David Maillu’s “After 4:30” to make June 28 return

David Maillu’s legendary book After 4:30 will be reintroduced to the world with an event in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Kenyan writer and publisher David Maillu’s 1974 book After 4:30 unravels the problems of urban housewives, office secretaries, and sex workers. Told in African traditional poetic or song-style, provocative and bluntly-critical it became a national sensation as people couldn’t get enough of the unusual frankness and remarkable clarity. He would go on to produce over 60 books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction in Kikamba, English, and Kiswahili, making him arguably East Africa’s most prolific writer.

After 4:30 was recently acquired by Nairobi-based Mvua Press, and it is set to be reissued at the Sarakasi Dome in Nairobi on Saturday, June 28. The reintroduction of the reedited title, which starts at 2 pm until late, with a fancy new cover by acclaimed artist Michael Soi, promised to be one for the ages. The event will include a theatrical adaptation of the book, adapted by and directed by Mwaniki Njache, assisted by George Mungai, with a cast of Nice Githinji, Kigondu Martin, Vivy Kabz, Dedan Kimathi, and Karimi Njagi.

How does one access the events that include an opportunity to sign the book with its writer, who will be present? By buying a copy of the book. For more information, visit Mvua Press on Instagram or TikTok. Also on the above poster.