1235. Aũi ma ndakĩthĩ mambaa ũsama matanathi Ngunĩ. Produce merchants consult before they head out to Ngunĩ.

This axiom emerged in the late twentieth century in Mwingĩ sub-county. It alludes to trade in green grams introduced from India and grown across Kitui. Ngunĩ town emerged as one of the major trading towns for that crop. From the mid-1960s, traders from Mwingĩ began to descend weekly on market fairs to buy green grams from Ngunĩ, creating a nightmare for sellers. The buyers gathered ahead of time and set prices to their advantage. This axiom emphasizes dialogue and agreement before embarking on a major project.

1236. Ĩsoma yîmwe yĩituma ila ingĩ itathi Mavoko. One weakling cannot prevent others from going to Mavoko.

This emerged in the 1940s when Mavoko town was developed as a livestock trading centre and the seat of the Athi River Kenya Meat Commission station. Thousands of cattle poured into the town from Ũkamba, Maasailand, Taita-Taveta, and Tanzania, mostly on foot. Weaklings that could not endure the trek were rested while the rest marched on to Mavoko. The proverb usually suggests that one coward cannot halt the launch of a military expedition. There are two interpretations: the crowd does not think much about outliers; and small doubts should not hold back an important undertaking.

1237. Wĩtiwa weng’ee mbasi Kariakoo. You will be left gazing at buses at Kariokor.

There is a section of Nairobi city called Kariakoo (carrier corps) and buses are the key historical markers here. Whereas Kariakoo was established in 1914 as a station for a Carrier Corp unit of King’s African Rifles (KAR), bus services in Kenya began in 1934. Subsequently, many Kamba flocked to Kariakoo to watch these new vehicles, creating a sense of idleness leading to loss of precious work time. The proverb sought to dissuade such laxity, warning if a person is not careful he or she will miss opportunities.

1238. Kumawa nĩkũsyokawa. A point of departure is also returned to.

This ancient adage encodes the history of Kamba migration, warning listeners not to sever ties with their roots for they may return there in the future. In fact, Kamba groups have returned south to ancestral lands. Closer to home, however, the proverb addresses contemporary relationships. It warns that if you are leaving a place for good, you should not pollute the point of departure in case you may return.