MAISHA YETU
The other day the African Publishers Network (APNET) published a report whose findings do not flatter Kenya at all. The report places Kenya among a small group of African countries that levy Value Added Tax (VAT) on books. You might call it a list of shame. It is embarrassing that we are counted among nations […]
Let us go on literary excursion down memory lane, shall we? Here we find Pacesetters Series that mesmerised readers in English speaking Africa, from the seventies all the way to the late 90s.The series were published by Macmillan, a UK multinational, with offices in Eastern Africa, Western Africa and some representation in Southern Africa.Heinemann, another […]
In a landmark ruling, the High Court has barred the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) from demanding Factory Levy from publishers.Kebs had, in what looked like a fishing expedition, written to a number of publishers demanding payment for factory levies.In March 2024, Kebs wrote to Moran Publishers demanding Ksh52 million in levies and penalties dating […]
TITLE: Shadows in my SunshineAUTHOR: Beth RugaPUBLISHER: SelfMother and daughter bid each other farewell as the daughter goes back to college; it is to be the last time they are seeing each other.Even before she gets to school, a cruel twist of fate sees them ‘admitted’ at the same hospital under different circumstances, almost at […]
This year’s African Book Fair (ABF) was such a treat! The choice of venue—Maktaba Kuu at Upper Hill was spot on. Honestly, when Soma Nami first mentioned they’d host ABF at KNLS, I (and a few others) had my doubts. I imagined it might be difficult to access. Well, I was wrong. Completely wrong. When […]
Following the successful completion of the African Book Fair, held at the Kenya National Library Services (Maktaba Kuu), we sought out Wendy Njoroge, the co-convener of the event. She answered our four burning questions, below… MAISHA YETU: Did the fair meet your expectations? WENDY NJOROGE: Yes, and in many ways, it exceeded them. We saw […]
Today I have the single unenviable task of writing about Ngugi when everyone has written what is to be written about Kenya’s foremost writer, who went to join his ancestors on Wednesday last week. So where do I start? Well, I will start from the very beginning. Growing up, I didn’t encounter much of Ngugi; […]
TITLE: Jeneza Kutoka Saurabia AUTHOR: Kithaka wa Mberia PUBLISHER: Marimba Publications Limited REVIEWER: Mbugua Ngunjiri Kenya appears to be stumbling from one crisis to the other; such is the fatigue from these unfortunate occurrences that the people don’t seem to remember what we went through a month ago. Still, the crises follow each other like […]
TITLE: Fistula Diaries AUTHORS: Dr Weston Khisa with Dr Sabina Wakasiaka PUBLISHER: Moran (EA) Publishers REVIEWER: Mbugua Ngunjiri The image of a mother suckling her, while seated under a tree, is a common occurrence, particularly in rural settings, is one that evokes warm feelings to whomever beholds it. However, the image we are about to […]
For purposes of this story, I will start by going down memory lane, where we meet Ancent Soi, who was employed as a shop assistant at a curio store belonging to former Kamukunji MP, George Nthenge, at the City Market. Now curio shops are filled with, among other things, colourful artefacts meant for the tourist […]