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Dear Friends,
On 28th June at the Sarakasi Dome in Ngara, Nairobi, Mvua Press released an all new, third edition of After 4.30, a boundary-breaking work of fiction originally self-published in 1974 by David Maillu, banned in Tanzania and South Africa by 1976, and read in secret by generations of Kenyans.
Written in a raw, quasi-poetic form, this literary masterpiece by David G. Maillu brings to life society’s treatment of women in the years following Kenya’s independence, not shying away from the realities of femicide, polygamy, intimacy, power, and rape.
The launch attracted hundreds of Kenyans and non-Kenyans spanning three generations — a community of creatives, academics, and ardent Gen Z fans, with many pointing out the contemporary relevance of the issues the book addressed more than five decades ago.
The new edition features a cover illustration by famous Nairobi artist Michael Soi. It also has a foreword by media personality Barrack Muluka. The book retains Maillu’s authentic voice and the immediacy of the characters while polishing it for today’s readers.
During the launch, a team of actors directed by Mwaniki Njache and George Mungai presented the premiere of a stage adaptation of the book. The rerelease of After 4.30 has attracted interest from literary enthusiasts, authors, musicians, researchers, and reviewers in Africa and beyond. The book is available from the publisher and at major bookshops in Nairobi.
Perspectives from the launch:
“Maillu was gender sensitive before people even realised what gender was and adapting his work into a play was both very difficult and very easy, because there is so much material with so much depth. The easy part is that the material was there, the hard part was to decide what to cut out and what to keep.”—Play Director Mwaniki Njache
“I am very appreciative that it’s a man who wrote this book, because had it been me or another female author who had written it, we would have been termed bitter and angry.”—Deborah Auko Tendo, Rough Silk author
“Stay toxic—stay Taliban!”—A Gen Z woman’s advice to women after watching the stage play
We extend our sincere thanks to all who made it for the book launch and stage performance. The energy and spirit of community you brought made the day memorable. To the authors and book lovers who took time to attend, network, and celebrate, your presence was invaluable. We see the future with enthusiasm.
Warmest regards,
Will