Githiaka was left an orphan at an early age and grew up without anyone to look after him. Owing to the jealousy of his relatives he decided to leave his home village and settle elsewhere on the Bara Plains. There he worked hard on his piece of land and became very prosperous, in spite of the mischief of his lazy neighbours. However, at the height of his prosperity, Githiaka became the victim of organised hooliganism as a boyhood enemy of his, Keni, and a gang of "dancers" drying up in Githiaka's shamba, thanks to the efforts of a powerful medicine man.