MAISHA YETU
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 […]
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; […]
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 […]
Good news for Kenyan writers as Nuria Bookstore takes over the distribution of books at Naivas Supermarkets. Abdullahi Bulle, the director of Nuria says the move followed the successful handover ceremony that took place on Monday morning, “where ‘All African Books’ were transferred the Kenyan books to Nuria.” What this means is that Kenyan writers, […]
Title: Eye of the Storm Author: Yusuf Dawood Publisher: East African Educational Publishers Reviewer: Otieno Opondo Eye of the Storm is a captivating medical thriller novel authored by Yusuf K. Dawood, a renowned surgeon and columnist, who died in January, 2023. Set in the post-colonial era, the book delves into the themes of revenge and […]
Title: Hawkers-Pokers Author: Kinyanjui Kombani Publisher: Longhorn Reviewer: Mbugua Ngunjiri Kinyanjui Kombani is back, this time with a thriller, whose twists and turns will keep the reader glued to the book’s pages till the very end. The story is told through the eyes of Rocky Ada (Rada), hawker, who is the eyes (riitho) of fellow […]
Kenya’s Cynthia Abdallah is among the winners of the 2022 Itanile Awards. The Awards, administered by Itanile Magazine, rewards the effort and commitment of literary creatives for advancing the African experience, through storytelling. “We select winners of the award from works we publish from January to December every year,” says Itanile. “Our guest editor selected […]
Title: Chained Author: Scholastica Moraa Reviewer: Mbugua Ngunjiri Chained is the haunting tale of 22-year-old Danielle, alone, bleeding in the bathroom, staring at imminent death after having procured an abortion. Her thoughts are in a state of turmoil as she reflects on the events that led to the present moment. She is full of regrets […]
Five little known facts about Prof Kithaka wa Mberia. 1. He teaches Linguistics at the University of Nairobi and not Kiswahili, as widely believed by many. One of the many Vice-Chancellors he has served under, at UoN, long held the belief that Prof Mberia taught Kiswahili. 2. His book Kwenzi Gizani, which won the Jomo […]
Title: Chadi’s Trip Author: Sarah Haluwa Publisher: Storymoja Reviewer: Mbugua Ngunjiri The village of Kalole is faced with a deadly plague; Shaka Risha. Anyone who contracts it, most likely ends up dead. The whole village is worried; there is no knowing who will catch the deadly ailment next.The village oracle announces that the cure can […]