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Reminiscing Wonderland
Praise for Dr. Mong'are Bw'Onyancha's Reminiscing Wonderland
“Interesting stories! ...some brought me to tears. Others were enthralling. I was moved by Molo's life story and captivated by the coming of age stories.”
Cindy, Editor
“Reminiscing Wonderland. The narrator's imagination perceives his new school as a magical dreamland, a 'Once upon a time perfect home 'until he encounters 'stains' which threaten to curtail his aspirations. His learner's enthusiasm, just like in the novel, The African Child, is without parallel. He is like an arrow on the hunter's bow, ready to go. Molo is one of the hurdles he has to overcome. Superficially, Molo is portrayed as a cold, stone-hearted troublemaker. Yet, the writer delves into his stained life. By the end, the reader sympathizes with the concept of his being, relationships, and nurturing (compare with the novels, A Grain of Wheat and Crime and Punishment, where main characters don't have close trusted relationships and how they reap what they sow). Good defeats evil, and there is the hope of redemption and support systems to the purest of state. With the passage of time and increase in human activities, all life in Wonderland will be altered in some way (Paradise Lost, Wonderland Stained).”
Salted with Fire
Salted with Fire takes place in Kisii on the eve of Kenya’s independence. Central to the story is Dexter Conway, a colonial officer who will be one of the few to remain in Kenya. This suits Conway, who seeks a different life in the newly independent country. The tale begins with a mysterious train wreck. As the story unfolds, Conway becomes enmeshed with Kwamboka, wounded and hidden at Conway’s home by his servant, Maranga. Through Kwamboka, Conway’s relationship with Maranga takes a new turn.
In the surprising and suspenseful story, Arthur Dobrin reverses the effect of a changing world upon the lives of these people in Western Kenya
(MAP OF) Nairobi National Park
Chubot the Cursed One and other stories
Christopher Okemwa's Chubot, the Cursed & Other Storiesis a collection of stories which captures society's realities as played by characters rendered in the stories.
A recurring theme is the role of women in society and their longing for equity, their triumph often depicted by heroines catapulted by circumstances rather than deliberate action of society to engineer their success. Women's humility is felt through the stories, even in the face of courage to confront taboos and traditions with society contributing little towards their success. Indeed, women's triumphs are captured as happening where men fall short.
Many of these stories raise the question of why society lacks a systematic approach to women's empowerment.
Chubot, the Cursed One, and Other Stories was selected in the UN SDG Book Club Africa Chapter as a Club title in the Social Development Goal (SDG) number 5 - Gender Equality
The Gong: A collection of Poems
"A very good insight into the writer's perception of life - as a child, the woes of African teachers, life and death, religion, prostitution, marriage, witchcraft, love, hatred and existence.
"These poems are genuine; and convey the heartfelt experiences of a very sensitive, honest and articulate spirit. You can tell that Christopher is talented.
"Poetry is a concentrated form of expression. It's not for the prosaic or the talkative. Christopher is fortunate to belong to the class of humans who can say a lot in a few words."
- Charles Phebi-Agyekum, Author
"Christopher Okemwa is a master of mixing the voice of rapture with despair, an exceptional voice, in many ways unlike the usual voice we hear from Africa , longing to unravel the secrets of life and of love, striving to reach the unreachable, accomplished and lyrical."
- Anna Petkova Mwangi
“The Gong is an excellent work that engages the reader. Each poem leads to a journey; a weaving of Stories, Sayings and Truths, each one creating an imprint on the mind. It is an unforgettable experience and a remarkable record of the times which must be shared.”
- Estella Muyinda
Smiles in Pathos and Other Poems
miles in Pathos and Other Poems is a collection of selected poems by Khainga O'Okwemba. The poet stands on the opposite ends of his contemporaries because of his faith and reverence in the traditional forms of poetry. He is intimately Augustan in craft and romantic in idealizing the poetic forms. The poems are written in three models divided into separate books, with each book sub-themed.
In Book One we have the celebratory short poems called Poems of Homage which are inspired by the poet's admiration of canonical African writers: Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Chris Wanjala, Peter Abrahams, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Ayi Kwei Amah, Denis Brutus, Christopher Okigbo, among others.
The Incidental poems in Book Two called Poems of Known Tradition , adopt identifiable forms; rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, repetition, stanza, terza rima, sonnet, and which take on socio-political themes.
In Book Three we find the mock epic narrative poetry with the title Pearls of Laughter. The narrative poem needs first to be enjoyed as a love story, and as a satire. Every piece has a life of its own. However, the work is well appreciated when the fragmented pieces are united into one, a feat generally admired by the poet
Facing the World from Gusii: A Memoir
Facing the World from Gusii: A Memoir, is a personal account of growing up in Gusii, specifically living along the common border between Abagusii and the Maasai. The author captures information and events as he saw them happen as an observer and participant. These include ethnic clashes with the Maasai, tracking stolen livestock, hunting and gathering expeditions, and activities of growing up with others in community spaces. Of
interest is the community security group, termed chinkororo that was once proscribed by the government. The author’s life at home captures the realities of the times! The
challenges of schooling are of historical significance as they speak to educational issues of the time, be it in primary or secondary schools, or at university. The task of teaching and managing rural community schools offers insights that may not be obvious to the naked eye. The rare opportunity to travel overseas proffers good contrast between life in economically advanced countries and that in less economically advanced countries such as Kenya.
Sakagwa Ng’iti: A Kisii Prophet
Sakagwa Ng'iti exerted substantial influence on Gusii society and beyond in the latter part of the 1800s. He was many things: a medicine man, rainmaker, an unelected community strategist in dealing with raids from the warring Maasai and Kipsigis, and a prophet whose many prophecies have come to pass, according to those that keenly follow his story.
His death was mysterious, leaving many wondering what really happened. Did he, as some accounts claim, eventually settle among the Kipsigis? Was he carried away by chisokoro (ancestors) to join them in the netherworld as happened with Jesus of Nazareth? How come that his spiritual roles (seer, medicine man, and rainmaker) that ran in the family, waned and eventually died off?
Peter Okari Nyambasora's Sakagwa Ngi'ti, a Kisii Prophet provides some answers to these questions. It traces the emergence of Sakagwa as a prominent player in Gusii of his time, even as he had no formal power accorded by clan, tribe or lineage. Compiled from oral tales, one on one interviews with family members, and written works, the book provides the most authoritative account of Sakagwa yet written.
How to be a Kenyan by Wahome Mutahi
Peter Enahoro wrote a famously funny book, The Complete Nigerian, and the follow-up How to be a Nigerian.
In similar mode, a Kenyan writer has produced a series of hilarious essays about what it means to be a Kenyan.
Described as painfully true and outrageously witty, the book is a light-hearted illustration of the particularities of thought, manners and attitude of Kenyan people.
Betrayal of Public Trust by Prof. Jac...
Many people in the world find themselves taking oaths of office pledging to abide by certain ethical practices, the constitution, and other laws. The society expects leaders to treat all people under them with care and without breaching trust regardless of the circumstances.
In this book, Prof. Jacob T. Kaimenyi is appealing to those who destroy public trust with minimal regard of the consequences. The author also wants to prick the conscience of all people who have taken different oaths that they should abide by them without wavering.
Move On – Bounce Back from Life...
Even in Our best form, we are never quite prepared for the impact of misfortunes, catastrophes, accidents, or other life debilitating Setbacks. We drain our energies daily trying to prop our achievements and prevent our fortunes from caving in.
We writh and wallow endlessly, when we encounter a multilitude of Setbacks, for they open us up to feelings of fear, inadequacy, failure and frustration.
The Author Jacob T. Kaimenyi aims to spur you to fortify yourself not against failure or loss, but against becoming obsolete in the face of such circumstances, for it is the ability for a comeback in the event of foreseeable and unforeseeable Setbacks in your life that matters.
The book also seeks to grant its readers the power to embrace the moral strength to confront the reality of their pain and loss., rise from the dust, reinvent themselves and give life another shot!
Chasing Ethnic Shadows
This is a gripping political story featuring two tribes; the Bandalo and Waleki communities in the wake of a political turmoil in a young African country.
When Adena, a young woman who works her way through formal schooling and Munara, a police officer of high moral standing meet and fall in love, theirs is a thrilling love story. Amidst fights, lootings and violence, their worlds are fused into one.
From two opposing ethnic communities, a glaring age gap, an intimidating class difference; can love withstand the political tension? Can their story bridge the ethnic differences between their respective communities? Can it cure the country from chaos?
Abagusii Wisdom Revisited: Proverbs i...
Abagusii Wisdom Revisited is a collection of proverbs and metaphors in Ekegusii, one of the forty one languages spoken in Kenya. It includes naming conventions in the calendar, the traditional homestead, cattle (which were a symbol of wealth in traditional Gusii society), currency and traditional brew. The book captures wisdom told over generations and observations intertwined with profound meaning.
In order to avail the work to a wider audience than Ekegusii readers and speakers, the author has attempted to put the necessary context, giving the English equivalent and, in some cases, using story-lines to establish the meaning. Here is an example:
Abanda 'mbairokaine; Onchong’a agatama ekworo Kimaiga kayebwate:
The rich revere/fear one another as in the case of Onchong’a who fled on noticing Kimaiga’s cloak.
Storyline: Once there were two rich men who unknowingly met at the home of a beautiful girl, whom they both intended to woo. Mr. Onchong’a reported earlier. However, when Mr. Kimaiga also arrived for the same purpose, Mr. Onchonga, who was less wealthy, stealthily walked away without ado.
Taboos of Abagusii of Kenya
Emegiro y’Abagusii ba Kenya (Taboos of Abagusii of Kenya) documents taboos of the Abagusii and the role the taboos played, and continue to play, in that society. Authors assert that the taboos regulated society in all dimensions. A person breaking a taboo would face censure and/or punishment unless s/he was cleansed.
Taboos have vital effect on a society’s conduct. They regulate relations and determine how the society utilizes its resources, among other things. They also protect society from dangerous persons such as criminals.
Taboos demand obedience and are associated with rituals; they impose specific or restrictive behaviour, usually directed at avoiding danger, be it imminent or long-term.
As captured in this book, taboos are social constitutions for, together with cultural laws, they regulate community conduct.
Some taboos documented here may not be relevant today. However, they capture the context and hence the society of the time. They are of historical significance, many threads of which exist today.
Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Tr...
Through artful prose and beautiful illustrations, Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as “Mama Miti,” who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation.
Today, more than 30 million trees have been planted throughout Mama Miti’s native Kenya, and in 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Wangari Muta Maathai has changed Kenya tree by tree—and with each page turned, children will realize their own ability to positively impact the future.