Drama that shaped Ngugi wa Thiong'o's works, activism still relevant to Kenya

Renowned author Prof Ngugi wa Thiong'o when he addressed Kenyan readers during the launch of his book Kenda Muiyuru by the East frica Educational Publishers at the Kenya National Theatre. [File, Standard]

As Kenya marked its 59th anniversary of internal self-rule on June 1, 2022, a controversial play by the nation’s foremost author, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, was staged in sold-out shows. It had been 45 years since it was banned and the author detained. The performance offers a useful filter to illuminate how the nation has fared in recent years.

Democracy is gradually taking root, but corruption is still rife. This makes Kenya’s largely youthful population restive.