KAI, SAMBA I

Kai Samba I (1902-January 3, 1956), originally called Alpha Lalugba Kalei Samba, was a vigorous and progressive paramount chief of Nongowa in southeastern Sierra Leone, who played an important role in both national and local politics. He ruled from 1942 to 1956. Combining foresight with respect for tradition, he pioneered the development of agricultural industry in his district and changed his capital, Kenema, from an insignificant village to a large prosperous urban center.

PHOTO CAPTION: Kai Samba I. SOURCE: EA Library

He was born in 1902, the son of Boakei Kai Samba who was descended from Boima Kahunla, the nephew of the founder of Kenema town. His mother was Musuwa, who was descended from Madam Matolo, wife of King Faba of Dodo. Educated at Bo government school, Alpha Lalugba joined the civil service as a clerk in 1924 and remained in provincial administration till 1942.

In that year elections for the chiefship of Nongowa, in Kenema district, were held, following the deposition of paramount chief Momoh Vangahun. Three years previously, in 1939, Nongowa chiefdom had been astir with allegations of cannibalism against the paramount chief, an explosive issue which also affected the paramount chiefs Saffa Kebbi of Dama, in Kenema district and Momoh Gbow of Njaluahun, in Kailahun district. The trial lasted till 1942 when Momoh Vangahun and Saffa Kebbi were deposed, Momoh Gbow having died before the enquiry ended.

Six candidates contested the election which was won by Alpha Lalugba Kalei Samba. He became paramount chief of Nongowa on February 17, 1942, taking the title Kai Samba I, Kai being a modified form of Kaeei or Kalei, meaning “bone.”

A cool-headed, self-confident and educated chief, Kai Samba was often at variance with his more traditional colleagues. When district councils were inaugurated in 1946, he became deputy president of the Kenema district council, here he put forward various progressive measures. But his efforts were frustrated by his fellow chiefs who disliked his forward-looking ideas, and either lacked his government school education or simply resented his dominance over the affairs of the council.

Kai Samba was also active in the Protectorate Assembly, to which district councils elected members. It was established in 1946 to advise the colonial administration on matters of significance to the Protectorate. Even before its inauguration, however, Kai Samba had organised chiefs’ conferences in Kenema, out of which the district councils developed.

Despite set-backs, his achievements far outnumbered those of his contemporaries. A member of the Legislative Council, forerunner of the present House of Representatives, from 1948 to 1951, he also served on the very important Finance Committee to the Executive Council, the predecessor of the modern cabinet. In 1950 he was awarded the King’s medal for chiefs.

Unlike most chiefs, he held strong views against the participation of paramount chiefs in national politics as supporters of a political party. The party system, he felt, would seriously undermine the traditional paternal authority of chiefs over their people, and in line with these views he refused to contest the elections for the Legislative Council in 1951.

Kai Samba is principally remembered for his initiative in modernising and developing Kenema district and in particular Kenema town. He encouraged the cultivation of cash crops, and pioneered the development of the forest industries, one of the most important industries in Sierra Leone today, with its headquarters in Kenema. He re-planned the town with a system of feeder roads, a good sanitation system, and various new social amenities.

Under his direction, a park with recreation facilities was built adjacent to the railway station, proving very popular with passengers in transit. The dispensary was expanded into a fully-fledged hospital with a full-time medical officer. Most important of all Kai Samba authorised the building of the Kenema government secondary school in 1952, providing building materials himself to speed up the construction.

Paramount Chief Kai Samba I died of asthma on January 3, 1956, on the eve of signing a committee report recommending the creation of a Kenema Town Council. He was mourned by many, including the large number of “strangers” he had encouraged to settle as traders in Kenema. Kenema town itself, as it stands today, is lasting testimony to the achievements of one of the most progressive of Protectorate rulers.

ARTHUR ABRAHAM