Walibora set to be kept alive through resource centre in Kitale

A resource centre for Kiswahili heritage is set to be established in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, in honour of celebrated author Ken Walibora (pictured).

A section of teachers from the region said Prof Walibora, who died recently, made an immense contribution to teaching and publishing of Kiswahili set books.

The project will be spearheaded by Cosmas Nabungolo, the Principal of St Peter’s Boys Mumias. 

Mr Nabungolo said the centre would have a national Kiswahili and theatre library, where most of his books and literature will be displayed.

Nabungolo has teamed up with Pius Khaoya (a cleric based in Sydney, Australia), Dunstan Kukubo and Moses Kebengwa to mobilise funds towards the project.

According to the group, the centre will also serve as a talent academy, where upcoming authors will be nurtured. It intends to mobilise funds locally and abroad to ensure the success of the project. "It is prudent to have a resource centre in remembrance of the great author. We are going to reach out to well-wishers locally and internationally to raise the money towards the project and we are optimistic we will succeed," said Nabungolo.

Nabungolo said Walibora was a great crusader of culture and putting up the resource centre would serve as recognition for his contributions.   "As educationists, we lost a talent. He was a great crusader of culture and societal dynamics. We want to maintain his literature and chronicles for the coming generations," said Nabungolo.

The late scholar, Nabungolo said, played a major role in building heritage in Kiswahili, through written literate, sport and theatre, and mentored many talents countrywide.

The centre, he added, will help Kenyans embrace Kiswahili as the country’s main language.

Kukubo said the fallen author would be remembered for the educative literature that guided youths on the social values and how to overcome challenges in life. "We are proud that Walibora was instrumental in writing literature that instilled values among the youth and he even expanded the Kenyan heritage abroad as he was a lecturer in Ohio University in the US," said Kukubo.

The group also intends to establish a foundation to support the education of some unprivileged students that the departed professor helped. The renowned writer and journalist was knocked down by a matatu on Landhies road in Nairobi last month.