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Books Fiction Issues News publishing

From Pacesetters to Pearls: Moran keeps the reading adventure alive

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 […]

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Issues News publishing

Win for publishers as Moran challenges Kebs levies

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 […]

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Books Fiction Issues Play

Home in a casket: the sad tale of migrant workers

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 […]

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Books Issues Non-Fiction Reviews

Fistula: how a medical couple is bringing relief to victims of silent epidemic

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 […]

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Arts Books Events Issues Personalities

Generations apart: when literary art meets visual art

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 […]

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Books Culture Education Issues News publishing

Irony of few libraries in a country with high literacy rates

Towards the end of May, I could not help but eavesdrop on the excited chatter of two workers of the Kisii County Library as they awaited the official handover of books donated to the institution. Just like excited toddlers that had just received brand new toys from a visiting relative, the two workers could hardly […]

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Books Culture Events Fiction Issues News Personalities

Maillu’s After 4.30 still relevant 50 years on

There is something about Mathemboni that makes you want to keep going back. Last Saturday was my third time, since November last year, and it definitely will not be the last. There is a certain aura of peace that pervades the place. Situated on a hilly place, Mathemboni, to those who have never been there, […]

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Books Events Featured Fiction Issues Personalities publishing

Kombani reflects on 20-year journey with Villains of Molo

Kinyanjui Kombani: Wueh! How time flies! First, it is an opportunity to reflect on my own writing and publishing journey. Life moves so quickly that we forget about how far we have come. When I wrote the book, all I wanted was to see it on a shelf at a bookshop — specifically, at the […]

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Books Fiction Issues publishing Short Stories

Text addresses vices that bedevil the African continent

TITLE: A Body Made for Sin AUTHOR: Alexander Nderitu PUBLISHER: Self REVIEWER: Scholastica Moraa AVAILABILITY: Nuria Bookstore Real is how I would describe this collection. A Body Made for Sin is a carefully put together collection of ten stories based in Africa. Although most of the stories are based in Kenya, they would have well […]

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Books Issues Non-Fiction publishing Reviews

You will need a handkerchief to read this book

TITLE:  Best Before ‘09 AUTHOR: Sharon Gwada PUBLISHER: Self REVIEWER: Scholastica Moraa AVAILIBITY: Nuria Bookstore ‘There are two endings in life…; the ending you want and the ending you get’ Grief is that thing people tell you to handle. That time will heal all wounds. Grief is that thing we all experience at some point […]