After an exhausting day of hard labour, Ben finds oblivion in the seedy bars and clubs of River Road - anything to leave his cockroach-infested rooms and ignore the reality of living paycheck to paycheck.

At times, it's difficult to remember that it wasn't always this way. Somehow, he went from a promising career as a soldier to a disgraceful dismissal and a steady decline into poverty. Now the only thing Ben has left to lose is hope.

Writing with colourful realism, Meja Mwangi paints an unforgettable depiction of life in Nairobi's slums - drawing attention to the hardships of the working poor and their disillusion with uncaring politicians.

'[Mwangi is] among the leading Kenyan writers.' New York Times
'Riveting.' Guardian
'The finest African novel ever.' Professor Ibrahim Bello Kano