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Betrayal in the City
First published in 1976, this play from one of Africa's foremost dramatists is in the classic cannon. It is an incisive examination of the problems of independence and freedom in post-colonial Africa states, where few believe they have a stake in the future. In the words of one of the characters: "It was better while we waited. Now we have nothing to look forward to. We have killed our past and are busy killing our future." Francis Imbuga is a playwright and actor. He is the recipient of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences Distinguished Professional Award in Play Writing.
80 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 1976
About the author
Francis Imbuga
13 books80 followersProfessor Francis Davis Imbuga (1947 – November 18, 2012) was a Kenyan playwright and literature scholar whose works, including Aminata and Betrayal in the City, have become staples in the study of literature schools in Kenya. His works have consistently dealt with issues such as the clashes of modernity and tradition in the social organisation of African communities. His play Betrayal in the City was Kenya's entry to FESTAC.
He also taught literature at Kenyatta University, holding the posts of Dean of the Literature Department, Dean of Arts and Director of Quality Assurance.
Imbuga died on the night of Sunday 18 November 2012, after suffering a stroke in his house in Nairobi.
from Wikipedia
He also taught literature at Kenyatta University, holding the posts of Dean of the Literature Department, Dean of Arts and Director of Quality Assurance.
Imbuga died on the night of Sunday 18 November 2012, after suffering a stroke in his house in Nairobi.
from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 17, 2022
A fantastic, powerful play. Well worth a read.
February 27, 2014
This play begins with a graveyard scene, like most of Imbuga's plays.
The reader is introduced to the parents of Adika, a well loved and young son who was murdered by four bullets for leading a student's riot.
The reader also meets Jusper, his brother who has since gone mad and nothing else seems to help alleviate the family's pain.
Like most plays it has some humor : we have two fools, one is Mulili, the Boss' distant cousin who is illiterate but acts like he's the genius, and then there's Jusper-who in my humble opinion is the hero of the story. He is believed to have gone mad, but this doesn't stop him from speaking against the injustices in his land. They even let him write a play.
It's a short play that highlights the injustices post independence, at a time where democracy and honest leadership was crucial to the development of a nation.
I enjoyed reading it, though unlike his other play Aminata, the women here were in the background in the fight against injustice. I expected much more from Regina, but would still admit that given the setting - it is understandable.
The reader is introduced to the parents of Adika, a well loved and young son who was murdered by four bullets for leading a student's riot.
The reader also meets Jusper, his brother who has since gone mad and nothing else seems to help alleviate the family's pain.
Like most plays it has some humor : we have two fools, one is Mulili, the Boss' distant cousin who is illiterate but acts like he's the genius, and then there's Jusper-who in my humble opinion is the hero of the story. He is believed to have gone mad, but this doesn't stop him from speaking against the injustices in his land. They even let him write a play.
It's a short play that highlights the injustices post independence, at a time where democracy and honest leadership was crucial to the development of a nation.
I enjoyed reading it, though unlike his other play Aminata, the women here were in the background in the fight against injustice. I expected much more from Regina, but would still admit that given the setting - it is understandable.
April 5, 2024
A very short book. Another African literature book that you can go through in hours
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September 14, 2015Betrayal in the city by Francis Imbuga is a play that tells us what happened and what is happening in most third world countries. Politics is the main theme where after African countries getting independence replace the leadership with African leaders who are dictatorial and careless in the way they lead.
The Play starts when Doga and Nina are about to do a final ritual at the grave of their murdered son Adika. Jusper the brother of Adika is not there and thus his parents are worried as to where he disappeared to and also that someone had tried to interfere with the grave.
Before long, Jere and Mulili arrives with the order from the government to stop the ritual from taking place. It's here that we now know that truly Jusper in in the jail . The ceremony saga brings conflict between the two soldiers Jere and Mulili with Mulili determined to enforce the government order while Jere supports the ritual to go on. In the process of the tussle realized when Jere points a pistol to Mulili and Mulili says , " you will pay for this". We also get to know from the dialogue that once Mulili released Mustafa who was once a prisoner.
Later on we get to know of the death of one Chagaga having killed by Jusper as a revenge to the murder of Adika and that explains why Jusper is in the cells.
As Mulili said Jere is also put inside for going against the government order. The cells are used by kafira government to silence the critics of the state . Mosese a lecturer is among those imprisoned because of "morning in public ". Regina the sister to Mosese tries to get assistance of the release of her brother from the jail. She gets Tumbo to assist her. By now jumper is out of cells and he is with Regina at her house when Tumbo enters. Tumbo tells Jusper that students are just but wasting their time in questioning the government and that more expatriates will be employed. Jusper is sent for beer as Regina and Tumbo are left in the house. Regina later on tells Tumbo not to take his "cousin" seriously. At this juncture is when Tumbo is told by Regina that Jusper can write plays. The "competition" to choose the winning play to be done during the state visit of a foreign head of state is done and Jusper play emerges the best. Jusper and Regina are given a third of the money and Tumbo takes two thirds.
Meanwhile Mosese who had employed silence in his fight changes tact and embraces active participation in the fight against the government. Therefore he is enlisted to act before a visiting head of state. During the play within a play is when the coup occurs and one Mulili the rubberstamp of corruption in Kafira is killed and the Boss the leader of Kafira is left:analysis by onala Okoth Paul of chewoyet high school Kapenguria
The Play starts when Doga and Nina are about to do a final ritual at the grave of their murdered son Adika. Jusper the brother of Adika is not there and thus his parents are worried as to where he disappeared to and also that someone had tried to interfere with the grave.
Before long, Jere and Mulili arrives with the order from the government to stop the ritual from taking place. It's here that we now know that truly Jusper in in the jail . The ceremony saga brings conflict between the two soldiers Jere and Mulili with Mulili determined to enforce the government order while Jere supports the ritual to go on. In the process of the tussle realized when Jere points a pistol to Mulili and Mulili says , " you will pay for this". We also get to know from the dialogue that once Mulili released Mustafa who was once a prisoner.
Later on we get to know of the death of one Chagaga having killed by Jusper as a revenge to the murder of Adika and that explains why Jusper is in the cells.
As Mulili said Jere is also put inside for going against the government order. The cells are used by kafira government to silence the critics of the state . Mosese a lecturer is among those imprisoned because of "morning in public ". Regina the sister to Mosese tries to get assistance of the release of her brother from the jail. She gets Tumbo to assist her. By now jumper is out of cells and he is with Regina at her house when Tumbo enters. Tumbo tells Jusper that students are just but wasting their time in questioning the government and that more expatriates will be employed. Jusper is sent for beer as Regina and Tumbo are left in the house. Regina later on tells Tumbo not to take his "cousin" seriously. At this juncture is when Tumbo is told by Regina that Jusper can write plays. The "competition" to choose the winning play to be done during the state visit of a foreign head of state is done and Jusper play emerges the best. Jusper and Regina are given a third of the money and Tumbo takes two thirds.
Meanwhile Mosese who had employed silence in his fight changes tact and embraces active participation in the fight against the government. Therefore he is enlisted to act before a visiting head of state. During the play within a play is when the coup occurs and one Mulili the rubberstamp of corruption in Kafira is killed and the Boss the leader of Kafira is left:analysis by onala Okoth Paul of chewoyet high school Kapenguria
September 1, 2013
This book exposes how politics and politicians then, just like now remaib the same!The masses are excited at the thought of a new government but even with the change of guard,nothing changes and cynicism sets in.
June 29, 2017
Well this book is so real to todays situation in the third world coutries. The way politicians are taking advantage of the weak in the society for their own good. It is a short yet a beautiful read to book, the simplicity in the language used makes the reading an awsome expirience that you just fall in love with.
February 23, 2026
I was just casually scrolling when I saw that Play Reading KE was staging a live reading of Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga.
And something in me said: You have to go.
Now here’s the twist , I didn’t even read it in high school. It has been a set book for years, but it missed my syllabus. I did read Kigogo, its almost twin in Swahili, so I knew the political temperature. But I deliberately chose not to reread or pre-read the script before attending.
I wanted the full experience, and wow, consuming Literature the Way It Was Meant to Be Consumed
There was something electric about hearing the words performed rather than silently read.
And a personal highlight?
Seeing my friend Jeff, a very talented actor, as part of the cast. Watching someone you know embody such politically charged material? Surreal. Powerful.
It felt intimate and revolutionary at the same time.
The Betrayal Felt… Current
What struck me most was how painfully relevant the themes are:
Corruption,Nepotism,Abuse of power,Intellectual silence,Fear as governance
The fictional state of Kafira did not feel fictional.
It felt like a mirror.
And the betrayal? Not just personal. Not just political.
It felt generational.
I genuinely did not see that plot twist coming
My Complicated Relationship with Kenyan Literature
If I’m honest, one reason I’ve avoided many Kenyan historical texts is because they often circle the same post-independence wound. It’s important. It’s necessary. But after an entire curriculum steeped in it, it can begin to feel repetitive.
But this, this did not feel monotonous.
Maybe it was the performance.
Maybe it was the timing.
Maybe it was the world we’re currently living in.
But it felt urgent.
It reminded me that Kenyan literature is not stuck in the past ,it is documenting patterns.
And patterns, when repeated long enough, stop being history and start being warning.
I left that play reading shaken , in the best way.
Grateful that I didn’t read it first.
Grateful for theatre.
Grateful for writers brave enough to hold up a mirror.
Grateful for friends who stand on stage and breathe life into text.
This experience has genuinely made me want to dive headfirst into the Kenyan genre again ,not as a student forced to analyze it, but as a reader ready to listen.
And maybe that’s the biggest betrayal of all :
how long I stayed away from stories that were always mine to claim.
And something in me said: You have to go.
Now here’s the twist , I didn’t even read it in high school. It has been a set book for years, but it missed my syllabus. I did read Kigogo, its almost twin in Swahili, so I knew the political temperature. But I deliberately chose not to reread or pre-read the script before attending.
I wanted the full experience, and wow, consuming Literature the Way It Was Meant to Be Consumed
There was something electric about hearing the words performed rather than silently read.
And a personal highlight?
Seeing my friend Jeff, a very talented actor, as part of the cast. Watching someone you know embody such politically charged material? Surreal. Powerful.
It felt intimate and revolutionary at the same time.
The Betrayal Felt… Current
What struck me most was how painfully relevant the themes are:
Corruption,Nepotism,Abuse of power,Intellectual silence,Fear as governance
The fictional state of Kafira did not feel fictional.
It felt like a mirror.
And the betrayal? Not just personal. Not just political.
It felt generational.
I genuinely did not see that plot twist coming
My Complicated Relationship with Kenyan Literature
If I’m honest, one reason I’ve avoided many Kenyan historical texts is because they often circle the same post-independence wound. It’s important. It’s necessary. But after an entire curriculum steeped in it, it can begin to feel repetitive.
But this, this did not feel monotonous.
Maybe it was the performance.
Maybe it was the timing.
Maybe it was the world we’re currently living in.
But it felt urgent.
It reminded me that Kenyan literature is not stuck in the past ,it is documenting patterns.
And patterns, when repeated long enough, stop being history and start being warning.
I left that play reading shaken , in the best way.
Grateful that I didn’t read it first.
Grateful for theatre.
Grateful for writers brave enough to hold up a mirror.
Grateful for friends who stand on stage and breathe life into text.
This experience has genuinely made me want to dive headfirst into the Kenyan genre again ,not as a student forced to analyze it, but as a reader ready to listen.
And maybe that’s the biggest betrayal of all :
how long I stayed away from stories that were always mine to claim.
April 10, 2021
Its a laugh out loud. Its one that you should discuss it with a friend. You will rediscover so many things you didn't notice when you read it a alone.
the first scene of this book introduces you to the parents of the hero of the play who were morning and a cousin to the head of state is trying to stop them. You then get to meet the different people in the book who are important like Moses who is a lecture at the university and was arrested for drugs dealing and was never proofed. Regina who tries with all her might to get her brother Moses from prison almost to the extend of giving herself to the head of state, Boss.
Boss is portrayed as so many things in this book. he relates to so many leaders we have of current in the different position of leadership. Many of them are doing exactly what Boss did in this play.
Some of us are like the planning committee. the likes of nicodemus who does no work but want money.
A few of us are like jasper and Moses who are there to do the right thing that will lead to growth of the state .
and not forgetting one of my favorite characters is mulili who has so many characteristics but the one that sticks out to me most is his betraying character to so many of the characters. He doses not stand up even for his cousin, Boss. what a friend to have. in life we have his category who when hard times come in your life they run away. They are there to only benefit.
In the end good always and will always conquer evil. Evil will never rule the world forever . It usually come to an end though it might take a long time.
the first scene of this book introduces you to the parents of the hero of the play who were morning and a cousin to the head of state is trying to stop them. You then get to meet the different people in the book who are important like Moses who is a lecture at the university and was arrested for drugs dealing and was never proofed. Regina who tries with all her might to get her brother Moses from prison almost to the extend of giving herself to the head of state, Boss.
Boss is portrayed as so many things in this book. he relates to so many leaders we have of current in the different position of leadership. Many of them are doing exactly what Boss did in this play.
Some of us are like the planning committee. the likes of nicodemus who does no work but want money.
A few of us are like jasper and Moses who are there to do the right thing that will lead to growth of the state .
and not forgetting one of my favorite characters is mulili who has so many characteristics but the one that sticks out to me most is his betraying character to so many of the characters. He doses not stand up even for his cousin, Boss. what a friend to have. in life we have his category who when hard times come in your life they run away. They are there to only benefit.
In the end good always and will always conquer evil. Evil will never rule the world forever . It usually come to an end though it might take a long time.
May 1, 2020
I love the imagery in this play. It's an illustration of how bad governance can wreck a country.
Kafira is depicted as an African country plagued by bad governance and the many ills that thrive in that climate including corruption, nepotism and favouritism and brutality and the violation of human rights.
Ps. I read this in highschool as a compulsory set text ;)
Kafira is depicted as an African country plagued by bad governance and the many ills that thrive in that climate including corruption, nepotism and favouritism and brutality and the violation of human rights.
Ps. I read this in highschool as a compulsory set text ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2018
A very nice app
April 30, 2021
one of the best satirical reads of all time
September 27, 2013
This set book its so interesting and so acquitting.the message in it is so realistic in our life practice
August 10, 2014
good book
Read
September 15, 2014betyayal in the city
April 20, 2016
Betrayal in the City is a perfect mirror of many an African State...like Kafira, no doubt many African States, Kenya included, is guilty of suppressing dissenting voices...
August 22, 2024
Great read
November 27, 2025
General Ishmael is pure manipulation and chaos, love to hate him.
July 13, 2025
Loved this classic, don't know why it took me so long to read it. It has quite a number of gems that are so related to Kenya's current situation. Certainly, as Jere, a character in the play says, when the madness of an entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, it is nit enough to say that the man is mad.
June 23, 2026
Its so incitive profound with post-Africaactern colonial state stuture and way of life African locals lived, mostly Mulili my favourite dramatic character who tries to survive in acompetitive community.
An impulsive community full of corrupt government officials makes the community members so aggressives to punish who soever is caught in wrong or not law abiding.
An impulsive community full of corrupt government officials makes the community members so aggressives to punish who soever is caught in wrong or not law abiding.
April 19, 2020
Francis Imbuga is trying to challenge the governance of today. Putting in light how the government officials are misusing their country's resources without minding the citizens. Eliminating those who are trying to shade the light to the citizens.
July 18, 2022
One play that creatively connects our past and present political life through a subtle but powerful juxtaposition is Francis Imbuga's Betrayal in the City.
The main issue is politics and political treachery. Africa experiences the beginning of a political era and achieves freedom.
The main issue is politics and political treachery. Africa experiences the beginning of a political era and achieves freedom.
December 7, 2018
Read this for school. Wish I hadn't had to analyse it so deeply.
Too much on the nose though.
Too much on the nose though.
Read
September 1, 2019This is wow!
Currently Reading
May 12, 2020Betrayal
December 2, 2020
I loved it. His political satire is superb and his portrayal of characters is just out of this world! I especially loved it when he quoted the desiderata!
January 7, 2021
Worth a reread
Read
January 28, 2021A good book
March 7, 2021
painfully sad, but real in day today life
April 30, 2021
I like this book. It reminds of me "Animal Farm", very sad but true and many African societies are just like the one depicted in this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews