18 pages 36 minutes read

Francis Imbuga

Betrayal in the City

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1976

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Act II

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Act II, Scene 1 Summary

The scene opens in a conference room moments before the meeting of the entertainment committee. A man named Kabito arrived first and has waited alone long enough to fall asleep. Nicodemus arrives next. He was the man who planted the evidence that resulted in Mosese’s arrest. Eventually Tumbo arrives, signaling the start of the meeting.

 

The meeting is mostly a charade. There is little serious discussion, as the committee ignores the daily business matters that should be the province of government officials. Rather, they use much of the time discussing how much, and in what manner, the committee members will be paid. After Mulili arrives, the conversation devolves into further nonsense as they conduct a brainstorming session of ideas with which to entertain the visiting head of state. It is clear that they have no objective beyond maintaining a façade that the citizens of Kafira are happy and fulfilled, wanting for nothing. Mulili and Kabito argue throughout. Finally the committee takes a break, promising to resume the meeting soon. 

Act II, Scene 2 Summary

Boss makes his first appearance in the play. In his palace, in an obvious show of vanity and insecurity, he is plucking his gray hairs.