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Fathers of Nations – Paul B. Vitta

Introduction
Fathers of Nations by Paul B Vitta is a new compulsory prescribed set book novel that will be
studied and tested for the next four years in secondary schools in Kenya. It will be among the last
set books under the 8-4-4 system of education. Other set books approved by KICD for the final
phase of 8-4-4 include The Samaritan (Compulsory Play), Parliament of Owls (Optional Play),
An Artist of the Floating World (Optional Novel), and A Silent Song and other Stories (Optional,
Short Stories). Literature will be an optional subject under CBC.

Notes for the student

Comprehension set text Outcomes
The set text Guide, excerpt questions and essays aspire to provide the student with sufficient
excerpt tackling skills and practice for a super mastery and excellent performance in KCSE
exams. The student should be able to read, master and analytically trace events in the prescribed
text, and eventually respond to the questions correctly. Further, the student should be able to
examine and demonstrate critical understanding; and evaluate the significance of the prescribed
texts using analytical skills. The student should be able to answer critical questions, place the
extracts in their immediate contexts, describe the character traits of major characters, and explain
the themes and stylistic devices used in the extracts episodically. The student should be able to
demonstrate the ability to use their learnt grammatical constructions to rewrite selected excerpt
sentences correctly without changing their meanings and explain meanings of words as used in
the given texts. Besides, the learner should be able to write critical essays based on the text.
Above all, they should be able to apply and appreciate the moral values incorporated in the
prescribed texts in their daily lives.
 1. The examiner’s notes
A Brief Overview of the Whole KCSE English Paper.
• Paper 1 Functional Skills
• Paper 2 Comprehension Skills and Grammar
• Paper 3 imaginative composition and essay writing skills
Paper 1: Sections 1, 2 and 3 – (Answer all questions)
Functional and conversation skills (60 marks)
1. Functional writing composition – 20 marks
2. Cloze test – 10 marks
3. Oral skills – 30 marks

Paper 2: Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 – (Answer all questions)

Comprehensions and Grammar (80 marks)
1. Comprehension passage (unseen text) – 20 marks
2. Comprehension excerpt (compulsory set text) – 25 marks
3. Comprehension oral poetry/song/narrative – 20 marks
4. Grammar – 15 marks

Paper 3: Sections 1, 2 and 3 – (Answer three questions)

Essay writing (60 marks)
1. Imaginative composition – 20 marks
2. Compulsory set text essay – 20 marks
3. Optional set text essay – 20 marks
There are six specific questions in Paper 3. You will answer only three as instructed.
• Questions 1, a or b, is compulsory. Choose One question: either a or b.
• Question 2 is an essay based on compulsory set book: novel or play.
• In question 3 choose only one from the optional set texts you have studied.
• There are three questions based on optional set book: short stories anthology, novel and
play.
Points to Note on Set Book Literature
Prescribed Compulsory and Optional Texts
Set book literature (novel, short story or play) is tested in Paper 3. The compulsory play (drama)
is usually alternated with the compulsory novel. The play or novel is tested in Paper 2 as a
compulsory comprehension excerpt/extract question for literary appreciation.
• When the compulsory play is tested in Paper 2, the compulsory novel is tested in Paper 3.
• Similarly, when the novel is tested in paper 2, the play is tested in Paper 3.
• The anthology of short stories is always optional set text in Paper 3.
Based on KNEC - KCSE trends, Paper One trends generally covers general communication and
etiquette, oral skills in poetry, narrative and short forms. Paper 2 and 3 set texts may alternate as
follows:
This table may briefly help to predict what to expect in the subsequent years.
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Pape Poem Poem/Narrativ Poem/Narrative Poem/Narrative Poem/Narrative
r1 Conversatio e Conversation Conversation Conversation
n Conversation
Pape Novel Play (Dolls) Novel (Fathers) Play(Samaritan Novel(Fathers)
r2 (Bloss) Narrative Poem )
Poem Narrative
Pape Play (Dolls) Novel Play(Samaritan Novel (Fathers) Play(Samaritan
r3 (Blossoms) ) )

Tips for Tackling Comprehension Excerpt in KCSE.

This largely includes oral narratives, poetry, songs and short forms.
• English Paper Two – 80 marks (total)

KCSE English Paper Two Excerpt

1. Based on existing KNEC KCSE trends, paper 2 has 4 sections of 80 marks in total.
• Section 1 Comprehension passage (unseen text) carries 20 marks.
• Section 2 Comprehension compulsory set text excerpt carries 25 marks.
• Section 3 Comprehension narrative/song/poetry carries 20 marks.
• Section 4 grammar carries 15 marks.
2. Note that, in this Study Guide, comprehension section 2 will be treated as literary
appreciation because you will read, understand, trace events and respond to questions
based on the compulsory set book.
3. Familiarize yourself with the exam format, content of Paper Two and the kinds of
questions expected. Comprehension Excerpt falls under section 2.
 4. Read widely to expose yourself to the themes, characters, and stylistic devices in both the
compulsory novel and play.
5. Always support your answer with reasons, examples or illustrations to score all marks.
6. Make good revision notes on the key aspects of the literature as you study.
7. When answering the context-based questions, the student should focus on the text or
passage given only unless directed to mention things outside of the excerpt. This means if
a character shows two varied character traits, only those evident in the extract will matter.
Similarly, only themes and styles evident in the selected text will be considered valid.

Tips for Writing Essays

Study Guide Outcomes
This Study Guide aspires to empower the student of literature with sufficient skills and practice
to be able to read and master. It desires to help them to study and critically analyze the
prescribed texts using techniques learnt in literature. The student should be able to demonstrate
critical understanding, and evaluate the significance of the prescribed texts using analytical
skills. The student should be able to write critical literary essays based on the studied texts.
Besides, they should apply and appreciate the moral values entrenched in the prescribed texts in
their daily lives.
• Ensure you grasp the demands of the question before attempting to write the essay. This
centres around the characters, themes or styles used to bring out the key issue in the
question.
• Identify and underline the keywords in the given question and paraphrase it using your
own words in order to echo the question or develop a general introduction.
• Commend the moral and reprimand the evil in each of the subsequent paragraphs. Uphold
values to be rewarded as you rebuke vices to be punished. Show the cause and effect –
the action and reaction.
• Draw details from the text as you develop the body with convincing evidence. Elaborate
each point clearly to demonstrate the value rewarded or vice punished.
• Communicate pleasantly using the literary present simple tense. The perpetual present
makes literature more alive in our present life contexts rather than just a past memory.
• In your conclusion, capture the positive aspect aspired to impart a moral value.

Writing Paper 3 essays based on set texts

Compulsory – expect a question on “Blossoms of the Savannah” (2023), The Samaritan (2024)
Optional – one question from Inheritance (2023), A Silent Song and Other Stories, An Artist of
the Floating World, Parliament of owls.
Before writing the essay
a) Read and master the text/set book and interpret it fully.
b) Summarize the story or play by writing a synopsis.
c) Point out the vices/ills/evils that should be punished in it.
d) Discuss some major issues.
e) Do an episodic evaluation of what ironies exist in the text.
f) Master the characters and their traits well.
g) Critically analyze the text.
h) Predict the possible questions.

While writing the essay

1. Read and think (ask when, who, where, how, why) in relation to the question prompts.
2. Know the demands of the question: mark the key words.
3. Write a general introduction that echoes the question. Do not define the terms. Create a
striking intro – general crosscutting statement.
4. Reflect on the strong points with evidence/illustration to develop the body paragraphs.
Elaborate each point clearly in order to either demonstrate a value to be rewarded or a
vice to be punished in a single paragraph.
5. Show the two sides of the argument that is, cause and effect – action and reaction.
6. Use the present tense (literary/perpetual present) and write in a continuous prose, do not
use subheadings.
7. Use a blocking method. Skip lines to separate paragraphs. Write at least five sentences of
about 9 lines and 10 words each.
8. In the conclusion, capture the general positive opinion directed towards imparting a
moral value. Sum up what you have discussed in the body and mirror the introduction
partly.
9. Conclude by mentioning 2 strong points to make a strong judgement – do not introduce a
new point in conclusion.
10. Use transitional phrases to conclude e.g., “In conclusion…, In a nutshell…, To wrap it
up…” From this essay…, etc.

After writing the essay

1. Read to identify the gaps and ensure your story has responded to the question adequately.
2. Proofread to correct grammatical and spelling mistakes.
 Episodic summary table
Chapter Major events Pg
1. Arrival of 4 strangers at the Seamount Hotel 1
1 2. Security arrangements for the leaders (Heads of state) 15
3. Dr Afolabi calls the four strangers incognito (anonymous) 16
2 4. Prof Karanja Kimani’s tribulations – Kenya 20
5. Tad Longway visits and recruits Prof Karanja Kimani into AGDA 21
3 6. Ms McKenzie & the taxi driver (chapter four) 45
7. Ms McKenzie joins VOA on leave on loan meets Nick. 46
4 8. Ms McKenzie is baffled by the silent listener. 65
9. Dr Afolabi and Pamela visit father in Boston – old people’s home 66
5 10. Dr Afolabi and Pamela fly back to Nigeria and Abi speaks with Tad 81
11. Summit begins the following day… 82
6 12.Comrade Melusi is delayed by security clearance despite his diabetes 99
13. Poles of influence: Nigeria, S. Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Libya 100
7 14. Pastor Chineke Chiamaka is triggered to be Pastor by reckless driving miracles 104
15. Pastor Chineke Chiamaka is arrested, jailed. He later joins AGDA 105
8 16. Seif Tahir returns from studies in Paris, France and joins Fist of Allah 116
17. Seif Tahir loses his left eye while trying to woo Rahma Mahmoud 117
9 18. The mystery of the silent listener 125
19. The trick is secretly launched by the conspirators. 126
10 20. Pastor Chineke Chiamaka’s absurd thoughts on what to tell the President at the summit. 140
21. Observer Karanja, Melusi, Seif Tahir meet Tad & Dr Abi at Room 2059 Sea Mount Hotel. 141
11 22. President Miniko Menkiti chairs the summit beside Minister Tiku Zinto and Dr. Afolabi. 149
23. Minster Tiku. Zinto hails AU for the cyclone of change, a lie, donors are movers 150
12 24. President Didier Bangoura – 1st to speak due to seniority. (DEBATE) 167
25. 4 other presidents follows: Simba Ibarosa, Jemba Jemba IV, Bibo Dibonso 168
13 26. Dr. Abi visits Fiona and she introduces, Nick to him. 172
27. President Bangoura chairs method committee, 3 new observers (Manley, Nick and Fiona) 173
14 28. President.Bangoura tosses a coin to choose strategy using “Choice Matrix” 185
29. Path Alpha is chosen but President and Dibonso strongly disagrees
30. The summit ends in dilemma

Synopsis
Fathers of Nations is a novel written by Paul B Vitta. Set between The Seamount and Pinnacle
Hotels in Banjul Gambia, the riveting account satirizes the state of Africa as a continent. The
foreward foreshadows the dilemma that ensues after the leaders disagree on the strategy to adopt
for the development of all of Africa. Although the Gambians view it as the most successful
summit ever held, critics view it as a failure.
The summit exposes African heads of state as inept and selfish. The story delves into what
transpires in the meeting as the four strangers arrive at the Seamount Hotel. Dr Afolabi, their
disguised guide, calls and introduces them to the document titled Path Alpha. Elaborate security
arrangements are made for the heads of state at The Pinnacle Hotel ahead of their arrival. These
would involve the line ministries of Internal Security and Defence.

Meanwhile, Tad Longway visits and recruits Prof Karanja a political sceptic, plus other activists
into AGDA Prof Karanja, with three others have suffered state abuse in different ways hence the
need to change things in Africa through Path Alpha. Tad, the Director of special projects at
AGDA, based in Cape Town South Africa, has a secret agenda of mobilizing civic discontent
into will to change. The two discuss independence problems which leaders haven’t eradicated
but are busy adding others like corruption and impunity on top. Tad alludes Sir Mark Thatcher
to the attempted civilian coup in Equatorial Guinea. Mark lives in South Africa.

The poles of influence become centres of interest during the meeting. Nigeria, is respected for
being a populous and capable of large armies, South Africa, most advanced in technology;
Kenya, rich in wildlife, ally of the West and probably a soft target for the terrorists; Zimbabwe, a
politically and economically unstable whose long serving president is revered for fearlessly
rebuking America and Britain. Libya, known for defiance against the West and keenly interested
in nuclear weapon development to defend its oil rich territories. Libya’s bad relations with the
US dreads attacks after the US is bombed by Al-Qaeda.

Meanwhile, Pastor Chiamaka is arrested and jailed after preaching against government. He later
joins AGDA. When Libya’s Seif Tahir returns from Paris, France after studying weapons
development, he joins the “Fist of Allah.” He supports his leader who later betrays him by
dismantling the “Fist of Allah.”

When Ms McKenzie joins VOA on "leave on loan" terms, she meets Nick Sentinel, the VOA
wireless communication technician who shocks her with a sophisticated digital device, the Silent
Listener. The device already has Fiona’s verbal trinket (recorded voice): ‘silly boss wants me
back at the office…’ and other trinkets as well. Later, observers Karanja, Comrade Melusi and
Seif Tahir meet Tad and Dr Afolabi to hatch the trick. AGDA believes that Path Alpha is
superior to Way Omega because it is more practical. The Trick by the conspirators working with
AGDA and VOA enables them to sneak Path Alpha into the summit agenda, devising a method
of eliminating consensus to ensure it is approved through Choice Matrix, no matter the outcome
of the toss: “a result in which he wins if he wins and wins if he loses.” That is the ‘Trick’

Since the host president declines to be chair, President Miniko Menkiti, who has the trick, chairs
the summit flanked by Minister Zinto and Dr. Afolabi. Minister Zinto hails AU for the cyclone
of change, a blatant lie since donors are the real movers and shakers. President Bongoura leads
four other presidents in making speeches. Ibarosa, King Jemba Jemba IV, Dibonso, Gamlozi and
Wasiwasi. President Bangoura who hasn’t and would not read either of the two documents,
chairs Method committee joined by three new observers (Manley Nick & Fiona).
The method committee comes up with the trick that puts Path Alpha on the summit agenda.
Choice Matrix would ensure Way Omega fails either way. President Bangoura tosses a coin to
choose the strategy for adoption using “Choice Matrix.” Path Alpha is chosen despite President
Dibonso's furious and strong disagreement which causes tension. The tension fizzles out when
the chair summons the commandos who respond in a second.
The summit ends in dilemma. A complete mockery of democracy. A strategy not in the agenda is
to be adopted after approval. Satire from the onset to the end.

Think through the question before you start writing.

Discussion guide / plan
A 1 Introduction 1. Paraphrase the question using synonyms and other
words. Echo the question, rather than repeat it.
I (Generally tell the 2. Capture the title and author of the text and mention
N examiner what your the general issue or character.
T essay is about). 3. Write a broad background statement to set the social
R context and introduce your essay. It mollifies soothes
O (What you will the attitude of the examiner. E.g. This essay
discuss) shows/discusses/demos …
2 Body paragraph 1 1. Write the topic sentence to tell the first point with
relevant illustrations and supporting evidence.
(Tell the 2. Develop your point strongly showing cause and
B reader/examiner the effect. Give at least 3 reasons/ examples/illustrations.
first point/idea) 3. Mention the character that brings out the issue well.
M 4. Write a clincher sentence to close/crown the
A argument.
I 3 Body paragraph 2 1. Build on point 2 with well-illustrated reasons and
N examples. Write the topic sentence with supporting
(Tell the 2nd evidence.
B point/idea) 2. Show how values are rewarded or vices punished.
O 3. Show the effect.
D 4. Write a clincher sentence to close/crown the
Y argument.
4 Body paragraph 3 1. Use transitional words to write the topic sentence to
discuss the 3rd point with relevant illustrations and
(Tell the 3rd supporting evidence.
point/idea) 2. Remember evidence is key in your essay.
3. Show the effect.
4. Write a clincher sentence to close/crown the
argument.
5 Body paragraph 4 1. Write the topic sentence to tell the 4th point with
relevant illustrations and supporting evidence.
(Tell the 4th 2. Keep referring closely to the demands of the question.
point/idea) 3. Give another reason/point and draw details to
complete your discussion in a convincing manner.
 4. Write a clincher sentence to close/crown the
argument.
C 6 Conclusion 1. Sum up your essay by tying up your body points and
(Tell the mirror the introduction partly.
C reader/examiner what 2. Capture the general positive opinion directed towards
O your essay was about imparting a moral value.
N briefly)
C (What you discussed)

Fathers of Nations
Critical overview of the text
The foreword opens us to an incident whereby a man selling confidential documents (for 100
eyes only) is arrested and disappears never to be seen again. This creates suspense and curiosity
as anything sinister may have happened to him. Africa is a continent rocked with insecurity,
uncertainties, executions and assassinations.

Military coups
A document is to be ratified and adopted as a common development strategy for all of Africa.
This document, Way Omega, originates from a discovery by 20 Nobel laureates. If adopted,
according to Dr Afolabi, Way Omega will change African politics dramatically. That is, no more
military coups, rigged elections or foul play. However, not all African leaders have been fair
players. Foul play has been the game where they rise to power through coups or rigged elections.
The leaders won’t accept change that would end such foul arrangements. These existing
arrangements have always had dire implications such as civil wars. Thus the conservatives (the
fifty heads of state) strive to maintain the status quo while reformists (the AGDA agency)
clamour for change.

Parliamentary coups
Nevertheless, coups are no longer military coups, but parliamentary coups. This is because heavy
taxation falls on the ordinary man while the political class enjoy hefty perks, luxurious and
grandiose lifestyle through perennial increments to the detriment of peasants. There is overt
subjugation, obliteration, subversion and usurping of people’s mandate by moral reprobates: the
members of parliament. Instead of providing leadership and shaping constructive opinion as they
represent the majority, the MPs selfishly play to the gallery and betray the electorate.

Externally orchestrated coups

The other covert kind of coup is the American and British led coup through AGDA. For instance,
the impunity which the two powerful nations of the world condemn and the democracy they
purport to advance is a paradox, even a fallacy. They are perpetrators of impunity and detractors
of democracy. Sadly, VOA and BBC purport to advance this awareness. Robert Manley, chief of
the VOA bureau manages the digital mechanism that spies on Africa and recruits Ms Fiona
McKenzie on ‘leave-n-loan basis to cover the African summit in the project. Sir Mark thatcher,
son of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher hires mercenaries to stage a coup in Equatorial
Guinea but hauled by S. Africa and fined 1M and jailed for years which are immediately
suspended.
Mobilizing discontent in Africa, Tad Longway manages to recruit the the dejected four African
citizens into Agda as observers. He also later baits and collaborates with Dr Afolabi, the guide,
to stage the coup at the summit unsuspectingly. His plan works with the help of the American
digital device, The Silent Listener. Why are these foreigners spying on African matters? What is
their hidden agenda in this whole issue?

Pessimism versus optimism – Dr. Afolabi

Dr. Afolabi, famed for his book, “Failure of states” is now optimistic that change will come
through the debate on the two documents at the summit in The Gambia. He says his book agrees
with Way Omega and defends it but a bold journalist, Fiona McKenzie, takes him to task calling
his ideas ‘pessimistic’. Ms McKenzie is here to interview Dr Abi on the agenda of the summit
and they argue briefly and she shows him how tough she is before she is interrupted and recalled
to join VOA. He confesses as having misjudged her lamb look now turned lioness. She too could
have misjudged his book’s ideas as pessimistic.
The 49 heads of state land in the Gambia, the land of ‘Kunta Kinteh’ for the purpose of adopting
Way Omega but more as a way of escaping from troublemakers back home. It is a sabbatical they
take to relax. The host has to incur huge costs to make the summit a success. The Gambia would
take advantage to gain good publicity by the 49 heads. The security arrangements, aesthetics,
transport and communication has necessitated the slum clearance, kiosk demolition on which
livelihoods depend. Roads, water, electricity and checkpoints are concerns of importance. The
host identifies The Pinnacle Hotel as a centralized location to help reduce the 50 safety problems
to one problem. Other complex and demanding arrangements include intelligence and combat
led by the police and army respectively.

The incredible satire in the plot

The author mocks and ridicules the folly of African security arrangement which obviously has a
flaw. The airspace is not secured so the presidents could be attacked via the sky above while the
soldiers are holding and cocking guns down below! The summit security is not prepared for a
potential threat of explosions and strikes from above. Air strikes including bombs are done from
above and here it is not guarded. This is very clever indeed. Using irony and sarcasm, Paul Vitta
satirizes African states by foregrounding the security situation at the summit. He also ridicules
the whole idea of disrupting the economic livelihood of the kiosk owners.
The 4 strangers’ task is to advise the summit. When they arrive they take rooms at SeaMount
Hotel in different floors and wings. Prof. Karanja Kimani, Kenya – 4th floor, East wing, comrade
Melusi, Zimbabwe – 5th floor, South wing, 50 year-old Nigerian Pastor Chineke Chiamaka – 6th
floor, West wing and lastly 40 plus year-old Seif Tahir, formerly of Defence Ministry, Libya –
3rd floor, North wing.
The background of the 4 symbolizes and foreshadows the leaders of their countries of origin.
Prof Kimani Karanja represents Kenya, a country with educated but poor citizens despite having
good relations with the West (US and UK). It is a former colony of the British and always a soft
target for terrorists. Nigeria is a populous notoriously religious country riddled with corruption.
Pastor Chineke Chiamaka represents it. Comrade Melusi represents Zimbambwe, a country
ruined by redundant policies of its obstinate defiant life president then. The country has since
seen all the white settlers leave by force. Engineer Seif Tahir, of Libya represents a Muslim
country interested and determined to explore nuclear power probably to defy and protest western
ideologies and defend its oil rich territories. In addition to the 4, South Africa is considered a
pole of influence due to its advanced technology due to a prolonged white domination. Tad
Longway, an AGDA agent from South Africa recruits the 4 and recommends them to the summit
as observers.
The summit observers cum advisors have had sad backgrounds: they are demoralized in one way
or another. Each has suffered for speaking up against their states and each holds a grudge, a clear
view and understanding of impunity and what it means to be on the losing end while opposing
the government. They are approached with a proposal called Path Alpha that rivals Way Omega.
One might be turned negative by the nature of characters who have a depressed attitude and
bitter for some reason due to their frustrated circumstances.
Prof Kimani is an educated idealist zombie (scarecrow overtaken by colleague turned politician),
comrade Melusi and Seif Tahir defiant obstinate against poor leadership at home, Dr afolabi an
academic scarecrow writing impractical theories about ‘failed states’ and married to a
barren/sterile American. Ms McKenzie super-rude journalist humbled by young communication
technician.
When they arrive at The Gambia, an arrogant hostile AGDA agent bullies the 4calling them
incognito, as their guide. AGDA conspires to sneak in a rival strategy Path Alpha aimed at
replacing Way Omega during the summit. He intimidates them to obey him only and that he only
can call them. He castigates them and succeeds in imposing his authority on them. Karanja
Kimani succumbs to his authority and Chineke Chiamaka apologizes for drinking a pepsi at a
bar.
Ms McKenzie joins VOA on leave-on-loan basis for a breaking story. She would earn a better
salary than the 2 beans the Gambian News pays her. She meets Nicholas Sentinel, a young
communication technician-in-residence from America who is to spy on the summit proceedings.
Nick uses the Silent Listener Device that captures all broadcasts. After she listens to a record
reveal the guide saying ‘our mission is at a delicate stage’, she is both amazed and amused by
that technology.

Perhaps the facts are stubborn. Africans are still grappling with most of the independence
problems such as poverty, disease and ignorance plus now foul play, insecurity, corruption,
impunity and rigged elections. African heads of state are meeting in the Gambia to find
homegrown solutions to their countries’ problems but they end up staging a coup against
themselves. Although Paul B Vitta could be a pessimist himself, castigating Africa for failed
governance, inaction and overdependence on the Western states for aid, he foregrounds the
issues in black and white. Tricked by conspirators, spies and coup plotters, Tad Longway and Dr.
Afolabi take advantage of the naivety and gullibility of the heads of state to mobilize the
discontented African citizens and successfully convert them into activists for the debacle.

Kenya’s tribulations – Prof Kimani Karanja

Meanwhile Prof Kimani Karanja loses his wife to MP Newborn Walomu because he is poor and
that his wife, Asiya, has put up with him for 30 years without money. Evil corrupt money is what
Kimani suspects makes her leave him. She protests and despises Kimani for being poor. His
education cannot entice her to stay. He tries to convince her that money cannot buy her
happiness but she dismisses it. She tells him his poor status has made them lose their only
daughter, Tuni. Tuni dies in a road accident presumably because she couldn’t use his father’s car.
It was faulty and she had to use a minibus. However, Tuni dies actually not because of male
predators that she is educated on safety about, but by negligence, inaction and neglect/failure of
police to respond quickly and wrong education on safety. Instead of prevention and rescue skills,
they educate people about imagined male predators/criminals. Tuni and her mother’s attitude
towards safety is satirized by the author. Prof Karanja Kimani tries the angle of death not being
the right moment to leave, her age but all in vain. He tries to confront MP Walomu to salvage his
marriage but Walomu defends himself with old is gold dictum/adage and statistics showing
Greeks are spouse stealers.
That Kenya is the West's ally – yet the local problems continue to bedevil her. That pastors
especially, are devious: quack pastors using the talent of courage, to pull crowds, lecture and
reprimand and rebuke innocent unsuspecting humans. Prof Karanja Kimani’s education is
mocked as it does not help him to navigate social-economic issues. He loses his daughter, wife
and position at the university.

Nigeria’s problems - Chineke Chiamaka

In his sermon, ‘God is watching you’, Chineke Chiamaka uses a parable to rebuke and reprimand
his congregation. 20% will take the money and keep quiet, 30% will take the money home and
wait for eventualities while 50% would take the money to the police.’ Pastor Cheneke
Chiamaka’s salvation and religiosity does not guarantee him a livelihood.
In a flashback, the chapter introduces a reckless driver. The reckless driver is Chineke Chiamaka.
Most people hated him for this carclcss and reckless driving except for one person; his brother
Obinna an evening student at the University of Lagos. Chineke Chiamaka adores Lagos. One
evening after dropping off his younger brother Obinna, Chineke Chiamaka was to drive to his
office at Earth Movers Limited. Unfortunately, by taking the route he chose, he drove into
trouble: Holy Camp. Chiamaka drove against the flowing current of vehicles and rammed into a
mean machine; a fire engine, massive and unstoppable. His Mercedes flew off the road and spun
in the air several times before landing on the road again.

He escaped without serious injuries. The fire engine was nowhere. Not a single motorist stopped
to check on him. That was the norm in Nigeria. Motorists never stopped at an accident scene on
Nigerian highways. Because of the many miracles he had witnessed, he turned to religion-he
became a preacher. Chiamaka with time acquired preaching skills. He preached everywhere.

Zimbabwe’s troubles – Comrade Melusi

Comrade Melusi’s enthusiasm in politics lands him in trouble with the leadership. He loses his
wife in Gakurahundi and later his people in Murambatsvina. Longevity has rendered the country
stagnant in terms of development and its economy adversely ruined by first ‘father’. The African
citizens whose livelihood largely depends on farming by the white settlers is in jeopardy.

Melusi initiated an opposition group: The New Independence Party (NIP) and ran for president
just to irritate the ruler. The ruler got 99% of the votes while Melusi and all other candidates
shared the 1% in the elections. Elections had been preceded by a drought, the worst of the time
until the ruler declared it a national disaster. Moreover, the international community clamped on
Zimbabwe a program called Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) with this they knew the ruler
would flop for everything spelt defeat, so his win was through rigging elections.

Opposition leaders refused to unite and fight the common enemy. When they all lost, for half an
hour they needed to declare that elections were a sham, they had to come together. Joint
condemnation of the bungled elections led to disaffection. So Melusi went back to his business.
Inflation eroded incomes. Melusi relocated to a slum in a poor part of Harare. Then came
Murambatsvina, Shona word for trash. Bull dozers went from one slum to the next evicting
residents by tearing their homes to the ground.

All including Comrade Melusi were expelled without notice. Murambatsvina's real aim to the
ruler was to prevent disease and crime. Instead, disease and crime increased. It is true the main
aim was to punish the urban poor for supporting opposition parties.
Lybya,s jingoism, defiance and supremacy troubles – Seif Tahir
Engineer Seif Tahir, of Libya represents a Muslim country interested and determined to explore
nuclear power probably to defy and protest western ideologies and defend its oil rich territories.
Seif Tahir’s military engineering fails to realize his military dreams.Some skeptics scoffed at
him. He returned from overseas (France) on the day the leader of Libya was celebrating his
twentieth year in power. The leader's opponents were not happy with these celebrations.
Engineer Tahir dismissed them as "crackpots left alone and ignored." He believed the ruler had
the right vision for Libya and so was the right person to rule it. He defended the ruler.

Engineer Tahir joined the "Fist for Allah" after his return from the overseas. In a happy
coincidence, the leader of Libya adored the "Fist of Allah." He gave it all the money it asked for.
Al-Qaeda struck on the American soil. The leader of Libya knew America would retaliate and
not necessarily with bounds of reason. He scrambled for his bases to shield Libya from
America's revenge. He even dismantled the "Fist of Allah" itself.

Engineer Tahir would have learnt to live with anything but not with the dismantling of the "Fist
of Allah." This was the beginning of Tahir's dislike for the leader. The dismantling of the "Fist
of Allah" was shirq or sacrilege, an offense so dreadful that it was eternally unforgivable.

Angry beyond words, Engineer Tahir now hated the man he had once liked. No more was the
leader of Libya his hero. He had become a villain. Meanwhile, dismantling of the "Fist of
Allah" coincided with the peaking of unrelated crisis: "the accident." Engineer Tahir fell in love
with Rahma Mahmoud, a female member of the "Fist of Allah" and Engineer Tahir's junior
staff mate at the weapons laboratory. He approached her. She did not say anything. Later, she
smiled and after sometime, she said no.

Engineer Tahir misinterpreted the sweet no to a sour no and reacted to it violently. Unwisely, he
vowed to retaliate. Engineer Tahir slapped Rahma Mahmoud in the name of administering
discipline to her for shedding her head veil in public which was in violation of the Libyan
culture. But the truth was he did it to take revenge against someone who he thought had rejected
his advances.

Discipline, revenge or whatever it in fact was, Rahma, did not take it lying low. She struck back
and hit his left eye and slit it open. That was "the accident." Engineer Tahir lost his left eye.
Engineer Tahir was hospitalized and discharged after a month. Turned bitter and vengeful,
Engineer Tahir to Ms. Mahmoud to court. After proceedings, the made a ruling basing on

Hammurabic verdict: an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. With this ruling, Rahma
Mahmoud also lost her left eye through surgery. Engineer Tahir sank into deep gloom. He
refused to shake it off even after friends talking to him. When they (friends) persisted, he left
Tripoli and moved east to live alone in Benghazi.
The author’s unique style
Fronting a new style, 'the man himself', Paul Vitta, shows facts as they are. The physics
professor doesn't beat about the bush as he mechanically shows the figures as facts figures,
quantities, statistics and percentages about ages, problems, people countries. etc. Against the
backdrop of science and orientation of technology he uses additions, multiplication and
extrapolation. For instance, he says of ‘…another man forty-plus years old; … white man 50
plus, etc... Voice signals from the trinket: Gamma, kappa, Beta, Delta’ etc

He gives figures from the onset as: ‘100 eyes, 50 heads, 100 problems/commandos, 700 options,
30 million options, Alpha, Omega, alphabetical order, 3 problems/reasons, 2 bean salary, case
studies, 17% Americans spouse stealers, 30% British, 40% Greeks;, problem solving methods,
30% diabetic, etc
And finally the way the fifty heads of state stage a coup against themselves without knowing it.
In fact, they are led by an old ignoramus (President Didier Bangoura) to toss on absurd choices.
Harsh facts!! The whole account is a portrayal of failure by Africans. This pointblank satire is
incredible

Plot summary
The plot revolves around the lives of four men from different parts of Africa. These men —
Professor Kimani, Comrade Melusi, Engineer Tahir, Pastor Chiamaka, want the African heads of
states in a Summit to ratify and adopt the document that could transform the continent's
economic structures. The above stated four men, have initially suffered in different ways under
the current political systems in their respective countries. This makes each and every one of them
to hold a grudge against the same systems that affected them and hence starts to press for a
possible change.

Doctor Abiola Afolabi is abandoned by his American wife (Pamela); Professor Kimani from
Kenya has lost his wife (Asiyo Omondi) to a former university colleague now a politician by the
name Newborn Walomu, his daughter — Tuni, dies in a fatal accident; pastor Chiamaka is a
fierce man who is jailed irregularly also deterred from preaching, finally, Ngobile Melusi a big
time politician suffers in the hands of the new head of state, loses his wife (Ziliza) in a massacre,
his Ndebele people are ruthlessly suppressed and murdered by the head of state's direct order. In
addition to the four men, Engineer Seif Tahir (a nuclear bomb expert), Mr. Tad Longway, are
also dissatisfied by the African leadership, they are assisted by VOA journalist Fiona McKenzie
and Nicholas Sentinel who in one accord plan to front their agenda before the heads Summit held
in Gambia's capital of Banjul.

The summit
A summit of the heads of the African States is planned to take place in Banjul the capital of
Gambia. Fifty heads of states are invited including the Gambian head of state who is supposed to
be the chair of the summit but passes it on to another president. The heads of states are
assembled and accommodated in the Pinnacle Hotel with their entourage, they look forward to
re-adopt the Way Omega.

Way Omega
Way Omega is an ideology which advocates for a common growth strategy of the citizens which
will enable the donors to continue supporting the African nations through aids and grants. The
ideology is fronted by Minister Zinto who claims that the strategy was well- though out by
experts. The majority of the African head of states seem to be aged and have over stayed in
power, a good example is president Didier Bangoura who is depicted as senile, Bibo Dibonso
who had ruled for forty years (Pg 157), king Jemba - Jemba IV, who was a king for life,
president Wasi Wasi who had commited all sorts of atrocities including authoring many coups
and so many others.

Path Alpha
The Path Alpha a counter ideology emanating from AGDA (Agency for Governance and
Development in Africa), which is championed by Mr. Thaddeus Longway, finds its way to the
heads of states summit. Mr. Longway mobilises the likes of Professor Kimani, Comrade Melusi,
Pastor Chiamaka, Doctor Afolabi and Engineer Tahir to use 'the trick' to table the ideology
before the summit to counter thc Way Omega.

Path Alpha is a strategy that advocates for mobilizing civic or public discounted into will to
change. This strategy is to solve the problems some present heads of state find it difficult to
solve. The advocators of Path Alpha champion the strategy because they want to solve the
problems and owing to the fact that they have also suffered the ugly state abuse and do not want
to suffer any more.

The Summit comes to a close in an unprecedented way by 'the fathers of nations' setting up a
committee to bring the matter into a conclusion. The committee set is given the name The
Method Committee which is chaired by President Bangoura who seems to be terribly confused
because of senility. He uses two ways to make a decision on which strategy to be ratified — the
Simple Matrix by a toss of a coin and Choice Matrix. Ultimately, either way, the path alpha
carries the day, meaning the common citizen wins.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter one (Pg. 1-15)
The Four Strangers with the Same Mission
• It is evening, four strangers check in at The Seamount hotel in Gambia's capital" Banjul
• None of them knows the other three
• First to check in is Karanja Kimani, a professor in the Institute of Development at the
University of Nairobi, Kenya. He's assigned a room on the fourth floor, east wing.
• Ngobile Melusi, about 70, a comrade and a citizen of Zimbabwe is second to check in
and is allocated a room on the fifth floor of the south wing.
• Third to clock in is about 50, Chineke Chiamaka, a pastor at the Church Inside Africa
(CIA) in Lagos, Nigeria. Chiamaka is booked on the sixth floor of the west wing.
• Last to report is another stranger, about 40, his name is SeifTahir, an Engineer formerly
employed by the Ministry of Defense in the Tripoli- Libya. He is assigned a room on the
third-floor north wing.
• In less than an hour after the booking all the four "strangers," receives a call from the
same caller who declines to divulge details about himself, He only identifies himself as
the guide and gives the same set of instructions about opening their briefcases using a
similar code: one, one, two, four. The code number fails to open the briefcases in all the
four cases.
• Meanwhile, Dr. Abiola Afolabi, another guest at the hotel hears someone call him from
behind. From the introduction, Dr. Afolabi meets Fiona McKenzie, a reporter with
Gambia News, a Gambian who was adopted by Ian and Elspeth McKenzie- Scottish
missionaries. She was brought up in Edingburg, Scotland and is now back to Banjul.
• An interview ensues.
• Dr. Abiola Afolabi, is disclosed, he schooled at Harvard University in the US and
currently teaches at the University of Ibadan. He's forty-five and is an advisor to the
heads of state.
• Africa's heads of state are soon to start a debate at Pinnacle Hotel, a hotel that is two
streets from The Seamount Hotel.
• The Heads of State are soon to discuss a document titled Way Omega. If adopted, Way
Omega is expected to change African politics drastically; there are to be no more military
coups, no more rigged elections, no more foul play.
• Dr. Abiola Afolabi is the author of Failure of States in which he is so pessimistic about
Africa's state of affairs and yet in Way Omega he's very optimistic, He was invited by the
presidents.
• The interview ends prematurely after her boss calls her to the office.
 • On the other hand, 49 foreign heads of state are in Banjul for the summit. They still look
happy.
• For Gambians, the presence of so many visiting dignitaries isn't fun. Here, before
dignitaries came, bull dozers were dispatched at night in slum clearance 'exercises,'
demolished road side kiosks on which whole families depended upon. Roads got rare
layers of tarmac at times of maximum traffic. Checkpoints sprouted everywhere. Water
taps dried up because all water had to go to the new water foundations built to mesmerize
visitors.
• Catastrophes can happen even at summits. All heads of state are to be put in one hotel;
Pinnacle Hotel so that security is concentrated at the hotel instead of having fifty places
to be manned.
• A few challenges are noted on how well to take care of the dignitaries in terms of sitting
arrangement at the summit and the hotel arrangement.

Chapter Two (Pg.16-20)

At the Seamount Hotel
A mobile phone rings at The Seamount Hotel - west wing and Pastor Chineke Chiamaka answers
it; it is 9:00 p.m.

The caller wants to find out the progress. Pastor Chiamaka affirms that everything is fine. The
caller inquires whether the briefcase is open and further asks what Pastor Chiamaka has seen in
the briefcase. Pastor Chiamaka confirms that he sees a letter from Agency for Governance and
Development in Africa (AGDA) and a copy of a document dubbed Way Omega. He also says he
sees a copy of Path Alpha, the development strategy that AGDA believes is superior to Way
Omega and that it hopes to slip in and replace Way Omega.

Pastor Chiamaka also confirms to have seen leaflets, pamphlets and brochures from AGDA. He
further confirms to have seen the mobile phone he is using.

The caller/guide is still reluctant to reveal his name. The caller is the only one to initiate the
conversation between them. The guide tells the pastor that they are on the same mission, so he
should not worry. The caller further says he cannot share his name because he feels their mission
is still at a very delicate stage.

AGDA asks Pastor Chiamaka to be fully familiar with both documents: Way Omega and Path
Alpha. The caller reminds the Pastor that he had seen him at the bar at The Seamount hotel
taking pepsi.
Meanwhile, another mobile rings at The Seamount Hotel's south wing. Comrade Melusi answers.
Another phone rings in the east wing. Prof. Kimani takes the call. Still another phone rings in the
northern wing. Engineer Seif Tahir responds. The time is now 11:00p.m

Chapter Three (Pg.21-45)

The Agency for Governance and Development in Africa (AGDA)
The chapter unfolds with a flashback into Prof. Kimani's life. Prof. Kimani joined the University
of Nairobi directly as a senior lecturer straight from the University of Oxford where he studied.

A month after his arrival, Prof. Kimani launched a noisy debate in which he dcmandcd that thc
Univcrsiy of Nairobi henceforth strive for bcing rclcvant to thc society rather than simply
focusing on dclivcring cxccllcncc in work, Six months later, his clarion call prevailed. The
University's official motto became "Relevance to the society."

After winning this first war, he wedged another one which was even noisier. He wanted the
university to be an agent of change not a mere spectator of it.

In the meantime, he married Asiya Omondi. He became a Professor and now felt complete. A
global economic recession hit Africa. Jobs and incomes shrank. To get out of the crisis, Africa
had to make changes and donors were the architects of these proposed changes. Donors
demanded for change and Africa obliged.

Prof. Kimani had a daughter, Tuni, a name she owes to Tunisia, her country of conception.
Parliament staged an economic coup to improve on their remunerations. When he started
teaching, Members of

Parliament (MP) earned less. what professors took home as salary. After the coup, an MP rakes
up to a hundred times the income of a professor. A family discussion is underway between a
father, mother and daughter. From the discussion, it's clear that the state has failed terribly in
discharging its mandate and therefore the only way is to be the agent of change oneself.

Meanwhile, Tuni shares what an instructor told her on why women are susceptible and fall easy
prey to predators as lack of awareness of where women are, a look of weakness & helplessness
and a temptation to stray.

A comparison is drawn between Prof. Kimani and Newborn Walomu, professor's former junior
colleague and now a Member of Parliament. From the comparison, Kimani who is stuck at
the university, is doing poorly while Walomu is doing very well after joining politics and having
become an MP.
Tuni, the only daughter and child to Prof. Kimani dies in a road accident. Tuni had to use public
service vehicle because his father's car was not in good condition. This infuriated Asiya Omondi.

Prof. Kimani and his spouse Asiya Omondi were inconsolable over their daughter's death.

• In the evening, Asiya drops a bombshell to her husband that she would be leaving. She says
Newborn Walomu, the MP and Professor's former junior colleague, had asked to marry her.
Asiya Omondi feels Tuni would be alive if Prof. Kimani had — she wouldn't have used the
public service vehicle a real car that caused the fatal accident. She left the following morning to
Newborn Walomu's place.

Prof. Kimani goes for Newborn Walomu and petitions why he had decided to take his wife. A
scuffle begins at the MP's office. The police come in and arrest both.

Prof Kimani is charged with "assaulting a Member of Parliament." His university demotes him
from a full Professor to a senior lecturer, the point he started at when he joined the university. A
six months' jail term follows. He's a dejected man.

Meanwhile, Prof. Kimani hears a knock at the door.

A white man of about 50 is standing outside, ICs Mr. Tad Longway.

After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Longway asks Prof. Kimani to join AGDA whose mission is to
question Africa's status quo.

He further asks him to follow Path Alpha, a strategy built on the idea that a present, public
discontent exprcsscs itself in acts that cancel out instead of adding up.

Path Alpha will correct the anomaly by "mobilizing civic discontent into will to change." Mr.
Longway tells Prof. Kimani if he joins Path Alpha he would go down for orientation at their
headquarters in Cape Town and he will also attend the next summit of Africa's heads of state in
Banjul, Gambia.

He's enlisted as a member of Path Alpha the following day. The loss of his daughter, desertion
by his wife, mistreatment by his university and state had tested him hard and long. He had
reached the boiling point.
Chapter Four (Pg.46-65)
The Voice of America (VOA) Contract
Ms. Fiona McKenzie gets into a taxi, leaves The Seamount Hotel and heads back to her office.
She had indicated to her boss that she would be at the office in an hour's time.

It takes longer to get to the office because of the roadblocks that were basically everywhere.

She is stopped at Arch Number 22. The police wanted a bribe from the taxi driver, an
unemployed graduate. So she reaches her workplace/office late.

Ms. McKenzie goes straight to see her boss who informs her that he is pulling her from her
assignment at the summit at the Pinnacle Hotel. He explains himself. He seconds her to the
VOA. She is now on a two-year loan from the Gambian News to the Voice of America with
immediate effect.

In retrospect, there was a time when US policy forbade the Voice of America to broadcast in
America. The image was bad for VOA. It had to go. The more reason VOA was employing non-
Americans.

Mr. Robert Manley, chief of the bureau, met her at the entrance then led her to the office. Mr.
Manley instructed her that because there was a breaking story, she would start her job
immediately.

Her new pay is better than what Gambian News was offering and paying. She is introduced to a
staff mate, a new arrival from America, Nicolas Sentinel, a communications Technician.

The breaking story is that a summit of Africa's heads of state would begin shortly at the Pinnacle
Hotel. Sentinel would be handy in her working. She learns that Sentinel has records of many
proceedings in Gambia including Ms. McKenzie's interview with Dr. Afolabi. From the
recordings, Sentinel confirms that there is a man talking to a total of four other men.

Ms. McKenzie is taken to her new office and Mr. Manley rushes to a meeting at the Ministry of
Foreign affairs.

Meanwhile, Dr. Afolabi tosses in his bed sleeplessly for nearly an hour before he finally dozes
off. Dr. Afolabi's phone rings. He answers it is Miss Fiona Mckenzie Ms. McKenzie asks Dr.
Afolabi if he could nicet her. He comes out to meet her but does not find her. While he readies to
go back to his room, a voice of a woman, about 30 years cries out for help.
The young woman is in a company of a man. The hotel attendant looks detached and aloof. The
young woman being whisked away is noted to be McKenzie. She shouts out Dr. Afolabi's name
and this strikes him to rush to her aid.

Dr. Afolabi faces the alleged abductor who says he's Leo otherwise referred to as Liberian
mauler. A fight between Dr. Afolabi and Leo, the Liberian Mauler erupts. Dr. Afolabi wins the
war and whisks McKenzie away to his room.

They go to Dr. Afolabi's suite where she scraps his face and he helps her change her clothing and
freshen up. In the meantime, a phone rings. The caller is Chineke Chiamaka After the call, his
mood darkens. Fiona McKenzie shares a lot about VOA and the story in Nicolas Sentinel's
machine, silent listener, which has recorded so many things in the last two days. They spent the
night at Dr. Afolabi's suite.

Chapter Five (Pg.66-81)

Dr. Afolabi – The Guide
Before Dr. Afolabi was invited to Banjul to serve as an advisor to summit of heads of state, he
had previously been guest at the Foundation for Democratic Rule in Washington to give a key
note address at the annual conference.

Dr. Afolabi was married to Pamela from Boston, US. Dr. Afolabi's invitation to Washington had
given the couple a chance to visit Pamela's father, a widower who lived in Boston. Dr. Afolabi
fondly remembers Pamela's dad through a watch that could help one check pressure, memory
among other things.

Dr. Afolabi while walking about Boston, he bought a razor at five dollars and twenty-three cents.
Later, he rejoins his wife at her father's home. Later, while in a flight out of Washington back to
Nigeria, Dr. Afolabi meets Tad Longway. Mr. Longway is the Director of special projects at the
Agency for Governance and Development in Africa (AGDA). The two exchange pleasantries
and contacts. From their talk, Tad Longway had listened to Dr. Afolabi's address and liked it and
termed it brilliant.

Mr. Longway says Africa in its present state has two new arrivals: corruption and impunity. HC
asks Dr. Afolabi if he would be interested in the adventure that is being sponsored by AGDA
whose underlying idea is mobilize discontent with Africa in its present state into a will to change
it. Dr. Afolabi consents.

Dr. Afolabi confirms to Mr. Tad Longway that heads of state had invited him to the summit to
give them his views on Way Omega.
Mr. Tad Longway introduces and proposes an alternative to Way Omega, and that is Path Alpha
which differs from the former like day and night. Whereas Way Omega is top driven and lacks
the will for implementation, Path Alpha is bottom-led and has that will; therefore he asks Dr.
Afolabi to guide four Path Alpha travelers and adherents whom AGDA is sending as observers
to the very summit he'll be as an advisor.

Mr. Tad Longway hands Path Alpha document to Dr. Afolabi and asks him to remainwith Way
Omega so that they could find a way to they could get to the summit. Meanwhile, Dr, Afolabi
and his wife, Pamela, are back in Nigeria. Their houseboy reports that while the couple were
away somebody came to their house uninvited. When questioned, Issa, the houseboy did not give
an answer. In fact he says he let the person into their bedroom.

The uninvited man surfaces. Dr. Afolabi and the man converse in Yoruba. Pamela is dismayed at
the unfolding. She learns in utter disbelief that her husband and the man in question knew each
other very well.

Femi, the uninvited guest and with a scar, is a cousin to Dr. Afolabi. The two grew up together in
Kaduna. Under instructions from the family, Femi had brought a second wife to Dr. Afolabi
without his consent because Pamela was not giving bath. Pamela was not happy. Furious and
angry,

Pamela runs out only to reappear with a broomstick chasing the young girl (Nimbo) she had
found in her matrimonial bed. Femi discloses that the folks back at home are the choreographers
of the whole scheme.

Pamela is extremely annoyed with the scheme of having Nimbo as her co-wife. She is worked
up! She demands that the two (Femi and Nimbo) must leave her house. Dr. Afolabi comes to
their defense arguing that it's late at night and that if the two have to leave then that should be in
the morning. Pamela still insisted that they should leave that night. Her demands fall on deaf
ears.

Enraged at her husband's lackluster in handling the matter, Pamela leaves that very night. A
week later, Pamela calls Dr. Afolabi from her father's home in Boston. She informs him that she
had filed a divorce.

Chapter Six (Pg. 82-99)

Comrade Melusi joins ADGA
It's in Banjul, Gambia, the congregation venue for the summit. The summit kicks off. Being the
first day of the summit, the most important event of the day is the official opening of the summit.
Key participants are the 50 heads of state.
Security at the venue is very tight. Comrade Ngobile Melusi waited in a line to be cleared, His
turn finally comes. He is found with a needle, one of the many things disallowed into the hall.
There is an argument between Comrade Melusi and the security officer but later on, he is cleared
and allowed into the hall.

In the meantime, in a flashback, more details about Comrade Ngobile Melusi are divulged.

Comrade Melusi is having lunch with his visitor at Chaminuka restaurant in downtown, Harare.
It's about 1:30 PM; the restaurant is empty except for the two: Comrade Melusi and his visitor.
The Zimbabweans did not eat in hotels anymore unless as now someone else was footing the bill.
Their economy had crushed.

Lunch was the visitor's idea. There was a subject he wanted to discuss, he had told Melusi. His
name is Tad Longway, a Director Special Projects at AGDA: Agency for Governance and
Development in Africa.

The leader of Zimbabwe and Comrade Melusi had fought Smith side by side for years and that is
why he used to call him comrade. Then Zimbabwe got her independence. A new national anthem
was sang: in English, Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe,then in Shona, the language of
Zimbabwe's largest ethnic group:

Simudzaimureza weZimbabwe. In Ndebele (Melusi's mother tongue): Kalibusisweilizwe

leZimbabwe, national motto was "unity, freedom and work."

After all these, the new ruler did not appoint Comrade Melusi a minister after fighting for
Zimbabwe together. The ruler, a Shona, threw Melusi, a Ndebele out of government and he now
deemed Melusi an opponent.

The leader of Melusi's group was sacked. When these news hit southern Zimbabwe where the
Ndebele live, anti-government riots erupted. People went on rampage and attacked every
government supporter foolish enough to come to their sight. Retribution against them followed.

There swooped in the area the fifth brigade, better known as GUKURUHUNDI, Shona word for
year's rainstorm that washes chaff off the fields so that soil tilling could start. It washed off the
Ndebele insurgents like chaff. All this happened while Melusi was still at work, in a business
office down town Bulawayo, the capital of Ndebele.

Comrade Melusi's wife, Ziliza, was one of those killed in the government's execution. The ruler,
a Shona, could not trust anybody away from his Shona tribesmen. To him, all Ndebeles, Melusi
included had become rivals. The man had changed according to Melusi because he wanted to be
life president.
Meanwhile, Comrade Melusi takes the visitor to Muponda restaurant at the northern edge of
Harare for he had asked for traditional food. Melusi initiated an opposition group: The New
Independence Party (NIP) and ran for president just to irritate the ruler. The ruler got 99% of the
votes while Melusi and all other candidates shared the 1% in the elections.

Elections had been preceded by a drought, the worst of the time until the ruler declared it a
national disaster. Moreover, the international community clamped on Zimbabwe a program
called Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) with this they knew the ruler would flop for
everything spelt defeat, so his win was through rigging elections.

Opposition leaders refused to unite and fight the common enemy. When they all lost, for half an
hour they needed to declare that elections were a sham, they had to come together. Joint
condemnation of the bungled elections led to disaffection. So Melusi went back to his business.

Inflation eroded incomes. Melusi relocated to a slum in a poor part of Harare. Then came
Murambatsvina, Shona word for trash. Bull dozers went from one slum to the next evicting
residents by tearing their homes to the ground.

All including Comrade Melusi were expelled without notice. Murambatsvina's real aim to the
ruler was to prevent disease and crime. Instead, disease and crime increased. It is true the main
aim was to punish the urban poor for supporting opposition parties.

Tad Longway cleared the hotel bill and reached out to his side pocket for another stack of
American dollars and handed it to Comrade Melusi. Thereafter, he handed a document titled Path
Alpha to him and told him that it contained the subject matter he wanted them to discuss i.e.
mobilizing discontent with Africa in its present state into will to change it. Tad Longway asks
Comrade Melusi if he would join the movement.

Chapter Seven (Pg. 100-104)

Before the Summit
Before the summit begins, the host thinks he should break the ice by going from guest to guest to
create rapport.

He first goes to the president of Nigeria because of what was discovered later on as the poles of
influence: pure power, technology, simple alliances with one or more of the other poles and
sheer obstinacy. He shares light moments with the seventy- year-old, a full general but now
retired. Pastor Chiamaka sits in a back row among the observers following the summit keenly
and quietly.
The host president then moves to the president of South Africa then to the president of Kenya for
he knew the strategic importance of associating with these two countries after Nigeria. Prof.
Kimani is in the hall watching the president of Kenya at the back of the hall. From here, he
moves to greet the Zimbabwean president. In equal measure Comrade Melusi, now scowling at
the man from a seat in a row back hates his president intensely.

Later, guided by the pole of influence that where everybody exercises powers within agreed
rules, the simple refusal to abide by those rules exalts one as influential. The leader of Libya is
good at this. On this account, the Gambian president (host) goes to greet the president of Libya.
Engineer Tahir looks on uninterested. Engineer Tahir studies him from the back of the hall. Once
he had been one of the man's greatest admirers, not any more.

Chapter Eight (Pg.105-116)

The arrest of Pastor Chineke Chiamaka
• In a flashback, the chapter introduces a reckless driver. The reckless driver is Chineke
Chiamaka. Most people hated him for this carclcss and reckless driving except for one person;
his brother Obinna an evening student at the University of Lagos. Chineke Chiamaka adores
Lagos.

One evening after dropping off his younger brother Obinna, Chineke Chiamaka was to drive to
his office at Earth Movers Limited. Unfortunately, by taking the route he chose, he drove into
trouble: Holy Camp.

Chiamaka drove against the flowing current of vehicles and rammed into a mean machine; a fire
engine, massive and unstoppable. His Mercedes flew off the road and spun in the air several
times before landing on the road again.

He escaped without serious injuries. The fire engine was nowhere. Not a single motorist stopped
to check on him. That was the norm in Nigeria. Motorists never stopped at an accident scene on
Nigerian highways.

Because of the many miracles he had witnessed, he turned to religion-he became a preacher.
Chiamaka with time acquired preaching skills. He preached everywhere.

One Sunday he gave a very powerful preaching captioned, "God is watching you." The sermon
was excellent. It was witty and persuasive. The sermon for the following Sunday was totally
opposite: combative. He preached about the government's failure to deal with the issues
bedeviling her nation.
The following morning (Monday) police picked him up and for the next two weeks he shared a
rat-infested cell with smelly inmates. At the beginning of the third week, his jailers set him free.
However, his luck was limited. The police banned him from preaching.

Two years later, a deep voice called him "Listen to good news about Africa." Good news for
change. Now good news about Africa is hard to find and difficult to hear. So listen carefully.
AGDA has just come up with a fresh approach to Africa's development: Path Alpha. Pastor
Chineke Chiamaka did not hear more. He signed.

Chapter Nine (Pg.117-125)

Engineer Seif Tahir loses his left eye.
After graduating from Abdelaziz Academy in Tripoli, Libya, Engineer Seif Tahir had left Libya
and gone to study weapons development at the University of Paris. Some skeptics scoffed at him.

He returned from overseas (France) on the day the leader of Libya was celebrating his twentieth
year in power. The leader's opponents were not happy with these celebrations. Engineer Tahir
dismissed them as "crackpots left alone and ignored." He believed the ruler had the right vision
for Libya and so was the right person to rule it. He defended the ruler.

Engineer Tahir joined the "Fist for Allah" after his return from the overseas. In a happy
coincidence, the leader of Libya adored the "Fist of Allah." He gave it all the money it asked for.

Al-Qaeda struck on the American soil. The leader of Libya knew America would retaliate and
not necessarily with bounds of reason. He scrambled for his bases to shield Libya from
America's revenge. He even dismantled thc "Fist of Allah" itself.

Engineer Tahir would have learnt to live with anything but not with the dismantling of the "Fist
of Allah." This was the beginning of Tahir's dislike for the leader. The dismantling of the "Fist of
Allah" was shirq or sacrilege, an offense so dreadful that it was eternally unforgivable.

Angry beyond words, Engineer Tahir now hated the man he had once liked. No more was the
leader of Libya his hero. He had become a villain. Meanwhile, dismantling of the "Fist of Allah"
coincided with the peaking of unrelated crisis: "the accident."

Engineer Tahir fell in love with Rahma Mahmoud, a female member of the "Fist of Allah" and
Engineer Tahir's junior staff mate at the weapons laboratory. He approached her. She did not say
anything. Later, she smiled and after sometime, she said no.

Engineer Tahir misinterpreted the sweet no to a sour no and reacted to it violently. Unwisely, he
vowed to retaliate. Engineer Tahir slapped Rahma Mahmoud in the name of administering
discipline to her for shedding her head veil in public which was in violation of the Libyan
culture. But the truth was he did it to take revenge against someone who he thought had rejected
his advances.

Discipline, revenge or whatever it in fact was, Rahma, did not take it lying low. She struck back
and hit his left eye and slit it open. That was "the accident." Engineer Tahir lost his left eye.
Engineer Tahir was hospitalized and discharged after a month. Turned bitter and vengeful,
Engineer Tahir to Ms. Mahmoud to court. After proceedings, the made a ruling basing on

Hammurabic verdict: an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. With this ruling, Rahma
Mahmoud also lost her left eye through surgery. Engineer Tahir sank into deep gloom. He
refused to shake it off even after friends talking to him. When they (friends) persisted, he left
Tripoli and moved east to live alone in Benghazi.

There were two reasons for Engineer Tahir's gloom. One was object, forcing and lifeless. He got
it after losing an eye in what he used to call "the accident." The other was "the effect", deep and
weakening. This he got when he decided to have an artificial replacement for the eye he had lost.

While at Benghazi, Engineer Tahir ran into a green-eyed stranger at a street-side café. The two
got talking, mostly about the history of Libya; one such story was that Libya was inhibited by
Phoenicians and Greeks. The other man said he was a Berber. The two had long conversations
about Libya. The visitor introduced himself as Mr. Tad Longway. Mr. Tad Longway described
the mission that had brought him to Benghazi. Engineer Tahir enlisted on the spot.

Chapter Ten (Pg.126-140)

The Seamount Observers
The youth (Nick) phones her immediately after lunch Fiona McKenzie goes to see Nicolas
Sentinel in his office. She's told to meet the silent listener.

From the recordings on the silent listener, Nick says that there could be something fishy going on
at the summit; a secret agenda by people whose identities are yet to be figured out beyond their
names. There is a network of people whom he refers to as nodes. Four nodes (people) are not
connected to each other.

There are conversations over cell phones between a man and four others. While the other man
knew names of the other four, he insisted they just call him guide, a fake name. it turns out the
guide is a hub-node then those other nodes are the four men: Prof. Kimani, Comrade Mclusij
Pastor Chiamaka and Engineer Tahir. The nodes are at The Seamount Hotel.

Nick says he uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a way of determining location.
The four nodes are not in communication with each other. All the four are communicating to
only one person- their guide, the hub-node. He is their leader. He is also within The Seamount
Hotel, second floor, central wing. Meanwhile, at The Seamount Hotel's reception hall guests are
flowing in. McKenzie navigates her way across the hall, dodging guests and then makes some
inquiries at the reception desk. It's later revealed the person on the second floor, central wing
room 2059 is Tad Longway.

Fiona McKenzie has come to check on Dr. Afolabi. In due course, she gathers more details about
the hub-node on the
central wing, second floor.

Using the telephone booth at the hotel, she calls Tad Longway She notices that Tad Longway
had dropped an article that looked valuable, The article is in her custody. She calls and manages
to convince him to collect his article. He came over. They met. She hands over the article. She
gives him a key card to her office at VOA.

He looks at the key card and returns it back to her. Mr. Tad Longway offers to buy a drink for
Fiona McKenzie. Elsewhere, Dr. Afolabi as he is preparing to go to bed, going through the notes
on the presidents' debate one more time, someone knocks at the door. It is Ms Fiona McKenzie.
He usheres her in. They share pleasantries. Ms Fiona McKenzie informs Dr. Afolabi that she has
tracked Mr. Longway and inquires if Dr. Afolabi knows him, after some hesitation he agrees that
he knows him. Mr. Longway and four other people alongside Dr. Afolabi, working from the
periphery of the Summit, their guide, want the summit to adopt Path Alpha instead of Way
Omega. The two are rival groups.

The greatest challenge is that Path Alpha is not even on the summit's agenda so Mr. Longway
and his accomplices want Dr. Afolabi to help them get Path Alpha on thc summit's agcnda. Dr.
Afolabi came to advocate for Way Omega and he will. However, in doing so, hewill draw in
other alternatives including Path Alpha.

Dr. Afolabi on learning that Nick is the source of all the information about the five people, he's
keen on meeting Nick.

Chapter Eleven (Pg.141-149)

Meeting the Guide
Pastor Chiamaka goes through the Pinnacle Hotel's security clearance formalities without
difficulty and enters the dining room with ease.

According to the program, heads of state should have had a small dinner at the Pinnacle Hotel
the day before the real banquet on the last day of their summit. That small dinner at the Pinnacle
Hotel dinner was cancelled without explanation. So Chiamaka's intended plan to meet his
president and ask him about Way Omega failed.

Chiamaka's mobile phone rings, he picks it up. The caller on the other end is in jovial mood. It is
the guide calling. The guide informs Pastor Chiamaka that he has scheduled a meeting that is
soon to bring together Chiamaka and four other people alongside the guide.

Pastor Chineke Chiamaka is invited to room 2059, central wing of The Seamount Hotel. This is
the room where the guide is.

Meanwhile, as Comrade Melusi is in bed flat on his back, day dreaming about his late wife,
Ziliza, and reaches for his wallet and pulls out her photograph, his mobile phone rings. He
answers. The caller reminds Melusi how he almost failed the security test when the security
officers nearly uncovered him. Comrade Melusi is also invited to the very meeting in an hour's
time without fail. Comrade Melusi returns to the wife's photograph.

He promises his late wife (apostrophic – photograph) that he will see to it that the person who
killed her shall die to underscore this promise, he rises on his feet, stands at attention, executes a
wobbly salute and intones an oath. The following day, he swears he will have revenge.

In the meantime, as Prof. Kimani is brushing his teeth , ready ino for bed, the mirror before him
shows he was loose everywhere; his belly hungs over his belt like a half empty sack. Loose. He
tries to suck it in. it stays put. His face had wrinkles like a dry prune. Loose. The folds of his skin
ran on the left and right of his nose down to the left and right sides of the mouth. Loose. He tried
to smile them away. They refuse to leave. The flesh under his chin hungs and shakes. Loose.
Was getting old a process of wholesale loosening?

His mobile phone interrupts his analysis. Prof Kimani is invited in an hour's time alongside
others to room 2059, central wing of The Seamount Hotel.

Elsewhere, Engineer Tahir is all set to turn in. his phone rings while he is still engrossed in
thoughts about his eye. The caller had left a note for Engineer Tahir about an hour ago. HC gets
the note. The caller reminds him that they will meet in an hour's time, room 2059, central wing.

The material day is here. Dr. Afolabi arrives early. Mr. Tad Longway had requested to come
early to broach the meeting with him before if began. Other participants of the meeting arrive.
When all have taken their seats, Mr. Longway rises since he knows them all and they didn't
know each other. He leads them through introduction.

Mr. Longway turns to serious business. He tells the four that ostensibly that at the summit as
observers were there for four reasons. Dr. Afolabi then takes over to describe how the mission is
to be executed. Dr. Afolabi introduces himself and tells them that he is the one previously known
as guide. The four could not believe their eyes and ears.
Dr. Afolabi explains that he had been invited to the summit as an advisor for Way Omega, while
the four havr come as advocates of Path Alpha, a rival group. Such being the case, he feels he
can not openly work with them without appearing to undermine his official role. He also
discloses that he studied closely both Path Alpha and Way Omega closely and feels duty-bound
to balance is views on each of the documents in the advice he will give to the summit.

He seeks for their forgiveness under the prevailing circumstances. They agree with him.

Dr. Afolabi shares that nations don't host summits just for the sake of amusing foreign visitors
and Gambia is no exception. They do so out of self-interest and their presidents themselves
usually accept the honor of serving as summit chair, but this time round Gambia's president
declines the honor because he expects the summit to turn bitter and the chair to end up pleasing
some heads of state and displeasing others. Since he reckons he can serve his country's interest
best if he pleases all and displeases none.

Dr. Afolabi indicates that it's important to take care of this unique situation because the new
chair has up his sleeves, a play he calls The Trick which is good for them. This play opens the
door for Path Alpha.

Dr. Afolabi proposes that they go and think about the whole thing
so that the following day in the summit during the speaker's microphone session, they raise the
issue at hand.

Chapter Twelve (Pg. 150-167)

The Summit
The national anthem for Gambia, our homeland strikes The Gambian president stands up and
marches to the speaker's microphone and seated before him are 49 fellow heads of state. He digs
out from a breast pocket a prepared speech. He then reads it. In his short speech he avers that the
task of the summit is to adopt a common growth strategy for their people: Way Omega. Then he
officially opens the meeting.

H.E Miniko Menkiti, president of an important country is the chair after the Gambian president
declined. Flanking the chair on his left and right are two other summiteers: Mr. Tiku Zinto on his
right, a Minister of Development Planning in an Island country. Dr. Afolabi, here as an advisor is
to the help the summit along if asked to is sitting on the chair's left.

The chair calls Mr. Tiku Zinto as the first speaker. He underscores the need for change and is in
support of Way Omega. Dr. Afolabi is the next speaker. In his seven minutes, he makes two
requests. One, to share the seven minutes with the five friends and two he presents another
document he would say something about if he were given 15 minutes.
The chair accepts the two requests despite protests from Mr. Tiku Zinto. The document titled
Path Alpha is distributed. Dr. Afolabi as he had requested shares his seven minutes with friends
who want to greet the summit: Tad Longway, Chineke Chiamaka, Prof. Kimani, Engineer Tahir
and Comrade Melusi. Comrade Melusi during his time to greet the summit, does not speak, he
marches to where the ruler of Zimbabwe is he wants to avenge his wife Ziliza.

Pandemonium reigns in every corner of the summit hall. Only after great effort does the chair
manage to restore order.

Dr. Afolabi then concludes by saying he had read both documents: Way Omega and Path Alpha
very carefully and his opinion is that Way Omega is big on ideas and Path Alpha small (on
ideas), on the other hand he says Way Omega is weak on the implementation of those ideas
while Path Alpha is strong.

The debate by the heads of state gets off at a sluggish start. The heads of state then take a break
and come back after an hour. Some of the presidents who make their contributions are Didier
Bangoura, Simba Ibarosa, King Jemba Jemba IV, Bibo Dibonso and Wasi Wasi Wesiga. The
latter is able to spot brewing trouble and introduces a new idea: The Trick. He proposes two
measures to relieve tension: adjournment of the session and two to ask a
small group among the presidents i.e Simba Ibarosa, Yamlaza Gamlozi and Didier Bangoura to
form a committee and see how best the summit can proceed from that point. The meeting is
adjourned.

Chapter Thirteen (Pg. 168-172)

The Choice Matrix
Dr. Afolabi visits Fiona Mckenzie. He follows the directions he had been given by her.

He is warmly welcomed. It's evening. A few minutes later, there's a knock at the door. Nicolas
Sentinel comes in. Dr. Afolabi and Mr. Nicolas Sentinel meet face to face for the first time. Dr.
Afolabi has been looking forward to this great opportunity. He thanks Nick for having given him
the tip of The Trick that enabled him managc to put Path Alpha on the summit's agenda.

Dr. Afolabi says that African prcsidcnts condemn trouble nnakcrs but ironically some of them
are troublc makers. If the heads of state would have had prior knowledge of The Trick, they
would have plotted mischief against it.

Nick reveals that his silent listener has told him that a method for choosing between Way Omega
and Path Alpha had been found and that The Method Committee has named it The Choice
Matrix.
Dr. Afolabi has organized for observer status for Ms. Fiona McKenzie at the summit the
following day and he says he can do the same for Nick. Nick accepts and says he could ask his
boss Bob (Mr. Robert Manley) to tag along.

They both leave, Nick first then followed by Dr. Afolabi.

Chapter Fourteen
(PA 73-185) The Homestretch
The summit reconvenes. The mood is expectant, yet jittery, hope and fear hang in the air in equal
measure. Heads of state hope The Method Committee that had been formed the previous evening
has done its work and found a method they will use to choose between Way Omega and Path
Alpha. They fear their pick of committee leader might have killed this prospect even before it
was born.

President Bangoura, the chair of the committee, has surprisingly told the heads of state that he
had not read and will never read the documents.

There is a change in the sitting arrangement: Minister Zinto has moved to a place farther from
the summit chair to create space for President Bangoura, the chair of The Method Committee.
The other two remain at the places they had sat before. Among the observers at the back row are
three new presences:

Mr. Robert Manley, the chief of the local VOA bureau, Ms. Fiona McKenzie and Mr. Nicolas
Sentinel. Mr. Longway, Prof. Kimani and Pastor Chiamaka except Comrade Melusi are present.
Comrade Melusi is not around because he was arrested the previous evening. The chair of the
summit calls the meeting to order and gets straight to the main business. He asks the chair of The
Method Committee to present to the summit the findings on the way forward on choosing
between Way Omega and Path Alpha.

President Bangoura, the chair of The Method committee, makes his presentation. The method
they had settled on as a committee was a table with four cells. They called it The Choice Matrix.
He further gives more details and explaines on how the method works.

Minister Zinto questions the method and terms it a total nonsense. Dr. Afolabi also petitions the
method. He says The Choice Matrix sounds complicated. Trouble looms. Sensing trouble, the
chair quickly moves in to avert trouble before it erupts. He asks members to break for 15 minutes
for a breather.

When the summit resumes, the breather seems to have done its expected job. It had rejuvenated
the old man (chair) with second round youth. President Bangoura picks up from where he had
left. HC calls the chair of the summit, Minister Zinto and Dr. Afolabi in front to where he is
standing and tosses a coin. From the two tosses, it is decided and declared that Path Alpha was
the choice.

To cap the meeting, Pinnacle Hotel informs the summit that it has organized a closing ceremony
on the mezzanine floor. The summit is then declared officially closed. President Dibonso
challenges the decision that Path Alpha has won. He also challenges the method used: The
Choice Matrix.

An argument between him and the chair begins. President Dibonso pulls out a pocket size pistol,
the other heads of state scramble to hide under their desks. The summit chair presses a panic
button hidden under his desk. Commandos armed with machine guns burst into the summit hall.
They cock their guns. President Dibonso disables his little gun, hides it away and then slips
through an emergency exit.

All other heads of state rush to the exits swearing not to return for the summit's closing
ceremony. The commandos then escort the chair out of the summit hall. Mr. Manley and Nick
leave for their places of work; so are Dr. Afolabi and Ms. McKenzie.

Mr. Longway and his three other men (Prof. Kimani, Pastor Chiamaka and Engineer Tahir) are
last to leave. As they are leave, they hug and cheer. Against all odds, their Path Alpha had
carried the day.

Thematic Concerns: Major Issues

Poor / bad Governance

African leaders are shown as flawed human beings who cannot rise to the challenges of their
times. They are people experimenting with various ideological positions originating from
different places. They were to discuss Way Omega but found nowhere; Path Alpha finds its way
on the agenda and is passed as a way forward.

The book goes ahead to portray how dysfunctional most African countries are. The leadership in
the African content is poor, insincere and out of touch with the happenings on the ground. The so
called presidents at the summit have very little to share, the confusion is too much and the
agenda not clear, no wonder the summit ends in disarray.

Unfortunately, in their hopelessness the citizens continue to entertain a leadership that is blind to
their plight. The Fathers of Nations are meeting at Banjul, Gambia just to fulfill their calendar
needs, Their meeting is jumbled up and predetermined by a few of them who hold the meeting
hostage.
Mistrust among the presidents (Fathers of Nations) is rife. Fight breaks out after a disagreement
in the summit. The chair of the summit seems to be quite subjective. He does not give room to
dissenting voices from summiteers such as Minister T. Zinto.

In the eyes of Asiya, Professor Kimani's wife, poor leadership has translated to poor roads which
in the long run have aggravated accidents. His only daughter dies through an accident.
Consequently, desperation sets in leading to a divorce.

The leader of Comrade Melusi's group is sacked because of coming from the Ndebele tribe while
the country's leader comes from the populous Shona. In Zimbabwe, all those from the Southern
side (Ndebele) whom the leader construes and perceives to be against the government are
whipped out.

Pastor Chineke Chiamaka is arrested and put in police custody for preaching about the
government's failure to deal with the issues bedeviling the nation. When he's later on released,
he's banned from preaching.

The heads of state pick President Bangoura who had said he would not look at two documents as
chairman of a committee that is to look at the document and provide direction.

Poverty

The novel also paints a devastating picture of people on a knife's edge of daily survival
International imperialistic networks of control have captured and imprisoned the continent.
African countries are sucked into meaningless loans with International financial institutions.

These development loans have unrealistic demands. As a result, the continent continues to sink
into the abyss of poverty. It's in Africa where learned people are impoverished and made
beggars. This is a society that does not value knowledge but cherishes ignorance. Prof. Kimani
joins the University of Nairobi directly as a senior lecturer from the University of Oxford. At that
time, a lecturer earns more than a Member of Parliament. Later, parliament stages a coup and the
results are that an MP wakes up to a hundred times the income ofa professor.

Comrade Melusi notes that in Zimbabwe, it was not easy for people to eat in a hotel. He further
notes that for those who eat in hotel have visitors/foreigners to foot the bills. At Chaminuka
Restaurant, Tad Longway clears the bill for himself and that of Comrade Melusi.

The international community clamps on Zimbabwe a program called Structural Adjustment

Program (SAP) since the country is undergoing very difficult economic times.

African leadership is poor of innovative and creative ideas that would spur economic growth
among the Africa states.
Corruption

Vitta also shares that corruption is endemic in Africa. The vice has disastrous effects on the
continent's economies. It also affects the cohesion of communities and social contracts, which
are vital pillars for building nations.

Wars and organized criminal networks distract the development of some countries. The networks
control all the political and economic opportunities. Corruption is a pandemic in African
countries.

Bribery is the order of the day in Banjul, Gambia. Ms. Fiona McKenzie is stopped at Arch
Number 22. The police demand a bribe from her driver, an unemployed graduate.

Mr. Tad Longway in his submission to Dr. Afolabi says that Africa in its present state has two
new arrivals: corruption and impunity. This affirms that corruption is a vice that is rampant in
Africa, almost the oxygen of the African countries.

In the elections held in Zimbabwe, Comrade Melusi and all other candidates together garner 1%
of the total votes cast while the ruler gets 99% after all the challenges that precede the elections
thereby negatively painting the ruler and his government his government as unpopular.
Additionally, it points to some unorthodox means that must have been used to get 99% of the
votes cast: rigging.

Mr. Tad Longway apart from clearing bills for their meals he also gives Comrade Melusi a stack
of American dollars and thereafter gives him a document titled Path Alpha. This ' 'gift" could be
construed as a means to wield influence on his decision.

Tad Longway offers to buy a drink for Ms. Fiona McKenzie, a journalist with Voice of America
(VOA). This is the first time they are meeting at The Seamount Hotel. The offer is meant to
influence what Fiona will report about Path Alpha which is being propagated by Mr. Tad
Longway.

Path Alpha is not on the summit's agenda. Mr. Tad Longway and his accomplices through Dr.
Afolabi wants it on the agenda of the summit. The means through which the proposal of Path
Alpha will find itself on the agenda, must be fraudulent and full of coercion.

Dr. Afolabi thanks Nick Sentinel for having given him the tip of The Trick that enabled him put
Path Alpha on the summit agenda. The Trick in its exploration must be the coercion means that
smells corruption.

The method used to reach the decision of settling for Path Alpha or Way Omega is a method that
is not very clear. The method attracts so many questions and petitions. It also sounds to be set to
have predetermined results. This gives credit to the feeling that there must have been schemes
and machinations to reach this predetermined outcome.

Betrayal

To some extent, Dr. Afolabi betrays the heads of state. He had been invited to provide a piece of
advice on Way Omega Strategy. Little are the heads of state aware that he is at the center of the
rival group (Path Alpha). He influences the introduction of Path Alpha on the agenda and also
determines the outcome of the method committee.

The leader of Libya betrays Engineer Tahir. When Engineer Seif Tahir came back from Paris,
France, the leader of Libya was his 'darling' especially after coming up with the 'Fist of Allah'
and supported it fully. After sometime, the leader does away with this outfit and this sets him
against Engineer Seif Tahir.

The intellectuals/professionals and freedom fighters have been betrayed by the leadership of the
continent. All the four men across Africa ; Prof Kimani, Comrade Melusi, Pastor Chiamaka and
Engineer Tahir after doing a lot for their mother countries; Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Libya
respectively were and are still neglected. They are languishing in poverty and untold suffering;
they have been left on their own.

The image readers also get of African leaders is that of a coalition of confused and manipulated
people. They have suppressed the voices of the civilians who are mere spectators as leaders
destroy their source of livelihood.

The book is a bold portrayal of post — colonial African countries. It is a continent where the
most learned are impoverished because society doesn't value knowledge. Instead, it cherishes
ignorance and politicians.

African leaders, the so called the fathers of nations have betrayed the ordinary people. They are
in the offices with the mandate of taking care of the populace but tragically, this is not the case.

The ruler in Zimbabwe betrays comrade Melusi whom they fought the white man with, When
Zimbabwe gains her independence, the ruler docs not remember to appoint Comrade Ngobile
Melusi a minister, instead he only focuses on his Shona people and any dissenting voice
silenced.

Newborn Walomu betrays Prof. Kimani his former colleague at the university after he marries
Asiyo, Prof. Kimani's wife.

Asiya betrays Prof. Kimani her husband. The predicament the husband gets himself in is not his
making. Professors at the University of Nairobi earn peanuts compared to the Member of
Parliament. Secondly, its isn't the making for their car to be grounded to necessitate their only
daughter to travel using public means and get involved in a grisly road accident. Rather it's the
economic status of the good Professor that brings about this challenge.

Yoruba culture betrays Dr. Afolabi. There could have been a better engagement between the
family and Dr. Afolabi before Nimbo was dropped at Dr. Afolabi's place as a second wife for
this brings about divorce between Dr. Afolabi and Pamela, his wife.

Pamela betrays Dr. Afolabi. She does not listen to him; instead, he hurriedly opts out of marriage
and goes back to Boston only to call after a week to tell him she had filed for a divorce.

Gender disparity
Fathers of Nations is basically a story of four men from different parts of Africa who despite
going through different misfortunes try to influence the new document: Path Alpha. The big
question is where are women?

The book’s title is ‘Fathers of Nations’. The title points to the masculinity and the role of these
men folk in the predicament bedeviling the African continent. Are there not ‘Mothers of
Nations’? It speaks to the patriarchal nature of the African continent. Thus, it is challenge to the
patriarchal status of Africa and pointing to the question the place of women society and the
possibility of them being the alternative choice

The novel is dominated by male characters ranging from the four men fronl thc different parts of
Africa; Prof. Kimani (East) Comrade Melusi (South) Pastor Chiamaka (Wcst ) and Enginccr
Tahir (North) to Dr. Afolabi, the advisor to Africa's heads of state summit and Path Alpha
enthusiast, to the VOA personnel Mr. Robert Manley and Mr. Nick sentinel.

Only one woman Ms. Fiona Mckenzie, stands out. Other women play a very minimal and
peripheral role in the development of the story. Tuni dies in a road accident, her mother Asiya
divorces Prof. Kimani on the account that professor's vehicle's condition made their daughter use
a public service vehicle making their only daughter be exposed to accident. Pamela comes back
to Nigeria with her husband from America to meet a woman in her bedroom. This angers her and
results in her filing for divorce.

49 heads of state arrive at Banjul, Gambia for the heads of state summit. Nonc of this heads of
state is a woman. They look happy having lcft their problems back at home, No wonder the title
of the text is Fathers of Nations and not parents/mothers of nations. Probably this does speak to
the patriarchal society Africa is and the role women played in founding these states.

Ziliza, Comrade Melusi's wife is killed in cold blood by men believed to be the Zimbabwe's
ruler's operatives. Though dead, her photo and memory about her psyches Comrade Melusi to
avenge against the brutal ruler. Though dead, her spirit lives on, ignites and reminds Comrade
Melusi, the nature of the current leadership: poor.

Rahma Mahamoud is another woman in the text. Ms. Mahmoud is a junior to Engineer Tahir.
Engineer Tahir falls in love with her and proposes to her. She says no to the proposal. This
response angers him. He slaps her because of an unclear reason and circumstances. She retaliates
throwing a piece of glass on his eye, she's taken to court and the court reaches a decision of her
also losing an eye through surgery. They both lose an eye. This episode speaks to some cultural
practices that are outdated. Were it not for the outdated culture, Engineer Tahir would not have
slapped Ms. Rahma Mahmoud which led to this spiral effect of both losing an eye. It is high time
some of these cultural practices are relooked at.

Neocolonialism / external interference

Africa is portrayed as a continent with leaders (fathers) who are confused and easily manipulated
by people experimenting with various ideological positions. Probably, they need support from
outside to make head and tail of their discussions, deliberations and plans they have for the
continent.

With African states gaining independence, Africans were optimistic. They believed he
(whiteman) was the impediment to their self— rule and independence. They thought all the
wrongs done by the colonial masters were to bc madc right by the black fathers of nations. On
thc contrary, thc situation is thc same; if anything worse than when the colonial master was
around.

In Kenya, through thc eyes of Prof. Kimani, the Members of Parliament, who determine their
salaries, carn ten times more than professors at universities, something unprecedented. Prot
Kimani intimates that when he was joining the University of Nairobi as a senior lecturer,
professors earned more than members of parliament. Currently, Members of Parliament earn
tenfold what Professor Kimani earns. He has the financial and economic muscle. He has three
wives and is now taking Asiya (Prof. Kimani's wife) as a fourth wife. The current crop of
African leadership is now doing things worse than what the colonial masters did.

Comrade Melusi says Zimbabwe has greatly changed. He helped the current leader get out Smith
(Whiteman) from Zimbabwe to gain her independence. Immediately, after the independence, the
leader changed drastically. The Ndebele (among them Comrade Melusi) who helped him during
the struggle have become his enemies. He fired the leader of the Ndebele nor did he appoint
Melusi a minister after having helped him. Instead, it's the Shona (the ruler's tribe) that is given
plumb jobs. Ziliza, Comrade Melusi's wife is killed in the attack orchestrated by the government
operatives.
Voice of America (VOA) at some point as the US policy forbade hiring non-Americans. The
Image was bad for VOA. Mr. Robert Manley, chief of the VOA bureau, employs Ms. Fiona
McKenzie to help them get as much as possible from the summit. Though, she's on the ground
collecting information, Mr. Nick Sentinel, a communication Technician has a silent listener
which records conversations around The Seamount Hotel. He's more informed about the
ongoings at the hotel. He can tell the plans and even design ways to counter those maneuvers.
Mr. Robert Manley and Nick Sentinel are in -- charge and can trap in all conversations so long as
they are over a mobile phone.

Mr. Tad Longway, the guide is an agent of colonialism. Through him the alternative agenda of
Path Alpha is a gospel that spreads across Africa from East (Kenya) to West (Nigeria), from
south (Zimbabwe) to North (Libya) and finds its way on the summits agenda. Through Dr.
Afolabi, Path Alpha a strategy developed and designed elsewhere by non-fathers of nations
technically finds its way on the agenda and finally is adopted amidst questions.

Nick Sentinel also uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) in determining locations of all the
four crusaders of Path Alpha. Beyond this, he's able to tell the on-goings at Pinnacle Hotel where
the fathers of nations are. Being attached to VOA, this speaks volumes about the security of
Africa as a continent. VOA is in control of the airwaves in Africa.

Disillusionment/Despair

Africans have lost hope in their leadership. The 'fathers of nations' as they are referred to meet at
Banjul, Gambia. They plan to discuss and deliberate on a strategy, Way Omega. While at the
summit, another strategy, which had not been looked into, Path Alpha is plotted and after
deliberations and later a toss of coin, Path Alpha is adopted. The African leadership is painted as
a visionless, directionless leadership: a leadership full of confusion. Furthermore, summit
degenerates into a fighting match.

By accepting to join the Path Alpha which is advocated for by the four men representing the four
corners of Africa, it's evident Africans have lost hope in the status quo. The experiences they
have undergone do not give them the latitude to speak well of the systems that be.

Though a Professor, Prof. Kimani is a disillusioned man, as he loses a wife to a former junior
colleague at the University (Newborn Walomu) currently a Member of Parliament. He lost his
only daughter (Tuni) through accident, something that would have been avoided. After the fight
with Newborn Walomu, he's arrested and thereafter demoted to being a senior lecturer position
he began at when he joined the University of Nairobi. He's a man ready to take up Path Alpha
strategy to at least breathe a sigh of relief from the normal order of the day.

Comrade Ngobile Melusi is a shell of himself. He was in the forefront alongside the current
leader in driving the white men out of the country. When his country gains self-independence,
his hopes are ironically crashed by the very people he has helped get into power. He is not
appointed a minister in the new dispensation. His tribe, the Ndebele, becomes
a target community for harassment; first its leader is not considered in the new formed
cabinet/government. Further, when the Ndebele people demonstrate in what they viewed as
seclusion, the government sends police officers to whip the demonstrators. Unfortunately, in the
brutal attacks, Comrade Melusi loses his wife Ziliza. His business goes under necessitating his
relocation to slums which again are brought down by bulldozers sent by the government in the
guise of creating room for infrastructure. Indeed, he has lost hope in anything done by the current
regime and so when the new idea of Path Alpha comes up, he readily joins the outfit and takes up
with a lot of gusto hoping against hope that this new strategy will breathe a new lease of life in
his empty and hopeless spirit.

Engineer Seif Tahir after completing his studies overseas and coming back home is quite
optimistic. He is in cahoots with the Libyan leader and fully supports "Fist of Allah," a group
supported and funded by the ruler. Suddenly, the ruler abandons "Fist of Allah." In his quest to
propose to Rahma Mahmoud, his junior at the weapons laboratory, he loses his eye so does
Rahma Mahmoud. Engineer Tahir feels dejected and to cover and run away from this despair, he
leaves Tripoli for Benghazi where he leads a lonely life. With this desperation in site, he falls
prey of the new strategy, Path Alpha and readily accepts it for in it he sees some hope and solace.

Pastor Chiamaka epitomizes despair and loss of hope. He was a reckless driver. He gets
involved in an accident that miraculously turns around his life to become a pastor. In his second
sermon, he attacks the powers that be. He is arrested and only released and banned from
preaching. Something he feels is not right. With these challenges, Pastor Chiamaka desperately
accepts to join Path Alpha. In this new strategy, lies hope for the church and the Africans as a
whole.
The four men from the different parts of Africa are a microcosm of a bigger picture of Africans;
that Africans have lost hope and hence clinging to any stroke that can give them any hope.

Tribalism and Nepotism

Tribalism and nepotism is rife in African leadership and politics. With the colonial masters
walking away with racism, fathers of nations of the new independent Africa walked in with
tribalism and nepotism.

Despite Comrade Ngobile Melusi assisting the ruler in his home country, Zimbabwe, fight the
common enemy, the white man, the ruler forgets him at the time of distributing the national cake.
He only considers his Shona tribesmen for the appointment to plumb positions in his
government. He does not appoint Comrade Melusi a minister and when he denies the leader of
Melusi's tribe (Ndebele) an appointment, demonstrations erupt in thc south whcrc the Ndcbelcs
stay. Ziliza, comrade Melusi's wife is killed in the course of this brutal attack.
Dr. Afolabi's marriage breaks because Femi — his cousin has been sent to bring another woman,
a Yoruba like themselves to get married to Dr. Afolabi. To the Yoruba's, their son Dr. Afolabi
would secure his family by following the wishes of his family. This annoys Pamela who after
insisting the girl should leave finally divorces Dr. Afolabi.

Suffering, Oppression and Death

• Suffering is at different levels: psychological, physically and emotional.
• Most of the sufferings in the novel are psychological and emotional.
• Many characters have undergone harrowing experiences that have brought untold
suffering to them.

Prof. Kimani loses his daughter in a road accident. He also loses his wife Asiya to his former
colleague at the university turn a Member of Parliament. This loss of wife brings about a fight
between him and Newborn Walomu. The fight earns an arrest and charges of assault pressed on
him. He's jailed for six months and a demotion follows thereafter. All these accumulate to a
dejected man which brings a lot of psychological and emotional suffering. He is a disturbed man.
When Tad Longway comes along and proposes Path Alpha, he readily accepts for he finds solace
in the whole thing.

After being rejected by Ms. Rahma Mahmoud, Engineer Tahir avenges by slapping her,
something she does not take lying low. She retaliates and throws something at him which gets to
his eye and slits it. In revenge, Engineer Tahir goes to court to seek justice and the court rules
based on the Arabic law which calls for gorging out her eye in return. Because of the
psychological suffering he undergoes, Tahir leaves Tripoli for Benghazi.
Comrade Ngobile Melusi undergoes psychological trauma too. After helping the ruler, he's left to
languish in poverty he is not appointed a minister. When the Ndebele leader misses out on
appointment, the southern part of the country inhabited by the Ndebele demonstrate and riot.
Property and lives are lost. Ziliza, Mclusi's wife dies in the exchange. When his economic status
changes and he's forced to go and stay in the slums which are later on flattened "to create way for
roads." All these eat on the nerves of Comrade Ngobile Melusi.

Pastor Chineke Chiannaka after his controversial sermon is arrested. He's later on released and
given conditions among them not to preach, something very difficult to live by.

The African leaders (fathers of nations) are oppressors. They expose the common citizen to
untold suffering. The four men are good narrativcs of this assertion. After falling out with the
fathers of nations, Prof. Kimani, Pastor Chiamaka, Comrade the heavy and long arm of the
Melusi and Engineer Tahir government meets them and does not give them room to express
themselves. They have to be organized by an outside force to seek alternative way from the
status quo by advocating for Path Alpha, a new strategy and discourse as opposed to Way
Omega.
Apart from the physical death of Tuni, Ziliza and many others, there's also death of vision. The
fathers of nations have no vision for the continent and direction for their countries. The
discussion at the summit is jerky and disorganized. There's also death of vision of our founding
fathers of nations. The vision was to fight ignorance, disease and poverty. Several years after
independence, the continent is still wallowing in miasma of confusion and stagnation.

Change/ Transition

Change is inevitable. Change in fathers of nations has been realized at two levels: physical and
ideological. Physically, the four men drawn from the four corners of the African continent have
undergone evolution and tremendous change. Prof. Kimani after undergoing the humiliations in
the hands of Newborn Walomu and the government operatives, he is a totally different man.
Comrade Melusi's experience in the hands of the ruler of his country leaves him a bitter man.
Engineer Tahir is also a depressed man courtesy of his endeavours with Ms. Rahma Mahmoud
and the lack of support towards "Fist of Allah." Meanwhile, Pastor Chiamaka is transformed
after being involved in an accident to a very powerful pastor.

Ideologically, the wind of change has swept across Africa. Although the fathers of nations have
scheduled to deliberate on Way Omega while at the summit, Path Alpha surprisingly finds its
way on the agenda of the summit and again against all odds is the strategy that goes through and
is adopted. In the new strategy, Prof. Kimani, Pastor Chiamaka, Comrade Melusi and Engineer
Tahir are hopeful that most of the challenges they are facing as a continent will be a thing of the
past.

Character and Characterisation

Dr. Abiola Afolabi
He's a graduate of Harvard University in the USA currently teaching in the university of Ibadan,
Nigeria and author of
Failure of Nations as revealed by Fiona McKenzie, the journalist. He had earlier presented
himself as the guide to the four men. His role in the summit was to be the advisor to the head of
state.
Proud/pompous
When asked why he came to the summit, he proudly says he never came to the summit...he was
invited by the president. (Pg 9). After a comprehensive introduction by Ms McKenzie, Dr Abiola
averted his eyes to enjoy the fame he had created. (Pg 6)
Authoritative
He gives orders to Prof, Kimani to an extent of expecting a protest from him. HC even demands
that Kimani obeys him; obey professor... obey (Pg 3). He also gives the same orders and
demands to be obeyed when he calls Pastor Chiamaka.....don't argue obey. (Pg 18)
Secretive
Afolabi is such a self-conceited person. When asked who he is he just says he is a guide, he
never wants to reveal his identity (pg 4). He even gets angered when Pastor Chiamaka insists on
who he is (Pg 17).
When he meets Pamela's father (Pg 67) he swears he would never disclose the scene to his wife
Pamela (Pg 70). Afolabi is very much aware of the fact that his family are organizing for him to
have another wife since his wife hasn't
given birth. He never discloses it to his wife, Pamela. (Pg 80)
Persuasive
At his first meeting with Prof. Kimani he successfully convinces him to join Path Alpha. To
convince him he repeatedly refers to Prof Kimani's history — something he is proud of. ...from
your history again …

Hot / short tempered/ temperamental

He gets furious at Ms McKenzie (Pg 9) when she informs him that her boss wants her in his
office at the middle of the interview; he gets annoyed to a point when asked if he is ok he almost
shouts.
When Prof. Kimani picks his call but delays to respond, the person who conceals his identity and
is referred to as the guide (later learnt to be Dr.Abiola ) gets irritated very fast. (Pg 2) Tired of so
many questions from Pastor Chiamaka (Pg 17) he shouts at pastor ordering him to shut his
mouth.
Wise / intelligent
He has two documents; Way Omega and Path Alpha. He understands what each proposes. In the
summit he is given the role of ensuring that Way Omega carries the day...but he sees Path Alpha
as the only solution in Africa. He devises a way of introducing Path Alpha in the summit — a
rival ideology to Way Omega. He says 'While Way Omega gives you a bird in the bush...Path
Alpha presses the same bird into your hands (Pg 154). He uses the proverb...a bird at hand is
worth two in the bush.
When he calls Prof. Kimani, Kimani calls him a 'cocky educated Nigerian (Pg 4) simply because
of the way he pronounces every stressed syllable and his impeccable grammar (Pg 3)
Egoistic/Cajoling
He looks down upon Fiona McKenzie (Pg 9) He thinks that Fiona is just a journalist who doesn't
know much about books. This is when Ms McKenzie terms him pessimist in his book 'Failure of
Nations' what do you know about books any way? (Pg9)
Bragging about his superiority and how special he is he also says that he never came to the
meeting; instead, he was invited. Firm He orders the man carrying McKenzie carelessly by her
waist to put her down. When the man asks him whether he is a man enough to repeat what he has
said he says 'Yes... yes, I told you to put her down.'

Pastor Chineke Chiamaka

He was a pastor of the Church Inside Africa (CIA) in Lagos, Nigeria. He was banned from
preaching after attacking the government that it is supposed to take action not advice itself.
Inquisitive/ Curious
He really wants to know who the secret guide is. When told to shut up by the caller he still insists
(Pg 17)
Courageous/Firm/Bold
He critiques the government boldly without fear in front of his congregation. The congregants
never respond because of the consequences but this never deters him from speaking his mind.
According to her the government is supposed to take action not advise itself. It is for the same
reason Pastor Chiamaka is arrested and banned from preaching. (Pgl 14, 115)
Persuasive
His sermons are persuasive. (Pg 110). ...his sermon that Sunday was witty and persuasive. (Pg
114)
Short tempered /Emotional /High tempered
When the guide tells him that he had seen him at the bar Pastor Chiamaka gets annoyed. He tells
him candidly that he had begun getting into his nerves. (Pg 19) .do you know what, Mr whoever
you-are? You are beginning to get into my nerves.... . when asked the kind of business he had in
the bar...he felt a lump of anger rise up in his throat (Pg 19). This shows that he is bitter about the
question the guide asked.
Opportunistic
When the guide lowers his temper after the two have had an argument, Chiamaka uses the
opportunity to ask him oncc more on who he is. "...Look! You and I are supposed to be walking
together, wc arc on the same lilission.' Pastor Chiamaka responds...then why won't you tell me
your real name? '(Pg 1 8)
Keen /Observant
When asked to identify the items in the briefcase he has received at the Seamount Hotel's west
wing, he correctly identifies them and is able to identify the phone he is using!

Professor Karanja Kimani

He is a professor at the Institute of Development Studies within the University of Nairobi,
Kenya. He's also the ex-husband of Asiya Omondi as well as father to Tuni.
Intelligent
He is a professor, He studied at the University of Oxford. He is a Senior Lecturer in thc
University of Nairobi.
Loving
He loved his wife Asiya Omondi . When Asiya wants them to separate so that she gets married
to Newborn Walomu, Prof. Kimani never agrees to it. He tries his best to convince Asiya but it
falls on Asiya's deaf ears.
He loves his daughter Tuni. He's really traumatized when she passes on; even after the burial he
morns Tuni earnestly.
Abusive
He abuses Newborn Walomu as a fat baboon...a greedy fat baboon. This is when he goes to ask
him why he stole his wife.
Short tempered/Hot tempered
Angry he is after Walomu steals his wife; he decides to go and attack him.

Comrade Ngobile Melusi

He's a comrade and citizen of Zimbabwe. He's also a politician and husband to Ziliza who lost
her life to tribal clashes.
Curious
When he discovers that he is diabetic, he reads pamphlets about it with an interest similar to that
which first time car owners read manuals (Pg 83). He wants to know more about diabetes hence
how to manage it...this attitude pays off; he is now an authority on diabetes. (Pg 83)
Firm
He insisted that he must get in with his needle and indeed he succeeds. He never succumbs to the
officer's demands...so sir I will let you in with your medicine after all please proceed. (Pg 85)
Keen
He observes that they were the only customers yet it was 1:30 pm noting that the economy had
crashed.
Loving
He loved his wife Ziliza dearly. When narrating how he to lost her, he cries. ...Comrade Melusi
starts to glisten with the beginning of tears. (Pg 90)
He lies on his bed daydreaming about Ziliza. He reaches out for his wallet then pulls out her
photograph...just to bring out the memories. The caller tells Melusi to come urgently to a
meeting in an hour yet Comrade Melusi returns to his wife's photo. This shows how Comrade
Melusi loved his wife.

Engineer Seif Tahir

He's engineer, a former employee of the ministry of defense in Libya. He joins 'Fist of Allah'
right after returning from overseas. It's later dismantled.
Chauvinistic
He feels humiliated when Rahmah Mahmoud says no to his advances. (pg 121)
Vengeful
He retaliates on his advances being rejected by Rahmah Mahmoud. He slaps her claiming that
she shed her veil in public; a violation of the Libyan culture,
Remorseful
He deeply regrets that Rahmah lost her eye„.as per the court verdict the Hammurabic verdict --
an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Pg 122) he loses peace, The author says he becomes
more restless now than he has never been. (Pg 122)

Newborn Walomu
He has formerly been a junior colleague of Professor Kimani at the University of Nairobi. He is
an MP... a rich MP with four cars. He 'stole' Prof. Kimani 's wife, Asiya.
Corrupt
When he leaves teaching, he swims in money and amasses a lot of wealth that attracts Kimani's
wife to him. (Pg 30)
Immoral/ Promiscuous
Walomu has three wives and Asiya will be fourth yet he has many other women he engages in
sexual activity with; those he calls 'killed but not eaten' (Pg 36)
He adds by saying a real bull dies with his grass on his mouth. (Pg 37)

Fiona Mckenzie
She's a reporter for Gambian News who's later taken on loan by Voice Of America (VOA). She
was adopted by Ian and Elspeth McKenzie; the Scottish missionaries who were in Banjul,

Humorous
She jokingly tells Dr. Abiola to go take a photo because hc is young against his forty five years .
'Go have your picture taken right now Dr Afolabi, You won't always look this good. I am joking,
go.' (Pg6)
Appreciative/Courteous
She thanks Dr. Afolabi for agreeing to have an interview with her. 'First Ict thank you for
agreeing to sit for this interview.'
Abusive
When her boss calls her she tells Dr Afolabi: The silly boss wants me.' (Pg 10)
Temperamental
McKenzie was spiking words with bile left in her mouth by an earlier exchange (Pg 134)... She
could no longer hide her anger'. (Pg 135)

Asiya Omondi
Previously wife to Prof, Kimani and mother to Tuni, she divorces Prof. Kimani because of his
financial status; she's now wife to Newborn Walomu.
Materialistic
• She choses to get married to Newborn Walomu at sixty years because he has money and
four cars. He leaves Prof. Kimani because he is poor; having only one car which again is
faulty. (Pg 33)
• Even when Prof. Kimani says that money doesn't guarantee happiness, she says 'never
having had it, how would you know that it doesn 't?'

Rahmah Mahmoud
Temperamental
When Seif Tahir slaps her she become emotional and strikes Seifin his left eye and slits it open.
(Pg 122)
Violent
She slits Seif's eye after a slight provocation from Seife President Didier Banguora
Candid
After analyzing what the first two speakers had said he came up with his support for Path Alpha.
He says candidly that there is no need of adopting Way Omega because it was once adopted.

President Simba Ibarosa

Firm
He has never taken floor to make friends or amends...he is free in expressing his feelings and
opinions.

President Wesiga (Wasiwasi)

Schemer
He anticipated many coups and nipped them in the bud before they got off the ground.
At the summit he reminds the chair of the 'trick ' when he realizes that the meeting is getting out
of hand, (Pgl 65)

Tad Longway

Informed
It is his first meeting with Dr. Afolabi but he knows that he is the man serving as an adviser of
the heads of state in the summit (Pg73)

He is also aware of what Way Omega and Path Alpha he tells Dr. Afolabi that Way Omega and
Path Alpha differs like day and night in that Way Omega is top-driven and lacks will of
implementation. Path Alpha is bottom led and it has will.

Persuasive
When Dr.Afolabi is adamant to accept to be the guide to for Path Alpha travelers, Tad Longway
informs him that there is no problem since he's the advisor to the summit. He tells him to look at
what Way Omega is recommending for adoption and what Path Alpha is proposing as an
alternative. He tells him that he is open minded. (Pg 74)

Stylistic devices
Dialogue
This is the most dominant style in the text, It is a direct conversation between two or more
characters or a conversation between two different groups of people or a conversation between
an individual and a certain group of people in thetext. It has mainly been used to activate and
dramatize several conflicts in the text.
a) There is dialogue between the guide (Mr.Abiola) and the four strangers who check in at the
Seamount Hotel at Banjul. (Professor Kimani, Pastor Chiamaka, Comrade Melusi and Tahir)
as he gives them the directives from AGDA (Pgs, 2, 16, 19).
b) There is use of dialogue between the journalist Ms. Mckenzie and (the guide) Dr. Afolabi
whereby Fiona calls Dr. Afolabi for the interview. (Pg4 -7)
c) Dialogue happens between Tuni and her dad, Professor Kimani; in it he tells her about
MPs.(Pg 23).
d) Asiya and her husband Prof. Kimani dialogue as she tells him of her resolution to marry
Newborn Walomu. (Pg 33)
e) There's dialogue between the MP Walomu and Prof. Kimani when Kimani confronts him
about marrying his wife Asiya Omondi. (Pg 37)
f) Tad Longway and Prof. Kimani engage in dialogue as Tad tries to convince Prof to join
AGDA. (Pg 39)
g) Dialogue happens among Leo, Fiona and Dr. Afolabi. In thisdialogue, Dr. Afolabi rescues
Fiona then takes her to his room at the Seamount Hotel. (Pg 59).
h) A dialogue ensues between Tad Longway and Dr. Afolabi about his address at the
Foundation for the Democratic Rule when Longway had come to talk to him about acting as
a guide to Path Alpha. (Pg 73)
i) There is a dialogue involving Issa, Pamela and Dr. Afolabi about his new wife from the
village who had been brought by his cousin Femi to help Dr. Afolabi in bearing children
since his wife doesn't want to have children. (Pg 75).
j) Comrade Melusi and Tad Longway engage in a dialogue where Melusi tells Longway how
he fought for freedom in Zimbabwe. Longway has come to convince Melusi to join AGDA.
(Pg 99)
k) There's a dialogue between Tad and Chiamaka over the phone about joining AGDA. (Pg
116)
l) Tad and SeifTahir dialogue about the latter's joining AGDA as they talk more about the
history of Libya ( Pg 124).
m) Fiona and Longway through a phone call at the booth of the Seamount Hotel. ( Pg 134) and
on (Pg 137) over a drink at the Seamount Hotel .
n) Dr. Afolabi and Fiona dialogue in the latter's room at the Seamount Hotel —Afolabi
confirms that he is the guide. (Pgl 39)
o) There's dialogue between Dr. Afolabi and the other presidents at the Summit.(Pg154). In this
dialogue where he invites his counter parts to talk about Path Alpha, Bangoura dialogues
with the congregants at the summit as he lead them in making a choice between Path Alpha
and Way Omega. (Chapter 140).

Rhetorical questions
These are questions asked to make a point or create a dramatic effect. They do not require
answers since they are used to persuade or to pause.
a) Pg 5 One minute, five minutes-where is the difference?
b) Pg 10 All looked happy and why not?
c) Pg 63 Why do people like to say lies?
d) Pg75 Lees now drop this gibberish for a while, okay?
e) Pg78. .and who told you she hates children?
f) Pg87... what freedom and what work?
g) Pg103.. .had the man not taken it there?
h) Pgl 04.. .and signing his own death warrant in the bargain?
i) Pgl 17. .. 'had he not closed down all foreign military? Then had he not nationalised all
foreign business in the country?
j) Pg120...'who has not at one time or another misinterpreted a kind word from a friend?
k) Pg150...was it not invented by the cleverest twenty of the world's best and brightest, each a
Nobel prize winner?
l) Pg173...how could he answer a question he has not heard and he was determined not to hear?
m) Pg182...has the trick not saved the day? had it not eliminated the need for the consensus he
could not achieve?

Flashback
This is a window to an earlier occurrence that provides critical information to the main story. It is
a situation where the author uses a scene set in a time earlier than the main story to link up with
the events taking place in the main story.
i) It is used here to help us understand better the present day elements and learn more about the
characters. Also used to reveal the emotional struggles of the characters in the text,a
flashback also reveals the insights of the character's actions.
j) There is the use of flashback in chapter two about the life of Professor Kimani; his education
journey, how he married Asiya, how he lost his only daughter Tuni to a road accident and
how his marriage fell apart. Through it we also how he fought with an MP landing him
behind bars. This clearly tells us why he is where he is now seeking justice and fighting for a
change.
k) There is the use of flashback in the conversation between comrade Melusi and Tad Longway
where comrade Melusi talks about him and their leader fighting smith in search of
independence and through this we realize the origin of his name 'comrade'
l) We also get to learn through flashback how comrade Melusi lost his wife Ziliza through
Gukurahundi which erupted due to the anti - government unrest in southern Zillibabwe. (Pg
90-92).
m) There is the use of flashback in chapter 8 which tells us clearly how Pastor Chineke
Chiamaka started preaching back then, how he developed his preaching career and how he
lost it and landing behind bars; ...he preached everywhere: indoors in the strict privacy of a
house or in the limited publicity of a church.. ' Pg 109'
n) The flashback takes us way back to when he had a church of his own with a welcoming
bulleting in a church entrance 'God is Watching You' and how he would make his sermons
witty and
o) Persuasive up to until he mentions the undoing of the government his pulpit which changed
his life for the worst by landing him in prison. (Pg 115).
p) The education ability of Engineer Seif Tahir has been brought out in the text through a
flashback. He had come from overseas when the leader was celebrating his 20th year in
power and how he sided with him and even joined 'The Fist of Allah' until the Al Qaeda
struck and changed his view.
q) Flashback is also used by the author to tell us how Engineer Tahir lost his eye when he was
served revenge by one Rahmah Mahmoud with whom he had fallen in love yet she did not
respond to his expectation leading to endless vengeance between them and finally costing
both of them their eyes. (Pg122)
r) Through flashback we learn that Dr. Afolabi and his wife Pamela do not have children of
their own. This is clearly brought out in chapter 5 where we learn how Femi Dr. Afolabi’s
cousin was sent to bring a second wife to Dr. Afolabi since he and Pamela did not have
children. This ends his marriage with Pamela.

Vivid description
This is a way of creating very detailed and clear mental image to the audience about an event, a
character or a situation in the text. It is a style used to appeal to the senses of the audience and
therefore makes the audience to feel as if they are exactly at the spot where the author is
describing.
a) She was wearing a scarlet blouse, a black skirt and red heels...(Fiona) Pg4.
b) ..she had her mother's eyes, wings of an imported butterfly, pure black in the middle, pure
white at the margins ...( Tunis eyes) Pg24.
c) Asiya's behaviour when she wanted to leave Prof. Kimani for Newborn since Prof had
become poor has clearly been described in (Pg32)...if he did as much appear about to touch
her she jumped back and shrank away.
d) ...when he was near enough he swung a fist. He missed...he (Pg 37) the fight between Mr.
Newborn and swung another Prof. Kimani has clearly been descried here.

e) Her legs started kicking wildly, scissoring the air in frantic strokes...Fiona's struggles to free
herself from the man who
wanted to take her by force creates a mental picture. (Pg 58, 59).
f) The events leading to the accident of Pastor Chiamaka and the accident altogether have been
described on Pg 107 and 108.
g) He could begin his sermon now. 'God is watching you 110) the way pastor Chiamaka would
begin his preaching.
h) Big teeth, white and big gums, purple...Rahma’s face as she smile...her left cheek was
capable of a dimple (Pg 120).
i) You will find me standing near the phone both I am wearing white shoes and a red dress with
a white polka dots...Fiona describes her dressing code to Tad Longway (Pg 130).
j) A product of the strange practice that allows even the ugly kings to marry beautiful women. ,
. gorgeous physique, gorgeous smile. ...the appearance of King Jemba Jemba. (pg 163)

Story within a story

a) This is where a character within the story becomes the narrator of a second story. It's mainly
used to reveal the truth in the inner Story.
b) The story of the donors ganging up on Africa told by Prof. Kimani to his only daughter Tuni
is a good example. (Pg 22).
c) Another example is the story of Dr. Afolabi and his wife arriving home to find that Femi had
brought a second wife to Afolabi so that he could have children of his own since Pamela did
not want to have children with him... (told by Afolabi).
d) There's also a story told by comrade Melusi to Longway about the Gukurahundi who led to
the loss of his wife Ziliza. ( Pg 91) Comrade Melusi tells a story to the visitor (Tad Longway)
about how he fought side by side with his leader to defeat smith and attain independence in
Zimbabwe. (Pg 87).
e) The story of Seif Tahir on how he fell in love with Rahmah, how he experienced rejection
and how that brought about vengeance thus leading him to losing an eye is told through this
style. (Pg119)

Irony
This is a state of affairs that appears dclibcratcly contrary to what one expects.
1) It is used by the author to cause a character to act out of ignorance of some truth of which the
audicnce are aware of.
2) It’s ironical for Asiya to connpare her husband who has worked hard all his life to people like
Newborn. (Pg26)
3) It is ironical for thc MPS like Newborn who have little education to earn better salaries
compared to professors like Kimani who has even studied abroad in order to leave a better
life. (Pg30)
4) It is also ironical for Newborn to propose marriage to Asiya while she is still married to Prof.
Kimani and also since he already has three wives. Further, Asiya is even way older than him.
(Pg 33)
5) There is irony is in the fact that Prof. Kimani is handed a six months' jail term yet he is the
one who has lost everything. (Pg 36)
6) It is ironical for the presidents to tell the police not to take bribes yet they (presidents) take
even bigger amounts. (Pg41)
7) Irony is plays out in the fact that Dr. Afolabi thinks that if safe to communicate through the
phones he has given the four strangers at the Seamount Hotel than to use the hotel phone yet
the silent listener is able to hack their conversations. (Pg 55)
8) It is also is Ironical for the pastor to read political documents in the pulpit to his
congregation. (Pg 114)
9) It’s ironical for Tahir to take Rahmah to court for losing his eye yet he is the one who started
the fight which cost him his left eye. (Pg 122)
10) Is ironical for minister Zinto to thank the excellencies for being attentive yet we know they
were not. (Pg 152)
11) The presidents condemn trouble makers but some are themselves trouble makers by being
unruly. (Pg 171)
12) It is ironical for president Bangoura to be chosen to lead in the decision making about Way
Omega or Path Alpha yet he has not read either of the documents and has sworn not to read
them.

Use of native and foreign dialect

It is used to maintain the authenticity of the words or phrases that might lose meaning if
translated. Use of Swahili words

1) 'msitu mpya nyani wale wale.'( Pg25)

2) Kazi kubwa pesa ndogo. (Pg 35)
3) Na hivyo ndivyo ilivyo. (Pg 36)
4) There is use of shona language by Comrade Mwelusi 'Simudzai mureza weZimbabwe' (Pg
87), murambatsvina. (Pg 97)
5) Use of Ndebele — kalibusiwe izwe lezimbawe. (Pg 87)
6) Use of Arabic language sabalkher. (Pgl 19)
7) The use of French language by president Bangoura ...'Merci monsieur le president' (Pg
156)
8) Qu'est ce qui se passe? ( Pg 178).

Sarcasm
This is the use of irony to cause contempt.
1) Do you know what I am going to do? I am going to ask the guards I bribed to arrest me on
my way back. (Pg 48)
2) Yes just as rain comes, water washes off the spots of a leopard. Prof. Kimani to his daughter
Tuni. (Pg 25)
3) I just told you why: old is gold. Anyway stealing is not that uncommon, you know...there are
a lot of spouse stealers there, wouldn't you say? (Pg 57) Newborn to Prof. Kimani. ...let me
call the media, Pastor Chiamaka said sarcastically..
'(Pg142)

4) I have a confession, I wish to make. I want to confess that I have not read them and to declare
that I will never read them... President Bangoura to the members of the summit. (Pg 159)
5) Mr. Chairman the resolutions, once adopted, do not have to be adopted again just because
some sharp secretary somewhere has had echoes... Way Omega. ( Pgl 59)
Similes
This is the direct comparison of two different things by use of like and 'as.. .as' mainly used to
describe something. The author has used a lot of similes in the text such as:
1) ...he had a bushy moustache which in a moment of speech wriggled like a moth fighting to
free its wings then fly away' this has been used to describe comrade Melusi's moustache.
(Pgl) this has been used to
2) ...he looked like a failed sumo wrestler...' describe Pastor Chineke Chiamaka.
3) ...cute as a button and sharp as a needle...these are Abiola's thoughts about Fiona's. Pg5 '
4) ...her eyes were wide and white like a pair of moons. Pgs
5) .sluggish and groggy like a satiated python with a ' describes Newborn Walomu. Pg35
6) ...the youth craned his head up sticking it like a rooster readying to crow' describing how
Nick looked at Ms Mckenzie. Pg 51.
7) ...lingered on like the boom of a big drum' used to describe the voice of Mr. Tad Longway.
Pg 75..
8) ...his voice tore through the restaurants wall to wall silence like thunder' describing the voice
of the visitor (Mr.Longway) Pg 89.
9) ...stopping or swerving out of his way like water pausing or parting to let a Moses on wheels
cross the red sea' which describes how Chineke Chiamaka drives. Pgl 07
10) Pg 119... 'her big eyes were shining like light bulbs' referring to Rahmah's eyes
11) Pg 144..'his belly hang over like a half-empty sack'
12) His face had wrinkled like a dry prune' these describes professor Kimani.
13) Pg161...' it was as smooth as smooth as a baby's face' referring to minister Nzito.

Metaphors
This is the indirect comparison of two things which is used to create a mental picture.
1) Tunis eyes have been compared to the wings of an imported butterfly. (Pg 24)
2) '...his voice (Tad's voice) was a lion's roar. Pg 38
3) ...the youth was a jargon spewing buffon...Pg 52.
4) ...she had imagined it as an ugly monster. Pg 126
5) ...His voice was all syrub and honcy ( Abiola Afolabüs voice) Pg 142
6) ...A bird's sip and a lion's sip. Pg 169

Personification
This entails giving human abilities to non-human. Examples include:
a) ...dying old Toyota.( Pg 29)
b) ...you couldn't tell what happiness was if it fell on your lap and cried out its name. Pg 33'
c) ...Ms McKenzie meet your office. ( Pg 56)
d) Little fellow is used by comrade Melusi to refer to the needle. (Pg 83)
e) Sunrise threw the heavens wide open over Banjul. (Pg82)
f) He consulted a wall clock, It told him 1:30. (Pg 86)
 g) Meet silent listener, it was sitting silently at the far end of his office. (Pg 126)
h) Mother Africa, it's only few minutes after sunset, but you're so dark already! (Pg 168)

Symbolism
This is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
a) Tuni symbolizes her place of conception.
b) Path Alpha symbolizes the change and hope for the African country.
c) Way Omega symbolizes the old regime which needed to be fought and changed
d) The men at the summit symbolize the fathers of the nations.
e) The silent listener symbolizes the fastest growing technology of 21C.
f) AGDA is used to symbolize the think tank of the people pushing for Path Alpha.(Pg 41)
g) Number 22 symbolizes the day undisputed president of Gambia fell from power. (Pg 46)

Contrast
a) It entails differences in two or more entities. It has been used to bring out the difference
in people based on their physical appearance or situations in the text. A proper example is
on pg l01 , th eNigerian president, looked more majestic in those sky blue robes that he
was wearing than his counterpart Gambian in his rolls of white cotton. Chiamaka's
observations.
b) ...When Way Omega offers you a bird in the bush Path Alpha presses that bird into your
hands. Pg 154 '

Humour
This is a way of making the .audience laugh. Mainly used to break monotony or cheer up the
audience... examples
1) ...make that the church inside Africa,' Mr. Longway added and everyone laughed.' Pg 147

2) ...We would still be here next year, admiring our hands if we were to do so' again the
summit hall rocked with laughter. Pg 178

3) ...dear minister, you going to make same protestation, with as much vigour when your
way omega get win.' pg 178.

❖ There is always more and more to be explored in the text. Besides, you can also point out
what else is not shown or told by the author.

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