GENERATION KENYA

In 2007, a group of Kenyans decided to start thinking about ways in which our country’s demi-centenary, in 2013, could be approached. We thought that one of the ways in which it is important to mark Kenya’s 50th Birthday is by telling the inspiring story of Kenyan achievements in the last fifty years. We wanted to celebrate ordinary every-day heroes, in a variety of fields of endeavour who have taught us and challenged us as Kenyans, by their lives. Indeed, we would focus specifically on those Kenyans whose life-spans have mirrored that of this wonderful country of ours: Kenyans born since 1963. We would document these lives through beautiful fine art photographs, and attempt to put down a record of our times through the recounting of these extraordinary and well-lived Kenyan lives in well written socio-biographies by professional writers. This was the idea behind GenerationKenya, the project.

Then the elections took place, and the associated chaos erupted. It is clear that it is no longer enough merely to celebrate Kenyan lives, although that is extremely important to do: we must now also use all means at our disposal to present to our country again the case for the importance and beauty of Kenya as a viable historical project. We need, as Kenyans, to recall our national identity. Kenyans need to be reminded of the good within us, of our achievements, of our capacity to overcome problems and challenges with determination. The new and critical importance of Generation Kenya and the opportunity it provides for Kenyans to start up a national conversation about our lives, our values, the people we admire and the qualities of our leaders cannot be overstated. It is time for Kenyans to re-think ourselves and our lives, and GenerationKenya provides a nation-wide chance to do just that.

A nation-wide hunt using print, broadcast media and the internet, aims to shortlist a series of outstanding Kenyans; and a panel of judges will select the finalists, in a series of nine categories covering arts and entertainment, environment, and conservation, business, information technology, media and communications, science, human rights and governance, sports, social justice, gender equality, architecture and planning.

In addition to a photographic exhibition which will visit major Kenyan cities in 2008, a website showcasing the portraits and biographies will open the project to a worldwide audience. DVD’s, publications and 45 trees planted in honour of nominees will complete the series of events planned for this year, after which the exhibition will be placed in the Kenya National Archives.

GenerationKenya is a Kwani Trust Research, Documentation and Archive Project, whose purpose is to document and showcase Kenyan achievements and Kenyan lives.

Generation kenya website goes live.

Creative Writing “ Basic Elements of Fiction”

Convener: JACKIE LEBO
Date: Feb 23, 2008
Venue: BRITISH COUNCIL, NAIROBI

“I particularly recommend fiction as it feeds the creative gene” – Muthoni Garland

Come discover the fundamental building blocks in writing for creative fiction. Understanding these elements is key to becoming a successful writer; one who generates unique stories that resonate with the audience enabling them to solve problems and exploit opportunities they may come across in life.

SkillFactory© labs provide you with the opportunity to pick up practical skills and competencies to get ahead in the creative world through peer-to-peer sharing.

Attendance is free, but spaces are limited. To book your place for the session(s) advertised above, send an email providing your name and the session you are interested in to wapi.kenya@britishcouncil.or.ke

The labs listed above will be held at the British Council, Nairobi, on Saturday February 23rd during WAPI*

(WAPI, an acronym for Words and Pictures, is a platform for visual and verbal artistes)

Kwani Trust congratulates Dayo Forster whose novel, Reading the Ceiling has been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize 2008: Best First Book, Africa Region

The two regional winners will be announced on 13 March 2008, during Commonwealth Week, and will enter the final stage of the 2008 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize where they will go head to head with the six other regional winners.

Excerpts from Reading the Ceiling were published in Kwani? 03 and Kwani? 04.