Archive for the ‘Kenyan’ Category

The author tells the stories of people over 65 years of age who lived during the pre-independence times. Told in first person, he reveals small aspects of their lives, those he thought today’s readers would find interesting. He manages to bring out the unique tones of the people who talked to him. Each of the stories make for interesting-easy reading but embedded at the back of my memory are the stories of Hussein Warutere (the last story in the collection). [...]

Mchongoanos are very much a part of our (Kenyan) culture today as they were all those years ago during my primary school days. And it’s not only school going kids who enjoy this form of art but adults with a youthful heart (and a sense of humour) as well. This book is chock full of mchongoanos that you can use for every situation. Sample this: ‘Kwenu nyinyi mafala hadi mna patia kuku zenu maji moto ati ndio zitoe mayai boilo’ [...]

This is a book that takes through the up and downs of being Kenyan and in love, kinda…You will recognize the places, smell the places, love and hate the characters, incredible word pictures! Muthoni Garland’s characters are so sharply etched that you want to ask them for the fifty bob they borrowed from you last week. I can’t decide if I like it as much as Tracking the Scent of My Mother, or even more. I wish it ended ‘my [...]

Set in Kenya but could be a prototype for a native culture anywhere colonized, breaking free, then globalized which is an extension of colonialism. It is easy to understand why the author was imprisoned after the book’s publication in 1977 as he presents a bleak view of what the Kenyans got in the way of leaders after independence from the white rulers. The viewpoint here seems to be anyone “for the people” is assassinated, those that stay in power are [...]

Scientists tell us that human beings were created with infinite potential; this potential been virtually limitless. It’s further suggested that on average, human beings only use about ten percent of their intelligence, with most of us going through life without ever exploiting our full potential. Pepe Minambo’s book, Be Inspired Before You Expire is a user’s manual to self ignition-not the fiery kind, but of one’s inherent self potential. The book is written in a simple, smooth and conversational style [...]