Nding’uri Character Analysis in Petals of Blood

Nding’uri is Mariamu’s oldest son, Karega’s much older brother, and Abdulla’s friend. During the struggle for Kenyan independence from British colonial rule, he fights for freedom alongside Abdulla. At this time, Nding’uri is dating Kimeria’s sister. Kimeria, working for the British, lures Nding’uri and Abdulla into a trap by offering to sell them weapons and tipping off the colonial police about the sale. Nding’uri is caught and executed; Abdulla escapes and vows revenge. Ezekieli believes that Nding’uri was involved in a group of freedom fighters cutting off Ezekieli’s ear after he refused to swear a loyalty oath to them during the independence struggle. Partly for this reason, he later threatens to disown his daughter Mukami unless she ends her romance with Nding’uri’s much younger brother Karega. The novel implies that this threat precipitates Mukami’s death by suicide.

Nding’uri Character Timeline in Petals of Blood

The timeline below shows where the character Nding’uri appears in Petals of Blood. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...sanctified worker was an elderly woman, Mariamu, who didn’t actually attend religious services. Mariamu’s son Nding’uri was Munira’s friend until Munira went away to Siriana for school; later, Munira learned the... (full context)

...and attended Siriana until a year ago. When Munira says he knew Karega’s older brother Nding’uri, Karega admits he knew very little about his brother until Munira’s sister Mukami told him... (full context)

Gender, Sexuality, and Exploitation Theme Icon

...where she was so she wouldn’t tell anyone about his attempted adultery. Her beloved son Nding’uri briefly convinced her to try again with his father, and though it didn’t last, Mariamu... (full context)

Out of nowhere, Karega sees the face of his brother Nding’uri, whom he never knew. He wonders whether Abdulla knew his brother when they were both... (full context)

When Karega and Mukami woke up, she began crying and asked him whether his brother (Nding’uri) had died. Karega didn’t know—his mother Mariamu had told him, vaguely, that his brother went... (full context)

...his own house, he asked his mother Mariamu for the whole truth about his brother (Nding’uri). She admitted that Karega’s brother was executed for transporting ammunition for the Mau Mau. Shortly... (full context)

...for a moment. When he returns, Abdulla is shaking Karega and asking whether Karega is Nding’uri’s brother. Abdulla composes himself, drinks some Theng’eta, and explains: Nding’uri was Abdulla’s friend. They were... (full context)

As Karega walks away from Nyakinyua’s, he thinks about how his brother Nding’uri died for Kenyan freedom. The thought fills him with “pride and gratitude.” Wanja follows Karega,... (full context)

Karega’s brother Nding’uri appears behind him carrying three bullets. When Karega tries to tell Nding’uri about his journeys... (full context)

...arrive in a Mercedes Benz and enter the office—Kimeria wa Kamianja, who betrayed him and Nding’uri to the police. He overheard the clerks saying Kimeria had a contract with the factory... (full context)

...Karega alone in jail for three days, Inspector Godfrey interrogates him. Godfrey establishes Karega’s brother (Nding’uri) died during independence; Karega was expelled from Siriana for participating in a strike while Chui... (full context)

After Abdulla and Wanja were forced to close their business, Abdulla wondered whether Nding’uri was “cursing” him for not taking revenge on Kimeria—but Abdulla has no opportunity to kill... (full context)

...to kill him, just marveling at his luck. At night he talks to the dead Nding’uri about the “wisdom” of Kimeria, Mzigo, and Chui’s exploitative behavior—and of Wanja, having sex with... (full context)

...detention was a joke. Abdulla asked whether Kimeria remembered “another joke [he] once played on Nding’uri.” Frightened, Kimeria pulled a handkerchief and a gun from his pocket, blew his nose, and... (full context)

...Kimeria. Munira says he only knows what Kimeria did to Wanja and to Karega’s brother (Nding’uri). Godfrey asks whether Karega ever talked about bringing about the new world; Munira begins to... (full context)

...child who talked of Kenyan patriots and the dream of communal land ownership. He remembers Nding’uri and his own resistance fighting. Regretting his poor treatment of Joseph in the past, he... (full context)

...wonders whether he’s being punished for trying to commit adultery with Mariamu, since her sons Nding’uri and Karega have caused him so much trouble. Then he dismisses the thought, deciding not... (full context)