What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Villains of Molo
Bone, Bomu, Bafu, Ngeta and Rock find themselves in Ngando slums having fled the ethic-based violence in Molo. With little to do, they engage in all maner of trade to eke out a living. The entry of Nancy - stylish sophisticated and shrewd - catapults them into a nightmare that leads to destitution, betrayal, desperation, revenge, friendship and lasting love. This is a story of a new generation that rises above the confines of hatred and retribution and reasserts the inherent goodness in man. Told against the background of the 1992 'tribal' clashes in Kenya, The Last Villains of Molo is one of the most critically acclaimed modern stories. It has been studied in five universities in Kenya and Germany, and is currently being scripted for film.
220 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 2012
11 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Kinyanjui Kombani
12 books76 followersKinyanjui Kombani "The Banker who writes" is a Singapore-based Kenyan creative writer, banker, and learning solutions specialist.
He is the 2018 Winner of the Burt Award for African Young Adult Literature for his story 'Finding Colombia'. In 2019, he won the Jomo Kenyatta and Wahome Mutahi prizes for Literature for 'Do or Do' and 'Of Pawns and Players' respectively.
His novels ‘The Last Villains of Molo’, and 'Den of Inequities' have been study texts at university level, while 'Finding Colombia' is a study text for Grade 7 in Kenyan schools.
Kombani’s work includes 14 solo publications and 8 collaborations including the acclaimed 'Nairobi Noir' anthology.
Kinyanjui is a graduate of Kenyatta University, Kenya, where he honed his skills in theatre and creative writing. ‘Carcasses’, a play he wrote for Born Free Foundation’s Bush Meat Trade Awareness project, was performed to audiences all over the country and later shot to film. as ‘Mizoga’. The film has been screened in Africa, Europe and the USA and has been shown to over 60,000 rural Kenyans.
He is the 2018 Winner of the Burt Award for African Young Adult Literature for his story 'Finding Colombia'. In 2019, he won the Jomo Kenyatta and Wahome Mutahi prizes for Literature for 'Do or Do' and 'Of Pawns and Players' respectively.
His novels ‘The Last Villains of Molo’, and 'Den of Inequities' have been study texts at university level, while 'Finding Colombia' is a study text for Grade 7 in Kenyan schools.
Kombani’s work includes 14 solo publications and 8 collaborations including the acclaimed 'Nairobi Noir' anthology.
Kinyanjui is a graduate of Kenyatta University, Kenya, where he honed his skills in theatre and creative writing. ‘Carcasses’, a play he wrote for Born Free Foundation’s Bush Meat Trade Awareness project, was performed to audiences all over the country and later shot to film. as ‘Mizoga’. The film has been screened in Africa, Europe and the USA and has been shown to over 60,000 rural Kenyans.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 25, 2025
It's a powerful and emotional book that teaches important lessons about peace and unity. It helps readers understand Kenya’s history and the effects of ethnic violence. The book is great for young readers and adults who want to learn about Kenya’s past in an interesting way.
The writing is simple and engaging, making it easy to follow. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Kenyan literature and historical fiction.
The writing is simple and engaging, making it easy to follow. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Kenyan literature and historical fiction.
June 28, 2017
This book by Kenyan writer, Kinyanjui Kombani, is an intriguing read (the only reason I read on despite the errors that kept popping up here and there making me almost stop reading). It is relatable, addresses an issue that has plagued Kenya for decades - tribal clashes. The setting is very familiar, the reader can well relate with it and the characters. It is a great story, told well and in a language that the reader understands. The story has some unexpected turns but a poor ending (just evil old me saying).
For a much celebrated book, there is a lot of telling all over the book which makes the book slow to read, sometimes making the reader feel their intelligence has been insulted because the writer has to explain every phrase (perhaps a glossary would have worked well).
No book lacks an error (blame it on the editorial but the writer takes the blame because he had time to go through the proofs), and this one was not spared: poor formatting (some paragraphs/sentences not indented, mixture of single and double space - sometimes none at all -
after the last full stop of a sentence in paragraphs, etc), a typo here and there, etc.
For a much celebrated book, there is a lot of telling all over the book which makes the book slow to read, sometimes making the reader feel their intelligence has been insulted because the writer has to explain every phrase (perhaps a glossary would have worked well).
No book lacks an error (blame it on the editorial but the writer takes the blame because he had time to go through the proofs), and this one was not spared: poor formatting (some paragraphs/sentences not indented, mixture of single and double space - sometimes none at all -
after the last full stop of a sentence in paragraphs, etc), a typo here and there, etc.
February 19, 2018
Kimani, Irungu, Kiprop, Lihanda and Kibet left for Nairobi after the 1992 Molo clashes. Ignited by tribal differences, lives were lost, homes destroyed, friendship divided and others freed. What they didn't know was that 'karma is a bitch.' What was to be survival of the fittest comes back to haunt them. Bone, Rock, Bafu, Ngeta and Bomu respectively as they came to be known in the slums of Ngando were reunited and had it easy until Nancy showed up. The rich, educated girl 'fell in love' with Bone but all was for her project-revenge mission. The 5 had to kill to escape Molo and they killed Nancy's parents while sparing her. Her mission leads to the death of Bafu and Bomu while Rock, Bone and Ngeta survive. It is a twist of hate, love, betrayal, greediness and inhumanity. It kind of propels to the 2007 post election violence where tribal differences took a major role. The mood in the book is intense, full of suspense and if you don't want to imagine the killing descriptions, then don't touch it. (I did dream of killing my cats!)
May 20, 2023
I wish the publisher had paid just a little attention to syntax. The author is clearly of limited talent, yet the ambition of his (failed) project makes him, if nothing more, an admirable human being. What pains me is the slipshod editorial job, for a good editor would have shaped this novel into a smart little historical novel. Now a great editor would not have considered the manuscript for publication, and that would have saved me a few shillings and an incredibly embarrassing reading experience (this being one of the very few truly Kenyan novels; a better time would have given us better novels and novelists than this).
January 13, 2017
An excellent book, well written. An uncomfortable reminder of the post election violence in 2007/2008 and how easy it is to poison people's minds to steer them towards hatred and animosity. I think the episode in Imara Daima was too hurried. It was too easy to capture the police officer Rotich and the lady Chebet. I expected them to go down with a fight. Stella should have lived longer to make the plot more complex.
August 31, 2019
I wish someone had told me this.
That right from page one, my emotional levels of sanity will be stretched thin as my body will be actually preparing my soul for the book. Preparing. For the war, the violence, the hate. For death. For the survival, the suffering and enjoyment. For love and lust. For the trust and mistrust. For the deception. For vengeance. For the loyalty and betrayal. For the blackmail. For the fear of the unknown. For the good and evil. For prejudice. For courage and heroism. For the plot twists. For the torture of beloved characters with terrible, painful decisions, revelation and discovery.
That at some point I’ll find myself flipping pages a mile a minute and eating up the rest of the novel so I can finish it.
That by the time I'll get finished, I’ll be dead; plain and simple. That the abrupt turn of events will kill me inside. That I will ever kiss a book, let alone hug it. That I’ll stand awkwardly beside my bed on a Friday night at 11:52PM and give a two-minute standing ovation to Kinyanjui Kombani and The last Villains of Molo.
That my brain will be unable to function because processing the novel will make it blow up. Then, I’ll tend to go over every single scene in the novel that I can remember as a last chance to savour it all. That I’ll flip back to pages I had sticky-noted and reread scenes to burn them in my memory forever.
I just wish.
That right from page one, my emotional levels of sanity will be stretched thin as my body will be actually preparing my soul for the book. Preparing. For the war, the violence, the hate. For death. For the survival, the suffering and enjoyment. For love and lust. For the trust and mistrust. For the deception. For vengeance. For the loyalty and betrayal. For the blackmail. For the fear of the unknown. For the good and evil. For prejudice. For courage and heroism. For the plot twists. For the torture of beloved characters with terrible, painful decisions, revelation and discovery.
That at some point I’ll find myself flipping pages a mile a minute and eating up the rest of the novel so I can finish it.
That by the time I'll get finished, I’ll be dead; plain and simple. That the abrupt turn of events will kill me inside. That I will ever kiss a book, let alone hug it. That I’ll stand awkwardly beside my bed on a Friday night at 11:52PM and give a two-minute standing ovation to Kinyanjui Kombani and The last Villains of Molo.
That my brain will be unable to function because processing the novel will make it blow up. Then, I’ll tend to go over every single scene in the novel that I can remember as a last chance to savour it all. That I’ll flip back to pages I had sticky-noted and reread scenes to burn them in my memory forever.
I just wish.
December 30, 2018
Mixed feelings about this book.
Many parts of it not well written and would need a review/edit ( this is the 2012 version I've read) and that takes away from part of the experience, however, the message on the depths to which intolerance of differences sinks over and over and over again on the planet when race takes up against race, tribe against tribe, people against people is bewildering and is very well brought out in this story of 5 young men who have been through horrors that no one really should.
The emotive issue of land especially in Kenya still remains at the root of these differences and flares up every election year. If only this could be resolved however slowly or painstakingly then the true stories of Bafu, Bone, Bomu, Ngeta and Rock, their families and many others who didn't make it to this book but lived and continue to live through the mess that tribal clashes are would start to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
A very interesting read, albeit needing some patience to grate through the literary issues and the set up of the plot and flow..
Many parts of it not well written and would need a review/edit ( this is the 2012 version I've read) and that takes away from part of the experience, however, the message on the depths to which intolerance of differences sinks over and over and over again on the planet when race takes up against race, tribe against tribe, people against people is bewildering and is very well brought out in this story of 5 young men who have been through horrors that no one really should.
The emotive issue of land especially in Kenya still remains at the root of these differences and flares up every election year. If only this could be resolved however slowly or painstakingly then the true stories of Bafu, Bone, Bomu, Ngeta and Rock, their families and many others who didn't make it to this book but lived and continue to live through the mess that tribal clashes are would start to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
A very interesting read, albeit needing some patience to grate through the literary issues and the set up of the plot and flow..
December 18, 2016
This is a book about the tragedy of ethnic clashes and the hope of inter-ethnic friendship. What would you do with the chance to kill your family's murderers? The Last Villains of Molo is about settling scores. It's a book about facing the demons of the past and trusting in the power of forgiveness. The greatest strength of this book is the story. A very powerful story, a necessary story. The writing just didn't cut it for me though. It's the kind of writing that's more 'telling' than 'showing', one that propels you through a fiction novel, not the kind that makes you want to linger and savor the words. But kudos to Kinyanjui Kombani for working to push this story to publication, and the fact that it's read across different universities
March 23, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The first chapter quickly gets you hooked and as you move on, it gets harder to tear yourself away from the book. This riveting book paints a vivid picture of the tragic Molo clashes that brought out the worst in our ethnic diversity. However, in the midst of it all, the brave young men chose to go against the grain and expectations of their respective communities and in a moment of triumph, their humaneness shines through and they successfully escape from the clutches of death. However, their past comes to haunt them just as they begin to settle into their new lives.
This book is a roller coaster of emotions but thankfully ends on a good note. Definitely worth a read.
This book is a roller coaster of emotions but thankfully ends on a good note. Definitely worth a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2018
This book was a bit of a rollercoaster in both story and my enjoyment of it.
It started pretty well, with a nice energy describing Nairobi life in the early 2000s. In the middle during the Molo section I lost track of who was who, felt depressed by a juggernaut of horrific, pointless death after horrific, pointless death and the bad editing nearly made me give up.
I’m glad I persevered though, I raced through the final third as everything started to come together with a sickening inevitability. Totally gripping section. The ending felt a little neat, but I appreciated the final message.
(Also I didn’t quite understand why all 5 would be targeted? Rock wasn’t involved in the fighting at all?)
It started pretty well, with a nice energy describing Nairobi life in the early 2000s. In the middle during the Molo section I lost track of who was who, felt depressed by a juggernaut of horrific, pointless death after horrific, pointless death and the bad editing nearly made me give up.
I’m glad I persevered though, I raced through the final third as everything started to come together with a sickening inevitability. Totally gripping section. The ending felt a little neat, but I appreciated the final message.
(Also I didn’t quite understand why all 5 would be targeted? Rock wasn’t involved in the fighting at all?)
July 30, 2016
When I picked this book I was on a Kenyan-writers spree, trying to read all about home before moving to Nigeria, US and anywhere else where people write. I found it addresses a dear theme to Kenyans and it should really be more popular than it is. Though it begins with weak characters, it progresses to a very moving story of poverty and bloodshed. The author is candid about African city life, he does not attempt at being subtle. It may cause tears to one who is book-vulnerable. That’s why this book is of its own kind. I lived around its settings when these events took place in 1992. I don’t know how to judge the story without being biased so I rated the writing itself.
May 16, 2017
The subject matter of this book is what motivated me to buy a copy. It tells a harrowing tale of the ethnic clashes in Molo in 1992 in a way I had never heard it told before. I would recommend it to every Kenyan, especially now during this election period.
However, the writing did not appeal to me. I did not particularly care for any of the characters and I had to keep going back several pages just to remind myself who was who in the different timelines. The entire story seemed rushed and parts of it far fetched. It was also quite predictable which made me want to finish the book just for the sake of finishing it.
I would recommend this book for educational purposes.
However, the writing did not appeal to me. I did not particularly care for any of the characters and I had to keep going back several pages just to remind myself who was who in the different timelines. The entire story seemed rushed and parts of it far fetched. It was also quite predictable which made me want to finish the book just for the sake of finishing it.
I would recommend this book for educational purposes.
December 21, 2016
I was gripped at each person's life through the highs & the lows and the description of each scene made me feel as if i was there.
Lest we forget, we must never go back to such times, where almost each and every Kenyan, was affected one way or another. Some lost cousins, some lost brothers, some lost sisters, some lost mothers, some lost fathers, some lost uncles, some lost aunties, some lost all of it, and then some.
Kinyanjui, thanks for reminding us where we have come from.
Lest we forget, we must never go back to such times, where almost each and every Kenyan, was affected one way or another. Some lost cousins, some lost brothers, some lost sisters, some lost mothers, some lost fathers, some lost uncles, some lost aunties, some lost all of it, and then some.
Kinyanjui, thanks for reminding us where we have come from.
December 21, 2017
This is my 2nd time reading this book.
Now, I can picture the city clearer because I'm more familiar with Nairobi.
Being Kinyanjui's first book, I'm sure he reads through it today and sees his growth. This was well-written for a first book.
Now, I can picture the city clearer because I'm more familiar with Nairobi.
Being Kinyanjui's first book, I'm sure he reads through it today and sees his growth. This was well-written for a first book.
September 9, 2013
Kinyanjui did very well with this book. The storyline in particular is very captivating. He paints Kenya just as I know it!
August 28, 2017
A great read that takes you through the events of the tribal clashes. The story is so vivid and the characters are well developed.
July 11, 2018
Five stars! You will love this one. A real kenyan story!
October 8, 2018
The story is simply unpredictable, didn't see the end coming. Definitely one of my best reads this year. Will be doing more local books from now on. I guess this is a redeeming book.
March 17, 2020
An uncomfortable reminder of post election violence in Kenya.
January 13, 2025
This was an uncomfortable yet timely read. In the wake of everything that is happening in Kenya at the moment, this book reminded me that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Post election violence remains a thorn in Kenya's flesh.
Kinyanjui's style was captivating and painted a great picture of the events of 1992. Despite the necessary discomfort of the book, it also offered hope. Hope that there is need for a brighter future for Kenyans and that it is possible to get it. I would recommend this to any one of us. It is a book that will inspire you to keep fighting for justice and the betterment of this country.
Kinyanjui's style was captivating and painted a great picture of the events of 1992. Despite the necessary discomfort of the book, it also offered hope. Hope that there is need for a brighter future for Kenyans and that it is possible to get it. I would recommend this to any one of us. It is a book that will inspire you to keep fighting for justice and the betterment of this country.
August 5, 2020
This book has explained to some extent the issues that Kenya was going through in the past. It’s amazingly written. I was startled but he scene of the president visit to Molo. It’s also shows wealth gap in the society and the ending is extremely desirable. The youth should endeavor to embrace reconciliation and make the right decisions at the ballot.
October 11, 2020
The Ghosts of the Past
All Kenyans are very familiar with Molo, which unfortunately remains an area fraught with anxiety and at times violence every time an election rolls up. Books like this are a reminder of the cost of hate, and the painful legacy it leaves. So glad I picked this up. Can't wait to see the movie!
All Kenyans are very familiar with Molo, which unfortunately remains an area fraught with anxiety and at times violence every time an election rolls up. Books like this are a reminder of the cost of hate, and the painful legacy it leaves. So glad I picked this up. Can't wait to see the movie!
October 31, 2022
Nice book
February 26, 2024
The first book I read authored by Kinyanjui Kombani. I kept wondering, where was this book all along? The events unfolded, in a bizarre and and unpredictable manner. Really loved the book.
January 27, 2025
Well told story. Opened my eyes to the perils of ethnic affiliations at the expense of humanity.Loved it!
February 12, 2018
Quite a fascinating story. A very interesting read. So relatable. So true. So familiar.
I like how Kombani grows his characters in such a way the reader can't pick sides and by the time you do, it's too late. There's a way he has woven them together from the story in Molo, and in Nairobi.
He isn't just telling a story here, he is holding a mirror for us as a nation to look into. He addresses poverty, corruption, crime and all the social ills beyond the usual rhetoric.
It's being scripted into a movie, when is it coming out again?
I like how Kombani grows his characters in such a way the reader can't pick sides and by the time you do, it's too late. There's a way he has woven them together from the story in Molo, and in Nairobi.
He isn't just telling a story here, he is holding a mirror for us as a nation to look into. He addresses poverty, corruption, crime and all the social ills beyond the usual rhetoric.
It's being scripted into a movie, when is it coming out again?
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews