Author’s quest to awaken reading culture

By DANIEL PSIRMOI

There has been much talk of the apparent lack of reading culture in the country. In fact, it is even joked that if you want to hide something from a Kenyan put it inside a book.

However, a few people are seeking ways to awaken the reading culture among Kenyans. One such person is Joseph Kubende, a professional teacher of English and Literature. The 30-year-old teacher, who currently teaches African Literature at the Kigali Institute of Education in Rwanda, has penned two novels, Ancient Pot of Gold and In Search Of Gold, which are currently available in bookstores in the country.

Approved book

In Search of Gold (2012) has been approved for the secondary school curriculum in Kenya by the KIE, and it is also used as text in teaching African Literature at the Kigali Institute of Education.

 According to the author, who was born and brought up in Bungoma County, his sole reason and major inspiration   in his  writing  is  not only to rekindle the reading culture  among the masses,  but  also to make reading itself an interesting  experience .

“Being a teacher I am aware that many people do not like to read, I have penned my stories against this backdrop. Those who have read the books find them interesting and easy to identify and relate with,” says Kubende whose third novel, The Life and Times of Edmond Manyonge, which he describes as a ‘thriller’ will hit the bookshelves soon. In Search Of Gold, is an autobiographical text and the author admits he has sold over 3,000 copies. In this novel, the author recounts the intruiging story of a child’s life so vividly in 29 episodes, while employing simple English and a number of features of style to correctly pass across serious messages to the society. The target readership of his autobiographical book- that revolves around the life of Joseph, who experiences slightly more than what a person can experience under normal circumstances even in three lifetimes. The book is also a must read for every child handler, including teachers and parents.

“I also recommend that In Search Of Gold should be read by parents, guardians and any other officials in charge of institutions that make decisions that affect the lives of children like the Kenya National Examination Council. It will enable them understand how to handle the young ones,” he says. 

The writer through the intriguing and challenging encounters of Joseph, a gifted but restless child, recounts a riveting tale about children whose restlessness and inherent talents, have been misconstrued by those around them, who assume they are disturbed children.

Bukusu culture

 In the 105-page book, he reveals how he was suspended from the secondary schools he attended a record 27 times, because of being misunderstood and in all occasions because of being a victim of circumstances.

 He at the same time cleverly takes the reader through a detour of his rich Bukusu culture and dwells on the   forgotten good aspects of the African culture, which he argues should not be abandoned because of modernism.

 Kubende divulges that plans are in top gear to turn the In Search Of Gold into a film, after The University of Marbug in Germany expressed interest in making it hit the silver screens.  Prof Okumu  Bigambo,  a Communications scholar and lecturer  at Moi University made the following comments on the cover of In Search Of Gold:

“This story book is a bullet. The individual episodes have the power to tickle the individuals’ mind, thought, create anxiety and keep you on the edge. Every youth should read it. You laugh and laugh and learn,” says the don.

  The author who is also an accomplished actor, singer, poet, songwriter, drama and music teacher, and motivational speaker, mentions two fallen prolific writers, Chinua Achebe and Francis Imbuga as his role models.

“My kind of writing is slightly different, as I write from experience, about my life and the lives of those I have closely interacted with. My style is heavily influenced by Chinua Achebe’s story telling mechanism coupled with Francis Imbuga’s ‘villagesation’,” says Kubende.

Kubende argues that the current and past problems bedeviling Kenya stem from the lack of creativity among the masses, which he strives to induce through his artistic writings. “I am afraid the current system is breeding a culture of uncreative children. A person of an uncreative mind is very dangerous, as he or she is easily provoked at the slightest of provocation,” he observes.