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A JOURNEY WITH A MONSTER A Memoir by Benson Kimari I was not born in a hospital. I was born in a banana plantation amid heavy rain in Karundu. I am second-born of a single mother who never tasted Muratina. My great-grandfather was respected elder chosen to sacrifice an unblemished he-goat under sacred Mugumo tree, Ficus thonningii. In Agikuyu culture Mugumo was holy where God was worshipped. He brewed Muratina for birth, initiation, marriage and burial. Holy duty became addiction. He died from his own brew near his pots. His son, my grandfather, saw his father die and became man of the book, founder of PCEA Church in Karundu. He left Mugumo for cross to break curse. Yet inside that very church built to escape alcohol, I first tasted monster as altar wine in silver chalice. Container changed from gourd to chalice but spirit was same. For years I did not know my biological father. Later I learned he had bar at Kwa Junction, few metres from stage to Mukurweini Town, under big Mugumo tree where Chief Kabi held barazas. When I saw him, I saw myself. X-factor genes. Same face, same walk. He died due to alcohol, rumored liver cirrhosis. I had no factual report, but due to X-factor genes probability was truth. We were 4 boys. We had done KCPE at Karundu Primary. During Christmas Mzee Japheth brewed Muratina. It was illegal so Chief Kabi would arrest him. He hid five jerrycans in bush so Chief Kabi could not suspect. We found them. We stole one out of five and left four covered with leaves. We hid stolen one in coffee plantation near river to drink on Christmas Day after church. At 10 p.m. while other 3 boys slept, I could not sleep. I heard two voices calling. One was monster calling me to coffee plantation. Other was grandfather warning me. At midnight when all slept, I woke quietly, left barefoot so mother would not hear, and ran in dark to plantation. I found jerrycan where we hid it and drank alone. That night monster entered me. We passed KCPE and joined different schools. I went to Kiangoma Boys with Mwangi. Mwangi was expelled for bhang and alcohol. Wangechi was impregnated after soda mixed with alcohol in disco at Mukurweini. She delivered Blessing. One boy expelled for strike became boda boda rider in Karatina and killed a child while drunk. Mary's father died drunk on Jogoo Road near Maziwa Stage knocked by car. Njeri was orphaned when parents died due to drinking. She was impregnated by man known as Jethro. With no support she became barmaid at Kwa Junction and contracted HIV. Her son Maina was raised by uncle Gatumbo, who brewed Muratina at Karundu and Kwa Junction. Like me, Maina was born in banana plantation amid heavy rain. Mother could not afford hospital. Poverty repeated. At Kwa Junction under big Mugumo tree is stage for vehicles to Mukurweini Town. Under that tree Chief Kabi held barazas. He taught effects of alcohol, family dynamics in addiction, and types of addiction. He said when one drinks whole family drinks tears. Addiction is not only Muratina but bhang, tobacco, soda mixed with alcohol, gambling and fame. At same baraza we saw MPs and Councillors bringing CDF cheques of 2000 shillings for fame, yet money was government. My project Maximum Utilization of Sand became Maximum Utilization of Ethanol. I drank ethanol for experiments. We finished second in district. Five members joined university. I did not join due to poverty. Mother had broken leg and uncle had stroke. I went to Nairobi to aunt who had bar at Huruma Estate. I never stepped in university to pursue BSc Medical Laboratory. Life is riddle wrapped in mystery inside enigma. I completed CPA 2 at NYS. I earned High Diploma in Theology and Diploma in Psychology in Addiction. Ultimately Government appointed me Administrator heading Karundu Sublocation. Today boy who stole Muratina at midnight enforces law under same Mugumo tree at Kwa Junction, and registers births ensuring no child is born in banana plantation like me.