As classic plays often do, it was inevitable that Kaggia would return on stage. The first time the cast brought to life of Bildad Kaggia, a man often described as one who would rather die than sell his soul to the devil, theatre lovers didn’t get enough of him. The second time did little to quench their curiosity either.
Now, director Stuart Nash returns is preparing for the third rerun of the play written by John Sibi Okumu that offers an in-depth narration of one of Kenya’s unsung heroes.
In its earlier runs with the Phoenix Players, the play featured a cast of four. The late Harry Ebale played the lead role in the first production, a part now taken over by Martin Kigondu, a talented, prolific, and refined performer who has a unique gift for making the stage feel like his playground. ‘I took on the role of Kaggia to honour the memory of my brother, the late Ebale. And of course, this is John Sibi’s work; anyone would want to be part of it. This time, however, the play takes a different form. The cast is no longer just four as originally written. Stuart Nash’s superpower is bringing visual aesthetics and spectacle to life. I saw his vision and agreed to join the team,’ says Kigondu.
In this latest rerun, Kigondu is the only returning cast member, though he says that has not changed his approach to the role.
‘When you go back to a show you have done before, you always approach it with fresh eyes and maturity. The good thing is that Stuart and I have worked together for so long that we understand each other. The biggest challenge is that we are performing in both English and Kikuyu, with the same cast alternating across different runs. The exciting part is that each day brings a unique version of the play, rather than cramming both versions into a single day.’ For Stuart, directing Kaggia has been a profound learning experience.
‘It is fascinating to uncover so much about a historical figure people rarely acknowledge. During our research, we found that nobody under 25 knew who he was. Those who did, only remember that he was part of the Kapenguria Six and nothing more. Yet he lived such an extraordinary life, full of surprises and challenges, that people will be astonished at what he went through,’ Stuart said.
What can audiences expect from the play?
‘I think they will discover more about Bildad Kaggia than they ever knew. When I first watched the play a few years ago, I walked out of the theatre wanting to know more about him. I think John would love people to walk out of the theatre thinking of how Kenya would be now if they had followed Kaggia’s ideals. It is a thoughtful and sophisticated piece of theatre,’ Stuart said.
For John Sibi Okumu, choosing to write about Kaggia instead of the other five Kapenguria detainees was inspired by an encounter in a bookshop.
‘I came across Kaggia’s autobiography, which he abandoned midway. It was later completed by a Dutchman in collaboration with one of his children. I was vaguely aware of the Kapenguria Six from my schooling, but I found Kaggia’s story fascinating, especially because he was a man who truly walked the talk. He lived with integrity and a strong moral compass. He was detained alongside the others and even shared a cell with Jomo Kenyatta at one point. For me, there was a compelling contrast: what might Kenya have looked like if his ideals had guided its leadership?’ Sibi Okumu posed.
He added, ‘Bildad Kaggia was what we would today call a left-leaning figure, while Kenya has largely remained aligned to the right. His life offers a case study of what might have happened had the country taken a different political path. As a playwright, I am committed to exploring the evolution of Kenyan society before and after independence. My next play will focus on the pre-independence period of the 1950s.’
Kaggia will be staged at the Kenya National Theatre from October 11 to 19.