Blossoms of the Savannah - Persimei Ole Kaelo

Persimei Ole Kaelo - Character Traits

Ole Kaelo is Jane Milanoi’s Husband and father to Taiyo and Resian. He is a former worker of Agribix Limited Company situated in Nakuru.  He is also a businessman at Nasila.  

 Male Chauvinist

Defn: A chauvinist is a man who believes that women are naturally less important, intelligent. For instance 

 His two daughters occupied separate parts of his heart. Taiyo his eldest was his pride but Resian from the moment she was born, mute and helpless, he detested her. The very sight of her enraged him. All this is because Kaelo prayed for a baby boy when his wife got pregnant the second time but that was not to be.

Ole kaelo has never allowed Mama Milanoi (wife) to have an opinion of her own in regard to his children’s upbringing. He also does not share business secrets with his wife.

Short tempered

•      Ole kaelo short temperedness is seen in many instances:

•      When the family was moving to Nasila, Kaelo was organizing and directing, with obvious shortness of temper, the loading of the two ten-ton Lorries.  He was gesticulating violently reprimanding loaders for being slow (pg 1)

•      When Resian becomes clumsy and almost breaks the glass her father reprimanded her severely.

•      Also when he learns of her daughters near- rape he is angered very much. He storms out of the house armed and together with the clansmen they hunt down the culprits.

•      During Oloisudori Grand visit Resian tried to plead with her father not to remain at home to receive Oloisudori.  His father ordered her angrily and tells her to get out of her sight but she should be there the following day to receive the visitors. 

Hardworking

•      Kealo believes that he had worked his fingers to the bone over the years, preparing for that day when he was no longer going to be employed. He felt nothing but the need to strive even harder to achieve better results. (pg 8)

•      It is through hard work also that he is able to be promoted to a manager at Agribix limited.

Materialistic

•      Ole kaelo receives dowry upfront before he even prepares his daughters for marriage even when they want to join university. This is greed.

•      Ole kaelo greed is manifested when his mentor Ole supeyo warns him against the corrupt Oloisudori, he insists on dealing with him for financial gain.  He is also ready to sell off his daughter so that his business could prosper.