Oxford University Press commissioned Kenyan writer Kinyanjui Kombani—known as "the banker who writes"—to create a young adult fiction work centered on Nairobi's gambling culture. The resulting novel, Of Pawns and Players, explores underground sports betting networks and exposes systemic corruption across government agencies, law enforcement, and social media influencers.
The story opens with a violent encounter between a white Mercedes driver and a mutura (African sausage) vendor in Gardenia Estate, launching a narrative that questions why lottery winners often disappear after collecting modest payouts. A reviewer notes personal experience with a family member who was paid Ksh20,000 ($200) to feign a Ksh150,000 ($1,500) jackpot win, mirroring the book's themes.
Kombani's work also features family conflicts and a non-traditional romance plot, though critics argue the simplistic prose may not suit its intended 16+ audience. The novel's use of Kenyan language terms like mutura and sufuria (cooking pot) in italics has sparked discussion about integrating local languages into English literature.
This is Kombani's seventh book, following 15 years of writing including the Burt Award-winning Finding Colombia. Despite his prolific output, some question whether the novel's accessible style aligns with its target demographic, with suggestions it might better suit younger readers aged 10-13.
