King Kamaliza

By Muli wa Kyendo

King Kamaliza is a story that delves into the African psyche laying bare the minds of African leaders and the reasons why democracy and development are elusive in Africa. It is a captivating play that analyzes traditional African concepts of governance in relation to modern democratic ideas.
King Kamaliza has just overthrown the government and made himself king. Fetching ancient African ideas, he comes to believe that people are given their positions in life by God even before they are born.

Kamaliza: “Yes. I must have been born to be a King. Do you know, when I was born; a huge cloud of white smoke flew out the roof of my mother’s house? My mother asked a diviner what it meant — not that she believed him, mark you, not that she believed in diviners — but the diviner told her that the smoke was a sign that a king had been born. Oh, yes. I was actually born a king! That is why I was nicknamed Musumbi, the King. You see, it was the same with Jesus. The Holy Book tells us that his birth was heralded with many miracles. Even a star was seen ascending in the east... In my case, in the case of King Kamaliza, a cloud of smoke was seen rising up from my mother’s house! My mother called me Kamaliza, the one who finishes all. But I wasn’t just that, I was the king.

How does a man who believes that leaders are chosen by God handle modern democracy when he becomes President? And how does he reconcile that with the fact that he had come to power by violently overthrowing the predecessor’s government? How does he handle it when others plan to overthrow him? These are some of the key questions that make King Kamaliza a hilarious comedy, if only tragic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Muli wa Kyendo
• Release date: Jun 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781310979880

Muli wa Kyendo

Muli wa Kyendo was named Shujaa (Hero)on December 20, 2012 by the Kenya government for his work in promoting culture. He is a writer and journalist. He studied sociology at the University of Nairobi (Kenya) and Freie Universitat (Germany). After working for several years in both print and broadcast journalism, he left to become a publisher. He founded the Syokimau Cultural Centre to provide assistance to creative writers. His magazine Investment News (www.investmentnewsKenya.com) is designed to support the statement that “times of great economic prosperity are accompanied by a period of great artistic and cultural flourish.” His books include: Whispers, The Surface Beneath, The Woman of Nzaui (drama) and Tuti and Her Talking Goat (children).

Book preview

KING KAMALIZA

by

Muli wa Kyendo

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Muli wa Kyendo on Smashwords

King Kamaliza

Copyright © 2010 by Muli wa Kyendo

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King Kamaliza

CHARACTERS

King Kamaliza, self styled ruler of Kai, an African country

Queen, an ambitious victim of King Kamaliza, otherwise known as Nzuhula

Kulayote, an ambitious young lawyer

Bakisha, another young lawyer, friend of Kulayote

KING KAMALIZA

SCENE ONE

Military music, heavy, defiant beat to the song:

Where are the oppressors

So they may be ashamed?

Yesterday they kept me last on line.

Now, it’s about turn,

I am number one.

Music fades under the sound of a car. The car stops, car door is slammed shut. King Kamaliza matches confidently as he approaches a large house that stands alone. He is a stocky person with clothes decorated with military medals. He exudes an air of comedy and authority as he walks.

Kamaliza

(knocks confidently)

Open the door! Open the door! Open the door, my