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Inside the Presidency
Inside the Presidency: the Trials and Tribulations of a Zambian Spin Doctor is a captivating chronicle of the goings on at the centre of state power as told by an insider. It captures the intrigues at the presidency, specifically associated with the author's time serving retired President Rupiah Banda.
The book tells of President Banda's ascendancy to the presidency following the death of Levi Mwanawasa. Telling it as it was, Jere paints well the roles of a number of players in supporting the president's quest to meet his mandate to the Zambian people. This is a first-hand account of the operations of the presidency as well as the challenges (and later failure) by Banda to secure a second term of office. It gives insights into the in the then ruling party, the president's own beliefs and approach to politics, and how the opposition took advantage of these to defeat an otherwise accomplished president.
The book is a window into policy positions, international relations, government bureaucracy and political manoeuvers in high office. Several decisions, popular and unpopular, are laid bare as is their rationale and impact. It paints a picture of the fire-fighting between government positions and public perception and further shows the inter-play of all this with opposition parties and the press.
The Footfalls of My Heart
Footfalls of My Heart is a long narrative poem that draws style, idioms and expression from the culture, traditions, and philosophy of the Abagusii community of Kenya through the lens of a girl as she inches along toward marriage. In the community, marriage was a complex, long-drawn and tedious process that involved many parties including the families of the two, and peers of both the bride and groom, among many other key players. Throughout the process ran the concept of the ideal desirable partner. This poem captures the bride’s perspective of the groom, Rimura, depending on the many aspects deemed to define the ‘perfect’ rimura. Nyamwange’s Footfalls of My Heart is a bride’s response to his earlier publication, The Girl of Red Beauty which presented a bride’s dreams of an ideal wife, in the tradition set by Okot p’Bitek’s twin publications, Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol.
What Others Say
"This is truly beautiful. I enjoyed the stream of consciousness and wordplay, which powerfully built up the feeling behind the words. I love how the author writes with some alliteration and sensory descriptions.
I loved the imagery here:
‘The ring of bellyful laughter,
‘The beaming of a full moon on my face’
Is this a poem or a story I can't even tell!!! Why not both? It feels like the subject matter happened once upon a time.”
- Chasejameson Manar Spears, Poet, Oakland, California, USA
“The author has set a high standard to which African poetry should be written. Taking after Okot p’Bitek, the author has, however, heightened the language and the condensation of the expressions.”
– Dr. Chris Okemwa, lecturer, Kisii University and poet
Maasai Education and Social Change by...
This important study delves into the cultural politics leading to low literacy levels in Maasai land in the colonial period and the early post-independence years. It's approach to pedagogy does not side step the politics of education– local, Regional, international and the dynamics that conspire to limit what is taught when, where , how and by whom. Chief among these is the politics of (dis) placement and land grabs leading to the systematic marginalisation.
The book allows the reader to see what was gained in the pursuit of western education, what was lost, and what has been artfully woven into modern Maasai identities from a blending of school– formal education and its socioeconomic outcomes– with home – the logic of pastoralism in old Maasai way of Knowing.
African Markets and the Utu-Ubuntu Bu...
Gusii Misiri Migration, Rainmaking, S...
This book is about the Abagusii, Gusiiland, sacred places, sacred people, and religious activities of the community. My late father, William Tinega Mwancha (1928-1994) used to say, “Ntwe basinto b’Oiroba”, meaning, we (human beings) are sons and daughters of the ground (soil). We were formed from the soil and we will eventually return to the soil. For this reason, traditional Gusii elders regard the soil on which they live as sacred.
It is therefore in this regard that any literature dealing with the Gusii must demonstrate an understanding of who the Gusii are beginning with their origin, migration and settlement in the land they dearly love and regard as holy. This is why the Gusii Misiri origin, rainmaking, shrines and divination have endeavoured to document what can be summed as the social life of the community.
Apart from land (soil), the Gusii have special places, items and people that they regard as sacred. Ngoro ya Mwaga, Sakagwa shrine and Igena monto are only a few sacred places and items discussed in this book. Among the many religious specialists in Gusii, the book explores the life and works of Iriasi the 20th-century Gusii rainmaker. Iriasi was allegedly said to be intersex, a condition considered by many people of his time as uniquely religious. To his contemporaries, Iriasi was created that way to perform unusual tasks such as rainmaking, divination, and prophecy.
Further to Iriasi’s nature and religious work, the book demonstrates the relevance of some traditional Gusii religious practices such as divination in modern times.
Colours of Life by Achieng Okoth
This captivating book tells an inspiring real-life story of resilience, centered on a couple whose unwavering determination and sacrifices paved the way for future generations. It explores the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, illustrating the power of family bonds, shared values, and the courage to dream beyond limitations. Through their personal journey, readers are invited to trace the family’s history, triumphs, and struggles, revealing the deep-rooted beliefs that have shaped their enduring legacy. The story not only honors the past but also embraces the future, showing how the choices of one generation can profoundly influence those that follow. With themes of perseverance, strength, and hope, this book offers a testament to the enduring power of family and the transformative potential of courage and vision. It’s a celebration of how our roots, when intertwined with progress, create a lasting impact on future generations, offering valuable lessons for all.
Mwakenya : Real or Phantom
Mwakenya: Real or Phantom?, is Jimmy Achira's persecution experience Daniel Arap Moi's Kenya in 1980s. The Daily Nation captured best the nebulous phenomenon called Mwakenya.
“Mwakenya remained a chimera to the Kenyan media. Reporters knew no “Mwakenya” officials and received no calls, manifestos or press releases from them.
“There was no known office location, or telephone or fax numbers. Everything that came to the media house, and appeared as trial evidence, was from the Moi-KANU government.
“The seditious documents produced in court were always photo-copies, never originals. It was not only university lecturers, students who were victims of the security dragnet-civil servants and journalists too, were picked up”. -Daily Nation, Sept. 20th 1987.
In the 1980s, in Moi’s regime, it was anathema to be termed "Mwakenya" for that would pronounce arrest, torture and jail. It was one of the saddest chapters in the nation’s history; people talked in hushed voices, looking over their shoulders to see who was listening; when people worried what they were seen reading for it could be “seditious”.
Jimmy Achira, a journalist who found himself in the Mwakenya dragnet, chronicles his experiences in Mwakenya: Real or Phantom?
The book is not a history of Mwakenya but a personal account of encounter with oppression in Moi’s Kenya. The real story of Mwakenya would be told by historians. It is unfortunate that instruments like the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission have yet to unearth the atrocities against Kenyan people; atrocities perpetuated in the name of state security; and law and order.
What others say:
"It is important that the experiences such as Achira's be told for the sake of history and posterity. The history of those dark days should be taught in schools, alongside tales of heroic struggles such as that of Mau Mau
"Many Kenyans who enjoy the fruits of "freedom" under multi-party democracy know little about the suffering many faced and sacrifices made to achieve the current freedom.” - Gershom Otachi Bw'Omanwa
"The Nyaro era of the 1980s was a time of horror in the history of human rights in Kenya. In early 1986 the crackdown on those Kenyans perceived to have dissenting views about the government had been put in motion. Under the guise of rooting out subversives, particularly referred to as "Mwakenya" ( Muungano wa Wakenya) the police unleashed such a reign of terror that a wide cross-section of people's lives were destroyed. “ - Dr Carey Francis Onyango, Lecturer and HUman Rights Activist.
“Political imprisonment was common in the Nyayo era in which Moi held Kenya in a vice-like grip. Now, the untold can be told. Stories, as Jimmy Achira's, help us understand those days and the price many Kenyans paid for freedoms enjoyed today. “ - Dr Matunda Nyanchama, ICT Professional and Publisher.
About the Author
Achira was born at Bosiango, West Mugirango, Nyamira and went to Bosiango Primary School, Taranganya and Nyansabakwa High Schools. He taught at Mborogo Secondary School before entering journalism.
He has worked for Target/ Lengo, East African Standard, Nation and Kenya Times. Others are The Weekend Mail and The Weekly Revie . In April 1995, he incorporated Rural Media Services Limited under which he published regional rural monthly newspaper, The Western Monitor. He co-edited, with Tom Amoro, A Guide to Gusii Politics 1997, published What Next after 1997 General Elections in Gusii? Presently, he is media consultant/publisher and working on The Memoirs of a Veteran Journalist 1979 – 1999.
Maasai Story by Douglas Munga
In Maasai Story, Douglas Munga takes readers on an extraordinary journey into the heart of one of Africa’s most iconic tribes. This captivating book explores the traditions, customs, and way of life of the Maasai people, providing a deeply immersive narrative that highlights their rich cultural heritage, wisdom, and resilience.
Through detailed storytelling, Maasai Story delves into key aspects of Maasai life, including their warrior traditions, social structures, marriage customs, and spiritual beliefs. The book also addresses the tribe’s relationship with neighboring communities such as the Kikuyu and Kalenjin, shedding light on their historical interactions, conflicts, and alliances.
A central theme in Maasai Story is the tribe’s deep connection to nature and wildlife conservation. The book examines how traditional Maasai values intersect with modern conservation efforts, balancing ancestral customs with contemporary environmental challenges. It also highlights the impact of land dispossession, colonial influences, and the evolving role of the Maasai in the modern world
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Munga’s vivid narration and in-depth research make Maasai Story an essential read for anyone interested in African history, cultural anthropology, or indigenous wisdom. Rich in tradition yet relevant to contemporary discussions on heritage and survival, this book serves as both a tribute to the Maasai people and a call to preserve their legacy for future generations.
Autobiography and Revelation of the M...
THE DARK SIDE OF THE HUSTLE CULTURE b...
This book explores the realities of hustle culture, balancing ambition with well-being. It delves into the mindset needed for success, practical strategies for productivity, and the risks of burnout. Through real-life examples, expert insights, and actionable tips, readers will learn how to work smarter, build resilience, and achieve sustainable success without compromising their mental and physical health. Whether you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, or career professional, this book offers a roadmap to navigating the hustle culture effectively.
Patriotism and Visionary Leadership b...
Kenya has remained a grossly unequal society thus making it dreadfully unstable. This is largely a epitomised by poor governance, discriminatory economic structure, endemic corruption, insensitive and unresponsive leadership. It will take patriotic citizenry and visionary leadership to create hope and avert the race to self-destruction.
Once Upon a Time in Turkana by Miriam...
We’ve Been Here: Stories of Sel...
The Fifth Child-Bella
Beyond tribal Lines
Beyond Tribal Lines: Reimagining Communities and Boundaries in Africa is about the perceptions, understandings, and experiences of difference between selves and communities in Africa and beyond. It focuses on the nature of difference in its many manifestations – social and communal, local and national – and the fundamental bases and typical consequences of such difference. Further, it explains the importance of difference between individuals, communities and societies; affirming that difference is natural to human social and individual existence.
Critically, it takes up the challenge of how – given the many differences between us – a society may achieve peaceful co-existence and harmony among its members. The book makes the case that being different doesn’t necessitate being enemies, antagonists or subjects of contestation.
To address and live with said difference, the authors present thoughtful ideas on realizing social harmony through individual and community reflection and understanding.
What Others Say
“Lawyers engaging transformative constitutions in Africa will find the book useful in interrogating these constitutions’ implementation which calls for a multi-disciplinary approach to their interpretation and implementation. The various insights of this book necessarily engage the burning issue of the people’s sovereign power. Political scientists interrogating the politics of division and the quest for alternative forms of political leadership in Africa will find the book’s theoretical and practical reflections useful.”
- Dr. Willy Mutunga, EGH, former Chief Justice, Kenyan lawyer, intellectual, reform activist, and former Commonwealth Special Envoy to the Maldives.