2/9/24, 4:19 PM English- Setbooks- Booklet
1
SET BOOKS STUDY GUIDE NOTES
BETRAYAL IN THE CITY
THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
THE RIVER BETWEEN
COPYRIGHT: www.teachers4teacherskenya.bravehost.com
( Keep visiting for other materials and for updated versions of these
notes)
YOU MAY USE THESE NOTES FOR PERSONAL STUDY OR FOR
TEACHING PURPOSES BUT THOU SHALT NOT REDISTRIBUTE
THEM
OR RESELL THEM IN ANY FORMAT.
YOU MAY ALSO EDIT THEM FOR THE SAME PURPOSES.
GOD BLESS YOU AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
BETRAYAL IN THE CITY BY FRANCIS IMBUGA
THE AUTHOR
Francis David Imbuga (1947- November 2013) was one of the greatest
literary giants. For three decades, he taught at Kenyatta University
where he was the Director of quality Assurance, Chairman of the
Department of Literature and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Francis
Imbuga studied at Alliance High School in the 1960’s where he wrote
and acted a play, which won the National Beat Actor’s Award.
Professor Imbuga published several plays including Betrayal in the City
1976, The Successor
1979, Man of Kafira 1984, Aminata 1988, and The Return of
Mgofu 2011. He has also authored two novels, Shrine of Tears, 1993
and Miracle of Remera 2005.
In his works he addresses the problems of independent and post
colonial African states, family relations, tradition, religion, change
among other issues affecting our society today.
Imbuga passed on in the year 2013.
THE TITLE
The title, Betrayal in the City, fits the events of the play as this is what
the people of Kafira have to live with daily.
Betrayal in the City reflects the political, cultural and personal
betrayal witnessed in the fictitious state of Kafira. Boss the head
about:blank 1/213
,2/9/24, 4:19 PM English- Setbooks- Booklet
2
of state works alongside other strong cronies and sycophants like
Mulili, Tumbo, Kabito, and Nicodemo to let down their citizens
through ;abuse of power, negligence of duty, senseless killings, and
inefficiency to create a nation of hopelessness, corruption and
disregard to the local citizens hence betrayal in the nation of
Kafira.
The government is run by scandalous and corrupt leaders and
under whose leadership the hopes of independence for the people of
Kafira are dashed.
Betrayal in the City is characterized by all sorts of ills in society,namely:
murder, misrule, tribalism, Nepotism, corruption, highhandedness,
inefficiency, incompetence and a general atmosphere of rebellion and
defiance.
As the title suggests, betrayal breeds suspicion and intolerance and
this creates a highly unstable environment for decent and safe living.
One cannot safely determine who to trust with information hence the
general feeling of betrayal among the people.
THE SETTING
Betrayal in the City was first published in 1976 at a time when African
states had attained their independence and were undergoing serious
problems in adjusting to self-rule.
The play set in the fictional country of Kafira, ruled by Boss, who
surrounds himself with kinsmen like Mulili and the sharing-the-pie
government officials, Tumbo, Kabito and Nicodemo.
Betrayal in the city is a perfect example of many failed states in
the third world, and especially in Africa.
SYNOPSIS
Betrayal in the City is a political play. The writer examines the problems
of independence and freedom in post-colonial states in Africa. The play
talks about military regimes that were common on the African
continent after independence. Many of such regimes were later
overthrown by coup de tats. Francis Imbuga’s major concern is betrayal
at two levels, both at a personal and government level. Betrayal in
the City shows a decay in morals, greed for power.Doga and Nina
lament as they mourn their dead son, Adika and wishes to perform a
about:blank 2/213
,2/9/24, 4:19 PM English- Setbooks- Booklet
3
ritual for their dead son. This effort is hampered by express directions
from the government brought by Mulili and Jere claiming that the ritual
should not go on in the interest of peace; but Doga and Nina are
adamant. Their only remaining son, Jusper, is imprisoned. This shows
us what is happening in Kafira - the corruption, injustice and
oppression of the people.
Critics of the government are not tolerated. Jere and Mosese are
henceforth put into prison over false charges. They both suffer the
pain of the government’s betrayal.
Government officials make use of any opportunity to make money
through unfair means.
Tumbo for instance declares Jusper the winner of the play writing
competition and awards him the winner’s prize money. One third of the
six hundred pounds to------- finance the play
writing competition is given to Jusper and his girl friend, Regina;
and the remaining two thirds to put records straight emphasizing that
everything is being done in strict confidence.
Despite all this Jusper vows to revenge someday even if it means
going it alone since he knows that a University student is not a very
welcome person in Kafira and is looked at as anuisance.
Government officials first think of what they are going to benefit
before deliberating on matters of state. What first preoccupies their
mind is how much they are going to gain.
Being a relative to Boss gives Mulili a chance to despise his
colleagues in service. Mulili falsely accuses Kabito knowing that Boss
will believe what he says since he has been made to be his eyes and ears
on the ground as he puts it. He is also favoured by Boss in many ways.
The semi-illiterate Mulili sometimes completely misunderstands and
distorts what is said to him and yet threatens to act basing on the
strength of that misunderstanding.
Boss’ trust of those who advise him especially Mulili makes him give
unbearable directives to silence those presumably against his
government including the simple old couple who were innocent.
Boss also tries to take advantage of Regina forcefully. Such scandals
speak unfavorably of the Head of State. Nicodemo and Tumbo discuss
about:blank 3/213
, 2/9/24, 4:19 PM English- Setbooks- Booklet
4
the state of affairs and how people are being killed: “We have no choice.
Like caged animals, we move, but only inside the cage. It has become
infectious-the desire to eliminate others…” This clearly implies that
there are serious consequences of criticizing the government’s
plans.
The play within the play, Betrayal in the City, brings about the desired
change that everybody has been waiting for. The rehearsal for the
play intended to entertain the visiting Head of state becomes a real
confrontation arrived at effortlessly by Jusper, Mosese, and Jere; taking
everyone by surprise.
ACT SUMMARIES
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE
The scene is at grave surrounded by dry thorny branches.
It is early morning. Doga and Nina are next to the grave of their late son,
Adika who was murdered. Doga suspects that their son’s murderer
still lives among them. His suspicion arises from the smell of petrol
at the site and the fact that the grave has a crack, an indication
that the murderer’s intention was to burn Adika’s body to rid
himself of Adika’s ghost hunting him in future. Their only, living son,
Jusper, was to guard the grave but this morning he cannot be traced.
Nina is fearful for her son, who, according to them is not of sound mind.
Her fears are heightened when she is made to notice that there seems to
have been a struggle at the grave. Doga wants to cover up the crack on
the grave so that the shaving ceremony planned to take place later in the
day goes on but Nina will hear none of this. After much persuasion from
the husband, she gives in and goes for soil to cover up the crack.
From Doga’s speech, we hear that Adika was shot four times
during a demonstration by Kafira University students who were
protesting that most of the Kafira university lectures are expatriates.
During Adika’s burial, his brother, Jusper, was taken away by
government agents for being a ‘threat’ to peace-loving people and after
returning three months later, he is never the same.
about:blank 4/213
1
SET BOOKS STUDY GUIDE NOTES
BETRAYAL IN THE CITY
THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
THE RIVER BETWEEN
COPYRIGHT: www.teachers4teacherskenya.bravehost.com
( Keep visiting for other materials and for updated versions of these
notes)
YOU MAY USE THESE NOTES FOR PERSONAL STUDY OR FOR
TEACHING PURPOSES BUT THOU SHALT NOT REDISTRIBUTE
THEM
OR RESELL THEM IN ANY FORMAT.
YOU MAY ALSO EDIT THEM FOR THE SAME PURPOSES.
GOD BLESS YOU AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
BETRAYAL IN THE CITY BY FRANCIS IMBUGA
THE AUTHOR
Francis David Imbuga (1947- November 2013) was one of the greatest
literary giants. For three decades, he taught at Kenyatta University
where he was the Director of quality Assurance, Chairman of the
Department of Literature and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Francis
Imbuga studied at Alliance High School in the 1960’s where he wrote
and acted a play, which won the National Beat Actor’s Award.
Professor Imbuga published several plays including Betrayal in the City
1976, The Successor
1979, Man of Kafira 1984, Aminata 1988, and The Return of
Mgofu 2011. He has also authored two novels, Shrine of Tears, 1993
and Miracle of Remera 2005.
In his works he addresses the problems of independent and post
colonial African states, family relations, tradition, religion, change
among other issues affecting our society today.
Imbuga passed on in the year 2013.
THE TITLE
The title, Betrayal in the City, fits the events of the play as this is what
the people of Kafira have to live with daily.
Betrayal in the City reflects the political, cultural and personal
betrayal witnessed in the fictitious state of Kafira. Boss the head
about:blank 1/213
,2/9/24, 4:19 PM English- Setbooks- Booklet
2
of state works alongside other strong cronies and sycophants like
Mulili, Tumbo, Kabito, and Nicodemo to let down their citizens
through ;abuse of power, negligence of duty, senseless killings, and
inefficiency to create a nation of hopelessness, corruption and
disregard to the local citizens hence betrayal in the nation of
Kafira.
The government is run by scandalous and corrupt leaders and
under whose leadership the hopes of independence for the people of
Kafira are dashed.
Betrayal in the City is characterized by all sorts of ills in society,namely:
murder, misrule, tribalism, Nepotism, corruption, highhandedness,
inefficiency, incompetence and a general atmosphere of rebellion and
defiance.
As the title suggests, betrayal breeds suspicion and intolerance and
this creates a highly unstable environment for decent and safe living.
One cannot safely determine who to trust with information hence the
general feeling of betrayal among the people.
THE SETTING
Betrayal in the City was first published in 1976 at a time when African
states had attained their independence and were undergoing serious
problems in adjusting to self-rule.
The play set in the fictional country of Kafira, ruled by Boss, who
surrounds himself with kinsmen like Mulili and the sharing-the-pie
government officials, Tumbo, Kabito and Nicodemo.
Betrayal in the city is a perfect example of many failed states in
the third world, and especially in Africa.
SYNOPSIS
Betrayal in the City is a political play. The writer examines the problems
of independence and freedom in post-colonial states in Africa. The play
talks about military regimes that were common on the African
continent after independence. Many of such regimes were later
overthrown by coup de tats. Francis Imbuga’s major concern is betrayal
at two levels, both at a personal and government level. Betrayal in
the City shows a decay in morals, greed for power.Doga and Nina
lament as they mourn their dead son, Adika and wishes to perform a
about:blank 2/213
,2/9/24, 4:19 PM English- Setbooks- Booklet
3
ritual for their dead son. This effort is hampered by express directions
from the government brought by Mulili and Jere claiming that the ritual
should not go on in the interest of peace; but Doga and Nina are
adamant. Their only remaining son, Jusper, is imprisoned. This shows
us what is happening in Kafira - the corruption, injustice and
oppression of the people.
Critics of the government are not tolerated. Jere and Mosese are
henceforth put into prison over false charges. They both suffer the
pain of the government’s betrayal.
Government officials make use of any opportunity to make money
through unfair means.
Tumbo for instance declares Jusper the winner of the play writing
competition and awards him the winner’s prize money. One third of the
six hundred pounds to------- finance the play
writing competition is given to Jusper and his girl friend, Regina;
and the remaining two thirds to put records straight emphasizing that
everything is being done in strict confidence.
Despite all this Jusper vows to revenge someday even if it means
going it alone since he knows that a University student is not a very
welcome person in Kafira and is looked at as anuisance.
Government officials first think of what they are going to benefit
before deliberating on matters of state. What first preoccupies their
mind is how much they are going to gain.
Being a relative to Boss gives Mulili a chance to despise his
colleagues in service. Mulili falsely accuses Kabito knowing that Boss
will believe what he says since he has been made to be his eyes and ears
on the ground as he puts it. He is also favoured by Boss in many ways.
The semi-illiterate Mulili sometimes completely misunderstands and
distorts what is said to him and yet threatens to act basing on the
strength of that misunderstanding.
Boss’ trust of those who advise him especially Mulili makes him give
unbearable directives to silence those presumably against his
government including the simple old couple who were innocent.
Boss also tries to take advantage of Regina forcefully. Such scandals
speak unfavorably of the Head of State. Nicodemo and Tumbo discuss
about:blank 3/213
, 2/9/24, 4:19 PM English- Setbooks- Booklet
4
the state of affairs and how people are being killed: “We have no choice.
Like caged animals, we move, but only inside the cage. It has become
infectious-the desire to eliminate others…” This clearly implies that
there are serious consequences of criticizing the government’s
plans.
The play within the play, Betrayal in the City, brings about the desired
change that everybody has been waiting for. The rehearsal for the
play intended to entertain the visiting Head of state becomes a real
confrontation arrived at effortlessly by Jusper, Mosese, and Jere; taking
everyone by surprise.
ACT SUMMARIES
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE
The scene is at grave surrounded by dry thorny branches.
It is early morning. Doga and Nina are next to the grave of their late son,
Adika who was murdered. Doga suspects that their son’s murderer
still lives among them. His suspicion arises from the smell of petrol
at the site and the fact that the grave has a crack, an indication
that the murderer’s intention was to burn Adika’s body to rid
himself of Adika’s ghost hunting him in future. Their only, living son,
Jusper, was to guard the grave but this morning he cannot be traced.
Nina is fearful for her son, who, according to them is not of sound mind.
Her fears are heightened when she is made to notice that there seems to
have been a struggle at the grave. Doga wants to cover up the crack on
the grave so that the shaving ceremony planned to take place later in the
day goes on but Nina will hear none of this. After much persuasion from
the husband, she gives in and goes for soil to cover up the crack.
From Doga’s speech, we hear that Adika was shot four times
during a demonstration by Kafira University students who were
protesting that most of the Kafira university lectures are expatriates.
During Adika’s burial, his brother, Jusper, was taken away by
government agents for being a ‘threat’ to peace-loving people and after
returning three months later, he is never the same.
about:blank 4/213
