The visitor

First, I would like to thank my dearest sweetheart,

The love of my life

My Apilo (chili),

Othieno Ja-Alego,

My husband,

I thank you for welcoming me to this homestead,

My journey from Kano to Siaya was smooth,

Even though the money you sent for fare was not enough,

I thank God that I arrived well,

The people of Kano have greeted you.

Secondly, I would also extend my appreciation to my co-wives and my children for according me a warm welcome,

When my husband informed me that he has three wives and fourteen children,

Some who are even older than me,

I thought I would experience a lot of resistance to be accepted as part of the family,

But I must say I was surprised how you people treated me so well,

I hope we shall stay together in peace and help our husband.

Me they call me Abigael Adhiambo Ouko,

In short you can call me Abby,

My husband likes calling me, “Abby Baby,”

He is such a sweet old thing,

I am a daughter of Kano,

My father Jared Ouko, died while I was in form one,

My mother Magdalia Ouko is the one who struggled with my school fees until I finished form four,

I could not join college because my mother could not afford.

I started a rice-selling business in Ahero,

After one and a half-years, I moved my business to Kisumu,

Unfortunately, it collapsed and I stayed jobless for about nine months,

I was putting up with an aunt of mine who owned a bar in Manyatta estate,

After seeing that staying at home was taking me nowhere, I decided to assist her in the bar,

It was while I was working as a bar maid that I met Othieno-Ja-Alego,

One thing led to another and that is how, today, I find myself here,

They say marriage is all about tolerating one another,

I hope we shall not have a lot of problems.

(image credits: Women from Luo tribe celebrate a dance at Kit Mikayi, Lake Victoria, Kenya.by www.alamy.com)