Gikonyo experiences deep guilt over his time in detention primarily because he betrayed his oath to the Mau Mau during his imprisonment.
The Roots of Gikonyo's Remorse
His profound sense of guilt is a direct consequence of actions taken under duress in the detention camp, specifically:
- Confession and Broken Oath: While in the detention camp, Gikonyo confessed to being part of the resistance. This act constituted a severe breach of the solemn oath he had taken to the Mau Mau, a profound betrayal of his comrades and the cause.
- Vain Hope for Freedom: His confession was motivated by a desperate, though ultimately unfulfilled, hope that it would lead to his release from imprisonment. The reality of his continued detention, despite his confession, only amplified his sense of failure and regret.
- Persistent Haunting: The betrayal continues to haunt him relentlessly. Gikonyo is tormented by this act, to the extent that he imagines the "footsteps of his guilt" are perpetually walking behind him, a constant reminder of his compromised principles. This vivid internal experience underscores the pervasive nature of his remorse, affecting him at all hours.
This self-perceived failure to uphold his commitments and endure the suffering for the cause, instead seeking personal reprieve through confession, forms the bedrock of Gikonyo's enduring guilt.
