Kihika Character Analysis in A Grain of Wheat

Kihika is the brother of Mumbi and Kariuki and the son of Mbugua and Wanjiku. Though already dead in the book’s present storyline, Kihika is the great hero of the Gikuyu and a leader of the Mau Mau Freedom Fighters. In contrast to the generally passive and indecisive male characters in the story, Kihika is assured of his destiny even as a child, knowing that his role is to fight the evil rule of the British and give his life as a sacrifice for his people if necessary. Kihika is driven by the stories of the Bible and his responsibility to his community, modeling the noble sacrifice required of oneself for the sake of others, especially in times of great historical struggle, even recognizing himself as a possible Christ figure in his leadership and sacrifice. In the depiction of colonialism, Kihika stands opposite John Thompson, representing the moral struggle for freedom from oppression, even at the cost of bloodshed. Kihika’s beliefs about sacrifice inevitably come to fruition, as he is betrayed by Mugo, captured, and executed for his leadership of the Freedom Fighters and his assassination of the notorious Thomas Robson. However, in his death, Kihika becomes an icon of the resistance for his people and is the “grain of wheat” referred to in the title, who by his death brings new life into the world.

Kihika Quotes in A Grain of Wheat

The A Grain of Wheat quotes below are all either spoken by Kihika or refer to Kihika. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Unknown to those around him, Kihika’s heart hardened towards “these people,” long before he had even encountered a white face. Soldiers came back from the war and told stories of what they had seen in Burma, Egypt, Palestine and India; wasn’t Mahatma Gandhi, the saint, leading the Indian people against the British rule? Kihika fed on these stories: his imagination and daily observation told him the rest; from early on, he had visions of himself, a saint, leading Kenyan people to freedom and power.

Related Characters: Gikonyo, Kihika

Page Number and Citation: 75

Explanation and Analysis:

As Gikonyo recalls his years as a young man, the narrator looks to Kihika’s formation as revolutionary leader. Kihika is explicitly named as a savior and Christ-figure multiple times throughout the book and draws heavily on Christ’s ideas of sacrifice for a greater good. However, the author also subverts the typical Christ archetype by making Kihika a warrior, one who achieves salvation and liberation through bloodshed, rather than passive non-violence. It is notable that Kihika—and thus, the author—also looks to Gandhi’s leadership in India, but again overlooks the fact that Gandhi was committed to nonviolence. Kihika’s praise of non-violent leaders Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedit

“I would hate to see a train run over my mother or father, or brothers. Oh, what would I do?” [Mumbi] quickly exclaimed.

“Women are cowards.” Karanja said half in joke.

“Would you like a train to run over you?” Mumbi retorted angrily. Karanja felt the anger and did not answer.

Related Characters: Karanja (speaker), Mumbi (speaker), Kihika

Related Symbols: The Train / The Iron Snake

Page Number and Citation: 87

Explanation and Analysis:

When they are young, Kihika is discussing the need for great sacrifice in the fight for freedom, which he envisions as throwing oneself in front of the train. This passage exemplifies the train’s symbolism of British progress and technology, as well as foreshadowing both Kihika’s death and Karanja’s betrayal of his people. The symbolic meaning of throwing oneself before the train is apt on several levels. On the one hand, it demonstrates the conflict between the machine of British colonialism, which appears cold, unfeeling, and technologically advanced, and the Gikuyu people, who are community-minded and connected with the land. The Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferend

In Kenya we want deaths which will change things, that is to say, we want true sacrifice. But first we have to be ready to carry the cross. I die for you, you die for me, we become a sacrifice for one another. So I can say that you, Karanja, are Christ. Everybody who takes the Oath of Unity to change things in Kenya is a Christ.

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Karanja

Related Symbols: The Oath

Page Number and Citation: 93

Explanation and Analysis:

Karanja overhears Kihika talking to a group of other men on the train platform about the need for sacrifice in the struggle for independence. Beyond the irony of Kihika naming Karanja as a potential Christ-figure—since Karanja goes on to become the greatest betrayer and unwilling to sacrifice anything of himself—Kihika’s speech again exemplifies both the use of Christianity to ascribe meaning to struggle and the author’s unique use of Christ-archetypes within the narrative. Rather than a single Christ-figure and savior of his people, Kihika believes that everyone has the responsibility to be Christ to each other, to mutually die for Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum

Though Njeri was a short girl, her slim figure made her appear tall. But there was something tough about that slimness. She despised women’s weaknesses, like tears, and whenever fights occurred at Kinenie [forest], she always fought, even with men. A cat, men called her, because few could impose their physical will on her.

Related Characters: Njeri, Kihika, Wambuku

Page Number and Citation: 100

Explanation and Analysis:

After Kihika leaves for the Githima forest and his lover Wambuku is left heartbroken, Njeri is disgusted by Wambuku’s cowardice and resolves that she will join Kihika in the forest and fight at his side. Though her presence in the story is brief, Njeri exemplifies the strength of Gikuyu women to act, fight, and die as well as any men. Aside from perhaps Kihika, Njeri is the most powerful and courageous character in the story, demonstrating a firm resolve and assertive stance towards fighting for freedom and justice and pursuing Kihika, whom she loves. Her courage creates a marked contrast Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut ali

“I despise the weak. Why? Because the weak need not remain weak. Listen! Our fathers fought bravely. But do you know the biggest weapon unleashed by the enemy against them? It was not the Maxim gun. It was the division amongst them. Why? Because a people united in faith are stronger than the bomb. They shall not tremble or run away before the sword.”

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Mugo

Page Number and Citation: 186

Explanation and Analysis:

While Kihika is hiding in Mugo’s hut, having just assassinated a District Officer, he preaches to Kihika about the righteousness of their fight for freedom. Kihika’s speech explains the essence of black power in the book. While white power, as preached by Karanja, is the technological power to build, expand, and destroy, black power—which Karanja fears—is the ability of the Kenyan people to come together, to unite en masse for a common front, much as the Indians united under Gandhi against the British. Kihika’s proclamation that Kenyans can defeat the British imperialists and their bombs and guns through unity recalls Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea

“But what is an oath? For some people, you need the oath to bind them to the Movement. There are those who’ll keep a secret unless bound by an oath. I know them […] In any case how many took the oath and are now licking the toes of the whiteman? No, you take an oath to confirm a choice already made. The decision to lay or not to lay your life on the line for the people lies in the heart. The oath is water sprinkled on a man’s head at baptism.”

Related Characters: Kihika (speaker), Mugo

Related Symbols: The Oath

Page Number and Citation: 187

Explanation and Analysis:

While Kihika is hiding in Mugo’s hut, he explains that the oath is only symbolic, despite how seriously many take it. The recognition of the oath as a mere symbol of what is already in a man’s heart increases the tragedy of Gikonyo’s character arc in particular, since he is so heavily burdened for many years by his confession of the oath in detention. That the oath is insignificant even to Kihika implies that the weight of Gikonyo’s burden is, in a way, unnecessary. What Gikonyo should grieve is not that he confessed the oath itself, but that his own Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Vol

I am important. I must not die. To keep myself alive, healthy, strong—to wait for my mission in life is a duty to myself, to men and women of tomorrow. If Moses had died in the reeds, who would ever have known that he was destined to be a great man?

Related Characters: Mugo (speaker), Kihika

Page Number and Citation: 191

Explanation and Analysis:

The day after Kihika leaves Mugo’s hut, having promised Mugo that he will visit again in a week to incorporate Mugo into the Movement, Mugo decides to betray Kihika to the colonial authorities and is here justifying his own treachery to himself. Mugo’s use of a biblical narrative once again demonstrates Christianity’s capacity to lend meaning and structure to certain events, which can be used for both noble, righteous causes or cowardly, treacherous ones. In the thematic conflict between the individual’s desire for safety and their responsibility to community, Mugo’s betrayal of Kihika represents the greatest betrayal of his community Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus e

Kihika Character Timeline in A Grain of Wheat

The timeline below shows where the character Kihika appears in A Grain of Wheat. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The Individual vs. the Community Theme Icon

...wealthy, forcing the world to recognize him as someone important. He holds these dreams until “Kihika had come into his life.” (full context)

Mugo once attended a meeting of the Movement, where he saw Kihika, a fellow villager a few years his junior, call for revolution and bloodshed to end... (full context)

A bounty is put on Kihika’s head. He is captured a year later, tortured, and executed publicly. The homeguard (the colonial... (full context)

...messages and weapons through police checkpoints. The three tell Mugo that they want to commemorate Kihika’s life. Mugo almost panics. (full context)

...in the forest. After catching up with the others, General R. announces that he believes Kihika was betrayed, perhaps by Karanja. Since he knows that Mugo gave shelter to Kihika after... (full context)

...why they have come: Since Mugo’s name is now forever tied to the Movement and Kihika for the contributions he has made, they want Mugo to lead the ceremony and sacrifice... (full context)

Outside, General R. and Lt. Koina agree that they must continue to seek out Kihika’s betrayer, though it seems likely that it is Karanja, a Thabai villager who now works... (full context)

...Mugo toys with the idea of accepting the role as leader, even though he betrayed Kihika. (full context)

The narrative looks back to the days when Gikonyo, Karanja, and Kihika were young men: Thabai is proud of its Rung’ei marketplace, swarming with Gikuyu women selling... (full context)

Mumbi is raised by her mother Wanjiku and father Mbugua, along with her two brothers Kihika and Kariuki. Young men often come to visit Mumbi at their house, including Gikonyo and... (full context)

...to stay and they share a short, but sweet amount of time alone together before Kihika and Karanja arrive. (full context)

With Kihika present, the conversation inevitably turns to “politics and the gathering storm in the land.” Kihika... (full context)

Regardless, before all of this happens, Kihika buys a Bible and becomes obsessed with the story of Moses leading Israel out of... (full context)

Back in Mumbi’s hut, Mumbi, Kihika, Gikonyo, and Karanja are discussing revolution. Karanja believes it is hopeless; Kihika declares that Kenya... (full context)

As they are speaking, Njeri and Wambuku arrive—young women who are both in love with Kihika. As they do, everyone hears the rumble of the train in the distance and realizes... (full context)

...a stranger steadies him. Karanja blames his dizziness on the heat and goes to find Kihika. (full context)

Kihika is speaking with others about the need for each movement to have a central Christ-figure... (full context)

...the woods. Karanja plays the guitar, though his heart is not in the music, and Kihika and Wambuku dance together—with Njeri looking sadly on—before wandering off into a clearing. Even away... (full context)

...happy, Mumbi and Wangari note that his music and his words gradually become more like Kihika’s, harboring a revolutionary spirit. The young people of Thabai no longer dance in the woods;... (full context)

...come home from their day’s work. Kariuki arrives instead, telling her she must come home. Kihika has gone to the forest to wage war on the whiteman. Wambuku is heartbroken, realizing... (full context)

...the night air to walk to a tea shop, Mugo reflects on the scriptures that Kihika had loved and often quoted. They stir in his mind a memory from 1955, two... (full context)

...the “climax of his life. For a week later DO Robson was shot dead, and Kihika came into his life.” (full context)

Mumbi also recalls Wambuku, Kihika’s lover who, after hearing of his death, “destroyed herself with soldiers and homeguards, any man,”... (full context)

...villagers to burn their old homes and move to a new location as retribution for Kihika’s capture of a police station. Although Mumbi is initially disheartened, especially since there is no... (full context)

When Kihika is killed, Mumbi’s family is crushed—even Mbugua, a legendary warrior, “urinated on his legs.” Not... (full context)

...More importantly, though, General R. and Koina are convinced that it was Karanja who betrayed Kihika, confirmed by Koina’s observation of Karanja during a recent mission to Githima. They have laid... (full context)

...again and walks on. Though he tries to drive such thoughts and his guilt over Kihika from his mind, it keeps returning. Mugo wonders why, when Christ was crucified—like Kihika was... (full context)

...merely confirms that “Mugo, our hero, [is] no ordinary man.” In Wambui’s eyes, Mugo is “Kihika born again” and thus vital for their Uhuru celebrations. Since Wambui “believe[s] in the power... (full context)

...burdened by the knowledge that General R. will execute Karanja once he is exposed as Kihika’s betrayer. Although she hates Karanja, Mumbi also hates the thought of more death and violence... (full context)

...the torture and dehumanization, but Mugo finally admits that he is the one who murdered Kihika. Briefly falling into a wicked hysteria—seemingly the release of years of pent-up paranoia and fear—he... (full context)

...insistently at the door and Mugo lets them in, expecting them to be homeguards. Instead, Kihika enters, shutting the door behind him. Mugo asks if Kihika means to kill him. Outside,... (full context)

Kihika says that he has seen Mugo’s independence and self-sufficiency and believes he would be the... (full context)

Mugo sits alone by himself, unsure of what to do. His future seems obliterated, as Kihika has unjustly forced his own struggles upon Mugo’s life. Mugo bitterly reflects, “He is not... (full context)

This anguish and Mugo’s wandering ends the moment he sees a wanted poster with Kihika’s face above a hefty monetary sum. Mugo is struck with a strange pleasure. His mind... (full context)

...him from the bullies. Mugo is nervous, but announces to Thompson that he knows where Kihika will be that very night. Momentarily, the act of betrayal thrills Mugo and he sees... (full context)

...rites. The villagers swarm Mugo’s hut for over an hour, singing songs about he and Kihika’s heroism together, but he never emerges. Even so, the celebration continues into the night, through... (full context)

The night before, Mumbi discovered that Mugo is Kihika’s real betrayer. However, she had seen such pain in his eyes then that she cannot... (full context)

...of our people,” meaning they must celebrate heroes and “punish traitors.” General R. announces that Kihika’s betrayer is in their midst and asks him to reveal himself, letting the tension build.... (full context)

...and wanders down the street, thinking now about Mumbi’s rejection, about the day he saw Kihika’s body hanging from a tree and felt not pity for his friend, but merely disgust... (full context)

Kihika Character Analysis

Kihika Quotes in A Grain of Wheat

Chapter 7 Quotes

Chapter 13 Quotes

Kihika Character Timeline in A Grain of Wheat