Another Whiteman at the Door- A Biography of Jonathan Kariara

Abstract

This research study focused on the life of Jonathan Kariara Kimamo, who is a renowned poet, editor, actor, and writer who is known for contributing to the development of East African literature. His most known poems include „Grass Will Grow‟, „A Leopard Lives in a Muu Tree‟, and an anthology of poems An Introduction to East African poetry (with Ellen Kitonga) and short stories The Coming of Power and Other Stories. His is a story of a journey by a young boy raised in a staunch Christian family at the slopes of Mount Kenya, endured the tough and harsh colonial and post-colonial regimes in Kenya, travelled to the „hill‟ in a foreign land to acquire university education but still maintains his natural smile and humility. Kariara‟s love for nature, as reflected in most of his poems and short stories, English language, outstanding editorial skills and his accommodating heart for everyone makes him a unique person. His simplicity, meticulousness and a connoisseur of art and music compels one into noticing his artistic gift and personality. Unfortunately, his life story has not been told like that of other literary writers. Apart from a celebration made a year after his death, nothing else has been organized in Kariara‟s honour. The chapters that follow narrate the life of Jonathan Kariara. This narrative was created after a research carried out on the facts surrounding Jonathan Kariara‟s life; tracing the genesis and development of him as a poet and writer. The writing was guided by biographical theory and narratology.