Exposing the sin city that is ‘Nairobbery’

Kenya: Before her mother opens the door, Chippy (Mwajuma Bahati) hides ashtrays and bottles of alcohol from the previous night house party. She welcomes her mother (Maryanne Nungo) who had been discharged from hospital. Chippy had paid for her mother’s hospital bills among other expenses. A career-oriented woman, she is planning to quit her job since her personal businesses are looking up.  However, she has no plans of getting a man even as she is almost hitting 30 and not her mother’s prodding can change her mind. This play, Modern African Woman, written by Valentine Njoroge and directed by Hawa Essuman, got the message directly home on the rise of the independent woman who chooses to ride on the single lane.

Another play, 24th Floor, tells the story of existence of women thugs who break into homes. The play, written by Andia Kisia and directed by Anthony Tosh Ndungu, also explores the theme of homosexuality. A man (Joe Kinyua) was robbed in his own home by two girls, Y (Mwajuma Bahati) and X (Terry Awiti). The two intimidate him for the better part of the night and seize everything he owns.  Then later on, X insists she wants to know the man’s girlfriend and they realise at the end of the play that the man is a homosexual.