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Den of Inequities
Omosh is a construction worker at a local slum whose life is rudely changed when he is arrested by overzealous policemen. Gosti, the local mugger, comes home to find his long lost father, who seems to have great plans for him, or what does he want? On the other side of town, Aileen’s seems to have everything: she is the reigning Miss Campus, daughter of a renowned politician and a ‘cool life’. A misadventure in a matatu changes her life, for ever. What do these three characters have in common? And who is killing police officers so brazenly? And is the counter attack justified?
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
34 people are currently reading
205 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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 29, 2018
An illegal chama is on the loose and it has got Omosh, Gosti and Aileen tangled. How do the three co-exist?
On his way from buying medicine for his sick son, Omosh meets two police officers fighting in the slums, minds his own business but is arrested for been a participant. It is in jail that he meets Gosti, a well-known criminal who becomes his cell buddy. Until his release, Omosh is a bitter man having pleaded guilty to crimes he did not take part in and when freedom comes his way, he goes back home to a demolished house and the surprise of his wife taken by his friend thirsts for murder.
Gosti is trying to fend for his little family (girlfriend) through survival of the streets. His long lost father who abandoned his family is back not to make amends but have his son-the criminal do his dirty work for him-kill. In order to convince his son that he is a friend indeed, he colludes with the police who arrest Gosti and false accusations might make his life futile in prison. His survival- big daddy to the rescue.
Aileen, the beautiful, rich, minister’s daughter in campus faces an uncertain circumstance when her purse is stolen in the busy Nairobery. With no fare and a rude conductor on her neck, “Edward” secures her. It is this act of kindness that makes her fall for him and when she starts to question his movement, truth sets in.
After the mysterious deaths of police starts sweeping the streets like a plague, action is taken to finish the chama who have done nothing wrong. A tag of war ensues leaving the chama more vengeful than ever. If you have read Kombani’s “The Last Villains of Molo,” you know he got a way with murder that leaves a reader been an investigator. Each chapter contains unending suspense, attacks that seem to have no source whatsoever.
Unknown to the chama, Aileen follows a convey of vehicles that has Edward as the leader. It is at the inauguration ceremony where human blood and chanting of cultic songs takes center stage that she decides to sneak out. However, a guard captures her and a confrontation crops up having Edward and Aileen’s father explain the matter. It so happens that the minister in a member of the chama who secured his seat through their massive campaign and of course by threatening his opponent.
Tables however turn when Gosti executes his killing mission by aiming his gun at Aileen, the minister and Edward. His father’s wish been to overthrow the top leaders and take charge, gets Edward shot but survives. Unlikely, Gosti’s father turns his gun at Gosti making the famous movie quote “never leave any witnesses,” known. The events that unfold, have Ben (he resembles the famous Kenyan officer known to warn gangster with his utajua hujui slang) and his force take control and arrests are made.
In a media briefing to congratulate the police detailing how they put an end to the chama, Omosh shows up limping and lets the cat out of the bag- he has been behind the police killings single handedly. His revenge for false arrest, false accusations and his family abandoning him. Yes, that is how Kinyanjui decided to leave me hanging once again!
Den of inequities explores love, family, betrayal, corruption, anger, greed and revenge in the most intriguing manner. If you thought Villains of Molo was twisted, read this and you might have your brain blown away even more. The banker has his way with characters, their behaviors and how they intertwine. He leaves a reader juggling and thirsting for more. It would make a good Kenyan movie as it explores the typical Kenyan life from government leaders acquiring power through rogue means, police brutality on innocent citizens, illegal gangs that terrorize societies, slums way of life, unemployment to universities breeding goons. Am rereading it again!
On his way from buying medicine for his sick son, Omosh meets two police officers fighting in the slums, minds his own business but is arrested for been a participant. It is in jail that he meets Gosti, a well-known criminal who becomes his cell buddy. Until his release, Omosh is a bitter man having pleaded guilty to crimes he did not take part in and when freedom comes his way, he goes back home to a demolished house and the surprise of his wife taken by his friend thirsts for murder.
Gosti is trying to fend for his little family (girlfriend) through survival of the streets. His long lost father who abandoned his family is back not to make amends but have his son-the criminal do his dirty work for him-kill. In order to convince his son that he is a friend indeed, he colludes with the police who arrest Gosti and false accusations might make his life futile in prison. His survival- big daddy to the rescue.
Aileen, the beautiful, rich, minister’s daughter in campus faces an uncertain circumstance when her purse is stolen in the busy Nairobery. With no fare and a rude conductor on her neck, “Edward” secures her. It is this act of kindness that makes her fall for him and when she starts to question his movement, truth sets in.
After the mysterious deaths of police starts sweeping the streets like a plague, action is taken to finish the chama who have done nothing wrong. A tag of war ensues leaving the chama more vengeful than ever. If you have read Kombani’s “The Last Villains of Molo,” you know he got a way with murder that leaves a reader been an investigator. Each chapter contains unending suspense, attacks that seem to have no source whatsoever.
Unknown to the chama, Aileen follows a convey of vehicles that has Edward as the leader. It is at the inauguration ceremony where human blood and chanting of cultic songs takes center stage that she decides to sneak out. However, a guard captures her and a confrontation crops up having Edward and Aileen’s father explain the matter. It so happens that the minister in a member of the chama who secured his seat through their massive campaign and of course by threatening his opponent.
Tables however turn when Gosti executes his killing mission by aiming his gun at Aileen, the minister and Edward. His father’s wish been to overthrow the top leaders and take charge, gets Edward shot but survives. Unlikely, Gosti’s father turns his gun at Gosti making the famous movie quote “never leave any witnesses,” known. The events that unfold, have Ben (he resembles the famous Kenyan officer known to warn gangster with his utajua hujui slang) and his force take control and arrests are made.
In a media briefing to congratulate the police detailing how they put an end to the chama, Omosh shows up limping and lets the cat out of the bag- he has been behind the police killings single handedly. His revenge for false arrest, false accusations and his family abandoning him. Yes, that is how Kinyanjui decided to leave me hanging once again!
Den of inequities explores love, family, betrayal, corruption, anger, greed and revenge in the most intriguing manner. If you thought Villains of Molo was twisted, read this and you might have your brain blown away even more. The banker has his way with characters, their behaviors and how they intertwine. He leaves a reader juggling and thirsting for more. It would make a good Kenyan movie as it explores the typical Kenyan life from government leaders acquiring power through rogue means, police brutality on innocent citizens, illegal gangs that terrorize societies, slums way of life, unemployment to universities breeding goons. Am rereading it again!
January 6, 2018
Very interesting expose about the criminal and police underworld. The disclaimer by the author in the beginning of the book is truly justified as the story is a true true depiction of the current status in low income urban settlements in Kenya. This book follows the same grain of truth found in the much acclaimed movie Nairobi Half Life - two versions, same truth. A very gripping and enlightening read that stirs the need for reforms from the top. That's where the rot is. Truth and justice will never see the light of day unless this is ridded.
January 7, 2018
Den of Inequities is an experience. This page turner leaves you with more questions than answers. It uniquely shows the connection between different lives and how systemic injustices affect all of us. The writing leaves you hungry for more, while giving you a glimpse into how organized crime thrives among corrupt police forces. This is an excellent read.
May 7, 2018
This is the second Kinyanjui Kombani book that I own and I finished it in one sitting. By the time I was done, I was torn over whether to applaud Omosh for what he had done or condemn him for getting other people killed for what he'd done. Omosh is caught up in a fight and due to the horrible justice system, he's sentenced to 3 years hard labour with no bail. Aileen, a minister's daughter, falls in love with Edward, Chama's leader (a vigilante group). You have to read to find out how the three are tied together. This is one well-written novel, I could easily visualize what the characters were going through. I can't wait to read The Last Villians of Molo.
December 11, 2016
Two men get arrested for crimes they didn't commit. A campus beauty queen meets a kind stranger in a matatu and a friendship develops. On the other hand, someone is killing police officers. What do these people have in common?
In this book, the author gives an insight in the twisted relationship between crime and law enforcement, more so in the slums. And just like in Yvonne Adhiambo's Dust, these things are never really black and white.
What I loved about this book is that I could relate to it. It is written with a Kenyan outlook by a Kenyan.
In this book, the author gives an insight in the twisted relationship between crime and law enforcement, more so in the slums. And just like in Yvonne Adhiambo's Dust, these things are never really black and white.
What I loved about this book is that I could relate to it. It is written with a Kenyan outlook by a Kenyan.
November 10, 2017
Quite a story. So interesting that the events resemble what has been happening. Reads more like a record of true events than a fictional story.
So many twists and turns, a bit of suspense, all of them beautifully woven and connected together without the author having to try too hard.
However, some minor, unnoticeable, things that seem to be inconsistent with the story. All these however, do not affect the plot.
So many twists and turns, a bit of suspense, all of them beautifully woven and connected together without the author having to try too hard.
However, some minor, unnoticeable, things that seem to be inconsistent with the story. All these however, do not affect the plot.
May 23, 2020
Interesting story but could have been better developed and the writing tightened up a bit. The degree to which the corruption and violence described represents realities on the ground is quite depressing, but necessary to discuss.
September 18, 2016
Brilliantly written story that addresses contemporary themes of urban Kenyan society.
September 12, 2017
True depiction of the streets of 'downtown'/ slums of the capital city. Very interesting read ✔️✔️✔️✔️
April 8, 2021
You can't help reading this book without emotions getting triggered by the realities that it portrays of urban slum life. The delicate balance between the criminal underworld and a warped justice system plays out so well to keep your eyeballs glued. Simple yet riveting!
January 14, 2020
A reasonable yarn. Interesting view of Nairobi life.
September 4, 2020
Quite a page turner, paints a picture of life in the slums of Nairobi
November 2, 2020
Good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
October 12, 2022Den of inequities
April 19, 2024
He explains how life varies withe each and every person but the connection is has to all of us; the consequences.
January 3, 2017
Kudos to the author for weaving the mini-stories in a way that made me thirst to know what happens next and how it all ends! Fictional but very true depiction inspired by the Philip Alston report (Kenya). Keep at it Kombani
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews