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Rising above the Spirit of DISCOURAGEMENT
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Sakagwa’s Ghost
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Sakagwa’s Ghost, originally published in Kiswahil as Kivuli cha Sakawa, is a story about one of Africa’s legendary heroes. A seer, strategist and medicine man, Sakagwa’s legend lives to date, holding that many of his predictions have come to pass. His wisdom, some say, served to assure the survival of the Abagusii community in the face of colonial incursion.
In this this story, Sakagwa finds himself at a crossroads following the death of his father, a prominent leader in his own right. Conservative elders in the community, feeling threatened by this youngster’s demonstrated wisdom and knowledge are determined to dim his rising star. Will they succeed?
Sakagwa Ng’iti was born and lived in the Abagusii community in western Kenya at the turn of 19th Century (1800). The unfolding story in this book did take place, probably in slightly a different way from that depicted here.
By chronicling this episode, the author gives the story a new lease of life, through artistic rendering, and offers chance for others to comment or offer versions of the story as they understand it.
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A Strange Twist and Other Stories
When Kangi joins a new school, he has no idea of the roller-coaster ride that awaits him. This chapter is riddled with experiences that are new and exciting. How will Kangi navigate culture shock, travelling, differences in beliefs, celebrations, responsibilities, hospital runs and even teeth decays?
Is there a way to find solutions to these ever-developing situations?
Let us join Kangi in his adventures and see where it all takes us!
In this collection, the author has interwoven the core competencies of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) into the stories to create circumstances that not only inform but educate on recurrent themes and topics in the curriculum and society. This is a fun way for the learner to engage and enjoy learning.
What Others Say
“I loved how the children’s issues were well intertwined with fun and exciting stories. It is an easy read for pre-teens and younger children. My daughter carries her copy with her every day.” - Hellen Wakonyo, Parent.
“This will supplement teaching a lot of environmental, science and creative content in my class. It is refreshing to see a writer who delves into the societal contemporary issues surrounding our children.” - Teacher Rukia, Thindigua Junior Secondary School.
Traditional Marriage in Gusii
Traditional Marriage in Gusii (Enyangi y’Ebitinge), published posthumously, documents the process of old-style marriage in Gusii and related steps, culminating in a wedding ceremony. The process was meticulous and made of a series of steps, each with very clear purpose and intended not just for the couple but also their families and clans.
Abagusii attached a lot of value to marriage. It was a major landmark in the ‘growing up’ of a man or woman in that society. Marriage marked the transition from the care of one’s parents to being independent and taking care of oneself and one’s family. That transition was possible only after marriage.
The importance of marriage and the honour it was accorded is underlined by the respect that was given to a married woman. For example, she found herself late in getting home by someone, that person had an obligation to ensure that she got to her home safely; after all, she was a mother and her progeny would be the link to the future.
Window into Worlds
Dr. Evans Gesura Mecha’s poems in Window into Worlds stir the soul and evoke worlds beyond worlds. I am overjoyed to read them, as I believe other readers would. Mecha’s poetry easily blends the jigsaws of life in the present with that of antiquity and the metaphysical. It is as much rooted in contemporaneity, indigenous ethos, as in the inwardness of a universal rhythm which ripples through his poetry like a pure, crystalline stream flowing effortlessly. It is delightfully oblique yet not constricted by the artifice of rhetoric and prosody. The subterranean nuances trigger the mind to introspect and delve into untold depths of the “feeling intellect” (Wordsworth).His powerful imagism and natural impressionism makes it superbly impactful, permeating the deepest consciousness of the reader. His poetic diction revels as much in the ordinary beauty of everyday natural life as in the transcendental realm eluding the patterns of words. His poetry smells of the musk of the soil and wings out into the transcendental. Mecha takes one easily on the magic carpet of a poetic elysium into the realms of the multiverse. I am sure readers will revel in his poetry as much as I have. - Prof. Dr. Laksmisree Banerjee, Poet, Professor, Vocalist & Ex-Vice Chancellor; Universities of Calcutta, Ranchi & Kolhan, INDIA.
Callused Hands
Kenyan coffee is renowned all over the world for its distinctive quality and hence reputation. It graces tables of the finest eateries from London to New York, and has been romanticized by those who visited the country and were enchanted by it. At one point it was the leading contributor to the country's foreign revenue. Unknown to many in the world the slavery-like conditions under which it is produced. Callused Hands explores some of these difficult conditions under which this precious 'black gold' is produced, and the unseen faces that grovel under the surface in ensuring that gourmet consumers in the West are fed.
"This is a great book! It makes me feel like it is a fresh and imaginative story that makes sense the entire time of reading it. It is well written and exceptionally compelling." - Sheena Brennan - Publishing Editor
"The novel celebrates the spirit and bravery of disempowered women who can, together, tip the balance in favour of workers and justice. This is a compassionate and ultimately triumphant story. - Linda Cracknell, Writer-in-Residence at Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital
"Stanley Gazemba's Calloused Hands is an exciting work that re-imagines hopelessness. In a sluggish almost non-committal fashion, the novel creates ground for the readers to take a peek into the lives of the 'wretched of the earth.' One feels as though he has been sucked into that bottomless pit from which the characters are struggling to come up for air. The never-ending suffering becomes a bitter-sweet element that angers and then provokes one to want to change the story- to make it sweeter for all." - Dr. Fred Mbogo, Moi University
The Unforgotten
Imali Abala’s The Unforgotten is a memorial work of fiction that captures the fate of Desi Makhungu in the face of tragedy and cultural gender disparities. When her son Jordan Ūmbisi leaves home in search of greener pastures, following the footsteps of his older brother, it is a moment of hope for better days ahead. He leaves behind his pregnant wife and aging parents who all remain optimistic that he will be successful and help them along! That is never to be! He completely loses ties with his family even when tragedy strikes back home. Now widowed, Desi faces the full gravity of living as a woman with no male figure in the home! What would be her fate in the days to come with neither husband nor son present? Who would build her a home when the old one falls apart? Would cultural practices ‘bend’ enable her to inherit her husband’s land?
Letter to the Prime Minister
In the Letter to the Prime Minister , Justus Siage aims at communicating the view-point of the average Kenyan teenager on social, political and economic issues affecting Kenya
Told with a comical twist and in appealing, readable language, the author chronicles challenges of the common man and, tangentially, offers 'viable' solutions to the same.
The Letter to the Prime Minister is one young man's portrayal of deep concern for the well-being and future of the country, Kenya. Through this writing, he seeks help from one of the most well-known practicing politician in the country, the prime minister.
What others say:
"The book is very unique as the author puts through his views by giving personal experiences in a comical manner to drive his point home. It's very interesting and fun to read... it's out of the woods!" - Roy Ndagwa
"Kenya is an intriguing country and the myriad of issues faced by the citizen are sure to overwhelm anyone who takes on the task of narrating to an outsider. Justus has done this brilliantly by using witty language, one that appeals to both the young and old." - Beatrice Adera Amollo, Librarian
"A young Kenyan speaks in words of his generation and captures challenges facing the nation and contradictory actions of the political class. The Letter to the Prime Minister is timely for it speaks for the majority of Kenyans." - Dr Matunda Nyanchama, Publisher & ICT Professional
About the Author
Justus Siage is the second born in a family of three children, sandwiched between two adorable ladies - Winnie and Grace.
He sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 2006 after which he joined high school, which he completed in 2010 having sat for his IGCSE O-levels. He is currently pursuing undergraduate studies in International Business at the Australian Studies Institute (AUSI) in Nairobi.
Justus has a deep interest in the business world and economic issues in particular. He is constantly in search of solutions and the way forward for many of the economic, social, environmental and political problems that Kenya faces. Justus aims at improving Kenyans' living conditions, and making life a little more pleasant for the average Kenyan.
In many ways, he is an average Kenyan teenager in jeans. However, unlike the average jeans-wearing teen, Justus began writing at an early age, publishing his first book, Billionaire Dropout (Sahel Books Inc. 2009) at the age of 17.
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Black Mamba Boy by Nadifa Mohamed
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