Walenisi (Waandishi wa Kiafrika)

by Katama G. C. Mkangi

Walenisi ni riwaya inayomswairi Dzombo katika siku zake za hukumu. Dzombo anahukimiwa kifo kwa sababu ya hatia bandia. Anang'oa nanga katika Sayari, chombo kinachopaswa kumwua kwa ghafla. Hata hivyo, badala ya kummmaliza, chombo kinamwepusha na hukumu hiyo, na hatimaye kumpeleka katika ulimwengu tofauti na autokao. Anayoyaona huko ni ya kushangaza lakini yenye matumaini. Je Dzombo atarejea kwao? Na akirudi atakuwaje?

English Translation:
Walenisi is a novel that about the days surrounding the judgment of Dzombo. Dzombo is sentenced to death for crimes he did not commit. He ends up in Sayari, a space-ship/satellite that has been re-engineered and made into a giant incinerator, used for the quick, mass execution of criminals. Even so, instead of killing him, the ship allows him to escape from the death sentence and eventually takes him away from earth to another planet. What he sees there shocks him yet fills him with hope. Will Dzombo return to earth? Should he return, who and what will he have become?

Genres: African Literature

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Prof. Katama Mkangi was a pro-democracy crusader in Kenya and contributor in the second liberation of the country.

A sociology lecturer, Mkangi was among those arrested on March 5, 1986, during the crackdown on Mwakenya, and detained for about two years. Others were Prof Isaiah Ngotho Kariuki and Maina Kinyatti. He was a long-time critic of President Daniel arap Moi and among those who consistently fought for democracy in Kenya in the 1980s.

Prof Katama Mkangi, died in a road accident on March 7, 2004, on his way to Mombasa.

Reviews

[Bosibori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wale ni sisi na sisi ni wale. Read this book in high school. I hope to read it again since I have it parked somewhere in my bookshelf but I will have to buy a kamusi first.

[Brenda Siara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best African literature book I have ever read! Took me a few years to fully comprehend what the author's intent was and just how clear a reflection Walenisi is of the Kenyan society (or the African society). I read it when I was in high school but only began to see society through the author's eyes as an adult.
Mkangi exposes the evils in society from basic family life to how government institutions are run, and shows just how incredible the alternative is, and how such change can be effected in an individual.
Whether there's hope for our society or not, is a question that only we as Kenyans (and Africans) can answer.
I don't know whether the book has been translated. If not, it should, because every African should read it!

[Vincent Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walenisi - Wale ni sisi na sisi ni wale (read it in high school but message still rings true today) - is a utopian book where everyone is equal, the society cares for everyone, and democracy has matured to great lengths. I loved the book so because it relates well with our current society.

Apart from being an educational book, it is entertaining though dragging in the beginning.

[Achieng Onguru · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about aliens and spaceships in Swahili is bound to keep you interested. Very difficult book to read, lots of vocabulary to pick up and a great story in the end.

[Neville Tirimba Ogoti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Omoriki oyo nabo atemete korika korende tangogeti. Omoriki tagwenereti gotema mono kooroki egento gete, 'mbuya atige oria ogosoma egetabu ateme korengereria ng'ora ng'ora amanye eng'encho y'amang'ana are ime y'egetabu gete.

[Wairimu · Rating 2 out of 5]

very difficult to read but with a very creative point of view.

[Frank Kingi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

[Harun Aseka · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book detailing perceived and ideal democracy

[Evanson Kigotho]

good

[Antony Methu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walenisi. Somebody help me access this book. I have been searching it over and over but in vain

[Murimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a master piece. Can't afford to give up reading it again and again just to compare the irony of the matter in the real world.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitabu chenye elimu fasaha

[Ciaran Chiira · Rating 4 out of 5]

good