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Fathers of Nations summary, analysis, theme, and characters

Fathers of Nations (2013) is a satirical novel set in Africa. The author brings to date all that has gone wrong in Africa. He explores the frustrations that African experience under corrupt leadership. Fathers of Nations summary explains what the novel is about and points at the key themes.

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Fathers of nations setbook characters, fathers of nations novel summary, leadership crisis, about paul b vitta.

Fathers of Nations was written by Paul B. Vitta and printed in 2013 by Oxford University Press East Africa . The highlight of this book is a summit attended at the Gambia by African Heads of State. Its subject is the awakening of Africans to come out from their status quo. Here is the synopsis of Fathers of Nations, theme analysis, and characters.

Here are some of the main characters in the book.

• Karanja Kimani : Kimani is a Kenyan, 60 years old is a professor at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Nairobi.
• Comrade Ngobile Melusi : Ngobile is from Zimbabwe and is aged 70 years old.
• Pastor Chineke Chiamaka : He is a male Nigerian clergyman based at the Lagos branch of the Church Inside Africa.
• Dr. Abiola Afolabi : He is a Nigerian academician and has an American wife.
• Engineer Seif Tahir : He is a Libyan formerly employed by Tripoli's Ministry of Defense.

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Fathers of Nations is a satirical novel, and it is set in contemporary Africa. It is a story that brings to the readers all that has gone wrong in Africa, but in a humorous way. The continent is depicted as a valuable place that lacks a sense of direction. The majority of the leaders have made their people voices, rendering them silent as these leaders continuously destroy their livelihoods.

The plot revolves around the lives of four men from different parts of Africa. Amid their various misfortunes, the men get together to try and make a change. They want African heads of state to ratify a document that could transform the continent's economic fortunes.

These four men have suffered under unwieldy political systems in their respective countries. Each bears a grudge against the system and has a reason for wanting it to change. They represent the values of humanity, empathy, and vulnerability.

10 best books by African authors you should read right now

Prof Karanja Kimani has lost his wife to a former university colleague and now turned politician. His only daughter dies in a fatal accident in Nairobi. Pastor Chineke, on his part, is a fierce man. His insistence on government accountability earns him days in jail. He is also prohibited from preaching.

Dr. Abiola Afolabi is ditched by his American wife. He advises African heads of state but detests offering theoretical solutions. The last character, Ngobile Melusi, is projected as a failed politician. He finds himself on the wrong side of the political divide after independence. He goes through affliction for being Ndebele when the Shona president undertook to suppress his community.

Analysis of the themes in Fathers of Nations

The symbolism in this book is enough to make you sit back and marvel at how Africans have accepted the status quo. It's an enjoyable read, and above all, it speaks to the frustrations we still experience in Africa under corrupt leadership. Below are the themes in Fathers of Nations.

15 greatest African warriors who changed the continent's history

Poor leadership is one of the main themes in the novel. African leaders are portrayed as people who cannot give a sense of direction to their countries. Instead, they are shown as flawed human beings who cannot rise to the challenges of their times.

They are people experimenting with various ideological positions originating from different places. In the book, two groups develop two development agendas referred to as Path Alpha and Way Omega.

The book goes ahead to portray how dysfunctional most African countries are. They are readily buy anything from anywhere. Unfortunately, in their hopelessness, the citizens continue to entertain a leadership that is blind to their plights.

The novel also paints a devastating picture of people on a knifes' edge of daily survival. International imperialistic networks of control have captured and imprisoned the continent. African countries are sucked into meaningless loans with international financial institutions.

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These development loans, though luring, have unrealistic demands. As a result, the continent continues to sink into the abyss of poverty.

Paul B Vitta also shares that corruption is endemic in Africa. The vice has disastrous effects on the continent's economies. It also affects the cohesion of communities and social contracts, which are vital pillars of building nations.

Wars and organised criminal networks distract the developments of some countries. The networks control all the political powers and economic opportunities.

The image readers also get of African leaders is that of a coalition of confused and manipulated people. They have suppressed the voices of the civilians, who are mere spectators as leaders destroy their sources of livelihood. The book is a bold portrayal of post-colonial African countries.

It is a continent where the most learned are impoverished because society doesn't value knowledge. Instead, it cherishes ignorance.

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Who is Paul B Vitta? He is the author of Fathers of Nations. Vitta was born in Tanzania and received his Ph.D. in physics from Emory University of Dar es Salaam. He worked briefly for the African Regional Center for Technology in Senegal.

Later, he moved to the International Development Research Center in Canada. He also served as a Director of UNESCO'S Regional Office for Science and Technology in Africa before retiring.

Fathers of Nations summary and analysis above will undoubtedly give you a reason to read the book. As an African living in the continent, you will notice that the book captures everything you have seen. The book reminds you that some of the plights are of your own making because of the kind of leaders you elect.

Are you a young woman who needs inspiration? Tuko.co.ke published a list of the 15 empowering books for young Black women. Something supernatural can happen if you read a book. Therefore, the right books for young women go a long way in creating empowered, purposeful, and assertive ladies.

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In a society full of gender, sexual, and religious discrimination are a reality, women need something to keep them focused. Appropriate books inspire young black women to work towards their goals. It will highlight that colour or gender has nothing to do with their potential.

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Essays on Gandhi Prize-winning Essays of the classical contest organised by CITYJAN News weekly, Navi Mumbai on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on 2 nd October, 2002.

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Mahatma Gandhi - Father of The Nation

• The Relevance of Gandhi For All Times
• Gandhian Religion - A Way of Life

By Ritu Johari (The Post Graduate Category)

The period from 1920 to 1947 had been described as the Gandhian Era in Indian Politics. During the period, Gandhi spoke the final word on behalf of the Indian National Congress in negotiating with the British Government for constitutional reforms, and for chalking out a programme for the national movement. Mahatma Gandhi led the national freedom struggle against the British rule. The most unique thing about this struggle was that it was completely nonviolent. Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October, 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat. After finishing his early education in India, he sailed to England in 1891 and qualified as Barrister. In 1894, Gandhi went to South Africa in connection with a law suit. The political career of Gandhi started in South Africa where he launched a Civil Disobedience Movement against the maltreatment meted out to Asian settlers. In 1916, he returned to India and took up the leadership of National Freedom Struggle. After the death of freedom fighter and congress leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak on August, 1920, Gandhi became virtually the sole navigator of the ship of the congress. Gandhi had whole heartedly supported the British during the 1st World War (1914-1919). The end of war, however, did not bring the promised freedom for India. So Gandhiji launched many movements to force the British to concede India its Independence. The well known being: Non Co-operation Movement (1920), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942). The British passed the Rowlett Act in 1919 to deal with the revolutionaries. Gandhi made the Rowlett Act an issue and appealed to the people to observe peaceful demonstration on April 6, 1919. Gandhi's call for peaceful demonstration met with tremendous response. It led to mass demonstrations in Punjab and Delhi. The Jallianwala Massacre (1919) was a sequel of this agitation. The Indian people were shocked by the way the British conducted themselves. Gandhi them launched a non-co-operation in 1920 against the British rule. On 12th March 1930, Gandhi started his Civil Disobedience with his famous 'Dandi March' to break the salt laws. Many leaders and persons courted arrest. Then followed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact for the participation of the congress in the Second Round Table Conference in 1931. On March 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps came to India with his proposals which were rejected by all political parties. The failure of the Cripps Mission led to unprecedented disturbances. Disillusioned and disappointed, the congress passed at Bombay the Quit India Resolution (August 8, 1942). The British were asked to leave India forthwith. The moving spirit behind the resolution was Gandhiji. The Quit India Movement was the greatest challenge to the British empire. Gandhi was a great leader, a saint and a great social reformer. He was pious, truthful and religious. He believed in simple living and high thinking. Every body who came in contact with him were so deeply influenced by his personality. He was a Champion of democracy and was deadly opposed to dictatorial rule. Gandhi showed India and the World the path of truth and non-violence. He believed that it was truth alone that prevailed in the end. Gandhi believed that real India lived in more than five lakhs villages uplift. According to him India's real emancipation depended on Swadeshi i.e. boycott of foreign goods, use of khadi encouragement to village and cottage industries. Gandhi began to work day and night for the freedom of his country. He and his brave followers went to jail again and again, and suffered terrible hardships. Thousands of them were starved, beaten, ill treated and killed, but they remained true to their master. At last his noble efforts bore fruit and on August 15,1947, India became free and independent. Gandhi defeated the mighty British empire not with swords or guns , but by means of strange and utterly new weapons of truth and Ahimsa. He worked all through his life for Hindu- Muslim Unity and the abolition of untouchability. Gandhi worked hard for the upliftment of the Harijans, the name given by him to the untouchables. Gandhi declared untouchability a sin against God and Man. Gandhi wrote his famous autobiography under the title 'My Experiments with Truth'. Gandhi always stood for communal harmony, but he himself was shot dead by a religious fanatic Nathuram Godse on 30th January, 1948. The whole World mourned his death. Concluding Remarks: Some one had quipped: "If they had not thrown Gandhi out of the train in South Africa, the English would not have too much trouble from him." Gandhi, the young Attorney, vowed to oppose such unfair treatment- through non-co-operation and other nonviolent means. Gandhi's ultimate search was for righteous conduct. The means are more important than the end, he maintained; with the right means, desired ends will follow. In time, he was proven right- almost always. His struggles and actions were but external manifestations of his struggle to evolve his own value system. Mahatma Gandhi better known as the father of Nation because it was he who got freedom for us. He was the maker of Modern India.

Remembering Gandhi Assassination of Gandhi Tributes to Gandhi Gandhi's Human Touch Gandhi Poster Exhibition Send Gandhi Greetings Gandhi Books Read Gandhi Books Online Download PDF Books Download EPUB/MOBI Books Gandhi Literature Collected Works of M. Gandhi Selected Works of M.Gandhi Selected Letters Famous Speeches Gandhi Resources Gandhi Centres/Institutions Museums/Ashrams/Libraries Gandhi Tourist Places Resource Persons Related Websites Glossary / Sources Associates of Mahatma Gandhi -->

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Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of the Nation

Last updated on October 2, 2022 by ClearIAS Team

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi was a lawyer, nationalist, and anti-colonial activist. He led a non-violent mass movement against the British rule of India which ultimately resulted in Indian independence .

Mahatma Gandhi is revered in India as the Father of the Nation.

Table of Contents

The early life of Mahatma Gandhi: Birth and Family

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 nd October 1869, in Porbandar in the princely state of Kathiawar in Gujarat.

His father was Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi who served as a dewan of Porbandar state. His mother was Putlibai who came from Junagadh. Mohandas was the youngest of four children. He had two brothers and a sister.

At age of 13, Mohandas was married to 14-year-old Kastubai Makhanji Kapadia as was the custom at that time.

His father passed away in 1885, and the same year he and his wife lost their first child. The Gandhi couple later had four sons over the years.

Education of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi Ji received his primary education in Rajkot where his father had relocated as dewan to the ruler Thakur Sahib. He went to Alfred high school in Rajkot at the age of 11.

In 1887, at the age of 18, Gandhi Ji graduated from a high school in Ahmedabad. He later enrolled at a college in Bhavnagar but dropped out later. He had also joined and eventually dropped out of a college in Bombay.

He then went to London in 1888 to pursue law at the university college. After completing his studies, he was invited to be enrolled at Inner temple to become a barrister.

He returned to India in 1891 at the age of 22 after his mother passed away.

He failed to establish a successful law career both in Rajkot and Bombay.

In 1893, he moved to Durban, South Africa, on a one-year contract to sort out the legal problems of Abdullah, a Gujarati merchant.

South Africa during the 1800s

The British had colonized and settled in the Natal and Cape provinces of South Africa during the 1840s and 50s. Transvaal and Orange Free State were independent Boer (British and Dutch settlers) ruled states. Boer means farmer settler in Dutch and Afrikaans. The governance of colonial regions (Natal and Cape) was controlled by the minority white population which enforced segregation between government-defined races in all spheres.

This created three societies- whites (British and Dutch or Boer ancestry), Blacks and Coloureds (mixed race) which included ethnic Asians (Indians, Malayans, Filipinos, and Chinese).

Indian immigration to South Africa began in the 1860s, when whites recruited indentured Indian labour (Girmityas), especially from south India, to work on sugar plantations. Later many Indian merchants, mostly meman Muslims also migrated. By the 1890s, the children of the ex-indentured labourers had settled down in South Africa making up the third group.

Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa

1893 : Mohandas Gandhi witnessed extreme apartheid or racial discrimination against Asians in South Africa. His journey from Durban to Pretoria witnessed the famous incident when he was thrown out of a first-class compartment by a white man at Pietermaritzburg station. Upon arriving at Johanessburg, he was refused rooms in the hotels.

These experiences motivated him to stay in South Africa for a longer period to organize the Indian workers to enable them to fight for their rights. He started teaching English to the Asian population there and tried to organize them to protest against the oppression.

1894: After the culmination of his Abdullah case in 1894, he stayed on there and planned to assist Indians in opposing a bill to deny them the right to vote. He founded the Natal Indian Congress and moulded the Indian community into a unified political force.

1899-1902: The Boer War

The Boer War extended Britain’s control from Natal and Cape Province to include Transvaal and Orange Free State.

During this time, Gandhi volunteered to form a group of stretcher-bearers as the Natal Indian ambulance corps. It consisted of indentured labourers and was funded by the Indian community and helped treatment and evacuation of wounded British soldiers.

Gandhi Ji thought that helping the British war efforts would win over the British imperial government and earn sympathy for the plight of Indians there. He was also awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal for serving the British empire.

Till 1906, it was the moderate phase of the struggle for the Indians in South Africa. During this time, Gandhi concentrated on petitioning and sending memorials to the legislatures, the colonial secretary in London, and the British parliament.

1906: The Civil Disobedience in South Africa

The failure of moderate methods led to the second phase of the struggle, civil disobedience or the Satyagraha.

He started two settlements- the Phoenix settlement in Durban and the Tolstoy farm in Johanessburg for helping the needy and initiate a communal living tradition.

His first notable resistance was against the law passed by the government, making it compulsory for Indians to take out certifications of registrations that held their fingerprints and was compulsory to carry it on the person at all times. Gandhi formed a Passive Resistance Association against this.

Gandhi and his followers were jailed. Later the government agreed to withdraw the law if Indians voluntarily registered. They were tricked into the registrations and they protested again by publicly burning their certificates.

1908: The existing campaign expanded to protest against the new law to restrict migrations of Indians between provinces. Gandhi and others were jailed and sentenced to hard physical labour.

1910: Gandhi Ji set up the Tolstoy farm in Johannesburg to ready the satyagrahis to the harsh conditions of the prison hence helping to keep the resistance moving forward.

1911: Gopal Krishna Gokhale visited South Africa as a state guest on the occasion of the coronation of King George V. Gokhale and Gandhi met at Durban and established a good relationship.

1913: The satyagraha continued against varied oppressive laws brought by the government. The movement against the law invalidating marriages not conducted according to Christian rites brought out many Indian women onto the movement.

Gandhi launched a final mass movement of over 2000 men, women, and children. They were jailed and forced into miserable conditions and hard labour. This caused the whole Indian community in South Africa to rise on strike.

In India, Gokhale worked to make the public aware of the situation in South Africa which led the then Viceroy Hardinge to call for an inquiry into the atrocities.

A series of negotiations took place between Gandhiji, Viceroy Hardinge, CR Andrews (Christian missionary and Indian Independence activist), and General Smuts of South Africa. This led to the government conceding to most of the Indians’ demands.

Gandhiji’s return to India: 1915

1915: On the request of Gokhale, conveyed by CF Andrews (Deenbandhu), Gandhi Ji returned to India to help with the Indian struggle for independence .

The last phase of the Indian National movement is known as the Gandhian era.

Mahatma Gandhi became the undisputed leader of the National Movement. His principles of nonviolence and Satyagraha were employed against the British government. Gandhi made the nationalist movement a mass movement.

On returning to India in 1915, Gandhi toured the country for one year on Gokhale’s insistence. He then established an ashram in Ahmedabad to settle his phoenix family.

He first took up the cause of indentured labour in India thus continuing his fight in South Africa to abolish it.

Gandhiji joined the Indian National Congress and was introduced to Indian issues and politics and Gokhale became his political Guru.

1917: At this point, World war I was going on, and Britain and France were in a difficult position. Germany had inflicted a crushing defeat on both the British and French troops in France.

Russia’s war effort had broken down and the revolution was threatening its government.

America had entered the war but no American troops had yet reached the war front.

The British army required reinforcements urgently and they looked to India for participation. Viceroy Chelmsford had invited various Indian leaders to attend a war conference. Gandhi was also invited and he went to Delhi to attend the conference.

After attending the viceroy’s war conference Gandhiji agreed to support the recruitment of Indians in the British war effort. He undertook a recruitment campaign in Kaira district, Gujarat.

He again believed that support from Indians will make the British government look at their plight sympathetically after the war.

Early movements by Gandhiji

Champaran Satyagraha, Kheda Satyagraha, and Ahmedabad Mill Strike were the early movements of Gandhi before he was elevated into the role of a national mass leader.

1917: Champaran Satyagraha

Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was the first civil disobedience movement organized by Gandhiji. Rajkumar Shukla asked Gandhi to look into the problems of the Indigo planters.

The European planters had been forcing passengers to grow Indigo on a 3/20 of the total land called the tinkatiya system.

Gandhi organized passive resistance or civil disobedience against the tinkatiya system. Finally, the authorities relented and permitted Gandhi to make inquiries among the peasants. The government appointed a committee to look into the matter and nominated Gandhi as a member.

Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, and other eminent lawyers became inspired by Gandhi and volunteered to fight for the Indigo farmers in court for free.

Gandhi was able to convince the authorities to abolish the system and the peasants were compensated for the illegal dues extracted from them.

1918: Kheda satyagraha

The Kheda Satyagraha was the first noncooperation movement organized by Gandhi.

Because of the drought in 1918 crops failed in the Kheda district of Gujarat. According to the revenue code if the yield was less than one-fourth of the normal produced the farmers for entitled to remission. Gujarat sabha sent a petition requesting revenue assessment for the year 1919 but the authorities refused to grant permission.

Gandhi supported the peasants’ cause and asked them to withhold revenue. During the Satyagraha, many young nationalists such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Indulal Yagnik became Gandhi’s followers.

Sardar Patel led a group of eminent people who went around villages and gave them political advisors and instructions.

The government finally agreed to form an agreement with the farmers and hence the taxes were suspended for the years 1919 and 1920 and all confiscated properties were returned.

1918: Ahmedabad mill strike

This was Gandhi’s first hunger strike. He intervened in a dispute between Mill owners of Ahmedabad and the workers over the issue of discontinuation of the plague bonus.

The workers were demanding a rise of 50% in their wages while the employees were willing to concede only a 20% bonus.

The striking workers turned to Anusuiya Sarabai in quest of justice and she contacted Gandhi for help. He asked the workers to go on a strike and to remain non-violent and undertook a fast unto death to strengthen the workers’ resolve.

The mill owners finally agreed to submit the issue to a tribunal and the strike was withdrawn in the end the workers receive a 35% increase in their wages.

Gandhiji’s active involvement in the Indian National Movement

Gandhi’s active involvement in the Indian Freedom Struggle was marked by many mass movements like the Khilafat Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement.

1919: Khilafat movement

During World War I Gandhi sought cooperation from the Muslims in his fight against the British by supporting the Ottoman Empire that had been defeated in the world war.

The British passed the Rowlatt act to block the movement. Gandhi called for a nationwide Satyagraha against the act.

It was Rowlatt Satyagraha that elevated Gandhi into a national leader. Rowlatt Satyagraha was against the unjust Rowlatt Act passed by the British.

On April 13th, 1919 the Jallianwala Bagh incident took place. Seeing the violence spread Mahatma Gandhi called off the civil disobedience movement on the 18th of April.

1920: Non-Cooperation Movement

Gandhi convinced the congress leaders to start a Non-Cooperation Movement in support of Khilafat as well as Swaraj. At the congress session of Nagpur in 1920, the non-cooperation program was adopted.

1922 : Chauri chaura incident took place, which caused Gandhi to withdraw from the non-cooperation movement.

After the non-cooperation movement ended, Gandhi withdrew from the political platform and focused on his social reform work.

1930:  The Salt March and The Civil Disobedience Movement

Gandhi declared that he would lead a march to break the salt law as the law gave the state the Monopoly on the manufacturer and the sale of salt.

Gandhi along with his followers marched from his ashram in Sabarmati to the coastal town of Dandi in Gujarat where they broke the government law by gathering natural salt and boiling seawater to produce salt.

This also marked the beginning of the civil disobedience movement.

1931 : The Gandhi Irwin pact

Gandhi accepted the truce offered by Irwin and called off the civil disobedience movement and agreed to attend the second round table conference in London as the representative of the Indian National Congress.

But when he returned from London he relaunched the civil disobedience movement but by 1934 it had lost its momentum.

1932 : Poona pact

This was a pact reached between B.R Ambedkar and Gandhi concerning the communal awards but in the end, strived to achieve a common goal for the upliftment of the marginalized communities of the Indian society.

1934 : Gandhi resigned from the Congress party membership as he did not agree with the party’s position on varied issues.

Gandhi returned to active politics in 1936 with the Lucknow session of Congress where Jawaharlal Nehru was the president.

1938 : Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose’s principles clashed during the Tripuri session which led to the Tripuri crisis in the Indian National Congress.

1942: Quit India movement

The outbreak of World war II and the last and crucial phase of national struggle in India came together.

The failure of the Cripps mission in 1942 gave rise to the Quit India movement.

Gandhi was arrested and held at Aga Khan Palace in Pune. During this time his wife Kasturba died after 18 months of imprisonment and in 1944 Gandhi suffered a severe malaria attack.

He was released before the end of the war on 6th May 1944. World war II was nearing an end and the British gave clear indications that power would be transferred to Indians hence Gandhi called off the struggle and all the political prisoners were released including the leaders of Congress.

Partition and independence

Gandhiji opposed the partition of India along religious lines.

While he and Congress demanded the British quit India the Muslim league demanded to divide and quit India.

All of Gandhi’s efforts to help Congress and the Muslim league reach an agreement to corporate and attain independence failed.

Gandhiji did not celebrate the independence and end of British rule but appealed for peace among his countrymen. He was never in agreement for the country to be partitioned.

His demeanour played a key role in pacifying the people and avoiding a Hindu-Muslim riot during the partition of the rest of India.

Death of Mahatma Gandhi

30th January 1948

Gandhiji was on his way to address a prayer meeting in the Birla House in New Delhi when Nathuram Godse fired three bullets into his chest from close range killing him instantly.

Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy

Throughout his life, in his principles practices, and beliefs, he always held on to non-violence and simple living. He influenced many great leaders and the nation respectfully addresses him as the father of the nation or Bapu.

He worked for the upliftment of untouchables and called them Harijan meaning the children of God.

Rabindranath Tagore is said to have accorded the title of Mahatma to Gandhi.

It was Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose who first addressed him as the Father of the Nation.

Gandhian Philosophy inspired millions of people across the world.

Many great world leaders like Nelson Mandela followed Gandhiji’s teachings and way of life. Hence, his impact on the global stage is still very profound.

Literary works of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhiji was a prolific writer and he has written many articles throughout his life. He edited several newspapers including Harijan in Gujarati, Indian opinion in South Africa, and Young India in English.

He also wrote several books including his autobiography “The Story Of My Experiments with Truth”.

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Reader Interactions

January 31, 2022 at 6:36 pm

Gandhi the greatest freedom fighter? It is an irony that Gandhi was a British stooge, he partitioned India and was responsible for death of millions of Hindus and Sikhs during partition. How he and Nehru got Bose eliminated is another story. He slept with many women by his own confession. He never went to kala Pani and enjoyed luxury of British even in jails in India.

January 31, 2022 at 7:14 pm

How is he ‘Father of nation’ ?? He is not even close to be a father of post-1947 India(It would be Bose anyday).And he is the one who did all kinds of absurd fantasies(mentioned in his own autobiography).His role in independence was MINIMAL ! His non-violence theory was hypocritic and foolish(teaching oppressed instead of oppressor!) And as AMBEDKAR rightly said ‘sometimes good cometh out of evil'(on jan 30th 1948)

March 26, 2024 at 11:47 am

So true …

Bro I literally agree with all of this…

May 20, 2022 at 1:37 pm

It is Bose who first gave the title of “Father of the Nation” to Gandhi.

Please try to look at things with an open mind.

May 26, 2022 at 11:15 am

Ck is wrong I think Mahatma Gandhi Is a TRUE LEADER.

November 26, 2023 at 8:36 pm

Gandhi the greatest freedom fighter

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Fathers Of Nations Recent KCSE Excerpt Essays 2024 With Answers

By Senior Teacher

This is a compilation of Questions from past KCSE, Mocks, Pre/Post-mocks and Internal Exams.

Fathers Of Nations Recent KCSE Excerpt Essay Questions

Contact 0754238886 for marking schemes.

Read the Excerpt below and answer the Questions that follow

EXERPTS 1 : Fathers of Nations (25 marks)

“Ms McKenzie!” he said. “What a pleasant surprise!” He ushered her in. “Please come in.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” she said. He closed the door then steered her towards a chair.

“Feel at home,” he said.

“And I will.” She sat. “Mother has a question for her boy. How was your day, young one?”

“It was only so- so, “Mother,” he said. “Or, as we say back home, ‘Only small- small.”’

         Mother thinks that’s big-big enough. Are you ready for tomorrow?”

       As ready as I never will be, I guess, Mother.” He went and sat beside her.

   “And do you still think the summit will adopt Way Omega?” 

     Only twelve hours. We can wait.”

  “By the way, guess who I ran into downstairs? Someone by the name Longway. I was tracking down a man they call their guide and thought this fellow might be him. Do you know him?”

Dr Afolabi did not answer.

Well, do you know Mr Longway or not?”

“Yes, Ms McKenzie, I do. You might as well know this now: I am their guide.”

“Promise you will keep that to yourself, Okay?”

“I promise.”

“Apart from Mr Longway , whom you now know, there are four other people I’m working with on the  periphery of the summit as their  guide.  Instead of adopting way Omega, this group wants the summit to adopt Path Alpha.”

• What happens before this excerpt.(4mks)
• Comment on any three styles in the excerpt. (6mks)
• “Feel at home.” He said. (change to reported speech)                          (1mk)
• “Are you ready for tomorrow?” what is to happen tomorrow from the rest of the text? (3mks)
•  Identify and explain two character traits each of: (4mks)

Dr. Afolabi-

Ms. Fiona mckenzie-

• What is, “this group” and why does it want the summit to adopt, “ Path Alpha” and not “Way Omega”. (4mks)
• Give the meaning of these words: (3mks)
• III  Summit-

EXERPTS 2 : Fathers of Nations (25 marks)

            “Tad,” said the cranky passenger as he was settling down in economy class, in a seat next to Dr  Afolabi’s. “Tad Longway,” he added. His voice, deep, lingered on like the boom of a big drum.  He held out a card.

Dr  Afolabi took it.  It said the man was a Director of Special Projects at the Agency for Governance and Development in Africa.  “Pleased to meet you, Mr Longway,”  Dr Afolabi said.  “My name is Abiola Afolabi.  I teach at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.”

“You gave an excellent keynote address the other day, Dr Afolabi,” said the cranky passenger.  Sparks of earnestness were crossing his eyes, both crystal-green like toy marbles, confirming the compliment was sincere.  “Your keynote address at the Foundation for Democratic rule, I mean.  It was brilliant.”

            “I’m glad you liked it, Mr Longway,” Dr Afolabi said.  His voice had become warm.  “You were there, then, Mr Longway?”

“Yes, but back in the last row.  As a mere spectator, I did not want to be obtrusive.  Anyway, you were superb, Dr Afolabi.  If you don’t mind by adding this, I was more impressed by the points that the audience raised afterwards, during the question –and–answer period.”

            Dr Afolabi felt the praise he had just heard turn into reproach.  “So what were those points, Mr Longway?”  he asked.  His voice was less warm.

“Remember the guy from Grassroots International: short fellow, round of body and outspoken of manner? What was his name?  It’s on the tip on my tongue.”

            “You must mean the fire-eater who kept accusing me of looking for answers where I shouldn’t even look,” Dr Afolabi said.

            “Exactly, that’s our man.  Yes, I thought he was right on point, Dr Afolabi.  He too was unhappy with the present state.”

            “Wait, the present state of what?”

            “Africa.”

“I don’t understand.”

“No problem:  I’ll spell it out for you.  You see, Dr Afolabi, Africa, in its present state, has two new arrivals: corruption and impunity.  The first is a crime the second protects from punishment, the second is another crime the first rewards with kickbacks.  That is Africa in its present state.  Now can it change?”

“Tell me. Can it?”

“Well, let’s ask the Law of Will.”

“Unless there is will to change, there will be no change.’

• Place this excerpt in its immediate context.                                                   (4 marks)
• Discuss one character trait of Dr Afolabi and two of Tad Longway.                    (6 marks)
• Highlight and illustrate two themes evident in this passage.                         (4 marks)
• Identify and illustrate two stylistic devices evident in this passage.                       (4marks)
• (i) Unless there is will to change, there will be no change. (Rewrite using “if”)    (1 mark)

(ii)It’s on the tip of my tongue. (Rewrite beginning: “On…”)                                    (1 mark)

• Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions as used in the excerpt. (5 marks)
• Keynote address
• On the tip of my tongue

EXERPTS 3 : Fathers of Nations (25 marks)

What a triumph that already was, his enemy thought. Absence of an answer meant submission. To celebrate this easy victory, the man rocked in his chair back and forth first. Then he spoke again. “Karanja, was there something specific that you came to see me about?”

Again, Professor Kimani did not answer.

Another victory! This time the man tried to celebrate it with a smile, but he killed it. Since his leaving the university, his belly had grown into a ball, big and firm. It should have become handicap. Yet it did not. Was he not a husband

born him a child each? It paid for itself through reproductive success, which it owed to its cause: a soft seat in parliament. He had won the seat in a by-election. Gunmen scaring off pursuers, had killed his predecessor, a swaggering rogue whimsically nicknamed Kazi-kubwa Pesa-dogo,” or „Big-work Small-money‟, while he was wobbling drunkenly out of a bar.

Now there Mr Kazi-kubwa Pesa-dogo‟s successor was, sluggish and groggy like a satiated python with a hangover, in a big office furnished at public expense with black leather chairs and two pretty secretaries

“Karanja, take a seat,” he said, gesturing at a chair. Professor Kimani rejected it. “Keep it!”

“Fine, stand there forever if you like. See if I care. Let me guess: You came to ask why I want to marry Asiya. Am I right?

“You have a nerve, you heap of…”

“Watch your tongue, Karanja. I am not going to warn you about your language again.”

“The word I used was „marry‟. You prefer steal?”

“What good is she to you?” Professor Kimani cursed himself for that wording. He had degraded not only his wife but also himself and, in the same breath, upgraded his foe.

“What good is she to me? Is that what you asked? Because she is much older than I am? Here my answer is: Old is gold.”

Mr Walomu‟s opponents had a different answer: “When a cat gets into a pigeon coop,” they said, “it kills all the pigeons it finds there, not just those it will eat.” Mr Walomu had already eaten three pigeons and now had in his paws a fourth: Asiya. Strewn along his path, lay many others he had killed but not eaten. So who could say for sure that, months hence, Asiya would not become one of those?

Mr Walomu continued. “As for what you call „stealing‟, a professor in Texas says that lots of people do it.” He threw in a Swahili cliché to support his claim. “Na hivyo ndivyo ilivyo.” To help it along, he gave the approximate English equivalent, “And that‟s how the cookie crumbles.”

That was mockery Professor Kimani felt had to reject. “You have three beautiful wives,” he began. This was a silly start, as even he realised. Had he not sounded an envious loser? Nonetheless, he went on. “All of them young.”

“And young they‟ll still be the day I die,” Mr Walomu added. “Karanja, you know the saying: “A real bull dies with green grass in its mouth.”

“Then why do you want to steal my wife? She is old. Not the green grass you want in your mouth.”

a) Describe the events leading up to the happenings in this excerpt. (3 marks)

b) What is the writer‟s view of elected leaders as portrayed in this excerpt? Illustrate your answer. (3 marks)

c) How is Walomu portrayed in the excerpt? (4 marks)

d) Describe the mood of the excerpt. (3 marks)

e) “Why do you want to steal my wife?” (Rewrite in reported speech) (1 mark)

f) Explain what happens immediately after the events in this excerpt. (3 marks)

g) Identify and illustrate one theme brought out in this excerpt. (2 marks)

i Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the passage. (3 marks)

(i) whimsically …………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) satiated ……………………………………………………………………………………..

(iii)have a nerve ……………………………………………………………………………….

EXERPTS 4 : Fathers of Nations (25 marks)

The door to the bathroom opened. Fiona emerged and started walking but stopped. Her eyes had not adjusted to the darkness in the living room. “Where are you?” she asked.

“Over here” he said. “I have taken a couch in the living room. Go take the bed in the bedroom.” “You’re acting as if you might have a wife,” she said. “Do you?” “No, she divorced me last year.” “Did she?”

“Let’s see now. You studied in America at a marriageable age.” “Let me guess.” “Go ahead.” “She is American.”

“Who? Pamela?”

“Yes it is. And, yes, she is American. Enough about me now. Let’s turn to you. Shouldn’t your name still be Fiona McKenzie?”

“Who told you it might have changed?” She started walking to the bedroom. Her eyes had adjusted to the only light.

“Why was the Liberian Mauler calling you Joy instead?” “It’s local slang for streetwalker.” “He was calling you a streetwalker?”

“Yes, do you want me to draw a picture for you? Where are you from anyway? Mars?” “No, Nigeria. Married?” “Me?”

The phone rang. He rose and answered the landline by the couch. When he ended the call, his mood had darkened.

“What’s the matter?” she asked him. “You seem upset all of a sudden. Who was on the phone?”

“One Chineke Chiamaka,” he said. “This man was claiming I chided him for being drunk, when all he had was a “Pepsi”. He wriggled in his improvised bed to protest his innocence against that claim. “It beats me how he got my suite phone number in the first place,” he added. “Anyway, I did not chide him. Why do people like to tell lies?”

i. What happens immediately before this excerpt? 4marks

ii. Discuss two character traits of Abiola and one of Fiona McKenzie as brought out in the excerpt. 6marks

iii. Why do people like telling lies? (Write in reported speech) 1 mark

iv. a. The phone rang. Add a question tag 1 mark

b. No, she divorced me last year. (Rewrite in the passive)

v. Highlight two themes raised in the excerpt. 4 marks

vi. Identify and illustrate two features of style used in the excerpt. 4marks

vii. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt . 3marks

a. Streetwalker

b. Wriggled

EXERPTS 5 : Fathers of Nations (25 marks)

Ms McKenzie’s taxi driver finally resurfaced. Wary and watchful, he was part of a growing African phenomenon: taxi drivers with university degrees whom the local market had failed to absorb in the professions that they had trained for. He located Ms McKenzie without difficulty. “Ms McKenzie, let’s go!” he said, motioning her back into his taxi. She got back in. “You were gone for two eternities,” she complained. “Did you have any particular reason?” “Yes, those bullies,” he said. “I take it you’re referring to the guards. What did they do?” “You mean what did they not do?” He drove off on screaming tyres. “Essentially, they wanted something small.” “Don’t you mean a bribe? Why did they want a bribe?” “Ms McKenzie, be serious!” “I am serious.” “Then leave me alone.” He gave the car more petrol. It threatened to fly. He gave it less. It slowed down. “Because my taxi has faulty brakes, they said.” “Well, maybe it does.” He braked to a screeching halt which nearly threw her out of her seat. “So does it?” he asked her. “Have faulty brakes, I mean?” “I guess not,” she conceded. “So what did you do? Give them something small anyway?” “Leave me alone, I said.” Then he drove off again. “Anyway, in case you bribed them, know that giving bribes is as much a crime as taking them.” “Do you know what I’m going to do on my way back, Ms McKenzie? I’m going to ask the guards I bribed to arrest me for bribing them.” There is anger in that sarcastic remark, she thought. She decided to leave him alone. Questions 1. Outline the events leading to this excerpt (3 marks)

2. To what extend has the author employed the use of irony in this excerpt? (4 marks)

3. How have the following characters been portrayed in the excerpt: (4 marks)

a) Ms McKenzie

b) The taxi driver

4. The taxi driver refers to the guards as bullies. From elsewhere in the novel, show how the

guards demonstrate that indeed they are bullies. (3 marks)

5. With sufficient evidence, identify any two issues brought out in the excerpt (4 marks)

• “There is anger in that sarcastic remark.” Rewrite adding a suitable question tag (1 mark)

7. What happens immediately after this excerpt: (3 marks)

8. Give the meanings of the following words as used in the excerpt (3 marks)

a) Wary………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Two eternities …………………………………………………………………………

c) Bullies……………………………………

EXERPTS 6 : Fathers of Nations (25 marks)

Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow. (25 marks)

Professor Kimani, who had just completed his studies at the University of Oxford, wrote from

there to say he wanted to fill it. To ensure he came and filled it for sure, the University of

Nairobi raised his entry point from that of a lecturer to that of a senior lecturer.

He came. Only a month after his arrival, he launched a noisy debate in which he demanded that

the University of Nairobi henceforth strive for relevance to the society rather than

simplyexcellence of its work. It was not clear exactly what he meant by relevance to the

society rather than simply excellence of its work. It was not clear exactly what he meant

by relevanceto the society. However, a short six months later, he prevailed. The

university’s official mottobecame, ‘Relevance to the society’.

After winning this war, he started another war which was even noisier. Now he wanted the

university to be an agent of change, not a mere spectator of it. This was when people still

thought this view was too radical and ridiculed it as simple- minded. So, not surprising,

someof his colleagues, puzzled by his refusal to see that it was simple-minded, did or said

little, convinced that he would fall on his face before long and self-destruct on his own

without their help.

He did not care. After all, his antics in wars that he had started, and won, had also won him the

heart of a campus beauty queen. Her name was AsiyaOmondi. He married her on a rainy

but approving Saturday, to claps of thunder and flashes of lightning. How marriage then

accelerated academic success! A professorship soon followed. After that achievement, he

feltfulfilled. His persona now was complete. Had anyone told him this happiness would

one dayend as it did, he would have laughed himself upside down.

a) What had happened immediately before the excerpt ? ( 2marks)

b) After Kimani fills a vacancy in University of Nairobi’s Institute of Development

Studies, he demands for two changes at the university in quick succession. What are

these changes? (2 marks)

c) Identify and illustrate two character traits of Kimani brought out in this excerpt.

d) Discuss two themes raised in the excerpt. (4 marks)

e) (i) To ensure he came and filled it for sure, the University of Nairobi raised his entry

point from that of a lecturer to that of a senior lecturer. (Write beginning with the

mainclause). (1 mark)

(ii) His persona now was complete. (Add a question tag) (1 mark)

(iii) Now he wanted the university to be an agent of change, not a mere spectator of

it. (Rewrite using a co-ordinating conjunction) (1mk)

f) Identify and explain two stylistic devices used in the excerpt. (4 marks)

g) Explain the meaning of the following words used in the excerpt. (2 marks)

(i) Launched

(ii) Henceforth

h) Using your knowledge from elsewhere in the novel, highlight the misfortunes that befell

Prof. Kimani. (4 marks)

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Fathers Of Nation Questions And Answers

1) Discuss the relevance of the Title ‘Fathers of Nations ‘by Paul B.Vitta (20 marks) 

2) Effective leadership guarantees its people security and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, discuss the irony of this statement basing your arguments on the novel fathers of nation by Paul B, Vitta (20 marks) 

3) Change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another. Discuss the validity of this statement drawing examples from fathers of nation by Paul B Vitta (20 marks) 

4) Discuss the theme of Betrayal as brought out in the novel fathers of nations by Paul B. Vitta(20 marks) 

5) The novel ‘Fathers of nation’ by Paul B. vitta exposes a number of incidents of conflict or disagreement. Write a composition in  support of this statement (20 marks)   

6) Discuss the following themes as depicted in the novel   

a) Loss and Pain(20 marks)   

b) Marriage and Family(20 marks)   

c) Moral Decay/Decadence(20 marks)   

d) Corruption/Dishonesty (20 marks)   

e) Religion/Religiosity Piety(20 marks)   

f) Poverty/destitution (20 marks)   

7) "Change is inevitable in any society." Using illustrations from Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, write an essay to justify this statement. (20 marks) 

8) "Despite the obvious human weaknesses, Abiola is an adorable man." Making close reference to the novel, Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, write a composition to validate this statement. (20 marks) 

9) "Alienation is not only painful but also stigmatizing." Using Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta for your illustrations, write an essay to show the truth of this assertion. (20marks) 

10) "Conflict and society are inseparable." Using Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta for illustrations, write a composition to validate this statement. (20 marks) 

11) "Life is full of ironies." Using illustrations from Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, write an essay to justify this statement. (20 marks) 

12) "Betrayal pervades every level of the society." Basing your illustrations on Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, write a composition to show the truth of this assertion. (20 marks) 

13) The death of a beloved one can cause intense response. Basing your argument Paul Vita’s Fathers Nations, discuss this statement. (20 Marks) 

14) Write an essay on the disputes that arise in the novel Fathers of Nations and how each is resolved (20 marks) 

15) Identify and illustrate any stylistic devices Paul B. Vita has used to tell the story in Fathers of Nations. (20 marks) 

16) Write an essay on the disputes that arise in the novel Fathers of   Nations and how each is resolved. (20 marks) 

17) A person controlled by a desire for power has no sense of justice. Drawing your illustrations from Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta write an essay supporting this statement. (20 marks) 

18) Money and desire can change an individual. Basing your illustrations on Paul Vitta's Fathers of Nations, write an essay to back up this statement. (20 marks)   

19) Betrayal causes pain and strain in society. Using illustrations from Paul B. Vitta's Fathers of Nations, write an essay to validate this statement. (20 marks) 

20) Professor Kimani and Dr. Afolabi are portrayed as voices of reason   in Fathers of Nations. Basing your illustrations on Paul B. Vitta's Fathers of Nations, write an essay to validate this assertion." (20 marks)   

21) Rejection can be a source of agony both to ourselves and society. Using illustrations from Fathers of Nations, write an essay in support of this statement. (20 marks) 

22) Cultures can disintegrate families. Using the marriage of Dr Afolabi and Pamela in Fathers of Nations, write an essay on how bad cultures are to marriages.(20 marks).   

23) Show how the author has brought out the theme of poverty and underdevelopment in Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta. (20 marks) 

24) Discuss the character traits of each of the following as illustrated in Fathers of Nations by Paul B.Vitta. 

a) Karanja Kimani   

b) Comrade Ngobile Melusi 

c) Pastor Chineke Chiamaka 

d) Dr.Abiola Afolabi

R ead the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow. (25 marks)

When all four were back at their seats, the Chair began to wrap up."Excellencies, we've come to the  end of our summit." He smiled, and why not? Had The Trick not saved the day? Had it not  eliminated the need for the consensus he could not achieve? "Go back home safely, Excellencies.  

As we say in my country, travel like lions, without fear of attack or worry about supper. And,  

speaking about supper, the Pinnacle informs me that, to cap our summit, it has organised a closing ceremony on the mezzanine floor. Things will start sizzling in thirty minutes. So we'll meet there soon." Gavel hit wood.Bang. "I now declare the summit itself formally closed." Bang. Bang. President Dibonso sprang to hit feet at once. "Mr Chairman, don't insult our intelligence withthat rubbish." His voice was grating on all ears with tones of rage. "What rubbish are you referring to? President Dibonso?" asked the Chair. He was rising tothe challenge. "The Choice Matrix indeed! Do you really expect us to buy into that madness? Can't you seethat some of us are not senile? We reject the matrix, lock, stock and barrel." "I said the summit stands closed," insisted the Chair. Bang. Bang."And I say it is open again," retorted President Dibonso. 

"But, President Dibonso, you do not have the power to do so." "Who says I do not have the power to do so? See this?" He pulled out a pistol, pocket-size.The other heads of state scrambled to hide under their desks. "President Dibonso, put that thing away!" demanded the Chair."Make me!" retorted President Dibonso, The pistol clicked, It was ready to start spitting fire at the Chaire. 

QUESTIONS  

a)  Briefly explain what happens just before the excerpt.  (4 marks)  b)  Identify and illustrate two-character traits of the Summit Chair and one of PresidentDibonso.  (6 marks) 

c)  What two themes come out in the excerpt?  (4 marks)  d)  (i) We reject the matrix, lock, stock and barrel. (Write beginning with "Lock ") (1mark)  e)  Discuss two stylistic devices used in the excerpt.  (4 marks)  f)  I said the summit is closed. ( Rewrite using a question tag) (1 mark) 

g)  Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt.  (3 marks)  i.  Consensus 

ii.  cap 

iii.  sizzling 

R ead the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow. (25 marks)   Professor Kimani joined the University of Nairobi directly as a senior lecturer. Even before taking off, he was already flying. There was a reason. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda had justdismantled théir University of East Africa. Kenya's part of the university, now renamed  the University of Nairobi, found itself with a vacancy it had to fill immediately in its  Institute of Development Studies. 

Professor Kimani, who had just completed his studies at the University of Oxford, wrote from there to say he wanted to fill it. To ensure he came and filled it for sure, the University of Nairobi raised his entry point from that of a lecturer to that of a senior lecturer. 

He came. Only a month after his arrival, he launched a noisy debate in which he demanded that the University of Nairobi henceforth strive for relevance to the society rather than simplyexcellence of its work. It was not clear exactly what he meant by relevance to the  society rather than simply excellence of its work. It was not clear exactly what he meant by relevanceto the society. However, a short six months later, he prevailed. The university's  official mottobecame, 'Relevance to the society'. 

After winning this war, he started another war which was even noisier. Now he wanted the university to be an agent of change, not a mere spectator of it. This was when people still thought this view was too radical and ridiculed it as simple- minded. So, not surprising, someof his colleagues, puzzled by his refusal to see that it was simple-minded, did or said  

little, convinced that he would fall on his face before long and self-destruct on his own  

without their help. 

He did not care. After all, his antics in wars that he had started, and won, had also won him the heart of a campus beauty queen. Her name was Asiya Omondi. He married her on a rainy but approving Saturday, to claps of thunder and flashes of lightning. How marriage then accelerated academic success! A professorship soon followed. After that achievement, he feltfulfilled. His persona now was complete. Had anyone told him this happiness would  CONTACT 0756710486 FOR ANSWER S

one dayend as it did, he would have laughed himself upside down. 

a)  After Kimani fills a vacancy in University of Nairobi's Institute of Development Studies,he  demands for two changes at the university in quick succession. What are these changes?  (2 marks) 

b)  Identify and illustrate three characters traits of Kimani brought out in this excerpt.  (6marks)  c)  Discuss three themes raised in the excerpt.  (6 marks)  d)  (i) To ensure he came and filled it for sure, the University of Nairobi raised his entry point from  

that of a lecturer to that of a senior lecturer. (Write beginning with the mainclause).  (1 mark)  ii) His persona now was complete . (1 mark)  e)  Identify one stylistic device used in the excerpt.  (4 marks)  f)  Explain the meaning of the following words used in the excerpt.  (4 marks)  g)  The writer says, 'Had anyone told him this happiness would one day end as it did, hewould have laughed himself upside down." What later happened to Professor Kimaniin the text?  (2 marks) 

R ead the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow (25 marks)  

"Tad," said the cranky passenger as he was settling down in economy class, in a seat next toDr  Afolabi's. "Tad Longway," he added. His voice, deep, lingered on like the boom of a bigdrum. He held up a card. Dr Afolabi took it. It said the man was a Director of Special Projects at the  

Agency for Governance and Development in Africa. "Pleased to meet you, Mr Longway," Dr  CONTACT 0756710486 FOR ANSWER S

Afolabisaid. "My name is Abiola Afolabi. I teach at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. " "You gave an excellent keynote the other day, Dr Afolabi," said the cranky passenger. Sparksof  earnestness were crossing his eyes, both crystal-green like toy marbles, confirming the compliment was sincere. "Your keynote address at the Foundation for Democratic Rule, I mean. It was brilliant." "I'm glad you liked it, Mr Longway," Dr Afolabi said. His voice had become warm. "Youwere there, then, Mr Longway?" 

"Yes, but back in the last row. As a mere spectator, I did not want to be obtrusive. Anyway, you were superb, Dr Afolabi. If you don't mind my adding this, I was more impressed by thepoints that the audience raised afterwards, during the question-and-answer period. " 

Dr Afolabi felt the praise he had just heard turn into reproach. "So what were those points,Mr Longway?" he asked. His voice was less warm. "Remember the guy from Grassroots International: short fellow, round of body andoutspoken of manner? What was his name? It's on the tip of my tongue." 

You must mean the fire-eater who kept accusing me of looking for answers where I shouldnot even look," Dr Afolabi said. "Exactly, that's our man. Yes, I thought he was right on point, Dr Afolabi. He too wasunhappy with the present state." 

"Wait, the present state of what?" "Africa.""I don 't understand. " "No problem. I'll spell it out for you. You see, Dr Afolabi, Africa, in its present state, has twonew arrivals: corruption and  impunity. The first is a crime the Second protects from punishment, the second is another crime the first rewards with kickbacks. That is Africa in its presept state. Now can it change?" "Tell me. Can it?""Well, let's ask the Law of Will." '"' What?" 

"Unless there is will to change, there will be no change." 

(a) Briefly explain what happens before the excerpt.  (3 marks)  (b) Discuss one-character traits of Dr Afolabi and two of Mr Longway.  (6 marks)  (c)  Highlight two themes evident in the excerpt.  (4 marks) 

(d) (i) It's on the tip of my tongue. (Add a question tag)  (1 mark)  CONTACT 0756710 4 8 6   FOR ANSWER S

iii) Unless there is will to change, there will be no change. (Rewrite using "if ") (1mark)  (e)  Identify two stylistic devices used in the excerpt.  (4 marks)  (f)  (F) Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions used in the excerpt. (4 marks) 

R ead the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow (25 marks)   Cute as a button and sharp as a needle, he thought. Her eyes were wide and white like a pairof moons.  She continued. "My natural parents were Gambian, but I will never see them. aredead. Oh, well."  She wriggled in her chair. "Goodness me, what am I doing? Dictating my autobiography?" She  waved that idea away. "Let's talk business now, shall we?" She pulledout of her handbag a small device then switched it on. "Mind if I start recording?" 

"You're a reporter?" He had not thought she was."Yes, for the Gambian News." "I see. Now, how can I help you, Ms Mckenzie?""I'd like to ask you a few questions, if I may." "Yes, you may. In fact, why don't I start you off? My name is Abiola Afolabi, which you seem to 

know already. But you can just call me Abiola, my first name. Take it from there." "I will: you studied at Harvard University in the USA. Now you teach at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria." She smiled. "I got that from the cover of your book: Failure of States." Heaverted his  eyes to enjoy this fame in the correct manner— with humility, he hoped she would easily see through. This black Scotswoman surely knew her tread, he thought. 

"when I heard you were heard at The Seamount Hotel, Dr Afolabi, I decided to come and seeyou. So 

here I am. This is also funny." 

"Funny?" 

"Yes. I expected to see an academic scarecrow dressed in jeans. Instead, I see a well- dressedman who might well be a business person..." 

v)  Menacingly

a)  Explain what happens immediately g) Explain the meaning of the following before thisexcerpt.  (4 marks) 

b)  Identify and illustrate two aspects of style in this excerpt.  (4 marks)  c)  Discuss one theme evident in this excerpt.  (2 marks)  d)  Discuss two-character traits of Fiona in the excerpt.  (4 marks)  e)  Briefly explain what happens what happens after this excerpt.  (2 marks)  f)  How are Afolabi's thoughts in his book fulfilled later in the book? Briefly explain 

(4marks) 

g)  Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt.  (5 marks)  i)  Averted 

ii)  Autobiography 

iii)  Wriggled 

iv)  Tread 

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Fathers of Nations Sample Essay Questions and Answers

1. write an essay using examples from paul b. vitta's fathers of nations to demonstrate how revenge only makes things worse..

We occasionally suffer at the hands of others. We usually feel compelled to avenge or retaliate. Seeking vengeance, on the other hand, causes additional suffering or anguish, as in the example of Professor Kimani and Engineer Tahir in Paul B. Vitta's Fathers of Nations .

To begin with, when Professor Kimani's wife abandons him for a rogue member of parliament, he pursues vengeance but ends up in even more anguish. Professor Kimani's career as a revolutionary educator begins when he accepts a position as a high-flying senior lecturer at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Nairobi. In addition, he marries Asiya Omondi, a campus beauty. This was before he became a professor. When Walomu steals his wife, his problems begin. When Asiya informs him that she is leaving him for Walomu, he wonders if it is for financial reasons. Professors used to earn more than MPs. MPs now earn hundreds of times more and are not required to pay taxes, a legal coup. As a result of the recession, Professor Kimani is cash-strapped. He eats at a low-end restaurant, and his car breaks down once again and he plans fix it when he earns his next paycheck an indication of hard financial times he is facing. Asiya humiliates him by urging him to leave teaching to pursue politics like Newton Walomu, who now owns four cars in comparison to Kimani, who only has a dying old Toyota. It breaks the professor's heart that he lost his wife to a loud fellow and former junior colleague. After his daughter Tuni's death, Asiya despises Professor Kimani, and her resentment and depression lead to her choice to break their thirty-year marriage. She mocks him by suggesting that Tuni would still be alive if Professor Kimani possessed a real car.  He merely defends himself, stating Tuni did not perish in their car. Asiya Omondi is sixty years old when she decides to leave him after thirty years in marriage with professor Kimani. Pushed by a desire to revenge Kimani visits Walomu's office. He insults the MP and even attempts to physically assault him. Kimani is in even more pain as a result of the lack of closure. Walomu humiliates him by providing "wife-stealing" figures from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Greece. He also boasts about his three beautiful wives, making Kimani appear to be a green-eyed sore loser.Professor Kimani desire to seek revenge leads to beening imprisoned for six months for assaulting a member of parliament, in addition to this humiliation. For tarnishing the university's image, he is also demoted from professor to senior lecturer which are all as a result of trying to seek revenge. Tuni's death, Asiya's abandonment, and the institution's abuse all put him to the test. These three setbacks harden into resentment. He is exhausted from not getting enough sleep following his prison sentence. He even decides to leave his job as a teacher, which he had planned to do for the rest of his life. Seeking vengeance will almost certainly cause more harm than good and add salt to the wound.

In addition, in an attempt to revenge his wife Ziliza, Comrade Melusi Ngobile attempts to assassinate Zimbabwe's president but is humiliated and carried away by security personnel. Zimbabwe's ruler conducts numerous atrocities against Melusi and his Ndebele tribesmen, but the loss of his beloved wife is the most painful. First, the incoming ruler refuses to appoint comrade Melusi as minister merely on the basis of ethnicity. He is Shona, but Melusi is Ndebele, and hence a potential adversary. In addition, he fires the leader of Melusi's gang for allegedly crafting a coup. The government responds harshly to anti-government protests that arise in the aftermath of this dismissal. The 5th brigade "Gukurahundi" unleashes unimaginable terror on the Ndebele insurgents, killing a large number of civilians, including Ziliza, Melusi's wife. They strangled her and sprawled her on the kitchen floor as if in mockery, her eyes staring deathly. The new ruler's hatred towards the Ndebele is a story of treachery, as both tribes fought as partners against Smith, the colonial master. On top of that, the ruler employs "Murambatsvina" to force the urban poor to leave the slums without warning or alternate accommodation. They spit Comrade Melusi out after chewing him up. He fantasises about his wife, who has been dead for 20 years, yet his hatred remains. In a photograph, she beseeches him to revenge her murder. He executes a weak salute while standing at attention and swears that he will avenge her murder. When he tries to carry out his plan of vengeance the next day, the hawk-eyed security officers at the summit seize him by the collar before he can strike the offending president - his arch nemesis. Then he is brazenly whisked away. He does not reappear when the gathering reconvenes. Revenge can be a futile endeavour that aggravates rather than alleviates the victim's grief.

Thirdly, when Engineer Seif Tahir is rejected by a junior female coworker, he becomes enraged and decides to avenge. This vengeance does not bring him peace rather he becomes much more agitated. It is only causing him misery. Tahir falls in love with Rahma, an Arabic word that means "very kind." She has huge eyes and a beautiful smile. She is stunning. Rahma is a million miles younger than Tahir. Tahir is at a disadvantage because of the rank differential. This is because he cannot bear the humiliation of being rejected by a junior colleague. Tahir regrets obsequiously saying “Sabah Kher” and quickly invites Rahma for tomato soup assertively. Being  a Wednesday he proposes a tomato soup date over the weekend and gives the lady four days notice. She doesn't say anything, yet her large eyes gleam brightly. She also gives him a huge smile that shows off her beautiful white teeth and enormous purple gums. Tahir detects a dimple on her left cheek as well. In accordance with Libyan tradition, she wears a head veil. Tahir recommends they get together on Saturday. She says no. A sweet not to conceal her eagerness to accept the tomato soup offer. A Libyan woman's eagerness to say yes would be inappropriate. Tahir misidentifies the sweet deceitful no as a nasty no. He can't take the rude rejection any longer. In a rage, he storms back to his office, vowing to pay back. And he exacts his retribution. He slaps Rahma during "Heritage Week" when she removes her head cover, which interferes with her laboratory job. He does it ostensibly to punish a female coworker who has violated the culture, but in reality he does it out of anger and humiliation at rejection. Rahma responds without thinking by striking back with a letter opener making Tahir loses his left eye. He spends a month in the hospital and is bitter and resentful when he is released. Pursuant to the "an eye for an eye" Hammurabic ruling, he wins the lawsuit and Rahma loses her eye. Instead of delight, Tahir is filled with persistent sadness and self-hatred as a result of his vengeful win. The agony is made worse by the fake eye that conceals the hole in his face. He descends into profound depression and flees Tripoli for Benghazi in order to escape nagging friends who try to talk him out of his sorrow. Indeed, vengeance only adds to the suffering rather than alleviating it.

Lastly, Rahma regrets striking back after Tahir hits her. Her immediate vengeance has far-reaching ramifications, as she discovers when the Hammurabic verdict goes against her. Rahma is Engineer Tahir’s junior colleague. When he approaches her and offers to take her out on a date, she hides her eagerness to say yes beneath layers of coyness. She simply smiles at him, her huge eyes shining brightly, but she says nothing. She answers no when he insists. But she really means it. He was required to fill in the blanks. He takes her sweet no for a nasty no and vows vengeance. He slaps Rahma as she takes her head veil off for work. Rahma does not pause to consider her next course of action. Instead of restraint, she strikes back. In her rage, she is unable to reason sensibly. She reacts instinctively after being struck initially. She fails to contemplate the long-term effects. Turning the other cheek would have been a better response, wouldn’t it? Using a letter opener, she splits engineer Tahir's left eye open. He spends a month in the hospital and returns furious and vengeful, taking her to court the following day. He claims he hit her to prevent her from mimicking Americans and dishonouring Libya. In her defence, she claims that she was temporarily insane due to tremendous provocation. When the court issues a Hammurabi verdict of "an eye for an eye," she regrets her rash deed of retribution. She sobs, but the court is unmoved. She had surgery to remove her left eye. Rahma's thirst for vengeance ultimately brings her greater misery.

In conclusion, getting even with someone else may make a bad situation even worse. Professor Kimani, Engineer Tahir, comrade Melusi, and Rahma go from one extreme to the other as they pursue their quest for vengeance.

2. Despite having gained Independence, Many African   nations still grapple with Neo - colonialism which  adversely affects lives. Justify this assertion with   illustration from Father's of Nations by John Lara  ( 20 marks )

 Leaving of white man who was a colonialist paved way  for Africa to be colonized by its own people who took advantage of their positions of power to mistreat the masses. After Independence , Africans decide to govern themselves putting into leadership the people they trust   who can govern them better and bring change after tough times during colonial period. Their dreams do not come true as the very leaders turn their back on them and become " black Europeans" . This is evident in Father's of Nations by John Lara.

Comrade Melusi confesses to Mr Longway that there is no freedom, no work no unity as the new leader applies the  tactic of divide and rule. African leaders  does not discuss serious issues. They portray as individuals who lack etiquette and turn taking skills, hecklers and uncivilized. Like illiterates they shout at each other instead of breaking grounds on how to understand each other and discuss effectively.

New colonialism has brought with it many other evils, political assassination. The author paints a picture of a continent where leadership is a matter of life and death and no longer a calling. They deep their feet into leadership with hidden motives. They get to power by all means and campaigns and political ventures including killing fellow killing fellow contestants

Mp Newborn Walomu, a former junior lecturer in realizing that ignorance and education is valued and rewarded in Kenya, he dives into politics with his whole body and starts by committing atrocities to ascend to power.During the by election campaigns, Walomu use gunmen who could have been better than him This organized crimes are rampant in most African states as leaders will do anything within their powers to stay in leadership. Neo -colonialism bred rampant coups in various states in 

Africa as leaders turned doctors.Only their voices were to be heard. With their insatiable thirst for power, African leaders go to greater heights at the expense of their nations to grasp power. Armies are at their disposal and they use them for their selfish gains.

Indeed, new colonialism comes with many adverse effects in the masses.

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Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah – Father of Nation

Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s achievement as the founder of Pakistan, dominates everything else he did in his long and crowded public life spanning some 42 years. Yet, by any standard, his was an eventful life, his personality multidimensional and his achievements in other fields were many, if not equally great.

Indeed, several were the roles he had played with distinction: at one time or another, he was one of the greatest legal luminaries India had produced during the first half of the century, an `ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity, a great onstitutionalist, a distinguished parliamentarian, a top-notch politician, an indefatigable freedom-fighter, a dynamic Muslim leader, a political strategist and, above all one of the great nation-builders of modern times.

What, however, makes him so remarkable is the fact that while similar other leaders assumed the leadership of traditionally well-defined nations and espoused their cause, or led them to freedom, he created a nation out of an inchoate and down-trodeen minority and established a cultural and national home for it. And all that within a decase. For over three decades before he successful culmination in 1947, of the Muslim struggle for freedom in the South-Asian subcontinent, Jinnah had provided political leadership to the Indian Muslims: initially as one of the leaders, but later, since 1947, as the only prominent leader- the Quaid-i-Azam.

For over thirty years, he had guided their affairs; he had given expression, coherence and direction to their ligitimate aspirations and cherished dreams; he had formulated these into concerete demands; and, above all, he had striven all the while to get them conceded by both the ruling British and the numerous Hindus the ominant segment of India’s population. And for over thirty years he had fought, relentlessly and inexorably, for the inherent rights of the Muslims for an honourable existence in the subcontinent.

Indeed, his life story constitutes, as it were, the story of the rebirth of the Muslims of the subcontinent and their spectacular rise to nationhood, phoenixlike. Early Life Born on December 25, 1876, in a prominent mercantile family in Karachi and educated at the Sindh Madrassat-ul-Islam and the Christian Mission School at his birth place,Jinnah joined the Lincoln’s Inn in 1893 to become the oungest Indian to be called to the Bar, three years later.

Starting out in the legal profession withknothing to fall back upon except his native ability and determination, young Jinnah rose to prominence and became Bombay’s most successful lawyer, as few did, within a few years. Once he was firmly established in the legal profession, Jinnah formally entered politics in 1905 from the platform of the Indian National Congress. He went to England in that year alongwith Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915), as a member of a Congress delegation to plead the cause of Indian self- overnemnt during the British elections.

A year later, he served as Secretary to Dadabhai Noaroji(1825-1917), the then Indian National Congress President, which was considered a great honour for a budding politician. Here, at the Calcutta Congress session (December 1906), he also made his first political speech in support of the resolution on self-government. Political Career Three years later, in January 1910, Jinnah was elected to the newly- constituted Imperial Legislative Council. All through his parliamentary career, which spanned some four decades, he was probably the most powerful oice in the cause of Indian freedom and Indian rights.

Jinnah, who was also the first Indian to pilot a private member’s Bill through the Council, soon became a leader of a group inside the legislature. Mr. Montagu (1879- 1924), Secretary of State for India, at the close of the First World War, considered Jinnah “perfect mannered, impressive-looking, armed to the teeth with dialecties… “Jinnah, he felt, “is a very clever man, and it is, of course, an outrage that such a man should have no chance of running the affairs of his own country. ” For about three decades since his entry into politics in 1906, Jinnah assionately believed in and assiduously worked for Hindu-Muslim unity.

Gokhale, the foremost Hindu leader before Gandhi, had once said of him, “He has the true stuff in him and that freedom from all sectarian prejudice which will make him the best ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity: And, to be sure, he did become the architect of Hindu-Muslim Unity: he was responsible for the Congress-League Pact of 1916, known popularly as Lucknow Pact- the only pact ever signed between the two political organisations, the Congress and the All-India Muslim League, representing, as they did, the two major ommunities in the subcontinent.

The Congress-League scheme embodied in this pact was to become the basis for the Montagu-Chemlsford Reforms, also known as the Act of 1919. In retrospect, the Lucknow Pact represented a milestone in the evolution of Indian politics. For one thing, it conceded Muslims the right to separate electorate, reservation of seats in the legislatures and weightage in representation both at the Centre and the minority provinces. Thus, their retention was ensured in the next phase of reforms.

For another, it represented a tacit recognition of the All-India Muslim League as the epresentative organisation of the Muslims, thus strengthening the trend towards Muslim individuality in Indian politics. And to Jinnah goes the credit for all this. Thus, by 1917, Jinnah came to be recognised among both Hindus and Muslims as one of India’s most outstanding political leaders. Not only was he prominent in the Congress and the Imperial Legislative Council, he was also the President of the All-India Muslim and that of lthe Bombay Branch of the Home Rule League.

More important, because of his key- role in the Congress-League entente at Lucknow, he was hailed as the mbassador, as well as the embodiment, of Hindu-Muslim unity. Constitutional Struggle In subsequent years, however, he felt dismayed at the injection of violence into politics. Since Jinnah stood for “ordered progress”, moderation, gradualism and constitutionalism, he felt that political terrorism was not the pathway to national liberation but, the dark alley to disaster and destruction.

Hence, the constitutionalist Jinnah could not possibly, countenance Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s novel methods of Satyagrah (civil disobedience) and the triple boycott of government-aided schools and olleges, courts and councils and British textiles. Earlier, in October 1920, when Gandhi, having been elected President of the Home Rule League, sought to change its constitution as well as its nomenclature, Jinnah had resigned from the Home Rule League, saying: “Your extreme programme has for the moment struck the imagination mostly of the inexperienced youth and the ignorant and the illiterate.

All this means disorganisation and choas”. Jinnah did not believe that ends justified the means. In the ever-growing frustration among the masses caused by colonial rule, there was ample cause for extremism. But, Gandhi’s doctrine of non- cooperation, Jinnah felt, even as Rabindranath Tagore(1861-1941) did also feel, was at best one of negation and despair: it might lead to the building up of resentment, but nothing constructive. Hence, he opposed tooth and nail the tactics adopted by Gandhi to exploit the Khilafat and wrongful tactics in the Punjab in the early twenties.

On the eve of its adoption of the Gandhian programme, Jinnah warned the Nagpur Congress Session (1920): “you are making a declaration (of Swaraj within a year) and committing the Indian National Congress to a programme, which you will not e able to carry out”. He felt that there was no short-cut to independence and that Gandhi’s extra-constitutional methods could only lead to political terrorism, lawlessness and chaos, without bringing India nearer to the threshold of freedom. The future course of events was not only to confirm Jinnah’s worst fears, but also to prove him right.

Although Jinnah left the Congress soon thereafter, he continued his efforts towards bringing about a Hindu-Muslim entente, which he rightly considered “the most vital condition of Swaraj”. However, because of the deep distrust between the two communities as videnced by the country-wide communal riots, and because the Hindus failed to meet the genuine demands of the Muslims, his efforts came to naught. One such effort was the formulation of the Delhi Muslim Proposals in March, 1927.

In order to bridge Hindu-Muslim differences on the constitutional plan, these proposals even waived the Muslim right to separate electorate, the most basic Muslim demand since 1906, which though recognised by the congress in the Lucknow Pact, had again become a source of friction between the two communities. surprisingly though, the Nehru Report (1928), which epresented the Congress-sponsored proposals for the future constitution of India, negated the minimum Muslim demands embodied in the Delhi Muslim Proposals.

In vain did Jinnah argue at the National convention (1928): “What we want is that Hindus and Mussalmans should march together until our object is achieved… These two communities have got to be reconciled and united and made to feel that their interests are common”. The Convention’s blank refusal to accept Muslim demands represented the most devastating setback to Jinnah’s life-long efforts to bring about Hindu-Muslim unity, it meant the last straw” for the Muslims, and “the parting of the ways” for him, as he confessed to a Parsee friend at that time.

Jinnah’s disillusionment at the course of politics in the subcontinent prompted him to migrate and settle down in London in the early thirties. He was, however, to return to India in 1934, at the pleadings of his co-religionists, and assume their leadership. But, the Muslims presented a sad spectacle at that time. They were a mass of disgruntled and demoralised men and women, politically disorganised and destitute of a clear-cut political programme.

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Fathers of Nation Possible KCSE Excerpts Questions and Answers-Excerpts 1-5

Get Excerpts 6-10 Here

Compilation of Possible Excerpts Based Questions Likely to be Examined in English Paper 2.

Possible kcse excerpt 1, read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow. (25 marks).

When all four were back at their seats, the Chair began to wrap up.”Excellencies, we’ve come to the end of our summit.” He smiled, and why not? Had The Trick not saved the day? Had it not eliminated the need for the consensus he could not achieve? “Go back home safely, Excellencies. As we say in my country, travel like lions, without fear of attack or worry about supper. And, speaking about supper, the Pinnacle informs me that, to cap our summit, it has organised a closing ceremony on the mezzanine floor. Things will start sizzling in thirty minutes. So we’ll meet there soon.” Gavel hit wood.Bang. “I now declare the summit itself formally closed.” Bang. Bang. President Dibonso sprang to hit feet at once. “Mr Chairman, don’t insult our intelligence withthat rubbish.” His voice was grating on all ears with tones of rage. “What rubbish are you referring to? President Dibonso?” asked the Chair. He was rising tothe challenge. “The Choice Matrix indeed! Do you really expect us to buy into that madness? Can’t you seethat some of us are not senile? We reject the matrix, lock, stock and barrel.” “I said the summit stands closed,” insisted the Chair. Bang. Bang.”And I say it is open again,” retorted President Dibonso.

“But, President Dibonso, you do not have the power to do so.” “Who says I do not have the power to do so? See this?” He pulled out a pistol, pocket-size.The other heads of state scrambled to hide under their desks. “President Dibonso, put that thing away!” demanded the Chair.”Make me!” retorted President Dibonso, The pistol clicked, It was ready to start spitting fire at the Chaire.

• Briefly explain what happens just before the excerpt.                                               (4 marks)
• Identify and illustrate two-character traits of the Summit Chair and one of PresidentDibonso.
• What two themes come out in the excerpt?                                                                 (4 marks)
• (i) We reject the matrix, lock, stock and barrel. (Write beginning with “Lock “) (1mark)
• Discuss two stylistic devices used in the excerpt.                                                      (4 marks)
• I said the summit is closed. ( Rewrite using a question tag)                                   (1 mark)

POSSIBLE KCSE EXCERPT 2

Professor Kimani joined the University of Nairobi directly as a senior lecturer. Even before taking off, he was already flying. There was a reason. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda had justdismantled théir University of East Africa. Kenya’s part of the university, now renamed the University of Nairobi, found itself with a vacancy it had to fill immediately in its Institute of Development Studies.

Professor Kimani, who had just completed his studies at the University of Oxford, wrote from there to say he wanted to fill it. To ensure he came and filled it for sure, the University of Nairobi raised his entry point from that of a lecturer to that of a senior lecturer.

He came. Only a month after his arrival, he launched a noisy debate in which he demanded that the University of Nairobi henceforth strive for relevance to the society rather than simplyexcellence of its work. It was not clear exactly what he meant by relevance to the society rather than simply excellence of its work. It was not clear exactly what he meant by relevanceto the society. However, a short six months later, he prevailed. The university’s official mottobecame, ‘Relevance to the society’.

After winning this war, he started another war which was even noisier. Now he wanted the university to be an agent of change, not a mere spectator of it. This was when people still thought this view was too radical and ridiculed it as simple- minded. So, not surprising, someof his colleagues, puzzled by his refusal to see that it was simple-minded, did or said little, convinced that he would fall on his face before long and self-destruct on his own

without their help.

He did not care. After all, his antics in wars that he had started, and won, had also won him the heart of a campus beauty queen. Her name was Asiya Omondi. He married her on a rainy but approving Saturday, to claps of thunder and flashes of lightning. How marriage then accelerated academic success! A professorship soon followed. After that achievement, he feltfulfilled. His persona now was complete. Had anyone told him this happiness would one dayend as it did, he would have laughed himself upside down.

• After Kimani fills a vacancy in University of Nairobi’s Institute of Development Studies,he demands for two changes at the university in quick succession. What are these changes?
• Identify and illustrate three characters traits of Kimani brought out in this excerpt.  (6marks)
• Discuss three themes raised in the excerpt.                                                                  (6 marks)
• (i) To ensure he came and filled it for sure, the University of Nairobi raised his entry point from that of a lecturer to that of a senior lecturer. (Write beginning with the mainclause). (1 mark)

ii) His persona now was complete .                                                                                       (1 mark)

• Identify one stylistic device used in the excerpt.                                                         (4 marks)
• Explain the meaning of the following words used in the excerpt.                              (4 marks)
• The writer says, ‘Had anyone told him this happiness would one day end as it did, hewould have laughed himself upside down.” What later happened to Professor Kimaniin the text? (2 marks)

POSSIBLE KCSE EXCERPT 3

Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow (25 marks)

“Tad,” said the cranky passenger as he was settling down in economy class, in a seat next toDr Afolabi’s. “Tad Longway,” he added. His voice, deep, lingered on like the boom of a bigdrum. He held up a card. Dr Afolabi took it. It said the man was a Director of Special Projects at the Agency for Governance and Development in Africa. “Pleased to meet you, Mr Longway,” Dr Afolabisaid. “My name is Abiola Afolabi. I teach at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. “

“You gave an excellent keynote the other day, Dr Afolabi,” said the cranky passenger. Sparksof earnestness were crossing his eyes, both crystal-green like toy marbles, confirming the compliment was sincere. “Your keynote address at the Foundation for Democratic Rule, I mean. It was brilliant.” “I’m glad you liked it, Mr Longway,” Dr Afolabi said. His voice had become warm. “Youwere there, then, Mr Longway?”

“Yes, but back in the last row. As a mere spectator, I did not want to be obtrusive. Anyway, you were superb, Dr Afolabi. If you don’t mind my adding this, I was more impressed by thepoints that the audience raised afterwards, during the question-and-answer period. “

Dr Afolabi felt the praise he had just heard turn into reproach. “So what were those points,Mr Longway?” he asked. His voice was less warm. “Remember the guy from Grassroots International: short fellow, round of body andoutspoken of manner? What was his name? It’s on the tip of my tongue.”

You must mean the fire-eater who kept accusing me of looking for answers where I shouldnot even look,” Dr Afolabi said. “Exactly, that’s our man. Yes, I thought he was right on point, Dr Afolabi. He too wasunhappy with the present state.”

“Wait, the present state of what?” “Africa.””I don ‘t understand. ” “No problem. I’ll spell it out for you. You see, Dr Afolabi, Africa, in its present state, has twonew arrivals: corruption and impunity. The first is a crime the Second protects from punishment, the second is another crime the first rewards with kickbacks. That is Africa in its presept state. Now can it change?”

“Tell me. Can it?””Well, let’s ask the Law of Will.” ‘”‘ What?” “Unless there is will to change, there will be no change.”

• Briefly explain what happens before the excerpt.                                                        (3 marks)
• Discuss one-character traits of Dr Afolabi and two of Mr Longway.                        (6 marks)
• Highlight two themes evident in the excerpt.                                                               (4 marks)
• (i) It’s on the tip of my tongue. (Add a question tag)                                                   (1 mark)

iii) Unless there is will to change, there will be no change. (Rewrite using “if “)           (1mark)

• Identify two stylistic devices used in the excerpt.                                                       (4 marks)
• (F) Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions used in the excerpt. (4 marks)

POSSIBLE KCSE EXCERPT 4

Cute as a button and sharp as a needle, he thought. Her eyes were wide and white like a pairof moons. She continued. “My natural parents were Gambian, but I will never see them. aredead. Oh, well.” She wriggled in her chair. “Goodness me, what am I doing? Dictating my autobiography?” She waved that idea away. “Let’s talk business now, shall we?” She pulledout of her handbag a small device then switched it on. “Mind if I start recording?”

“You’re a reporter?” He had not thought she was.”Yes, for the Gambian News.”

“I see. Now, how can I help you, Ms Mckenzie?””I’d like to ask you a few questions, if I may.” “Yes, you may. In fact, why don’t I start you off? My name is Abiola Afolabi, which you seem to

know already. But you can just call me Abiola, my first name. Take it from there.”

“I will: you studied at Harvard University in the USA. Now you teach at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.” She smiled. “I got that from the cover of your book: Failure of States.” Heaverted his eyes to enjoy this fame in the correct manner— with humility, he hoped she would easily see through. This black Scotswoman surely knew her tread, he thought.

“when I heard you were heard at The Seamount Hotel, Dr Afolabi, I decided to come and seeyou. So

here I am. This is also funny.” “Funny?”

“Yes. I expected to see an academic scarecrow dressed in jeans. Instead, I see a well- dressedman who might well be a business person…”

• Explain what happens immediately g) Explain the meaning of the following before thisexcerpt.
• Identify and illustrate two aspects of style in this excerpt.                                         (4 marks)
• Discuss one theme evident in this excerpt.                                                                   (2 marks)
• Discuss two-character traits of Fiona in the excerpt.                                                   (4 marks)
• Briefly explain what happens what happens after this excerpt.                                  (2 marks)
• How are Afolabi’s thoughts in his book fulfilled later in the book? Briefly explain
• Autobiography

POSSIBLE KCSE EXCERPT 5

“Why do you want to steal my wife?””The word I used is ‘marry’. You prefer ‘steal’?””What good is she to you?” Kimani cursed himself for that wording: he had degraded notonly his wife but also himself, and in the same breath, upgraded his foe.”What good is she to me? Because she is much older than I am? — is that what you mean?Then hear my answer. Old is gold.”Mr Walomu’s opponents had a different answer: ‘ ‘When a cat gets into a pigeon coop,” theysaid, “it kills all the pigeons it finds there, not just those it will eat”.

Mr Walomu had already eaten three pigeons and now had in his paws a fourth: Asiya. Strewnalong his path, lay many others he had killed but not eaten. So who could say for sure that,months hence, Asiya would not become one of these?Mr Walomu’s opponents continued. “As for what you call ‘stealing’, a professor in Texassaysthat lots of people do it. He threw in a Swahili to support his claim.

“Na hivyo ndivyo ilivyo.” To help it along, he gave an appropriate English equivalent. “Andthat’s how the cookie crumbles.”That was mockery Professor Kimani felt had to reject. “You have three beautiful wives,” hebegan. This was a silly start, as even he realised. Had he not sounded like an envious loser?Nonetheless, he went on. “All of them are young.””And young they’ll still be the day I die,” Walomu added.”Karanja, you know the saying: ‘A real bull dies with green grass in its mouth’ .”

• Identify and illustrate two-character traits of Walomu in the excerpt .                       (4 marks)
• Then hear my answer. (Add a question tag )                                                                  (1 mark).
• Discuss two themes raised in the excerpt.                                                                    (4 marks)
• Identify and illustrate three stylistic devices used in the excerpt.                              (6 marks)
• To help it along, he gave an approximate English equivalent. (Rewrite beginning withthe main clause)                                                                                                                               (1 mark).

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Quaid-e-Azam: The Father of the Nation

Updated 06 April 2023

Downloads 62

Category Law

Topic Quaid E Azam

Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah: The Father of the Nation

Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, also known as the Father of the Nation, is one of the most prominent figures in the history of Pakistan. He was born on December 25, 1876, in Karachi, and went on to become a lawyer, politician, and leader of the Muslim League. In this essay, we will explore the life and legacy of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Jinnah was the eldest of seven children and grew up in a wealthy family. He received his early education in Karachi and later went to London to study law. He was called to the Bar in 1896 and returned to India to practice law. He quickly became involved in politics, joining the Indian National Congress in 1906. However, he soon became disillusioned with the Congress and its leadership, which he felt did not adequately represent the interests of Muslims in India.

Leadership of the Muslim League

In 1913, Jinnah joined the All India Muslim League and became its leader in 1916. He saw the Muslim League as a vehicle for promoting the interests of Muslims in India and advocating for a separate Muslim state. Jinnah became known for his passionate speeches and tireless advocacy on behalf of Muslims in India.

Jinnah's leadership of the Muslim League culminated in the creation of Pakistan in 1947. He played a central role in negotiations with the British government and other political parties, working tirelessly to secure the creation of a separate Muslim state. On August 14, 1947, Pakistan was born, with Jinnah serving as its first Governor-General.

Jinnah's Legacy

Jinnah's legacy as the Father of the Nation has been significant. He is widely revered in Pakistan for his role in the creation of the country and his vision for a secular, democratic, and modern state. He believed that Pakistan should be a nation where all citizens, regardless of their religion or background, had equal rights and opportunities.

Jinnah's vision for Pakistan was rooted in his belief in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. He famously said, "You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the State."

Jinnah was also a champion of women's rights and believed in their full participation in all aspects of society. He famously said, "No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live."

Jinnah's leadership and vision for Pakistan continue to inspire people in Pakistan and around the world. His commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law remains as relevant today as it was in his time. However, Pakistan has faced many challenges since its creation, including political instability, economic struggles, and ongoing conflicts with India.

Despite these challenges, the people of Pakistan continue to look to Jinnah as a symbol of hope and inspiration. His legacy reminds us of the importance of leadership, vision, and courage in the face of adversity. As Pakistan continues to navigate the challenges of the 21st century, it is essential to remember the words of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who said, "With faith, discipline, and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve."

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