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 I arrived on Saturday midday, the compound greeted me with beautiful flags and banners that effortlessly guided me to where the fair was happening. It was a chilly morning, and I’d had to give myself a serious pep talk just to leave the house. But the moment I walked in and started spotting familiar faces—authors, journalists, booksellers, and avid readers—the day already began to feel warmer.
Just outside the fair was a cosy pop-up café, the aroma of fresh coffee wrapping itself around the space like an invitation. Tempting as it was to linger, I made a beeline for the exhibition—I was eager to see it all.
Inside, the atmosphere was rich with African décor and artworks celebrating literary giants from across the continent. The exhibition itself was bigger and better than before. Ukiona vyaelea jua vimeundwa—you could tell Soma Nami had poured their hearts into making it a success.
The book tables were a feast—carefully curated titles from top authors in every African region. My only challenge? Resisting the urge to buy everything (my wallet was not as enthusiastic as I was). Discounts of up to 50% didn’t make the decision any easier!
At the heart of the exhibition stood a small conference hall, where engaging panel discussions took place. One highlight for me was meeting Malawian writer Stanley Onjezani Kenani, celebrated for his poetry and short stories. In a session moderated by Wendy Njoroge, he responded to the question, “How should writers write books that travel the world?” with words I’ll never forget:
“Write your story first. Don’t think about the globe, think about your story.”
Simple. Grounded. Powerful. And exactly the kind of wisdom that makes events like the African Book Fair unforgettable.
Lessons learned?
Host your events in spaces that truly make sense for you first, places that align with the spirit and purpose of what you’re doing. The right people will always show up.
Maktaba Kuu carries deep significance—not only as a symbol of knowledge and learning but also as a fitting home for celebrating literature. It’s more than just a venue; it’s a natural stage for book fairs, a space that promotes both the use of the library and the love of stories.
Reading culture
Kenyans read. Kenyans love well-organised events. And yes—Kenyans (myself included) absolutely love good discounts! We are camping waiting for Black November 😊.
The turnout at the African Book Fair was proof of this. From the moment I arrived to the moment I left, there was a steady flow of people, authors, readers, book lovers of all kinds. By the time I was heading out later in the afternoon, even more attendees were streaming in.
It actually took me a whole hour to leave the compound after saying goodbye to the ABF organisers, partly because I kept bumping into people I knew and wanted to connect with. It was the kind of warm, buzzing atmosphere that reminds you the love for books here is alive and thriving.
Mercy Kirui is a publishing consultant, a rights agent and an author.