by Lawi S. Njeremani (Author)
The Gigantomachy of Samaismela is a dynamic stage play that reimagines the Greek myth of the Gigantomachy as a powerful allegory for the global and Kenyan struggle against systemic corruption. Set in the fictional nation of Samaismela-a vibrant stand-in for Kenya and other post-colonial societies-the play pits the Olympian gods, led by Zeus, and the mortal hero Heracles (symbolizing the Sovereigns, or global citizens) against Gaia's 12 Giants, each embodying a facet of corruption: bribery, tender cartels, electoral fraud, land grabs, judicial sabotage, cronyism, tax evasion, human trafficking, money laundering, county mismanagement, and drug trafficking. Through six acts of dialogue-driven drama, poetic performances, and mythic battles, the play explores the resilience of civic agency, the persistence of colonial legacies, and the urgent need for collective action to safeguard justice.