The Trial of Dedan Kimathi

by

Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong'o and Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo

Business Executive Character Analysis

The business executive is an African man, whose European clothing signals his loyalties to British Kenya. He is one of several characters who visits Kimathi in his jail cell to try to get him to plead guilty to his crimes and abandon his fight for Kenyan independence. The business executive cites all the great strides Black Kenyans have made under British imperialism, noting the abolition of the colour bar and the improved economic opportunities. But the business executive’s arguments don’t sway Kimathi, who holds firm that Kenyans shouldn’t have to work to “earn” their independence: it’s owed to them, and he refuses to compromise and play into the capitalist economy the British have imposed on his nation.

Business Executive Quotes in The Trial of Dedan Kimathi

The The Trial of Dedan Kimathi quotes below are all either spoken by Business Executive or refer to Business Executive. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Imperialism and Oppression  Theme Icon
).
Second Movement Quotes

BUSINESS EXECUTIVE: It is not, eeh, exactly like that. But there have been two important announcements. They have said: No more racialism. No more colour bar. In public places. In administration. In business. In the allocation of loans. In the grabbing, well, in the acquisition of land. Partnership in progress, that’s the new motto. Is this not what we have been fighting for? Any black man who now works hard and has capital can make it to the top. We can become social directors of foreign companies. We can now buy land in the White Highlands. White Highlands no more. It’s now: willing Seller, willing Buyer.

Related Characters: Business Executive (speaker), Dedan Kimathi
Related Symbols: Kimathi’s Jail Cell
Page Number: 45
Explanation and Analysis:
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Business Executive Quotes in The Trial of Dedan Kimathi

The The Trial of Dedan Kimathi quotes below are all either spoken by Business Executive or refer to Business Executive. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Imperialism and Oppression  Theme Icon
).
Second Movement Quotes

BUSINESS EXECUTIVE: It is not, eeh, exactly like that. But there have been two important announcements. They have said: No more racialism. No more colour bar. In public places. In administration. In business. In the allocation of loans. In the grabbing, well, in the acquisition of land. Partnership in progress, that’s the new motto. Is this not what we have been fighting for? Any black man who now works hard and has capital can make it to the top. We can become social directors of foreign companies. We can now buy land in the White Highlands. White Highlands no more. It’s now: willing Seller, willing Buyer.

Related Characters: Business Executive (speaker), Dedan Kimathi
Related Symbols: Kimathi’s Jail Cell
Page Number: 45
Explanation and Analysis: