'We made a book good enough for Presidents'

By John Oywa

The Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board, chaired by Esther Kamweru, was established in 2007 as a parastatal under the Ministry of Information and Communication.

The Kenya Yearbook 2010 is their first product and work on the second edition is in progress.

Besides producing the Yearbook, the Board is also mandated to produce other periodicals that should act as reference points for the country.

"Our work is to document in detail the work of the Government, including programmes under implementation and the immense resources in Kenya," says the Board CEO, Denis Chebitwey.

He said it took the team of seasoned journalists, including Philip Ochieng, Munyori Buku, Mundia Muchiri and designer Edward Mwasi about seven months to research and assemble the book.

Here It Is: The Vice President (second right) with technocrats from the Ministry of Information during the launch of the book this week. Photo: Onesmus Kilonzo/Standard

Housed at the NHIF building, the team also worked with two other consultants, former Director of Information George Opiyo and Prof Maina Kagombe.

Other members of the board include Mwangi Gakunga, Mary Ngaruma, Miriam Rehedi, Richard Gakunya, George Mwosa, Abraham Ondeng and Dorcas Ambuto.

"The team was all-Kenyan. We did not source expertise from outside and the team has done a wonderful job," said Chebitwey.

Regarding the book being printed in India, Chebitwey explained: "We wanted a product that one can give to a visiting Head of State as a souvenir. This does not mean we will not print more copies in Kenya," he told The Standard.

Munyori Buku, the board’s Editorial Manager said the task was challenging but exciting.