Kenya. Kenyan Books

The Rise of Rodedom is a scenic, speculative novel addressing crucial political issues affecting Africa and the world. Drawing on Griffin’s theory that fantastical and otherworldly figures enable satirists to critique human folly indirectly, the novel critiques racism, negative ethnicity, and the flawed psyches of both Western and African societies. Its narrative predates pre-slavery Africa through colonial and post-colonial eras, exposing racial prejudices embodied through the evils of slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonialism. The imagery of cats and rodents symbolizes the predator-prey dynamic between the West and Africa. The author criticizes African leaders, like Kwame Nkrumah, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Mobutu Sseseko, for imitating Western ideas instead of forging original and indigenous-rooted governance systems. Conversely, it acknowledges Western leaders such as Bismarck, Roosevelt, and Churchill for their roles in advancing civilization, while also illuminating Hitler and Stalin’s destructive impacts during the world wars. The core, albeit speculative, question it explores is, ‘What if Africa unites?’ emphasizing that history and current affairs deepen understanding of the book’s allegorical structure. The narrative advocates for African unity under a federal government, underscoring the need for an original developmental path. Hyperbolic references to astronomical inventions symbolize the immense potential Africa could unlock through unification. What Others Say “The Rise of Rodedom is a historical novel that uses animal imagery to explore global dynamics, focusing on Africa. Andrew Nyongesa nostalgically examines Africa’s early history while predicting its future. He employs neologisms and allegory to transform factual historical data into an engaging narrative. The work is a poignant quest for the unity of Africa, portraying the continent as a nurturing mother, guiding father, and wise grandfather to others. Nyongesa’s style allows him to critique and challenge Africa’s issues boldly, offering insights for its future without reservation.” - Felix Okuku.