A Tribute by Nyar Murima — Wangari Mwai
The quiet waters of
Nam Lolwe —
They are no more.
Only harsh waves of tears,
They crush and hurt
The shores of
Nam Lolwe.
The winds in the waters of
Nam Lolwe
Can’t stop their roaring cry.
The waves rise and run
Across the ever-dry sandy shores of
Nam Lolwe.
High waves rise in murmur,
Rising and falling,
All in rhythm
With the cry of sorrow
In and without
Nam Lolwe.
The tears of the fishermen
Drip freely into the waters.
Yawa! Nam Lolwe
Will overflow with tears —
Not of joy, but they mourn.
The nets all neglected,
No fishing songs,
But whispers of grief.
From Osumu along
Nam Lolwe,
Past Kit Mikayi,
To Bondo, Migori, Homabay
And Nyatike —
The entire Ugenya, Siaya, Alego —
The USA of Nam Lolwe —
Are heavy-teared hearts.
Mourning spreads like bushfire
Over the Nandi hills.
Tell it also in Mt. Elgon
And Murima too.
Don’t forget Kilindini,
Nor the Ukambani plains.
The legendary Ja Nam,
The son of Nam Lolwe,
Onindo.
Ja Nam has journeyed home.
Wuod Odinga,
The national voice,
The roar of justice for Kenya
That thundered for decades —
The lion with a heartbeat for freedom —
Has fallen asleep.
Fare thee well, Ja Nam.
We shall beat the drums.
Loudly we shall scream —
All must hear this,
All must join in this dance,
The soft dance
Of Kit Mikayi.
Nam Lolwe is in mourning.
The papyrus softly bow.
The omena watch with pity.
The kamongo rush to safety.
The mbuta watch in disbelief.
The tilapia swim in a slow dance.
All feel the ache of
The undone Nation.
For decades, Ja Nam,
You remained our light in darkness,
The daring one when storms raged,
Our hope when our boat rocked,
Our anchor in the tides of struggle,
Our shield when the devil waged wars.
Mos Nyar Nam,
You stood by him.
Indeed, a pillar you were and will always be.
Nyasaye who protected you two
Will be with you
Until the end of time.
What next for Kenya?
We look beyond the mountains.
Our help which came from
Nam Lolwe
Is no more.
The ray of hope
That shook unexpected hands
In search for peace
Will blink no more.
Jowi! Jowi!
Which name do I cry with —
Baba, Amollo, Tinga, Ja Nam?
Lala salama.
It is your turn to enjoy
The freedom songs you
Loved so much.
Fare thee well,
Till we meet again in perfect freedom.
No more tears for you.
— Prof. Wangari Mwai, Vice Chancellor,
Presbyterian University of East Africa