The Return of Mgofu

The Return of Mgofu is a compelling three-act play by the renowned Kenyan playwright, Francis Imbuga (author of Betrayal in the City). Published in 2011, it dramatizes the recurrent ethnic animosity and intolerance that plagues co-existence between neighboring communities in the fictional African state of Mndika. The plot is driven by ancestral messengers (Thori and Thoriwa) and the symbolic return of the seer Mgofu Ngoda (reincarnated in his son) to advocate for reconciliation and unity. The play ultimately reveals the harsh effects of antagonism—suffering, death, and under-development—and delivers a strong call for peace and forgiveness.