Kichono Mandela Ki-itu Leah

Marakwet

Paul Kipchumba

“Achicha” kimwa, “Makaat po chiich kimopeere ki-ir”

Ngo kipkurkuris cho kikreti chemoke tap Koroni po Ropen.

“Achicha” kimwa, “Ng’oromin kimotortoi chiich” – 

Ting’ei perut, amachol, tokonyi po lakwani po Pakistan.

“Achicha” kimwa, “Keto iman kumelosimishenei chiich”-

Kuut nyo kikinyapur, kisis aku mang’usta kei ngo Dapchi

Masimana manyin ngo tayu po kipeng’atin

Ngo peretus chomi tai, mi iman kilo ng’etei kutikai

Mandela, Malala, Leah Sharibu – lapoin po

“Achicha, kimwa Prometus”, ma ngo iman,

Wosei or aka tokol, lopoityo kuchonei sang

Chipok ngo Dapchi, muloi kulopoit kore.

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Read the English translation – Mandela Comes to Leah by Prof. Wole Soyinka 

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Paul Kipchumba studied literature and language at the University of Nairobi and at Tianjin Foreign Studies University, in China. He is a writer, a researcher, and a founder of the Kipchumba Foundation that promotes education in Marakwet. He is also the author of ‘Oral Literature of the Marakwet of Kenya’.