Story Overview

The book is based on a true story on how a father, Athur Kingoina, mistreats his youngest son, Maxwell Ratemo who had just graduated from Nairobi University with a B.Com degree. His father occasionally receives some money from his other three children who are studying in the US and thinks that the one at home should have a job and maybe, be in a position of giving him money too.

Family and Personal Struggles

His girlfriend, Rosalina, is not kind either. She jilts him for another man whom he meets with her at Uhuru Park enjoying their time. The good thing was that he didn''t confront them. This tough life makes him run away from home to even a tougher life of being a street boy in Nakuru town after searching for a job in vain.

Turning Point

A road accident one evening which nearly took his life, changed everything. When all these events were happening in the life of Ratemo, politicians were campaigning in preparation for the general elections which was scheduled to take place at the end of the year; Dec.27, 2007. When the time reached and the electorates cast their votes, chaos erupted after the tallying had been done and the incumbent president was declared the winner.

Aftermath of the Elections

The results were disputed which sparked the violence. A great destruction was done to both human lives and properties. Business operations were disrupted for two months. This impacted negatively on jobs, especially in foreign companies which had ventured to do business in the country. The majority of them wound up their business ventures and re-located to other countries which were politically stable.

Ratemo''s company, DIMA investment, was no exception. After the lull of the big storm of violence, the company found that it had made insurmountable loss, laid off almost all the workers, and later wound its business, rendering many employees jobless.