The Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature 2024 winners were announced in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
The Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature celebrates Kenyan writers in the categories of fiction for adults, youth (young adults), and children in English and Kiswahili. The awards, which have been running since 1972, are given by the Kenya Publishers’ Association. Some of the previous winners of the award have been Okot P’Bitek, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, John Habwe, Meja Mwangi, Wahome Mutahi, Margaret Ogola, Ngumi Kibera, and Stanley Gazemba. Kithaka Wa Mberia, MGN Kahende, Shullam Nzioka, Nducu Wa Ngugi, Ali Attas, and Samuel Wachira won the 2021 awards.
They took a two-year hiatus because of the lack of funding before returning for the twenty-fifth edition of the Nairobi International Book Fair. The shortlists for the awards were announced on Sunday, September 22 before the winners were made public at the Kenya Publishers Annual Gala on Saturday.
KPA 25 notable books and authors.
The annual gala of the Kenya Publishers Association is without a doubt the biggest in the community and this was no different. It was an evening celebrating the best of what had been produced within it over the year and during the Nairobi International Book Fair now and in the past at the Pride Inn Hotel. There were certificates given to publishers for their stands at the fair and a keynote by chief guest Strathmore University Vice Chancellor Dr Vincent Ogutu. For those interested in the literary, there were two highlights; the awarding of the Kenya Publishers Association “25 notable books and authors.” Many of those recognised were on hand to receive their recognition from the publishing body.
Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature 2024 winners
For the last few editions of the publisher’s gala, there has been no Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature; it returned with the special anniversary of the fair. In the last few years, observers have noted that the juries haven’t covered themselves in glory as they rewarded close friends, media practitioners, or people associated with legendary players as a reward or an enticement. The awards were again judged by a jury led by University of Nairobi’s Dr Tom Odhiambo (like in 2021) and he gave a comprehensive report on the judging process. He called out writers and publishers who had submitted substandard entries, making the jury’s work more difficult. Some of those being called out were sitting in the audience to their embarrassment.
After the report was given the announcement was made and questions started being asked in the audience as close friends of the jury chair were rewarded (the judge did not state that they recused themselves from one category which had a close friend and colleague who won). Here is the full list of winners announced by Tom Odhiambo;
Adult Category (Kiswahili)
- Kifunganjia by Daniel Okello, Storymoja
Adult Category (English)
- The Gambler, Ngumi Kibera, Oxford University Press
Youth Category (Kiswahili)
- Mshale wa Matumaini, John Habwe, Access Press
Youth Category (English)
- A Jacket for Ahmet, Tony Mochama, Oxford University Press
Children’s Category (Kiswahili)
- Swila Arejea na Hadithi Nyingine, M. K. Tarus, Storymoja
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