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BETRAYAL IN THE CITY: GOVERNANCE IMPROVES IMAGE OF SOCIETY

“A society’s image is dependent on its governance.” Using illustrations from Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City, write an essay in support of this statement.
 People are proud when their country’s political environment is mature and well co-ordinated. That’s why mature democracies like the USA boasts of sending emissaries abroad to spread Democracy. This is not the case in Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City where Kafira is presented as a country whose political image is authoritarian with untold human suffering.
Kafira society seems violent, patriarchal and unsafe. Filled with the so called ‘expatriates,’ the leadership is hell-bent to destroy the common people than help them achieve their personal goals. The society suppresses individual rights and liberties forcing university strikes and rebellion in order to right the wrong.
However, when strikes are called upon, the leaders use excessive force killing the leaders of strike and detaining those perceived as deviants. Jusper’s brother becomes the latest casualty when the soldiers use excessive force to suppress the strike. Mosese ends up in detention together with Jusper- who is released after his brother’s burial mentally ill.
The brutality of the government makes people pro-Boss’ regime become invincible forces as they spread fear among the proletariat. Mulili uses his proximity to Boss to rein terror on the common folk. When Kabito rallies against Mulili, he (Kabito) is found dead an hour later after a ‘fatal accident.’
Unsolved murders and excessive force used against citizens makes Kafira appear like a war-ravaged country. In this respect, the country’s potential investor interest wanes and its multilateral relations are dented sending the country’s economic prospects into the mire. Furthermore, the deteriorating national pride makes the citizens less productive and elites more rebellious.
Although Boss tries to repair the tainted image by involving the prisoners into the entertainment part during state visit by a certain head of state, it is just not enough. In fact, instead of the visit, the country skyrockets further into the mire with Mosese, Jere and Jusper’s bloodless coup.   

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