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Mwaka wa 2016, mswada wa Wimbi la Mabadiliko ulikuwa miongoni mwa miswada bora katika Tuzo ya Fasihi ya Ubunifu iliyodhaminiwa na Ubalozi wa Ufaransa nchini Kenya, Kampuni ya Uchapishaji ya Spotlight na Kampuni ya Nation Media Group.
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Ulikuwa uvumi tu! Ufifi!
Jumanne usiku, kila nilipopenyepenya kwenye mitandao ya kijamii niliwaona wengi wakikutajataja. Walikutajataja kwa kile ambacho nilikataa kabisa kuamini. Wengi hatukuamini na hivyo kutugeuza wakosoaji. Tuliwaonya ‘kasuku’ dhidi ya uvumi kuwa ulikuwa umetangulia mbele ya haki. Ili nisiutese moyo wangu nilizima data hadi keshoye Jumatano, 15/4/2020. Nikawa ninachakura kwenye Twitter, Whatsapp na Facebook. ‘Uvumi’ ulikuwa umetamba kote. Sikutaka ya kukisiwa tena! Nilipoiwasha televisheni, duh! Stesheni ya NTV ilikuwa na maandishi haya kwenye kiwambo:
Kumi na tano bora na wadhamini ya Tuzo ya Ubunifu
Tarehe 26/04/2017 ilikuwa siku ambayo mwanahabari Ngulamu Mwaviro (Wa shirika la utangazaji la kitaifa-KBC) alitangazwa mshindi wa Tuzo ya Ubunifu ya 2016 katika hafla iliyofanyika katika ukumbi wa Alliance Francais jijini Nairobi. Novela yake ya “Mkamia Maji” iliibuka mswada bora miongoni mwa themanini na sita (86) iliyokuwa imetumwa na waandishi chipukizi kutoka pembe zote nchini Kenya.
Akitoa hotuba yake fupi punde alipotangazwa mshindi, Mwaviro alisema kuwa hakutarajia hilo licha ya kuwa aliamini alikuwa ameufanyia kazi mswada huo ipasavyo. “Mswada huu ni jiwe lililokataliwa na mwashi . Kuna matbaa iliyokataa mswada huu na nikaona nijaribu bahati katika Tuzo ya Ubunifu,” aliongeza. Aidha, aliwamshukuru Mungu na kuwapongeza washiriki wote.” Kando na kutunukiwa shilingi milioni moja, mswada huo utachapishwa na Matbaa ya Sportlight na kisha uchapishwe ka Kifaransa. Continue reading
Haini na Adam Shafi
Hamza, kijana mwandishi wa habari, anakamatwa kwa kutuhumiwa kuwa haini, hasa kutokana na uhusiano wake wa karibu na Hamduni, ambaye amempiga risasi na kumwua Kigogo, kiongozi wa nchi.
Sehemu kubwa ya riwaya hii inasimuliwa gerezani ambako Hamza pamoja na wengine waliosombwa na kurundikwa huko, wanateswa, kuthakilishwa na kutendewa unyama wa kila namna.Haini ni riwaya inayochukua tukio la kihistoria la kuuawa kwa kiongozi mmoja wa Kiafrika mwaka 1972, na kulifanya kiini cha kuyachunguza matatizo ya kisiasa, kijamii na kiuchumi ya nchi za Kiafrika baada ya uhuru, chini ya mifumo ya utawala inayojali tu maslahi ya wachache. Continue reading
Kasri ya Mwinyi Faud na Adam Shafi Adam
Kasri ya Mwinyi Fuad ni mojawapo wa riwaya maarufu katika fasihi ya Kiswahili. Hii ni riwaya inayosawiri mvutano baina ya ubwana na umwinyi kwa upande mmoj a na unyonge na utwana kwa upande wa pili.
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Mashetani Wamerudi – Said A. Mohamed
Uzinduzi wa tamthilia hii: Wasta 10-10, 2016
Mashetani Wamerudi Said A. Mohamed
Profesa-Haft-Leo-Wala-Kesho ni mwenye kipaji cha kusema na kuwavuta watu – hasa vijana. Mhusika huyu anatumia kipaji chake kutetea na kupinga ‘mkwamo’ katika Dunia ya Tatu – ikiwemo Afrika. ‘Mkwamo’ huo, ulianza mwanzoni mwa ukolonikale na kushamiri katika ukolonimamboleo. Kwa ajili ya ‘mkwamo’ huo, Afrika imetupwa na kuachwa nyuma kwa kila kitu, hasa katika kunyonywa jana, leo na kesho.
Mashetani Wamerudi ni tamthilia inayoleta mivutano pande mbili: upande wa mashetani na vibaraka vyao, na upande wa vijana na wazee wanaochachamaa. Mwisho wa mvutano, Profesa Hafi-Leo-Wala-Kesho anakufa kifo cha ajabu na kuleta tanzia pamoja na tamaa ya kuamsha silaha ya ukombozi! Tamthilia hii ina mchovyo unaosimamia maana mbili: maana ya kijujujuu yenye lugha ya kificho, na maana ya pill yenye kuleta lugha ya ukinzani na vijembe ndani ya lugha ya mtindo wa usasa, inayoipa hadhira mitazamo mbalimbali kwa wasomaji. Katika mtindo huu, kung vuta nikuvute, mtindo unaoburudisha na kuhuzunisha, inayorambwa ndani ya ‘asali chungu’ na utamu wa mchezo wa sitiari, ishara, mafumbo, usambamba, kejeli na mgao unaofuata mapigo ya ushairi na uwazi wa nathari. Continue reading
Nganga Mbugua makes history by being nominated for a record fourth time in the Wahome Mutahi Literary Prize with his book Angels of the Wild, published by One Planet. The winner of this year’s edition of the Wahome Mutahi Prize, administered by the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA), will be awarded at the end of the […]
via Ng’ang’a Mbugua nominated for Wahome Mutahi Award, Again! — maisha yetu
Book Review: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The speaker in the novel is all knowing and employs omniscient narration in the description of the events unfolding in the novel. Nothing is hidden from the eye of the narrator, which enables him to explore the characters and events going on in the novel effectively.
Things fall apart is a tragic novel by Nigerian author – Chinua Achebe. The book was first published in 1958. The motivation of the author to write the book might have arisen from the changes that were taking place in his society at the time. Things Fall Apart is set in Pre-colonial Nigeria and reflects the struggle between colonialism and cultural traditions. It is also part of a novel sequel, with the other novels by the author being: No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A man of the People (1966) and Anthills of the Savannah (1987).
speaking at Asbury Hall (Buffalo) during the “Babel: Season II” series by Just Buffalo Literary Center, Hallwalls, & the International Institute.[image sourse:Wikipedia]
The storyline of the novel follows the life of Okonkwo, who is the main character in the novel. The authors’ main aim in writing the novel is to…
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Book Review: A Journey Within, by Florence Mbaya
The author has employed third person narrative voice (omniscient narrator), which has enabled her to narrate and portray the various characters and events in her story with ease. Further, she has used jargon-free and easy to understand language making her narrative friendly to people of different academic levels.
A journey within is a novel by Kenyan author Florence Mbaya. The storyline revolves around the career life of the leading character in the novel – Monika Saliku. At the beginning of the novel, Monika appears as a fresh graduate hopeful of acquiring a job within the city. On the contrary she lands a job in a remote part of the country. She leaves behind friends such as Stella (her former college mate and best friend) and family such as Miriam (her sister). Having to settle for a career she dislikes (teaching) turns out as the opportunity she needed to have the chance of self discovery.
As the title of the novel suggests, the novel focuses on Monikas’ journey of self discovery and insight. On arrival at Kostas Secondary school following her posting, she receives a cold welcome from most of the fellow teachers, among them Max, a male teacher…
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Book review: Disgrace, by J. M. Coetzee
Throughout the novel, David is seen to remain emotionally-detached from all the subjects with whom he engages in sexual liaisons. At the beginning of the novel, there is Soraya, a married woman with whom he has an affair, but who later cuts communication with him and cautions him to keep distant. Later in the novel he is ensnared in his own escapades through sexual involvement with one of his students at the University – Melanie Isaacs.
John M. Coetzee, in his novel, Disgrace (1999), explores the challenges that members of European community face in post-apartheid South Africa. The author focuses on the career and private life of the main character in the novel, David Lurie, as a pointer to the injustices meted against European minorities within the South African society. It would occur to one as common knowledge, for reference and attribution of social oppression and injustices as directed towards African individuals within the given African state. However, in the course of the novel, Coetzee manages to weave out a clear picture on the sufferings of European individuals, as they are faced with animosity and are forced out their homes and property. The author additionally explores controversial topics that face individuals not only within the African context, but universally.
As the author engages the reader in the course of reading the novel, one cannot help but identify with situation…
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Scarlet Song – Mariama Ba
The novel, Scarlet Song, by Mariama Ba, is centred on the theme of love, and focuses on the lives of two young people; Ousmane Gueye (a Senegalese) and Mireille (daughter of a French diplomat). The two youngsters come from totally different backgrounds but are bound together by the bond of love.
Scarlet Song – Mariama Ba
The novel, Scarlet Song, by Mariama Ba, is centred on the theme of love, and focuses on the lives of two young people; Ousmane Gueye (a Senegalese) and Mireille (daughter of a French diplomat). The two youngsters come from totally different backgrounds but are bound together by the bond of love.
At the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to Ousmane Gueye, of whom the writer gives a description of the kind of environment he had been brought up in- a humble background.
Book: Scarlet Song
Author: Mariama Ba
The novel is divided into three main parts, each of which is further divided into several smaller parts. Each main part of the novel presents a major milestone for the couple’s relationship. Ousmane Gueye is from a humble Muslim family and has overcome numerous challenges to acquire education. Mireille, on the other hand is…
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R.I.P Ahmed Darwesh
“As sure as the sun rises, me and many others people are just behind you. Just like you would appear on KTN Leo bulletin reading main news and I would join you later for KTN Leo Michezo, I know I am on the way. I know that for a fact. For sure. 100%. All of us are on the way. We are just behind you. Perharps held back by some divine traffic jam, which will shortly clear. You have tasted death and seen what many us have not, and will only experience individually, devoid of our fame, name, material, wealth and reputation.”
Saddique Shaban
Allah says: “Innalilahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon” To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.” (Quran Surat Al Baqarah 2:156)
And also: “Every soul shall have a taste of death, then to us you will be ultimately returned.” (Quran Surat Al Ankaboot 29:57)
The demise of my friend, brother, mentor and former colleague at KTN Ahmed Darwesh has personified those words and reminded me- and it should remind you- on whose borrowed time we are living.
Television audiences and radio listeners knew and developed a relationship with humble, smiling man with an astute command of the Kiswahili language. It was a steadfast, unwavering relationship that lasted more than a decade and which ended on Monday night, December 14th, 2015.
Perhaps working closely and relating with him daily made us take his legendary status for granted. For his TV audience, it was an impersonal relationship…
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A legend, pioneer, master thespian, hero
“Next! Your name please,” St Peters said as he logged in the names of the evening arrivals at the Pearly Gates on Sunday 12, 2015.
“McDonald, McGregory, Ojwang’, Hatari, Ondiek, Mang’ang’a, Sibuor, Brrrrrrr! Hm Eh Otoyo, Esquire,” came the response that did not only capture St Peters’ attention but also brought a smile on his face. “How are you Sir?”
Mzee Ojwang Hatari. (courtesy of venasnews)
“That introduction brought a smile to many households back there on earth, Mzee Ojwang or shall I call you by the other unknown name Benson Wanjau,” St Peters quipped as he busied himself. “Some of your former colleagues and friends who came up here earlier have continued to be class acts. Amka Twende and Othoron’gon’go Danger never tire to remind us that “a cow boy never dies. And when he dies, he never rots. And when he rots, he never smells. And when he…
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KISWANGLISH KIMETUHARIBIA LUGHA WATANZANIA- HATA KIINGEREZA HATUKIWEZI
Inashangaza namna uzungumzaji wa Kiingereza kwa Watanzania unavyozidi kuwa ovyo.
Si tu nyumbani bali Ughaibuni. Popote pale unaposikia Mtanzania akihojiwa au akiongea hadharani Ughaibuni anavurunda lugha ya Kiingereza. Kwa sababu gani?
Kwa kuwa uzungumzaji wa Kiswahili umezidi kuchanganya sana maneno holela ya Kiingereza, sasa Mtanzania anapokabiliwa na lugha yenyewe fasaha ya Kiingereza anashindwa kuongea sawasawa. Ukimwambia apige Kiswahili fasaha pia anaparaganya. Eti…lazima neno la Kiingereza lipachikwe kila baada ya sentensi – sijui faida yake nini? Ili tuonekane tuna akili? Mbona wenzetu hawachanganyi Kiingereza na Kijapani au Kidachi, wakiongea? Kwanini humwoni Mwarabu akiburuta Kihindi au Kireno anapozungumza hadharani? Tusiwaendekeze Wakenya. Wenzetu huchapa Kiingereza fasaha. Mkenya anaweza kuwa si mzungumzaji mzuri wa Kiswahili- wao tena ndiyo walioanzisha hiki Kiswanglish (Walikiita Ki-Sheng au Shenge)- lakini Mkenya akinyang’anywa Kiswahili – Kimombo chake fasaha kabisa. Hata kama hajasoma zaidi ya darasa la Saba…!
Wakongo hivyo hivyo. Atachanganya Kilingala, Kingwana na Kifaransa. Lakini ukimwondolea hicho Kilingala…
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The sorry state of creative writing in Kenya
Towards the end of September book lovers will get to know the winners of the Wahome Mutahi Literary Prize. This will be the fifth time the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) will be handing out the award named in honour of Kenya’s foremost humourist and satirist, the late Wahome Mutahi.
Ng’ang’a Mbugua (left) receives a certificate from Prof Egara Kabaji for winning a literary award at a previous ceremony
While it is a good thing that Kenyan publishers decided to honour the man whose giant shoes are yet to be filled to date – the attempts at humour in local paper is nowhere close to what Wahome offered with his whispers column – the award remains woefully underfunded. This year’s winners will be taking home a humble sh50,000, similar to what Onduko bw’ Atebe pocketed when his book The Verdict of Death won the inaugural prize way back in 2006.
One…
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Onduko bw’Atebe: Writing is a labour of love
Despite the challenges facing the local writing industry, writer Onduko bw’Atebe prefers to see it as a half full glass rather than half empty. “The Kenyan writing scene is changing for the better,” he says. “More people are getting into the scene which is a good thing.”
Atebe’s book Verdict of Death, published EAEP, won the inaugural Wahome Mutahi Literary Prize in 2006. The prize is awarded by the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) every two years in honour of the late humourist Wahome Mutahi of the Whispers fame. It alternates with the more established Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature, also ran by KPA.
Towards the end of September 2014 KPA announced Yusuf Dawood as the fifth winner of the Wahome Mutahi Literary Award with his book The Last Word, which is a collection of past episodes of his Surgeon’s Diary column. He beat off competition from…
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