Over thirty years ago, right here in Nairobi, Kenya, it was abominable for an unmarried girl to be pregnant and have children. Parents would overreact. They would make unspeakable statements, for instance, “you are as stupid as your mum!”, “you have been behaving like a prostitute!”, “you have made a fool of yourself!”, “get out of my sight, or I’ll crash you!”, among other unthinkable statements.

Apparently, it is fathers who would make such statements. Mothers would be more tolerant and compassionate. They would be kinder to their daughters, and would persuade the fathers to accept their daughter. This is because some fathers would tell their expectant daughters to find their own accommodation, not caring how they would get such accommodation.

Pauline, eighteen in 1973, was the fourth child in her family. Extremely intelligent, she had managed an A- grade in her high school examinations, and was waiting to join university in June 1974, to pursue her undergraduate program in law. This was a privilege she shared with only 2, 183 other qualifiers for places in the national universities. So thrilled were the parents, because the parents had no school fees burden on her account. National university fees were on the lowest side, and payable by the students themselves upon securing employment.

In Pauline’s neighborhood, stayed Samuel, her friend since childhood. During the waiting period between December 1973 and June 1974, Pauline and Sam had a lot of time on their hands. They spent much of that time together.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Sam had not made it to one of the national universities. The family was contemplating the next course of action. Also, since Sam’s other siblings were in school, and the mum would go to the market to sell fruits and vegetables, Sam found himself alone in the house from 8.00am to 4.00pm. Pauline, too, would be alone in the house for the same period, since everyone else was away.

The two therefore spent increasing lengths of time together, especially walking in the neighborhood. One day, in mid-February 1974, Sam requested Pauline to pay him a visit. She obliged, since she was through with all the housework. The two had unending conversations. At 2.30pm, Sam escorted her back to her house. These visits became a trend.