Is Anyone Reading In Kenya?
Written by Kwani · October 28, 2008
“There are over 36 million people in Kenya most of whom can read and write.Despite this analysts there say that the country doesn’t have a significant reading culture.Top writers in Kenya are trying to change this.”
The Reuters African Journal recently did a feature on this year’s Kwani? Litfest.Click here to watch the video.
On two recent visits to Kenya, I was amazed at the reading ability of the kids, especially in Nairobi. I would happily say that all the kids I met could read English better than their counterparts in the UK!
Seeing a 7 year-old reading the Daily Nation - and understanding it was a real, peasant surprise to me.
Furthermore, by the time they are 11, most kids in the Naiorobi area speak better, grammatically correct than their UK peers.
The reality of the matter is that most Kenyans rarely read and if they do, its newspaper headlines or restaurant menus…there is a lot to be done and since we cant teach old dogs new tricks, i think we should start with our children, establish a reading culture while not giving up on the older generation altogether.
I like what you are doing, Kwani Litfest has created an Oasis in this so-called literary desert and sure enough, i believe together we can ‘un-desertificate it..if such a thing exists.
I work with Kenya National Library Services and i concur with Boyfulani.It is the reality(ask me),Kenyans rarely read and if they do…….its exam time.It pains me that we do actually walk into the library to mutilate and worse steal the books.
The reading culture is slowly dying and what Kwani is doing is a worthwhile venture.
Lets encourage a reading culture among the young ones.Sounds more like fun……………………I have them sorrounding me and my vision 2010 is to have gone thru the current book stock.
Tall order.Nah.Step right up and join me(SMILE)
We cannot say we do not have a reading culture especially after the reception of bestsellers like Harry potter and Da Vinci Code. Its just misplaced readership thats the problem. People do not want to read Kwani unless the whole world is talking about Kwani so most good books pass unnoticed. i love reading and belive that if we publicize books, good marketing and reduce the cost (I buy at black markets because bookshops are above my league), then well get more Kenyans reading.