Warui is a notable village elder who tries to convince Mugo to lead the Uhuru celebration and become a Chief in the village. Warui is an old man and has been involved in the Movement and Kenya’s fight for freedom for his entire life. As a young man, Warui marches in protests for the release of Harry Thuku and Jomo Kenyatta, and as an old man teaches his stories of oppression and resistance to young Kihika, fostering his revolutionary spirit. He also believes that the great African leaders, including Mugo, possess mystical power, the “spirit of the black people.” After the Uhuru ceremony is complete and Mugo has confessed, Warui is disappointed by the loss of a hero and seemingly disenchanted with independence, suggesting that it came at great cost and was not what he thought it would be.