The Great Battle of Lumboka: Part I

Sweat, Bloody Spears and Smell of Gun Powder

....After the fall of British Charted Company, Wakoli khwa Mukisu, a Spy and Military genius organizes BaBukusu for war at Fort of Lumboka in 1895. But by 1894, the Bukusu only had crude weapons and only about 50 to 60 (traded/stolen) revolvers while Sir Fredrick Jackson had called reinforcement; 150 Sudanese solders, 900 Waganda volunteers, 200 Masai warriors and many Wanga soldiers. A heavy cloud was gathering, but the sons of Bukusu would not accept to go down easily....

Mukisu was born in about 1866 of Mukisu Lufwalula, an Omuyemba Mukhayama. 22 years later, in 1888, Wakoli is circumcised under Basawa Sikala age set. Oral tradition narration puts young Wakoli as uncharacteristic of a strong leader; loving dance parties and a charming Casanova. Nevertheless, after initiation into adulthood, Wakoli changed; resented Whiteman invasion, became a strongly willed, visionary warrior.

From the prophesy of Mutonyi wa Nabukelembe, the community knew that it was on a collision course with a foreign enemy. Stories of a Whiteman up Sio River had emerged; a section of people confusing him to Wele kwe Luchi. Indeed, it was Joseph Thompson, pioneer British explorer, who briefly stopped at Mumias on 23/12/1883, then to Samia, Mt Elgon and back to Mombasa. A year later, Sir Fredrick Jackson of Imperial British East Africa Company, on way to Buganda Kingdom set temporary camp in Mumias to hunt ivory at the orders of the Queen of England.

Wakoli as a leader was disturbed with the activities of the Whiteman and even so because some African Allies such as Mumia of Wanga and Dindi of Bukhayo were collaborating. It is to be remembered that clashes between Swahili and Bukusu had weakened the Bukusu Military force. Wakoli, a strategist chooses to go silent; on a 5-year spy mission. Having 45 wives in various chingoba (homesteads) in Saboti, Mukhweya and Lumboka, Wakoli chooses Lumboka, working as a cook in a Swahili Lukoba headed by Namisi under the disguise of a Muganda (Didn’t Mutonyi warm them they will cook for foreigners?)

Wakoli learned their ways and discovered that Swahili and locals hated the whites. He also discovered the Swahili obsession for meat and promiscuous life. He was well-mannered in the Lukoba, no one noticing he was Bukusu (he had learnt Luganda, Luganda, Luswahili and Luwanga). He made friendship with Namisi, the guns storekeeper.  

One day he convinced Namisi to teach him to use guns. Unsuspecting Namisi gave him Okwara wa Tindi to be his teacher. They practiced in the bushes and Namisi perfected his skill. Wakoli later arranged for stealing of the gun without any suspicion. He even offered 5 herds of cattle and a beautiful Omubukusu girl to console Namisi the loss.

Due to military prowess he arose to be the head of the fort, outpacing Mulunda (Omulunda) and Mukekhe (Mwangale Omulwoja). Wakoli observed the division in the fort (Swahili, Bukusu and Whites) due to ethnic, color and religious differences. Such divisions contributed to relieving the duties of Chartered Company so that the British Government would directly bring order. By then, 1894, Buganda had been declared British Protectorate under Colonel Colville (known as Spire).

Wakoli then seized the opportunity brought by confusion in the power transition to rally the Bukusu Communities to unite. He believed that with Unity, they would drive off the Whiteman. He even boasted that he secretly owned a miraculous weapon of the white man. Due to food rationing and suppressed sexual freedom in the camp, he managed to steal more guns from soldiers (for food and availing Bukusu female company).

The Babukusu could also acquire guns by forging guerilla warfare (surprise attacks) on soldiers. For instance, in 1894, Spire sent a caravan of six solders to Ravine station (Rift Valley). On passing Bukusu land they were given shelter and but guns taken. Later Spire sent a delegation of 30 (Sudanese and Zanzibari) soldiers to recover guns. They were attacked and killed except one soldier who limped back to narrate how fierce Bukusu were. The colonial powers got increasingly upset by Babukusu resistance and planned head on confrontation in two days’ time.

Okhwa Mukisu erected a formidable fort at Lumboka and engaged the Bukusu in military training. As an undercover cook, Wakoli had learnt much on the ways of the Whiteman. He openly condemned Mumia for being easily lured to the ways of the Whiteman.

On one side, the morale in the camp was high. Bukusu Warriors numbering thousands openly smoked bhang (enjaka) shouting to the enemy to come and fall by their sword. War drums were beaten, women and children singing. Spears and arrows were razor-sharp, watchful eyes looked out for signs of approaching enemy.

On the other side, the enemy was making way, ready to leave a mark of history... Events had escalated fast and there was no going back. The clock was ticking...but the BaBukusu were in for a nasty surprise.

................. to be continued.