Chakava cherished village life, Maragoli culture

Casket bearing the remains of Henry Chakava during his funeral in Vokoli, Vihiga. [Courtesy]

He later led the acquisition of the Heinemann (East Africa) and converted the company into a household name that is now East African Education Publishers.

He also nurtured and promoted African writers, furthering indigenous language and promoting greater access to books and other written materials for children.

He published the works of Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Grace Ogot, Francis Imbuga, John Kiriamiti, Mejja Mwangi, Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye (all from Kenya), Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi (Nigeria), Taban Lo Liyong (South Sudan) Okot P'Bitek, John Ruganda (Uganda), David Rubadiri (Malawi) and Peter Abrahams (South Africa), among others.

Some of the notable leaders who attended Chakava's burial service were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, former Busia Senator Amos Wako and MPs, among others.

Mudavadi said many people attained literacy by reading books published under Chakava's watch.

"The late Chakava was a visionary leader who will be remembered for his significant contributions to the publishing and education sectors in the region and his dedication to African languages enriched our understanding of our culture and history through literature, ensuring that we laughed and learned simultaneously. The void left by his passing is a loss to Kenya and Africa as a whole, depriving us of a literary giant in independent African publishing," said the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary.

Mudavadi pledged to have Chakava honoured following a request by the East African Educational Publishers Managing Director Kiarie Kamau, who eulogised the late publisher as a national hero and requested the state to acknowledge his contribution to the country and the world.

Kamau wants the government to set up a Library and Resource Center in Vihiga and Nairobi counties in Chakava's honour.

"I fully agree that Henry Chakava deserves his place in the books of history and we will ensure that is done," said Mudavadi.

Ottichilo also committed to have a Library and Resource Center in the memory of Chakava constructed in Vihiga.

"We will talk to MCAs to raise a motion in the assembly and propose that we put up a Henry Chakava Library and Resource Center which the county government will undertake and the East African Education Publishers Limited will equip it with literacy materials," said Ottichilo.