Contesting the Subaltern Narrative: The Trickster Trope in the Kenyan Political Autobiography

ABSTRACT

This article is a critique of the idea of subalternity ¹ as it is used in the Kenyan political autobiographies of leaders who have reigned but never ruled. ² The study is largely located within postcolonial theory, with particular emphasis on the strand that interrogates the interest that inhabits the production of knowledges about the self. The biographical method was used to analyse Jaramogi Odinga’s Not Yet Uhuru, Bildad Kaggia’s The Roots of Freedom, Raila Odinga’s The Flame of Freedom and Joseph Murumbi’s The Path Not Taken. Interrogating the dangers of a single story, the paper argues that the Kenyan political autobiography is heavily loaded with rhetorical performances determined by the need to tell an effective story. Using trickery, and hiding behind the hackneyed utopian concept of speaking truth to power, the leaders examined here project selves that are fearless, bold and revolutionaries aiming to forcefully and strategically mythologise themselves. This process is made possible in the contexts of historical (re)writing. Thus, Jaramogi, Kaggia, Raila and Murumbi’s portrayal of themselves as victims and subalterns in their autobiographies are for disguise, deception, and indirection while maintaining an outward impression, in power-laden situations, of willing, even enthusiastic consent.

KEYWORDS:

• subalternity
• self mythologisation
• trickster trope
• political autobiography
• Jaramogi
• Kaggia
• Murumbi
• Raila

Notes

1. The term was introduced by Gramsci as a reference to a social group that is always subjected to the activity of the ruling groups (Gramsci 1971, 52). In this paper, the term subalternity is used to refer to the position or the condition of being a subaltern.

2. These are Kenyan leaders who, during a specific political epoch, became very popular and, although they commanded a huge following at specific periods in the nation’s growth, they never ruled as elected presidents. These nationalist leaders question(ed) the excesses of the post-independence new states and thus played a crucial role in moulding the nation’s character.

3. The meaning of this word is derived from Scott’s (1992) influential book Domination and the Arts of Resistance. According to Scott “Hidden transcripts” is a concept often used in discussions of power and resistance, and it refers to forms of resistance and dissent that are kept out of sight of those in power. “Hidden transcripts”: ideas and visions carefully kept below the radar by dissenting groups and individuals as a way of remaining safe in the face of power.

4. According to Scott (1992) public transcript is “the open interaction between subordinates and those who dominate” (2). The public transcript is a conventional pattern of speech for the dominated, a stylised public performance through which they adopt the forms of deference and respect for the powerful that are needed to avoid conflict with the powerful.

5. Refers both to the public transcript and the hidden transcript.

6. According to Okola (1967), Peter Pans were African leaders who were unable to come to terms with the challenge of leadership and the onerous responsibilities which independence brings. These Peter Pans hoped to learn and think on the job, and this has been very costly for Africa.

7. The first Kenyan political martyr of the Indian ascent. He was assassinated for fighting for the subaltern.

8. In this biography, Goldsworthy argues that no nationalist, dynamic, intelligent and patriotic leader could be compared to Thomas Joseph Mboya in Eastern Africa. He did so much for Kenya during his short life on the earth, from work with trade unions to fighting for Kenya's independence from British colonial rule.

9. The mythological titan Prometheus as captured by Shelley (1842) contributed much humans who had to understand this fact when he listed his contributions to humanity's progress. Prometheus suffered much from the pain inflicted by the god Jupiter who repeatedly pierced his bleeding heart. According to Prometheus, humans needed shelter and guidance, drugs to stave off illness.