Expectations of the protagonists versus expectations of the audience
The audience is aware that Kĩgũũnda and Wangeci's interaction with Kĩoi and Jezebel will turn out poorly for them, especially with the title-deed, but the protagonists do not seem aware of that.
Gathoni's intent to marry when she wants
Gathoni's claim that she will marry when she wants is ironic because it comes to pass that she cannot marry when she wants because of patriarchal, cultural, and societal strictures.
Religious identification without adherence to religious principles
Kĩoi and his allies' embrace of Christianity ironically ignores all of the teachings of Jesus regarding the poor inheriting the earth and rich men having difficulty entering heaven.
The mutual frustration of Kĩoi and Gĩcaamba with the Kenyan church
Both Kĩoi and Gĩcaamba express frustration with Kenyan churches, but, ironically, for opposed reasons: the former sees them as places were revolutionary sentiment may flourish, whereas the latter sees them as sites of capitulation and accommodation to the elites and the whites.
