The novel does not make clear what “Theng’eta” is, though its association with the word “Breweries” suggests it is an alcoholic drink. Given that the Theng’eta Breweries Union members are planning a strike, however, the novel is clearly linking Theng’eta with the economic exploitation of Kenyan workers. The union members assume that the police have arrested Karega because of the strike, not because of murders—an assumption that hints the police usually take the side of employers against their exploited workers.