Publishers association honours 25 literary legends amid social media storm

Publishers Scholars and Guests at Sarit Centre, Nairobi during the 24th Nairobi International Book fair on Thursday, September, 28, 2023. [Samson Wire]

During the closing ceremony of the Nairobi International Book Fair, Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) acknowledged 25 authors, who have shaped the Kenyan literary landscape over time.

Well, the number 25 was significant, since NIBF, the premier book event in the region was marking 25 years of existence. It was a fitting tribute to these 25 writers since they form a core part of publishing.

When this list was made public, a few days prior to the official unveiling, it generated excited chatter among local literati and people who follow writing trends. While many were excited that such a list had been compiled, the debate soon acquired a familiar Kenyan tone: throwing stones.

The beauty of social media is that it has given everyone a voice. Everyone with an opinion is free to air it on social media, the more controversial, the better. That is how the debate degenerated into a gender war, with many bemoaning the low number of female authors. This is not, in any way, meant to demean female authors. Based on merit alone, Kenya has produced some of the finest women authors.

Had gender been the defining factor in the compilation of that list, KPA would have created two separate lists of authors from either gender. In my view framing a literary debate purely on the lenses of gender, without examining content is escapist.

Contacted, Kiarie Kamau, the chairman of Kenya Publishers Association, was gracious in his response. “I have noted the criticism and I think it is a good thing that we are having a debate on writing and authors; if only it had a little more substance to it,” said Kamau, who is also the managing director of East African Educational Publishers, which incidentally had the bulk of the authors listed.

During the ceremony, Musyoki Muli, a KPA council member, explained the criteria the publishers body used to arrive at the list of the 25 authors. “In selecting the list, the panel was guided by a number of factors, chief being the awards received by these authors,” explained Muli. “The selection panel also considered the marketing effort put up by the authors/publishers. Since we are in the digital era, the panel also considered authors who have used social media as a tool for marketing their books.”

A look at the list launches any book author into a journey of the Kenyan literary landscape. Such a journey would be incomplete without the mention of Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Kenya’s foremost writer. Ngugi, rightfully put Kenya on the global literary map, a feat that has, in recent years seen bookmakers place huge bets on his winning the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Though the speculation of Ngugi’s win of the Nobel has cooled somewhat, with the possible reality that he might never win it, it doesn’t diminish his stature as a globally acclaimed writer. A discussion on Kenyan writing that does not include Ngugi’s gems, The River Between, Petals of Blood, A grain of Wheat etc, is not worthy at all.

The KPA list has heavy hitters like Meja Mwangi and David Maillu. Meja Mwangi gave Kenyans unforgettable hits like Kill Me Quick, Going Down River Road and my personal favourite The Cockroach Dance. Meja Mwangi’s – it sounds almost sacrilegious to refer to him by one name – force lay in his descriptive power.

David Maillu, otherwise known as the father of Kenyan popular literature, should be considered a national treasure. His uncanny ability to capture what goes on in those seedy joints and put it in book form is special. People above the age of 45 will tell you how pieces of Maillu’s books (After 4.30, My Dear Bottle, The Flesh…) were passed under the desk like bangi.

Unknown to many, Maillu has another, intellectual, side to him, a thing that saw him spearhead the research and publication of Ka, the Holy Book of Neter, or simply The African Bible.

Among the female notable authors is Marjory Oludhe Macgoye, aka Nyarloka. Many Kenyans know her from book, Coming to Birth, which was made popular when it became a secondary school set book. However, there are people who swear that Homing In is one of her finest works, alongside Murder in Majengo and Chira. A Farm Called Kishinev, which tells the story of Jewish immigrants in Kenya, won the Wahome Mutahi Prize for Literature in 2007.  

The list also includes Nyambura Mpesha, a renowned children’s writer, currently based in the US. One of her better known works is Keminto Say Aah. Children’s writing has not been taken with the seriousness it deserves, perhaps due to the misplaced notion that children’s writing is childish.

The fact of the matter is that writing for children is not easy and should not be trifled with. To their credit, KPA acknowledges this and that explains why a number of children’s authors made it to their 25 notable list. Apart from Nyambura Mpesha, others are Rebecca Nandwa and Ezekiel Alembi.

Another notable woman author is Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, who won the Caine Prize for African Writing, in 2003, with her story Weight of Whispers. She later wrote Dust, which won the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature. Owuor is the co-founder of the Macondo Literary Festival.

Speaking of Caine Prize, the late Binyavanga Wainaina, the founder of Kwani?, was the first Kenyan to win the award – a year before Yvonne – with his story Discovering Home.

Now Egara Kabaji is one writer who is not appreciated enough, yet his versatility sees him effortlessly write across genres from children, to youth and adults. Those old enough will remember him as the host of Books and Bookmen show on KBC radio. His latest book is Mourning Glory.

Eunniah Mbabazi, a 27-year-old self-published author of four books, was a surprise entry to the list of 25. Perhaps not surprising by her achievements at such a young age. Mbabazi has amassed huge following on social media, where she markets her craft and books.

Other in the KPA list of notable authors include: Charles Mangua, Wahome Mutahi, Francis Imbuga, Ken Walibora, Henry ole Kulet, Onduko B’wAtebe and John Habwe. There was also Stanley Gazemba, Mwangi Gicheru, Kinyanjui Kombani, Ng’ang’a Mbugua, Ngumi Kibera, Emmanuel Kariuki and Kithaka wa Mberia.

Ngunjiri is the curator of Maisha Yetu, a digital Arts and Books media platform

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