The program for the African Book Fair organised by Soma Nami Books, to be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya from August 1 – 5, 2023 is now out.
In 2021, Soma Nami Books, a new bookshop founded by Muthoni Muiruri and Wendy Njoroge, launched in Nairobi, Kenya. Since then, it has been at the forefront of building audiences and reading culture in the Kenyan capital with a book club, book events, and loads more.
In June, they announced a new initiative they called The African Book Fair that would host over 10,000 books with over 2,000 titles from over 50 African books available for purchase at the MacMillan Library in Nairobi. They have since revealed a program of activities brought together in partnership with Storymoja Publishers and Book Bunk. The program for the new fair features the following events;
Tuesday, August 1
10 am
Gates open
11:00 am – 1 pm
Storymoja (4 – 9 years)
Storytelling and dramatisation
Title: Kokiriko series
5 pm
Opening ceremony
Wednesday, August 2
4 pm – 6 pm
In conversation: Reclaiming The narrative and documenting culture – Tabu Osusa
Tabu Osusa is a Kenyan Author and Music producer and founder of Ketebul Music. He is the author of Shades of Benga: The Story of Popular Music in Kenya.
Thursday, April 3
11 am – 1 pm
Storymoja (10 – 15 years)
Arts and crafts
Challenge + Quick Fire Questions
Title: Radius stationery
4 pm – 6 pm
Poetry and healing
My Little Yellow Book by Sakina Taki
Sakina Taki is an expressive writer, inspirational speaker and Mental Health First Aider. She has a podcast tackling mental health issues after battling depression.
Friday, August 4
2 pm – 3 pm
MacMillan Memorial Library Book Tour – Book Bunk
5 pm – 6 pm
Book launch: Mtama Road by Linda Musita (with Down River Road)
Saturday, April 5
10 am – 11 am
Storymoja (6 – 9 years)
Storytelling and book reading with Isaac Munene, My Name Is Gungulele
I Am Gungulele is the first of the African Childrens’ Literature Series by Isaac Munene.
11 am – 12 pm
Storymoja (14 years -)
Book Club: A Fire Within and Other Stories by Robert Mwangi
12 pm – 1 pm
Book Reading and Cover Reveal: Intasimi Warriors 1 (Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask) and 2 by Shiko Nguru
Shiko Nguru is a Kenyan author and content creator, sharing her motherhood journey in the most genuine and beautiful way
2 pm
MacMillan Memorial Library Book Tour – Book Bunk
2 pm – 3 pm
In Conversation: Writing The Contemporary Kenyan Story with Ciku Kimeria & Otieno Opondo
Ciku Kimeria lives and works in Kenya as a consultant on international development issues and has written the novels Of Goats and Oranges (2013) and Dance of the Monkeys (2020). Otieno Opondo is the writer of the debut novel Beer Pressure (2022).
5 pm – 6 pm
Fireside Chat: Making space for African storytelling with Muthoni Muiruri, Wendy Njoroge, and Cynthia Mwangi.
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