The program for the Soma Nami African Book Fair 2025, to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 7 to 10, 2025, is now available.
Soma Nami Books was founded by Muthoni Muiruri and Wendy Njoroge with their first branch in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2021, followed by another in 2024. In 2023, they introduced the African Book Fair to give Nairobi readers access to books from 54 African countries. With panels, readings, and activities for adults, children, and teenagers as well as book sales on offer, a great time was had by the over 5,000 people who attended. They had another successful edition in 2024.
In June, Soma Nami announced that the fair would return with the Kenya National Library Services as their new partner. Apart from the book sales, they promised a diverse and exciting program of book chats, panel discussions, poetry performances, workshops, and literary collaborations. It would be a gathering of storytellers, thinkers, publishers, and readers that would showcase the depth, diversity, and brilliance of African literature and stories, in all its languages, genres, and forms. In July, they revealed their headliner to be author and gender equality advocate Zambian-born USA-based Iris Mwanza.
Since then, they have shared the guests who will take part in the scheduled events from Kenya, the host country, as well as Malawi, Nigeria, and Zambia, making it a truly African affair. They include Anwuli Ojogwu, Natasha Omokhodion, Prof. Kithaka Wamberia, Sitawa Namwalie, Stanley Kenani, Nduku O’Matigere, Munira Hussein, Njeri Migwi, Kui Kabala, Kailash Iyer, Kathryn Toure, Celeste Wamiru, Dr. Njuki Githetwa, Buke Abduda, Geraldine Opala, Rose Owuoche, Suzzy Odinga, Daniella Malinda, Joan Nzoya, Virginia Njoroge, Dr Ann Munuku, Muthoni Muiruri, Wendy Njoroge, Wakio Mzenge, Carolyne Momanyi, Kinuthia SK, Kairu, Chao Tayiana Maina, and Ngartia.
With an opening ceremony on Thursday, August 7, the majority of events will be held on Saturday and Sunday, ensuring many Nairobi residents can take part. Here is the full list of events;
Thursday, 7th August
10:00 am–1:00 pm:
Opening Ceremony + Panel: Naming the Silence (GBV) Munira Hussein, Njeri Migwi Moderator: Kui Kabala
5:30 pm–6:30 pm:
Book Quiz
Friday, 8th August
12:00 pm–2:00 pm:
Workshop Facilitator: Anwuli Ojogwu
5:00 pm–6:30 pm
Book Launch: Decolonise, Humxnise Kailash Iyer, Kathryn Toure, Celeste Wamiru Moderator: Sitawa Namwalie
Saturday, 9th August
10:30 am–11:30 am
Panel: Defending the Right to Read and Write, Natasha Omokhodion, Dr. Njuki Githetwa. Moderator: Nduku O’Matigere
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Book Chat: The Lion’s Den – Iris Mwanza. Moderator: Virginia Njoroge
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Panel: African Stories, Global Shelves. Anwuli Ojogwu, Stanley Kenani Moderator: Wendy Njoroge
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm:
Book Chat: The Intasimi Series – Shiko Nguru. Moderator: Idah Mrashui
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm:
Book Chat: No Be From Hia – Natasha Omokhodion. Moderator: Munira
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm:
Panel: The New Book Club Movement. Kui Kabala, Joan Nzoya. Moderator: Muthoni Muiruri
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm:
Poetry Party
Sunday, 10th August
11:00 am – 12:00 pm:
Panel: Libraries at the Heart of African Storytelling. Geraldine Opala, Rose Owuoche. Moderator: Suzzy Odinga
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
Book Chat: Let Us Conspire, and Other Stories. Buke Abduda, Daniella Malinda, Munira Hussein. Moderator: James Murua
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm:
Panel: Migration, Identity & Belonging; Iris Mwanza, Dennis Mugaa. Moderator: Nepurko Keiwua
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm:
Panel: Decolonizing Memory in African Literature, Chao Tayiana Maina, Ngartia
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm:
Swahili Panel: Whose Language? Dr Ann Munuku, Ms Wakio Mzenge, Prof. Kithaka Wamberia. Moderator: Carolyne Momanyi
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm:
Decolonizing the Mind (Ngugi Tribute – Paid) Kinuthia SK, Kairu Karega. Entry: KES 500
After 6:00 pm: Closing Ceremony
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