This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, the Liquid Theatre Company brought Saumu Kombo's play, Before Dawn, to the Kenya Cultural Centre. The play is set in Kibera, Nairobi's largest slum, and explores the complexities of community leadership and the consequences of eviction plots.
The story revolves around Lady Tajiri, a community leader played by Lisa Gitu, who is tasked with protecting her community from outside forces. Her close friend Sue, a courageous political blogger played by Irene Mungai, works closely with Lady T to expose schemes and scams that politicians and thieves prefer to keep concealed.
However, their efforts are threatened by an illegal eviction plot hatched by two professionals, Pilo and Situma, who grew up in the hood. The plot aims to evict 500 Kibera residents, and it's up to Lady T's security guard husband, Tajiri, to uncover the scheme and prevent the eviction.
Despite its intriguing premise, the play's execution fell short. The characters lacked development, and their backstories were not fully disclosed, making it difficult to understand their motivations. The ending was also confusing, with Lady T's letter to Tajiri not making sense in the context of the story.
One of the play's strengths was its use of a 'split-screen' set, which allowed for snappy set changes and a flowing story. However, the play's anomalies and unclear character motivations made it difficult to fully engage with the story.
