Don’s English plays at the KNT by George Orido

Professor Kithaka wa Mberia has something fresh for the Kenyan audience in his new translation, Death at the Well now showing at the Kenya National Theatre by the Artists Forum International (AFI) from September 9-13.

Directed by Elizabeth Njuguna, Death at the Well brings a totally different perspective to the highly successful original title Kifo Kisimani, a crucial study text for High School candidates in Kenya.

"The play seeks to advance the Kenyan brand of oneness, togetherness, service to all, and counteracts injustice, corruption and its many forms, and other social vices," says Jeremiah Ambassah, the Producer.

In quick succession the audience will be treated to yet another metamorphosis Flower in the Morning Sun, from September 15-20, originally Maua Kwenye Jua La Asubuhi by the same author.

Prof Kithaka wa Mberia

Flowers in the morning Sun is a play that confronts the challenges of the so-called tribal clashes in an un-named African country fostered by petty ethnic politics.

Two ethnic groups — the Watange, on one side and the Wandiku on the other are poised against each other.

The Watange claim that the land upon which they live is their ancestral land and that the Wandiku just acquired land there recently thereby infringing on Watange’s property rights. Chebwe, a Mtange who is full of hatred for the Wandiku, will do anything including using all the finances he can marshal to evict Wandiku from the disputed land.

Similarly Kabitho who is Mndiku is driven by the blind anger from the pain of seeing his people evicted in what they consider their rightful property. His community has lost property, their children killed in protracted wars between them and the Watange.

All the while Waito (Mndiku) and Nali (Mtange) are deeply in love and intend to get married. Now then, where will this love cultivated on the foundations of hate, amidst the looming protracted fatal war lead?