touching on the conflict between urban and rural Kenya as well as the degenerated moral fibre of society." - Mutu Gethoi
"A fascinating story that underscores societal values, work ethics, decency, the family and concern for each other." - Mrs. Mary Wanjiru Wanjau
"This is a story of tragedy but also of hope. It is both enjoyable and realistic. Marjory Nyakìago Kìmani skilfully uses Gikuyu to create an intricate narrative of a family whose love, betrayal and bitterness by the Karúrú family in the fictitious village of Gacuca in Nyeri (or Nyìrì). ... Read the book to learn what happens amidst the folly of youth, the complications and abuse of alcohol by a father along with a mother's undying love for her family, the love and wise counsel sometimes offered by others both at home and away". - Dr Kuria Githiora About the Author
Marjory Nyakiago Kimani was born and educated in Mathira, Nyeri, Central Kenya. She attended local Schools before joining Tumutumu for upper primary. She later joined Alliance Girls' High School. Later she took up secretarial training and worked for a law firm.
With her upbringing, Marjory has witnessed the evolution of the Gikuyu family to its current form. Her novel, Mucii ni Mucii exhibits the passion in telling an African story in an African language. Mucii ni Mucii is her view of what a family is; its values and its place in modern African society.
In the year 2007, she established Furaha Cultural Centre in Mathira, Nyeri district where cultural activities take place including language lessons. In 2009, she established Bondeni Cultural Centre in Nyandarua district.She is also the Patron of in Limuru.
As she is proud to point out, her inspiration for culturally based activities comes from her late father who directed drama in the village social hall during the emergency period of the 1950s.
