From Vioja Mahakamani to Daktari March 2018 | Page 9

Movie on
Nyayo torture
chambers to be
released soon
A short film highlighting the occurrences in the infamous
Nyayo House torture chambers will premier in Kenya soon,
Filamu Kenya can divulge.
B y F i l a m u K e n ya C o r r e s p o n d e n t
D irector :
Robert Asimba.
W riter :
Charles Ndegwa “Chanchori”.
S tarring :
Mike Njeru.
Helena Waithera.
Raymond Ofula.
Qwachezz Kwach.
‘1988‘ is a short film on
the life and events of
the Kenyan society in
the late 80’s, involving
civil rights infractions
against freedom of
speech, detaining that
concluded with violent torture
at the Nyayo chambers.
Khoti Babu (Mike Njeru), a
21-year-old law student at University of Nairobi, gets on the wrong side of
the law for allegedly bad-mouthing the government.
The film focuses on bringing to life the numerous treasonous charges,
brutal treatment, blackmails the victims faced in exchange of immunity, and
securing government job and positions. Furthermore, an insight of how the
law enforcers were often the henchmen in this regime.
‘1988‘ is a modern-day adaptation illustrating the blurred lines between
dictatorship and democracy in modern African countries. The film reflects
on how commoners fought for their rights regardless of attaining freedom
equally living in fear. Not to mention how the privileged with power,
maintained law and order, by means of oppression. In conclusion, this
freedom had restrictions, had rules, regulations and strict limitations.
“The film brings into light what used to happen behind closed doors of the
infamous Nyayo torture chambers,” notes Raymond Ofula, one of the stars
in the film.
The writer, Charles Chanchori, echoed Ofula’s sentiments adding that he is
extremely grateful to the audaciously dedicated team for working around
the clock to make sure that they have a perfect a movie as possible.
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