In Standish Cope’s latest novella, ‘The Rift’, the Isle of Wight author transports us back to the tumultuous days of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya Colony.
The narrative is a historical fiction that meticulously delves into the tragic interactions between a colonial judge, Edward Stephens, his family, and a freedom fighter, Munthu Mkesi, alongside his kin.
Tussle for ‘Land and Freedom’
The core of the discord, as depicted in ‘The Rift’, lies in the unyielding struggle between the Colonial authorities and primarily the Kikuyu tribe residing in the Kenyan highlands.
The strife, deeply rooted in the tribe’s cry for ‘Land and Freedom’ – or ‘Ithaka na Wiyathi’, unveils the colossal rift between the colonial rulers and the native population.
Courtroom confrontation
As the narrative unfolds, the principal antagonists, Judge Stephens and Munthu Mkesi, eventually face off in a courtroom setting. The disparity in their positions and the blatant power imbalance become glaringly apparent as the tale reaches its zenith with Munthu being condemned to death by hanging.
His sentence, based on torture-induced confession, mirrors the grim fate of over 30,000 interned Kikuyu suspects and 3,000 individuals judicially executed during the harrowing period of the struggle for liberty and land.
A personal connection
Standish Cope’s personal ties to the narrative’s setting deepen the resonance of ‘The Rift’. Born in Kenya Colony in the early 1950s, Cope’s ensuing experiences as an English teacher in a Harambee (self-help) rural school, and later as a visiting teacher of First Aid homeopathy with ‘Uzima in Our Hands’, indubitably colour the narrative with authentic nuances.
His personal history with the land and its people has not only birthed a captivating narrative but also contributed to his broader literary pursuits including online publications of short stories and poetry.
Stage adaptation and publication
Furthermore, Cope’s connection to the Kenyan struggle for independence was celebrated in a stage play adaptation of ‘The Rift’ performed in Mombasa in 2022, marking 60 years of Kenyan independence.
Published by Austin Macauley, the novel is readily available for purchase on Amazon Books, inviting readers to explore a haunting, yet educative journey back to a critical juncture in Kenyan history.
A reflective mirror held up to the past
Through ‘The Rift’, Standish Cope offers not just a tale of historical fiction, but a reflective mirror held up to the past, encouraging dialogue and understanding around a significant chapter of colonial history.
