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HOW REVENGE CAN IMPEDE PROGRESS AS BROUGHT OUT BY FRANCIS IMBUGA

A discussion from the play Betrayal in the City

Though Francis Imbuga focuses on the revenge mission in the satirical play Betrayal in the City, many focus on the dictatorship of Boss- the Supreme leaders of the state of Kafira. Boss’ sins seem more sinister than the subtle sins of Jusper- the protagonist. However, when well explored, and the pattern with which Jusper, connivingly follows, leaves telltale signs of revenge. It is this revenge that hinders development in Kafira and by and large modern society.
In the play, Jusper unwittingly kills Chagaga while defending his late brother Adika’s grave. Whether he knew who the assailant on his brother’s grave was, we are not told. However, his confession and when we learn who Chagaga was and what he was allegedly accused of, we infer revenge on the part of Jusper.
Apart from Chagaga, Jusper ends up killing Mulili in cold blood. The killing comes at a time when, Jusper while in the palace-together with Jere and Mosese- orchestrate a bloodless coup. Though bloodless- Jusper uses the opportunity to kill Mulili. Mulili, we learn from his conversation with Boss that he was the man behind the killing of Jusper’s parents- Nina and Doga.
Besides Jusper, Mosese was wrongfully put behind the dungeons for possession of marijuana. From Mosese we learn that the drugs had been planted by one Nicodemo- who turns to be a member of the visitor entertainment committee. When Nicodemo heard that, the inmates- including Mosese would be entertaining the visiting dignitary, he contests the decision. He knew fully well that if after the play Mosese would be released. The university don would come for him.
Although Mulili does not think about his fate if Jere were to be released, we know fully well that Jere too, may want to seek his revenge.

Possessed by anger of betrayal, the characters in the play reveal how damaging revenge can be. Jusper was an educated university student with the ability of making a clean leader- who if given chance, would have become an epitome of change in Kafira. But obsession with revenge, drives him into insanity “See what you have done to him?”(page 73) Mosese tells Boss of Jusper’s condition. Such is the vile nature of revenge that countries which have experienced untold human suffering like South Africa, Kenya and Rwanda established Truth and Reconciliation commissions to initiate the healing process and stop the vicious cycle of human suffering brought forth by the thirst for revenge.    

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