SocialistStories حكايات اشتراكية

This play (117pg) by Kenyan leftist writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o was written after the "flag independence" (Nkrumah's term) from Britain. Ngugi often mentions the Mau Mau, which was the violent, revolutionary anti-imperialist resistance group which forced the british to leave Kenya (during which the british committed countless atrocities, including the execution of Mau Mau leader Dedan Kimathi, and the mass imprisonment of "sympathizers" in concentration camps, as well as routine and wide use of torture). But of course the british imperialists did not hand over control of the country to the revolutionary resistance made up of peasants and workers (i.e. the Mau Mau), but to un-radical/anti-radical "politicians" like Jomo Kenyatta, who had nothing to do with the Mau Mau (who liberated the country!). These leaders (Kenyatta was President/Dictator 1964-78, and Daniel arap Moi was President/Dictator 1978-2002) of course were happy to serve the white man as long as they were able to take there cut from the oppression and exploitation of the Kenyan people.

This is the background for the play, and the play itself is an attack against neo-colonialism in Kenya, and the upper class and ruling class sycophants who are more than happy to be tools of the white man in the economic rape and exploitation of "independent" Kenya. Ngugi also makes use of the revolutionary, peasant/proletarian legacy and tradition of the Mau Mau to criticize the contemporary situation (of neo-colonialism and capitalist plunder) in Kenya. The play was so offensive and provoking for the upper classes that Vice President/Dictator arap Moi ordered his arrest (in 1977). Ngugi was detained, and later had to live in exile for many years. Enjoy comrades:

Liberation:

I Will Marry When I Want - Ngugi wa Thiong'o.pdf