This Is Not A Book
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This publication is co-produced by Creatives Garage LTD and the Goethe Institut in Kenya. Any distribution, use or reproduction without prior consent of the aforementioned parties is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. Readers should be aware that the intellectual property rights of the work presented in this book remain the exclusive property of the artists or organisations they are attributed to. While every endeavour has been made to supply accurate information, errors and omissions may occur. Accordingly, Creatives Garage and the Goethe Institute in No creatives were harmed in the Kenya do not accept any liability for any loss or making of this book. damage which may directly or indirectly result from any However the proofreader may advice, opinion, information, representation or omission, have cried once or twice. whether negligent or otherwise, contained in this publication. Copyright 2021 Creatives Garage [email protected] www.creativesgarage.org 50nd3k4 2 50nd3k4 3
We are the ones waging wars We are the ones stubborn enough against the forces of can’t, to change the world throwing out maybeor you just shouldn’t guidebooks to forge new paths We are the ones who not only imagine what could be but also cre- ate what will be We are the ones who’ll be quoted in history books because we refuse to We are the ones whose minds conform they fear yet respect the strides we make We are the ones who don’t color within the lines but splash out of the limits We are the ones who use our We create melodies of the past, powers to gift the world with the present and future African narrative rewriting Reaching into depthless sources prepackaged stereotypes into of knowledge to form a new world. new possibilities Our World. 50nd3k4 5 50nd3k4 4 50nd3k4 4 50nd3k4 5
Our I believe they’ll let us out soon. They’ve given Ok seriously though, this tongue in cheek partners me some free time to write this letter. We only forword is a pure reflection of the amount ever get 4 hours of time to of hard work we’ve put in this book. In it we ourselves and that’s for sleep. However, soon use emerging and existing tech to present a we might even be let out into the sun! collection that spans multiple disciplines. A self Imagine, going out there and not having to taught engineer who builds electric email support at **** because the friggin wheelchairs for the differently abled, hubs that software they sold us to make this book isn’t are forges for wild creative endeavours, and working right. art that blurs the world between fantasy and reality are only a tiny representation of what They said we couldn’t do it last year. They you’ll find within. said it was impossible. “WELL ANGIE LOOK. LOOK AT WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED! Whether you’re reading the digital version or WE”RE PUBLISHING A BOOK WITH AR! AND the print version of this book you’re bound to I ONLY LOST HALF OF MY HAIR GETTING enjoy what you find in these pages IT DONE!” Ok, I’m getting too excited but maybe that’s ok. I mean this is possibly one of the most unique books ever published in East Africa. A one of a kind presentation of Kenyan art, innovation and music. It took hours of agonising design work, video shoots, phone calls, edits and re-edits for the edits, “can you make the font just a little bigger”s, and all sorts of seemingly mind f***cking setbacks. -Liz K I have to get back now. There’s a zoom Festival Founder meeting in a few and I might get the chance to mute my mic and shout “FUUUDGE” if we have to delay going to print again. It’s only happened three times before. What joy. 50nd3k4 6 50nd3k4 7
192 Fundi wa saa 10 Sondeka AR Scanner 200 The Art of 11 The Goethe Institut 221 Stylus slingers 12 The making of Sondeka ALT 284 Content is King 14 The genesis 293 Podcasts 26 Decolonizing the arts 299 Life in Colour 33 Ole Sondeka and BW Stache 305 Wordsmiths of our time 58 Art and Tech 325 Meet the future of funny 64 I am More 331 Creatives doing Dope Sh*t 70 Cash Crops 342 In portrait 74 Gaming 346 Books in our collection 78 Contemporary Art 353 Journey through Music 98 Alternative markets 369 Trail blazers 102 Films 120 The way of the Avandu Festival Aleya Kassam Wanjira Kinyua Crew Evans Yegon 126 Rise of the new bold Director Glady Mwende Izzy MB Papa Vinyasa David Muturi Liz Kilili Gcho Pevu JR Pencil King Nyakundi Isaboke Dale Kotengo Kins of Spade Meeraj Vaghela Martin Santuri 128 Ditoro Design and Chief Nyamweya Naish Wainaina Partner Location FESTIVAL Zack Adel Adam Ahsan Lava latte 140 Boda Tales Layout Mwas Githinji Chez Sonia CURATOR Thayu Wamvii Karen Village AND Editor Dakchesa Comics Photography Acacia Collective 150 The 40th Day Avandu Studio Mini Cheps Alchemist Adam Kiboi Illustrations Ronny Onkeo The Junction Mall 156 Innovators Thayu Robert Ochieng Village Market Feysal Nair Packaging Vic Mutua Writers Anoop Pradeep Rosemary Nyambura Kenyaa Mzee 160 Lux in Tenebris Rasha Kayemba Asaph Muchura Judy Adurani Festival Partners Steve Odipo Ashley Mwalimu Pepi Noisily Gestival - UK 164 kanairo Liz Kilili Kennedy Kyalo Elactric South - South Africa Adam Kiboi Naish-Oh-My Voice Over Mutheu Mbondo Naddya Contemporary Art Table of Contents187 Apps Sitawa Namwalie Tara Light Muthoni Gathecha Lindsay Obath Steve Okuku 50nd3k4 8 50nd3k4 9 50nd3k4 9 50nd3k4 8
The Goethe Institut Building Intercultural Relationships Through the Arts The Goethe Institut is the cultural institute of Recently they worked with Cultural Video the Federal Republic of Germany and has for Production and Black Rhino VR on African 60 years played a crucial role in carrying out Spacemakers, a virtual reality Germany foreign cultural and educational docu-fictional film on creative spaces in policy. While some people interpret this to Nairobi. mean that they only do German Language courses and exams, it’s only a part of what Goethe Institut also helped organise they do. Kenya’s first celebration of LGBTIQ+ films OUT Film festival in collaboration with The The Goethe Institut in Nairobi helps build British Council, ISHTAR, Iranti, None on intercultural relationships by working to expose Record, NGLHRC, and Gay Kenya Trust. European audiences to work by African artists and supporting cultural organisations such as Creatives Garage. 50nd3k4 10 50nd3k4 11 50nd3k4 11
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Circa 2012 run of the mill “everything is going to sh*t and I can’t just sit here and wait for it to get better I need to do something about it” moments. That edit session brought to reality (we’re still not saying what Liz was editing) the glaring reality of their creative career. Liz had scraped the bottom of their financial barrel to put together pilots for TV shows. The hopes and pilots for these shows ended up being discarded by guards or disregarded by TV execs (more on this nonsense here/on page xxx). 8k phone cameras weren’t a thing back then. Filming a pilot needed a sound guy, a camera guy, an editor and cast members who couldn’t always be “Maina Who Works For Miraa” every time. Unless something changed, Liz realised In 2012 the founder of Creatives Garage sat that taking and editing sh**y filming opportunities in their house in Ngumo trying to edit (some (stop asking what the gig was) would remain their decrepit project) with a laptop that could barely reality. With that realisation came questions scrape past its login screen and a dark cloud “Why am I doing this alone? Where do other cre- of sadness draped over them. This is before atives go to share knowledge, frustrations and meet they were known as the ‘Chief Mechanic’ in people who can help/work with them? For example, creative circles or “Gru’’ in the office. Have if they needed help on a TV pilot.” you ever tried editing while depressed? It’s not An idea pierced through the cloud of desponden- easy, especially when part of your depression cy (is the overly dramatic imagery selling this? We stems from your work and the reason you hope it is). Portfolio reviews are chances for artists have to do it. Mind, this wasn’t just any melan- to have their work evaluated by their peers and other cholic early morning edit session. It was your experts in their fields. Behance had just put out a call 50nd3k4 14 50nd3k4 15 50nd3k4 14 50nd3k4 15
for creatives to self organise portfolio reviews in and activists to meet and work towards social their country and this gave Liz the idea to host their change. Early 2013 own. Sure, we admit this was not original but it was Art was (who are we kidding it still is) considered ‘DOING SOMETHING’. more of a hobby than a career path. Our sec- Liz’s friends helped them register Creatives Garage at However, coming up with the idea for an event isn’t ond intern didn’t think that, she even dropped the Ministry of Lands as a trust. Why are trusts reg- the same thing as hosting one. Gigs like this need out of law school to work at CG. Her parents did istered at the Ministry of Lands? We don’t know, but money, space, seating and a host of other things agree with this sentiment and two weeks into her Creatives Garage was finally legit. Still broke, but legit. that Liz didn’t have sitting about. Add to that zero tenure with us they came for her. It’s hard to de- The newly registered trust survived on hope, prayers event experience, no staff, no budget and an office scribe the fight that followed but she (the intern) to several gods and the goodwill of the creatives and that could fit possibly 2 other creatives squeezed won. She eventually did quit her unpaid intern- interns who joined. Our first official office was the size in so tightly you would need a crowbar to pry them ship at Creatives Garage to go back to university of a public toilet, little more than a glorified corridor. out. but not to study law, she went on to study media. Getting to your desk if you were late was like playing Like another ray of sunshine in Liz’s dreary world, That little bit of drama aside, Liz’s friends started human Tetris in a BM (Before Michuki, the the British Council came to the rescue like a knight to buy into their idea and helped align the goals government minister who told Kenyans that 14 seater in shining armour (too much? Yeah we thought so of Creatives Garage. The events had changed vans should only have (drumroll) 14 people in them (mind blown). We were all shocked to learn too). The British Council had already been support- from portfolio reviews into temporary spaces this) packed matatu. Some people would have to get out if you needed to get to the back. ing various arts programmes such as WAPI. After where creatives from all walks of life would come hearing Liz’s pitch they offered space for the portfo- together, (cut through the bureaucracy and bull- lio review. 40 creatives attended this first event and sh** that populates our various creative indus- 6 portfolios were reviewed. The artists networked, tries) to collaborate and push the boundaries of contacts were exchanged, people learnt stuff etc the creative scene. etc etc. The gig was over and it didn’t Mid 2013 seem like much had changed or been done. Time to head back to Liz met Mwalimu Gregg Tendwa a multimedia artist an unfulfilling life in the arts. and afro-futurist who would later go on to found Ubuni- Liz did not factor in Euticus. Euti- cus fu Hub in Machakos. Gregg bought into the idea of was a promising spoken word performer who Creatives garage and helped Liz pitch it to Hivos. That was in much the same situation as Liz meeting resulted in the first round of funding for Cre- when he attended the portfolio review. atives Garage. He emailed Liz looking for a job or attachment or “an anything”. The first gig With the funds from HIVOS, CG moved out of the had made an impact in his life and this glorified toilet to a new suite of offices in the Green- spurred Liz on to turn one event into a house building on Ngong Road. The funding also went series of them. The next few events were to hosting the first-ever Sondeka Festival, a 50-hour held at Pawa 254, a hub for journos, artists festival celebrating the 50 years Kenya had been inde- 50nd3k4 16 50nd3k4 17 50nd3k4 16 50nd3k4 17
pendent Mercy Myra performed and so did (the then upcoming, now A-listers) H_art The Band. down Kirichwa Road where they spotted a ‘Too-Let’ sign. We quickly paid for our new office and set up shop. We had a music stage and the entire Green House building was turned into a giant art space with live art cre- The first thing we did, held an event called ‘Good Riddance Chris’ in honour of the Greenhouse Manager. ation by legends like Feysal Anthony Nair, Brian Omolo and Joey Ng’ethe. (plus the new space had a garden, Greenhouse had no green spaces, this could our bitterness showing, just (We’re still in year one by the way. It’s all moving very fast, isn’t it? That’s what happens with good ideas) green paint smh) Sondeka was in its 2nd year. 2014 2015 The GreenHouse building is close to Kibera, Kenya’s largest informal settlement. Young women and girls living in Kibera often Our new space quickly became a thriving hub of finance reports. However, those were far outweighed drop out of school for a variety of reasons and activity. Music became a big part of Creatives by the benefits of having producers just down the hall. these women would eventually still need to earn a Garage and we opened an in-office recording A collective of DJ/Producers called EA Wave (Ukweli, living. One of Creatives Garage’s first programmes studio. Having a recording studio in the office did Sichangi, Hiribae, Nu Fvnk and Jinku) worked with was Sanaa Initiative. The project nurtured the have its drawbacks, no amount of soundproofing artists like Jojo Abot, Pilani Bubu, Labdi Ommes and creative talent in these women from Kibera to could make any place quiet enough for quarterly Janice Iche in our studio. The studio became a sort of provide them with access to income-generating activities that don’t put their lives in danger. This same year we started Expressions, a weekly open mic open to anyone and everyone could come showcase their skills. This event was epic and even drew talent from Mogadishu (we kid you not Fam). Unfortunately, this is the same year there was an incident at one of our events(we’ll dish the tea of this for a crate of tonic water and three bottles of gin, the good stuff). Greenhouse’s security team beat up one of our staff members and dragged him to the building’s basement. We later had to bail him out from a po- lice station. Following this, the management at Greenhouse gave Creatives Garage a 2-week eviction notice. Their rea- son? Some of our members had dreadlocks and wore ‘dirty jeans’ and thus we posed a ‘security risk’. Frustrated and angry Liz walked out the building and 50nd3k4 18 50nd3k4 19 50nd3k4 18 50nd3k4 19
communal space in the building for the artists working in tandem with workshops we held downstairs for musicians, DJs and producers. We didn’t just record music in the studio, we played it as well. The Friday Chillout was a post-work get 2016 together that quickly became our most popular regular event. It was a chance to laugh, have fun, drink and dance the evening away. Graphic designers working in agencies got a chance to rant about their Many amazing things happened in 2016 but they were stifled creativity and freelance writers could complain about delayed payments and artists could celebrate all overshadowed by our greatest achievement of the new commissions. It wasn’t just fun and games, it also provided an informal platform for knowledge year. We published our first book! Femmolution Volume transfer on topics such as intellectual property rights or designing for African audiences without the stuffy One is a collection of stories, poetry, non fiction, music feel of a classroom or seminar. photography and visual art by revolutionary women The event’s popularity continued to grow until living in and from Kenya. our neighbour K**i K****a began making constant noise complaints. It got to a point where the police sat outside our offices every Friday praying that we went past the 2017 11 pm ‘curfew’. One day we almost did, so they arrested Riding on the high of adding “Publishing House” to our business cards, we created a line of shoes. one of our crew and confiscated our equip- The idea was simple in its description, hell in its implementation. We planned to ment. He was released hours later and the take a product from the design stage to market. In the early 2000s, the Ken- equipment returned to us. The police yan government tried to create a national dress via a public competition. This presence every Friday became a running was the latest of many such competitions whose results faded into obscurity. joke in the office, ‘ free government Rather than lump Kenya’s diverse cultural background into one single security’. outfit, Creatives Garage went the other way. We started work on This is the same year we also creat- a line of boots that we called. Shoejaa, inspired by pre-colonial ed Lebo; one of our largest heroes from Kenya’s 42 tribes. multimedia projects. It was con- Our naivety turned this into a failed movie that in- ceptualised to draw out the prejudices held by cluded; fundi’s delaying the prototypes, receiving an different societies and cultures in Kenya, order of leather that was far below the quality expect- Uganda (by working with Ugandan refugees ed, one fundi completely blocking our calls and messag- domiciled in Kenya) and Luxembourg. The es, and a poorly planned sojourn into China that ended key focus was how these stereotypes affected with us lost in Guangzhou. the lives of the LGBTQ+ community members. The project’s multimedia installations included digital The year’s projects did not all end in disaster. There were art, photography, short films & poetry fused with some amazing projects such as I speak, a project about the music. The work created for this was displayed at women of Tana River County. The residents of Tana River exhibitions and showcases in the three countries and have lived with famine, flooding and intertribal conflicts that through social media dialogues and advocacy cam- paigns. 50nd3k4 20 50nd3k4 21 50nd3k4 20 50nd3k4 21
Office hopping aside, 2018 was a year of more wins as well. We won the Google Impact Challenge and start- have left many dead for decades. The project ed building Kalabars, a digital Content On Demand platform (that we have shamelessly plugged all over this gave a voice to all the women working hard book). to make ends meet for their families. We also partnered with The Junction Mall to start Art at The Junction. Kenyan artists who felt locked out of Women whose sacrifices have been more conventional galleries in Nairobi who only had Instagram and Facebook as the only way to display their ignored yet have made a lasting im- art were given a chance to participate in a weekly open-air gallery. This opportunity meant a lot for the artists pact on their communities. While the most of whom made their first sales at Art at The Junction. principal geographical location for the We also self-published our first photobook Prosexsive. The Prosexive project seeks to encourage open project was Tana River County, CG pushed the project’s outputs, short documentaries and narrative pieces, via digital media to a Kenyan and global audience. Travelling to Tana River was exciting; we needed police escorts for some parts of the journey and it felt like we would never arrive, especially after another 50 Kms of nothing but scrubland and savannah But it was worth it, not just for the project outputs but in the forever family creatives garage found with Jawariya, Maria and Aisha We started our first masterclasses, support queer refugees from the region this is a success… dialogue regarding sex and sexuality. It’s a daring project and one that we approached carefully. Any time an arts organisation decides to tackle topics such as sex and sexuality they run the risk of government censorship with associated fines and even jail time. Despite the risk, we hosted 3 talks and 4 exhibitions. The latest output 2018 under Prosexive is a photobook that visually explored depictions of sex in African society. Our funders decided it wasn’t enough ‘African’ enough, so we decided to publish it ourselves. 2018 started rough. Our landlord at Kirichwa road decided to knock down the buildings on the property and build a block of apartments. We were once again without an office. We moved to a new space on Galana Road and started settling in but once the creatives started 2019 coming to the office we were asked to move again. The neigh- bours made complaints and the large number of people with Sondeka Festival had had rousing success over the past years but we decided to go the extra mile. Instead of dreadlocks and ‘dirty jeans’ who came to our office (Deja just showcasing artists on stage, we started our own awards ceremony. Creatives Garage believes that appre- Vu much?) posed a “SECURITY RISK”. We weren’t even ciation is a fundamental human need (it sits up there next to WIFI). The Sondeka Awards aim is to bridge the there long enough for the ink to dry on our new business gap between mainstream award ceremonies and innovative talent in Kenya. This after the fact display of prop- cards. Thankfully we found a new office just nearby on er acknowledgement for their extraordinary efforts in the arts earnestly builds their confidence and encourages Wood Avenue. them to continue passionately in their work. 50nd3k4 22 50nd3k4 23 50nd3k4 22 50nd3k4 23
2020 The future We’re now working towards a future with more Safaricom, The Junction Mall, Village Market (honestly 2020 was honestly a sh** year for the arts all over the world. Venues were content. So far we’ve helped artists get their work this list is endless, this book comes with a pencil so we closed, live shows cancelled and going outside became detrimental to your out there at events or online. Now we want to help can fill in anyone we missed in the margins) and health. To cushion the blow to the arts industry, Creatives Garage shifted the artists create more content and get the content out everyone else who has made this journey possible. bulk of its output online. The first quarter of the year was dedicated to two there. We’re creating tools, working to build online events. The first was Lock in Festival, aimed at having creatives, alternative markets and distribution channels for Our community of creatives has grown from a single especially those considered underground, earn some money during the content, mobile and web apps, Augmented Reality intern (shout out to Euticus once again) to a small lockdown through incorporating tip jars and donation options during and Virtual Reality experiences and learning society of 13 000 artists from different mediums, walks performances and on the Festival website. platforms. We’re also going to do a lot more sto- of life, social classes, races you name it. They believe We also moved the Sondeka rytelling that’s focused on the African Narrative in us, embrace us, constantly correct us, and encour- Awards online (reminding people through film, tv and web series, graphic novels, age our madness. that they’re the sh** couldn’t be music and poetry. stopped by a pandemic!). It’s been a tough, long journey with credit due to It has taken the dedication of everyone who has ever the artists and creative industry stakeholders we’ve worked at CG starting again with Euticus (first member Creatives Garage isn’t just a worked with over the years. Organizations such as and first employee, we should throw him a party. ) queer-friendly space a lot of the Africalia, Google, Facebook, HIVOS, British staff are queer as well. Pride Month Council, The Swedish Embassy, German Embassy, It has taken the vision of The chief mechanic who even means a lot to CG and in 2020 we The Goethe Institut, The Netherlands Embassy, though they pick-up surfed (inside joke that has recognised that not everyone can openly celebrate their queerness. Stories Of Pride was an Africa Culture Fund, Africa No Filter, Airtel, Bozza, something to do with that terrible editing job that we opportunity for CG to give those people a voice. The project was not popular in some corners. Some IPS, Funktion Master, KECOBO, Forum Syd, THe mentioned at the beginning) still dared to dream. people thought queer people would be forced further in the closet whereas we should be pushing them Awesome Foundation, Adobe, Pernod Ricard, out (some people don’t realise that being out and not facing any risk is not a privilege everyone has FFS). However, it was largely accepted and appreciated by the community. 10 stories were read out and recorded by voice actors and 10 more will join this in a limited edition book for publication later in “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. the year. chance to tell their stories to the world. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. We closed off 2020 with an intense collaboration with Facebook Africa. Real People Real Stories is a You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the series of mini docus featuring Kenyans who have used their creativity and innovation to inspire their only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They communities. push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do” - Rob Stilton 50nd3k4 24 50nd3k4 25 50nd3k4 24 50nd3k4 25
Tell me your name Does it call you? Tell me your name does it speak you? Does it hear you? Does it feel you? Does it love you right back, When you speak it out loud? In the night? Tell me your real name! Tell me your real name! 50nd3k4 26 50nd3k4 26 50nd3k4 27 50nd3k4 27
Decolonizing the mind means Cross has been concerned with racial/ethnic identity theory estern thought and science on deconstructing the thoughts, preferences STEP ONE: fects of W and values that derive from a colonial way and the negative ef Americans, specifically the need for of thinking. This is a process that inevitably DECOLONIZING THE INDIVIDUAL ARTIST. the psychology of Black leads to more fundamental questions. “psychological liberation under conditions of oppression.” - Decolonization once viewed as the formal How I see, how I think, how can I create, process of handing over the instruments of What are my influences? The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the stag government, is now recognized as a long- Who are you? es of Black identity development among Black students in Who are you talking to? higher education attending predominantly White institutions term process involving the ferent stages of nigrescence, bureaucratic, cultural, linguistic and Why can’t you hear each other? (PWIs). I also explore the dif psychological divesting of colonial power. As an artist who you are is your superpower. which is the process of becoming black (cross, 1991). How to harness your superpower. Indigenization Make indigenous; subject to Do we need to do the work for white people too? Research on Black identity development is critical for student fairs professionals because it can serve as a foundation af - , com native influence. ferent developmental processes that to help understand dif - A look at the colonised mind Black students may experience in college. Ultimately 1. Filled with shame petency in Nigrescence can help influence how student af fairs professionals help support Black students as they learn 2. Invalidates our African experience Addi- to navigate their racial identity in college. referred to it as “an identity change process as a 3. Is unable to see what is around us fairs professionals can help Negro-to-Black conversion experience, the kind WILLIAM E CROSS JR. AND NIGRESENCE. , student af forts made by 4. Has a double consciousness tionally of process that could be seen in Black behavior 5. Creativity is compromised and this aid in persistence and retention ef during the Harlem Renaissance” (Cross, 1991, p. leads to bad art because of a desire to colleges. 189). Cross (1991) re-considered the theory as copy from the west. William E. Cross Jr. (born 1940) is a theorist and a resocializing experience, one that transforms a 6. Sees the world through the white lens researcher in the field of ethnic identity William Cross developed Nigrescence theory preexisting identity (e.g., non-Afrocentric identity) , development, specifically Black identity andiver 7. Salman Rushdie’s wrote rubbish as he in 1971, a theory considered the seminal Black to one that is was becoming a writer because he did development. He is best known for his racial identity development model (V Afrocentric. nigrescence model, first detailed in a 1971 orrell & Fhagen-Smith, 2002). When not know that he was a person of two Cross, W THE ORIGINAL FIVE ST identities. publication, and his book, Shades of Black, Cross wrote about Nigrescence in 1971, he NIGRESENCE AGES OF published in 1991. Cross’s nigrescence model expanded upon the work of Black psychologists Stage 1 Pre-encounter: depicts the identity to be who came before him, and created an important changed; foundation for racial/ethnic identity psychology. Stage 2 Encounter: isolates the point at which the It has proved a framework for both individual and person feels compelled to change; collective social change. Throughout his career, 50nd3k4 28 50nd3k4 29 50nd3k4 28 50nd3k4 29
healthy and to have a high self esteem. In contrast Blacks who accepted the values of Stage 3 Immersion Emersion: describes the vortex of identity change; and White society were believed to suf self-esteem. fer from self hatred and, as a result, low Stages 4 and 5: Internalization-Commitment: describe the habituation and . internalization of the new identity INTERNALIZA TION ST AGE AGE ENCOUNTER ST Internalization encompasses a transition period where one is working through the At the same time, challenges and problems of a new identity (Cross, 1991). During this time people move . People in the encounter stage must work around, slip through, or even away from how others view them to how they view themselves. Cross (1991) stated shatter the relevance of their ideology and worldview - “the internalization marks the point of dissonance resolution and reconstruction of ones The encounter stage encompass others must provide some hint of direction in which to point the person to be steady state personality and cognitive style” (p. 220). Black people begin to think crit resocialized or transformed (Cross, 1991). ically about their new found racial identity and how it has shaped their life. es two steps, encounter and personalize. In the encounter step, an event - event evoked on they embrace what it means to be Black and have Black self-love that they exude into the As a result happens that shapes how one views their race. Personalize occurs when an personal impact the result of a action as the universe. Most importantly individual takes . Cross (1991) pointed out that the encounter “need , “Black identity functions to fulfill the self protection, s world view social anchorage, and bridging needs of the individual” that person’ not to be negative” (p. 197) for the event to have impact and steer a person INTERNALIZA towards Nigrescence. What matters is that the encounter has a personally TION-COMMITMENT ST AGE significant impact to be the catalyst to spur The person has not yet changed, but commits to Internalization-commitment focuses on the long-term interest of Black af change in their thinking. change. Cross (1991) said that “immersion is a extended amount of time (Cross, 1991). fairs over an This stage is now combined with AGE strong powerful dominating sensation that is con internalization. Cross (1991) explained that “consequently other than to repeat what IMMERSION-EMERSION ST stantly energized by rage [at White people and - has already been said about internalization a more dif ferential look at culture], guilt [at having once been tricked into internalization-commitment awaits the results of future research” ). Ritchey 104 • The immersion-emersion stage of V thinking Black ideas], and ermont Connection • 2014 • V The olume 35 Nigrescence addresses the most According to Benjamin et al. (1998), Black developing a sense of pride [in one’ identity development model helps “Blacks begin to shed a poor self worth and move sensational aspect of Black identity s Black self, toward embracing a positive Black self definition” . development, for it represents the vortex of Black people, and Black culture]” (p. 203). This is the ultimate transformation, A taking place when someone achieves a healthy racial identity psychological Nigrescence (Cross, 1991). sense of rage that is part of the immer and privilege are interwoven into society . Racism, domination, - sion-emersion stage can be a catalyst for Black . It is during this stage that Black people will As a result, “racism and race related stress students to seek out history may be experienced at the cultural, individual and institutional levels” (Johnson & begin to shed their old worldview and , art, and music that Arbona, 2006, p. 1). construct a new frame of reference with represent a culture they never knew existed. This can be experienced by Black people as well as other people with subordinate identities, which is why having a healthy racial identity is important for the information they now have about race. According to V all students, no matter someone’ andiver et al., (2002), Black people s race. According to Benjamin et al. (1998): Healthy can feel a variety of dif racial identity development is achieved when Blacks progress through a in dif ferent emotions expressed series of linear stages commencing with degrading thoughts and feelings about them ferent ways. If Blacks accepted being Black selves and other Blacks accompanied by idealized beliefs about Whites, and ends with then, they were assumed to be psychologically - internalized positive feelings about themselves, other Blacks, and other racial groups. 50nd3k4 30 50nd3k4 31 50nd3k4 30 50nd3k4 31
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As the world advances so does the way society creates, distributes and consumes art. Technology has allowed creatives more avenues of success in their careers and made art more accessible to the people of the world regardless of location. Tech can reduce the number of problems faced by artists allowing them to focus on creating. Creatives Garage has started work on projects that will CryptoSoko revolutionise the arts in Kenya by taking advantage of existing and emerging NFTs are digital tokens on a blockchain NFTs and minting them as well as technologies. that represent unique items. Digital art helping them get their work onto NFT or even physical assets can be markets. We also plan to give artists to represented in this way with their mint new non-fungible-tokens for work ownership tied to an NFT. Creatives created by Kenyan artists. The Garage has started working on a commissions from the sales of the programme called, CryptoSoko, to train NFTs would be directly pumped back Kenyan artists on crypto art, creating into the programme to help other artists get into crypto art. 50nd3k4 58 50nd3k450nd3k45959 50nd3k4 58
Miliki Miliki is a decentralised App that Creatives Garage and a group of developers are building on the Ethereum Blockchain. Miliki will allow Kenyan artists to upload, distribute and control the licensing options of their work. Blockchains are immutable, records on a blockchains database once entered cannot be edited. This means that musicians will always be able to prove ownership of their work. Further giving control over their music to musicians themselves will eliminate the need for third parties such as CMOs who are currently one of the only avenues that musicians have for pay from airplay. ALT Radio is creating, collecting and archiving Kenyan music, and spoken word content (podcasts, poetry readings, spoken word performances). ALT Radio would not only contain more recent contemporary music but will also present digitised versions of music that is at risk of disappearing. This includes tracks that exist on old cassettes, records and CDs as well as music performed by various ethnic groups around the country. 50nd3k450nd3k46060 50nd3k4 61 50nd3k4 61
Simul8r Our time outside has increasingly been curbed any major city, Nairobi has many different faces and just being outdoors has become akin to and in the CBD all of these are shown. Through danger as we adjust to the new reality of living Simul8r explore different areas of a bustling during a global pandemic. metropolis that started as a colonial railway depot that now boasts architectural feats as well Months of longing to see different cities and as historic landmarks. spaces got us to the point of asking ourselves, ‘if we can’t go could we possibly experience Karura and Nairobi are evolving aspects of these spaces in the comfort of our houses? Kenya’s history and future, Through Simul8r The answer to this was why not! We have explore them as they are now. However, we will built a prototype Simulator called Simul8r that continue recording and documenting these allows users (without a VR headset) to explore places so that eventually you can look back 6 landmarks and places of interest. It not only years from now and walk the streets or the for- acts as a novel way to explore existing places est as it was today. but as an archive for spaces such as our first featured location that are slowly disappearing For the beta version, we shot these spaces and or constantly changing. For our public Beta we are showcasing them as normal HD videos test, we present one of Nairobi’s greatest but in our second prototype, we plan to use 360 features, Karura Forest and parts of Nairobi’s videos to give you a more diverse feeling of Central Business District. these spaces. Karura forest was gazetted in 1932 and used A fork of Simul8r will be added to our to be 2627 acres. It however now has been upcoming eCommerce website. Not only will reduced to almost half its original size due to potential clients be able to view artwork by encroachment and development. Ironically Kenyan artists but they will do soo in a 3D/360 one of the buildings on land carved out of the degree/Virtual Reality environment. To achieve forest is the United Nations Environment this we have started digitising paintings and Programmes’ global headquarters. sculptures by Kenyan contemporary artists who are working with Creatives Garage. The first Nairobi’s Central Business District is the cohort of artists in our virtual galleries are part of centre of government and commerce for one Creatives Garage art at the junction project that of Africa’s most powerful economies. Like was put on hold due to restrictions on move- ment and congregations. 50nd3k4 62 50nd3k4 62 50nd3k4 63
‘I AM MORE’ explores the beautiful as we all as complicated relationship many people who live in townships have while living in an area many look down upon. As the title suggests, it is saying I AM MORE than my circumstances, more than the area I come from, more than what outsiders may see in a community so many of them only pass judgement as they pass through it. By using portraits of the children at Injongo Educare in Mfuleni, we speak life into the future of the community and focus on the youth, as so many times in these conversations we forget about the younger generation and tend to focus on the older generation. With these portraits mixed with 24k gold leaflets, I am to show how life in this area can be surrounded with golden moments, that there are gems to be found even when the rest of the world does not believe so. I AM MORE also touches mainly on the misconception that children within these communities cannot experience fun. That there is only the bad to focus on and very little good if any. I aim to shed a spotlight on the little things that make everyday a fun experience unique to the children living in the community. 50nd3k4 64 50nd3k4 65 50nd3k4 64 50nd3k4 65
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Back in the day, around 2000 or so, at the side – waiting to be unleashed as needed, as Kuona Trust, artists would throw around this the artist continued in the creation of their term “cash crop”. “Hio ni cash crop”, artists masterpiece. Some artists seemed to make cash would point out to each other knowingly... crops on demand – when there was a need for humorously. It didn’t take long to understand quick money. what was meant by this. “Cash crop” was the term used for art work that was created, quite Back then, cash crops were still hand made - quickly and clearly with the intention to make hand painted or hand sculpted or hand printed some quick cash. by the artist. So they were actual real artworks but in smaller scale. The cash crop has since Cash crops were small, quickly done, not too evolved and grown - the cash crop is now known much time or materials taken to make them, as merchandise. not pricey. They’d be the kind of pieces that if a visitor stopped in at the studios, as they In many museums and studios around the world, often did, and had a little cash to spare, she’d from the most renowned centres of art, there will easily be able to leave with one of those little almost always be an attached gift shop. In it you cash crops. Some artists always seemed to will find, postcards by the big names of the arts have cash crops, stashed away, set aside, on – artists long gone and who’s work is no longer available unless its at an auction at one of the leading art auction houses – umbrellas and pens and cups and more. Other than these works of the old masters that you can then take home on a printed cup, most will also have products with work from the current exhibitions – serving as a momento for show goers to take home. Most guests will not be able to purchase any originals, in many cases, there are no originals to be “Cash crops” purchased, unless by the billionaires of this world, but surely even you and I can have the The story of art merchandising in Kenya pleasure of taking home a pen, with a small print of a favourite artist. By Mutheu Mbondo 50nd3k4 70 50nd3k4 70 50nd3k450nd3k4 7171
A chronology of art merchandise One of the earliest makers of real art in Kenya merchandise in this country, is an artist called Kioko Mwitiki. He might not see himself as a Around 2010, a company formed by the merchandiser but as artists made cash crops in author, Mali Ya Mali, sort to expand the the studio, Tom Ogonga, lead printmaker in possibilities of merchanding for the Kioko seemed to already have an art factory – Nairobi, made bags quite early Kenyan art sector. Working with artists where he created his well known metal animal on. What was interesting about from Patrick Mukabi to Yassir Ali, the sculptures in many multiples and working with Tom’s form of merchandise was company made notebooks and metal assistants. He seemed like he got in this game, that he didn’t opt for the route of buttons and tshirts with Mukabi’s on a serious scale, well before other artists printing or painting his art onto women and notebook covers and bags Dennis Muraguri must be came along. You will know Kioko’s work (and the bags, he instead chose to list with Charles Ngatia’s colourful paintings. included in the story of art legacy) when you see all those popular metal the names of some of the best Working with artist Wambui K. Collymore merchandise in Kenya. His sculptures of animals sold in many places now. known Kenyan artists. Pretty on one of her exhibitions, “Your Name matatus lent themselves Those begun with Kioko - his originals you will cool. So you’d walk around Betrays You”, the company and the artist so naturally to printing on see at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport - in the fields, carrying the names of artists made limited edition merchandise for the pouches and tshirts and the herds of migrating wildebeest and marching printed onto the bag – say their show. fridge magnets. life-size elephants. names; know their names. Around the same time that Tom Ogonga was creating his bags with names, his good artist friend, Michael Soi, begun to paint onto small The late beloved Ngene canvas bags. Onto the bags, he would paint There are artists who are completely against the idea of merchandising and who Mwaura created books and simplified single faces of women, similar to the had rather starve than have their artwork printed on a tea pot. For them, printed stunning colourful faces you’d see on his art. He begun slowly, merchandising is a cheapening of their work. And then there are those who love tshirts, magnets and with not so awesome canvas, and quite small merchandising and see it as an opportunity to expand the possibilities - of artists coasters with his bags, gifting them to friends and his daughter making quicker, more consistent money and for expanding the access of the arts Ngene-fied masks and as he continued to experiment with the format. to the people. There is still so much possibility - some museums around the world creatures. His books were A few years later, his bags, are well known art have become very sophisticated with their merchandising –making stunning packed with humour and his merchandise here in Nairobi and limited edition pieces that are highly coveted. There is still an interesting and own dose of quizzical beyond. promising journey for the Kenyan art “cash crop”. lightness and mind-expanding sweet story lines. His tshirts were gems. 50nd3k4 72 50nd3k4 73 50nd3k4 73 50nd3k4 72
Bazuu is similar to charades but focuses on categories and answers easily recognizable to Kenyans. Players act out the word shown on the screen of the player whose turn it is. In Weza Interactive’s 2D mobile adventure you play as one of two Mzito’s and travel across levels inspired by 15 key locations from all over Africa, as they seek to purge a corruption that has plagued the continent. Mzito is the first game in a fictional universe that Weza Interactive continue to build on. Mobile games have become much more than just something to keep you occupied while you’re on the toilet. They’re full-on vehicles for entertainment, education and even awareness creation. Mobile games have been known to help alleviate stress and thus players’ mental health. They take up minimal space on devices that fit neatly into our pockets so yes...you can still take them to the loo with you. It’s always better than reading the ingredients on the can of air fresh- ener 50nd3k4 74 50nd3k4 75 50nd3k4 74 50nd3k4 75
Where is Ole Sondeka is an alternate reality game based on the origin story of Sondeka’s mascot. Players are encouraged to solve puzzles, perform actions in the real world and interact with one of Ole Sondeka’s ‘fundis’ to trace the location of Ole Sondkea and save creativity from the evil Rada is a multiple choice quiz spread Bwana Stache. More info on Ole Sondeka’s story is available across 5 categories with questions and on page 35 answers littered with satire. The questions change monthly but the categories all remain the same. The name “Rada” comes from the sheng word for “be attentive” as the questions are tricky and require a second glance Adventures of Jebet is a 3D mobile application game that mainly In the Cheza Zone children get an targets children between ages of 5 to 10 years. However, being an opportunity to learn from a bunch of interactive game, it can still be played by adults or anyone mind-stimulating games. There are fill in the fascinated by the computer. This is an interactive and educational blank word games, number puzzles, image game that seeks to show a simulation of Nairobi town and hurdles matching games, colour identifying games that people go through daily. The game is appealing to all children and colouring books with pictures of women who are fans of computer games. from different Kenyan ethnic groups. 50nd3k4 76 50nd3k4 77 50nd3k4 76 50nd3k4 77
Yes, we understand that this chapter title invokes images of art from long-forgotten villages that should be in museums. While the work we show in this chapter is Stephen Otieno, also known as Okuku is a Different artists have different inspirations to their museum-quality it’s by no mean old. Traditional art in this Kenyan born artist based in Nairobi. He does art pieces. Okuku is inspired by hardworking wom- sense is contemporary art created using traditional drawing, painting and graffiti; charcoal on paper, en who go through a lot to make ends meet for techniques, eg sculpting, moulding or painting. Too often pen and ink on paper, acrylic on canvas, spray their families. Currently he is working on a series we get caught up in the digital world and with the paint on wall as the main medium. He likes art called “Mama Mboga” (woman selling groceries). pandemic, it’s harder and harder to go out and since it is a passion that he started way back in It’s a story that shows how hardworking women appreciate grand installations or go to a gallery viewing. primary school where he would draw diagrams that are and the struggles they go through to make So here we profile some of the most amazing traditional teachers would use for instruction in class. ends meet. Okuku aspires to show the world how artists in Kenya. Teachers would ask him to draw art pieces of great and important mother and child are for the diagrams as maps, science class drawings to aid future of a Nation. in instruction in class. It is here that he realized his passion for art. 50nd3k4 78 50nd3k4 79 50nd3k4 78 50nd3k4 79
Okuku works on different pieces that are either University, Panafric, National Museum among others on commission or personal pieces that depend and also participated in several Manjano Exhibitions on his inspirations. He also does murals on in Nairobi Kenya. commission basis. The graffiti are becoming popular in major parts of the town recently he Okuku notes that the art space in Kenya is growing did a mural in Nairobi Eastleigh estate that got and it class for concerted effort from all stakeholders people interested in his work. He sells his art in to take part in ensuring a thriving industry. There is exhibitions and on online platforms. It Is dire need for the government to increase support becoming interesting in recent days as many by funding spaces where artists can share experi- local people have embraced art and are able to ence and gain market access. Okuku is optimistic buy art during the exhibitions. As opposed to the that through his inspiration of women and children, past where most artists would wait for foreigners the society will get inspired to embrace and respect to come and buy the art pieces. Okuku’s work women to the works and struggle they go through. has been exhibited in several group exhibitions at the Village market, Alliance Francaise, Nairobi 50nd3k4 81 50nd3k4 80 50nd3k4 81
Evans Yegon, popularly known as Yegonizer, is a visual artist from Bomet, Kenya. He is known for a style called vibrantism with which he portrays his subjects using colourful strokes of acrylic paint. He studied art at the Buruburu Institute of Fine Art between 2006 and 2008 and has been practising art professionally since then. Yegon has exhibited his work at the Nairobi National Museum, Little art Gallery Nairobi, Artcaffe Westminster, Cultural Heritage Arusha and the Kigali City Tower. He is currently working on a series of title portraits in circle frames using Kenya’s people to show its true face. 50nd3k4 83 50nd3k450nd3k48282 50nd3k4 83
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The art scene in Kenya is full of artists David Muturi Mwai, is a 20 years and who have over the years mastered the a 3rd year student at The Technical art from learning by themselves. No University of Kenya pursuing Bachelor formal school is able to nurture upcom- of Engineering in Civil Engineering. He ing artists to realize their full potential was born and raised in Tharaka Nithi at a young age. One such story of a county which is in the Central part of young artist is David Mwai who has Kenya. attended secondary school at scaled the heights of the industry to Nanyuki High School, in Laikipia county reach the level he has reached to date. and currently in Nairobi for my university studies. 50nd3k450nd3k486 86 50nd3k4 87 50nd3k4 87
David is a self-taught artist doing rattle cans, and with time he has made a lot acrylic, oil, spray painting and pencil arts. of improvement. He has received a lot of sup- He started doing arts at a young age of port from his parents, friends, organizations, about 10 years old. Over the years he has and that is exactly what has made me grow made achievements and improved on his up to this point. art works. Apart from art, he also loves swimming, It has been an enjoyable but tough jour- writing movie scripts and science articles: he ney of intense practice and trying out loves being futuristic, adventure and ‘speed’. many ideas and techniques while still in He looks forward to improving on his art the unpredictable art market. He has tried pieces, by trying on new ideas and improving to master the art of spray painting using my market globally. 50nd3k4 88 50nd3k4 89 50nd3k4 89
Dale Kotengo is a Kenyan born artist/painter Directing and eventually Production Design. who started his career in The Kenyan He had dedicated a total of 15 years in film and Theater platform after studying graphics theatre when he decided to leave to go back to design in college. He started as a stage working on his painting. Mentored by his artist manager in theatre right after school and Mother from age 13 year to 19 years, he felt worked his way to set designing in 5 years. it was about time he went back to his humble His first job in the film industry was as props beginnings and told his own stories. Dale master but he lThe film industry then came mostly works with acrylics on canvas, however, knocking where he started as a props he sometimes does mixed media pieces. His master, moved on to set design and work capitalizes on Afrocentric themes and construction, Art surrealism expressionism. 50nd3k4 90 50nd3k4 90 50nd3k450nd3k491 91
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Lindsay Obath is a visual artist who enjoys of darkness. Her work allows viewers to working with imaginative landscapes and explore the landscapes she imagines and the human body. Using her body painting, lose themselves in her mindscape. she has collaborated with several visual artists around East Africa to create art that She plays with lines and shapes, creating celebrates the intricately sculpted beauty illusions, visual representations, helping her that is the human form. Her paintings on bring intricate ideas to life. Lindsay creates canvas celebrate a vast colourful waves wherever she goes with her universe that shape shifts in colourful lay- bespoke, unique and edgy art. ers and intricate shapes amidst moments Behance : https://www.behance.net/ah_this Instagram : https://instagram.com/ah_this?igshid=12h3mei4k1szv 50nd3k4 94 50nd3k4 95 50nd3k4 94 50nd3k4 95
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You know when you leave school filled with show into Kazi Kanisa charity work, for some- brilliant ideas for how you’re going to change thing. No worries though, she gets to keep the the world. How as a film student your TV intellectual property rights. shows could be easily pitched to broadcasters and even before the ink was dry on your The bullsh** does not end there. The same certificate, you were sure success was a thing happens in music, if you want a song given. The naiveté and ignorance that comes to play on the radio you have to grease a with youth is sometimes astounding. Trying few palms before the gatekeepers give you to get the right person at the stations to listen a chance. You’re not even trying to get paid to you was hard. I remember the gate guards royalties, your days of fighting CMOs for your asking me to leave DVDs with my pilot epi- money are still far off. All you want is your foot sodes with them. To this date, I have a sneaky in the door. feeling that they had a special bin behind their desks labelled “For fools with no friends in Many creatives in Kenya (and around the high places”. The producers I did manage to world) face constant barriers such as these get in touch with would instruct us to dumb ‘gatekeepers of content’. Getting your books down our content for Kenyan audiences”. “A on shelves, music on rotation in stations and phrase they use to this day with the same any spot on a local TV station can be lack of shame. daunting. Traditional media is controlled by cartels and if you don’t know the ‘right people’ A friend told me that she was asked to pay a shauri yako. Unless you’re like those people percentage of her budget to one of the ‘gods’ who walk past government offices and ten- who work in TV programming after her show ders fall on your head with the first deposit was commissioned by one of Kenya’s major already cleared then it can feel like you’re broadcasters. The %ge required amounted to screwed. whatever profit she stood to make, turning her Things are shifting though, Lil Nas x (yeah, that guy with the Satan shoes) started 50nd3k4 98 50nd3k4 98 50nd3k4 99
aggressively marketing Old town Road on web via ******* (network name censored because Before Spotify became the it word for Kenyan artists on or offline. What’s more, you can actually pay by twitter. Being online 24/7 and Tweeting about a #lawsuits) you can easily and quickly connect to following their Africa launch Mdundo was working to bonga points, Safaricom PLCs loyalty points which project multiple times a day isn’t the right the world. Social media has exposed creatives to get Kenyan musicians paid for their online streams and are finally good for something other than airtime strategy for everyone, but given the prolific demographics that their peers from a few decades downloads. Barely anyone I know actually buys the when you’re really broke. nature of Lil Nas X’s Tweeting habits, it makes ago had little to no access to. Getting your work music they download to their phones. Youtube sense that he promoted “Old Town Road” on out to your audience as a Kenyan artist can be downloaders and dodgy torrent sites are likely One of the toughest jobs in film production is Twitter several times a day. His lighthearted easier with the right tools. It’s not just about getting responsible for their playlists. However, since 2016 Md casting. Sending a whatsapp screen grab to fifteen approach — here even Tweeting about, well, online and telling the world “NEW TRACK OUT undo has allowed people to LEGALLY download and “casting groups’’ and hoping you get the right Tweeting, paired with a video of himself LIKE SUBSCRIBE SHARE”, clenching your but- stream music from Africa. They share the income actors for your available roles isn’t the way to go dancing — demonstrates his playful, self-aware tcheeks and hoping for the best. generated from their mobile website and app with about. Rafiki Hub connects casting directors and approach to promoting his work. At this point, The future of our arts’ survival is alternative artists 50-50, a god send for artists who realise that film producers to their database of highly talented the original version of “Old Town Road” had markets. These are tools, websites and services other mobile streaming services take up to 70% of the and capable actors. They aren’t just limited to film already reached the top spot on the Billboard that bypass mainstream media’s hurdles and profits generated from musicians’ work. and television but can connect performers from Hot 100, but Nas used Twitter to keep the gatekeepers and allow you to actually get you varied industries to their first auditions or dream conversation flowing around the remix with Billy seen/heard and eventually PAID! Here are some of My Movies Africa is one of Phat Africa’s brands. If gigs! Ray Cyrus. the tools that we think are absolutely amazing and you’ve had a tough time finding Kenyan films to watch are helping shape the future of the creative online (LEGALLY) they are one of your best bets. While These tools and markets along with tens of others In Kenya, unless you’re connected to the industry. everyone and their auntie is trying to make netflix’s available to Kenyan creatives are how we next big Kenayn find, My Movies Africa are helping destabilise the current status quo of content kenyan film makers actually get paid for their work. On distribution. Soon we hope that the dreams of up my movies africa viewers can rent or buy films to watch and coming or even established artists aren’t held up by greedy execs, radio hosts, casting agencies. A thriving creative economy is one where anyone with the ability has the opportunity to participate and benefit from it. https://mymovies.africa/ www.mdundo.com 50nd3k4 101 50nd3k4 100 50nd3k4 101 50nd3k4 100
The drought ravages on as a lone woman travels the scathing land searching for KIU water. Things however get complicated By Njiiri Karago when she has an unexpected encounter on the way to a trade stop. 50nd3k4 102 50nd3k4 103 50nd3k4 102
A short film about the fighting against the misconception Mankind resorts to desperate measures of Jihad. Written by Arnold Asin. Directed, shot & edited by in an effort to keep a devastating virus AL HARBGatehi Nderitu Mwaniki. Starring Zonda Kenneth, Igi Ike RESILIENCE out of the Safe Zones. Confronted by By NMK Films Iriga, Arnold Asin, Ryan Asin, Abdalla Athman, Kibui Karita By Njiiri Karago their own desperate circumstances, & Jepkoech Kendagor. Thando and his brother, Themba, resort to abandon the community and comforts of Safe Zone C to return to a place of distant memories… 50nd3k4 104 50nd3k4 105
ALICE By Liz Kilili Valerie, seems to be the sole survivor of the KOVONA 168 pandemic. She was KOVONA 168hiding in her house and finally tries to get By Creatives Garage out to see what the pandemic has left behind. When she sets out of her house she realizes that she could be the only sole survivor. This is a race of her looking for someone else… “The year is 2021, We live in smart homes where everything is connected. Mary, a 25-year-old lives in this world. Her phone, TV, lights, doors are all connected to ALICE a home device that takes voice commands making everything smart and easier to live. She wakes up one day and realizes that Alice has gone all crazy and has now taken command of her life. 50nd3k4 106 50nd3k4 107
OPENING ACT By Kins Of Spade Moments to a general election, a young IT specialist finds himself in a KARATApredicament as his wife is kidnapped by This is a short film in three scenes. The first is of a By Robert Munuku unknown assailants who then blackmail mother’s plea to her daughter. The intermission is of him to compromise the upcoming ballot. find prey and the end is a letter to a daughter. 50nd3k4 108 50nd3k4 109
THE REALITY Idah, a diligent hardworking girl, is PRINCIPLEtrapped in a mysterious dark room and faces of against Igor in a fight moderated By NMK Films by a mysterious shadowy figure. After numerous attempts to win she accepts her fate and is freed. Ever wondered what would happen if your wallet was stolen and you decided to MANDINYOchase down the thief. Mandinyo is a short By Creatives Garage film that follows the tragic tale of a wallet. 50nd3k4 110 50nd3k4 111
AZIMUTH By Nirma Madhoo “Azibuye - The Occupation” is a stereo 360 docu- mentary about Masello and Evan, two homeless AZIBUYEblack artist/activists who take up residence in an By Dylan Valley crumbling mansion, vacant for 20 years, in an affluent part of Johannesburg. They proclaim their illegal occupation to be an artistic and political act to address the ongoing racial inequalities in land “Azimuth” is in a non-narrative style of experimen- ownership in South Africa. When it is revealed tal fashion film and it seeks to explore notions of who the owner of the house is, the pair have a a digital aesthetic, subverting the idea of difficult decision to make. stereotypical notions of African identities as ethnic ‘Other’. It proposes a glimpse of contemporary South African fashion identities performed in f uturistic renders of South African Brutalist architecture. The elemental states of liquid | solid | ether are further abstracted as birth | life| legacy and, zygotic| mitotic | mutation when imaging this triptych. 50nd3k4 112 50nd3k4 113
A Senegalese girl is chosen to journey through the surreal, invisible life-force of her city. Com- THE bining design and mythology, the 360 experience OTHER revives a sense of community in Dakar. DAKAR By Selly Raby Kane “Le Lac” is a dreamscape where liquid gives way to dust. The oasis of the Sahel, Lake Chad, is LE LACnot who she used to be. Ninety percent of her By Nyasha Kadandarah water is gone, leaving her feeling depleted, wary, scared and insecure. Climate change has made the millions of people who depend on her vul- nerable, and induced the threat of Boko Haram insurgency. In this immersive documentary, step into the lives of Mahamat, a once-wealthy pasto- ralist, and Nassuri, a refugee-turned-fisherman, as the lake herself hopes for their survival amidst her scattered ponds. 50nd3k4 114 50nd3k4 115
Two women and a man wrangle. Each must hollow out the other’s core for fruits promised but NAIROBIonly ever borne in dreams. A poetic symphony on BERRIESNairobi. By Ng’endo Mukii What would you do if you walked in on your wife HONEY I with her lover? Honey I brought you flowers is an uncomfortable film about what proceeds to hap- BROUGHT pen when the two lovers are busted YOU FLOWERS By Isaboke Nyakundi 50nd3k4 116 50nd3k4 117
This is a short animated film that shows a young hungry man who walks by local grocery kiosks MAMAwith no money. He is invited to eat fruits by the ladies. The film aims to urge people to support their local mama mboga by purchasing goods MBOGAform them as over 5 million households in Africa are supported by small scale grocery businesses By Jeff Mandela Set in an alternative African future, Trust is the TRUSTstory of Moraa, a young activist who travels back to her ancestral homeland to save it from the By Chief nyamweya disruptive Max Industries corporation. 50nd3k4 118 50nd3k4 119
*Tell us about your team: ‘SANAMU’ which was released late last year, it’s an Africa fantasy adventure about triplets who “Our team consists of 2 artists including myself set out on a mission to avenge their mother who a writer and a head of production who oversees was slain by an evil witch doctor. The other title the creation of the content both internal IPs and is ‘Beast from Venus’ a story inspired by the client works” mythology of the Nandi bear *What are some of the notable works that you * Any works in the pipeline? have done? Yes, we are currently working on MORAAN, A Our most notable work is a comic titled comic about a young Maasai youth who has to battle a beast terrorizing his community in the hopes that it will reinstate his outcast family. We are looking to have it released in the coming months. *What are some of the challenges that you are facing in the industry in Kenya? There is difficulty in getting Salim Busuru is a creative director at comic scene have been able to generate skilled, young talent who are Avandu studio who tells stories through interest in comic books and reach out to willing and ready for the heavy work that comics and illustrations. He is a Kenyans already deeply embedded in the is required to produce content. champion of the comic book art scene, nerd community. Proving, once again, that *Where do you see yourself in ten or pushing to get his content out despite a good comic is like a good partner; Rated fifteen years? the less than warm reception of comic R (when it needs to be), makes you think books in Kenya in the past; most peo- and leaves you unwilling to put it down. In ten years we will be the largest ple assume comics are childish without We sat down with Salim to discuss Avandu comic producer in Africa, with a ever giving them a chance. Through and their work. studio set up in Kenya to produce our social media, however, local productions. publishers and content creators in the Instagram: @avandu.af Facebook: @avanduvosi Twitter: @avanduvosi 50nd3k4 120 50nd3k4 121 50nd3k4 120 50nd3k4 121
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Rise of the Culture impacts society and society grows by in Kenya, is a private organisation that uses film to culture, censorship took that growth away from us. support and push for sustainable societal However with changes in government so did development. This isn’t the first time they’ve used im- new bold changes in policy occur. Today new narratives mersive storytelling featuring a hero Archetype. based on the definitions, interests, passions, Upendo Hero is a participatory documentary aspirations and lifestyle choices of Kenyans are featuring the titular character as a vigilante helping being created every day. reclaim Nairobi’s public spaces. In the film, Upendo Hero (Upendo means love in Swahili) is a lover of Far from the days of theatre stages we now see the Nairobi, a sworn enemy of gentrification and a soldier “rise of the new bold”, artists who are using different against the privatization of public space.” tools to tell our stories. Love stories from Oromia, graphic novels about the Orisha of Nigeria, and Their approach for African Sapcemakers was tales of Africans defying stereotypes and different but remains as impactful as Upendo Hero. triumphing against all odds. Any story told in virtual reality can seem compelling because of the wow factor”. However, in African Kenyan artistic expressions are not only Spacemakers, the team manage to not only draw you embracing technological advances but also using visually into the depicted creatives spaces but pull them to play with all five senses as they tell our you emotionally into the activities therein. It is a stories. The true value of selling African narratives thrilling telling of what art is capable of from the sto- is multiplied exponentially by the use of tech to sell ries in the film to how it was created. It’s a film in 5 emotions, thoughts and reimagined futures. parts, with each episode depicting a different organisation or individuals in their creative space. African Spacemakers is one of the best examples The virtual tour is of Nairobi’s urban landscape and of the new bold in African storytelling. The film is how these spaces are currently “challenging the In the late 80’s and ’90s, Kenyan theatre activism where bold playwrights and producers were a series of five docu-fictions depicting the lives of acceptance of established social norms on sexuality, was a bustling scene. Nearly every day of churning out plays that led to a rise in censorship. Not their imagined heroes. It’s an immersive telling of gender, religion, minorities, and race.” the week you’d find NGO sponsored plays to be stopped the artists worked around the new laws how creative society can and continue to be agents that were public service announcements aimed at muzzling them by selling tickets to their dress of social change. Cultural Video production, CVP Virtual reality experiences and the secret theatrical and reproductions of Shakespeare’s works rehearsals instead. The government’s feverish efforts (Cultural Video Production), who produced the film showings may seem quite different but in their use to on stage. in curtailing whatever freedom of speech we had at the alongside Black Rhino VR and the Goethe Institut tell stories focused on the African Narrative, they are time proved that their work was having a positive quite similar. However, there was another world existing effect. within the theatre scene. One of cultural 50nd3k4 126 50nd3k4 127 50nd3k4 126
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Subsaharan Africa’s city streets can feel like they were laid out by a three-year-old with too much manilla paper and extra crayons. Nairobi’s road layout feels particularly haphazard. It’s as if the The Plan? eventual traffic snarl-ups were the colonists’ last “f-you” to their former colony’s capital. Combine that with the volume of cars on the road, potholes the size of small kids and ever-present Documenting Some roadworks that are supposed to “fix the problem” and you have a commute from hell that will Of Nairobi’s Artist drive you crazy. Pun intended. The average Nairobian can spend up to 4 hours a day just sitting Communities, Creative in traffic trying to get to work! Our mini-series of documentaries on Nairobi’s bustling Hubs And collaborative creative scene would have been near impossible if we relied on ubers and matatus. Organisations. It’s hard to imagine any other way to transport crew and gear back and forth across the city without a car isn’t it? The That’s where Motos/Okada/Phen Phens/Oleiya’s or as we know them in East Africa, Challenge? Boda Bodas came in. We’ve even called the series of videos Boda Boda tales in reference to the mighty nduthis that carried our crew AND gear across the city. Three bikes, three film crew Actually Getting members. 2 4K cameras (PACKED VERY CAREFULLY MIND YOU), boom poles, 6 mics, 5 There! lights (later 3, two never made the journey) and 20 documentary treatments zoomed around the city in the sun for one month. Our ride through Nairobi was not without its misadventures. A dodgy cop on Ngong road was sure our boom was a weapon, a very long panga perhaps? And one of the Boda Bodas driving our crew from a Karen location over to Westlands actually (ACTUALLY) gave his fare in Bangla-Pesa (Google it). Filming this chapter of the book was an honour and a thrill. Whose heart wouldn’t be racing as they zoomed off to interview artists with hundreds of thousands of shillings worth of equipment strapped to the back of a motorbike taxi? At least we had helmets! 50nd3k4 141 50nd3k450nd3k4140140 50nd3k4 141
1°20’02.0”s 36°41’44.5”E ACACIA COLLECTIVE HUB 1.2933° s, 36.8353° E Their first product was the XYZ Show that buni media produces satirical content depicting current The Acacia Collective is a group of space. At any one time, you can find visual artists Buni Media is a multimedia company based in social and political issue in Kenya and the professionals and artists who came together painting in the garden, musicians and podcasters Nairobi, Kenya and Los Angeles, California that world. to foster and nurture creative talent. The recording in the studio or people attending creative seeks to use a variety of innovative media collective works with new and emerging industry masterclasses in the main house. techniques to tell thought-provoking, modern However with time, the Buni crew have artists within the creative sector in Nairobi as stories that challenge the status quo. branched out and now works on several other well as established artists and companies. Their end goal is to foster camaraderie and projects: TV production, films for commercial collaboration amongst artists and creatives. They How they don’t spend their days in court PSA both off and online audiences, animation They are based on Acacia Road in Karen are currently working on a compilation album that constantly over their hard-hitting no holds barred and, set design and content production. where recording artists, photographers, will showcase a tangible body of work created by satirical show XYZ, is beyond us. Buni Media is a videographers, visual artists and the recording artists currently in residence. Kenyan based multimedia company founded by Buni Media’s work isn’t just entertainment for advertising agencies have access to a Gado Mwapemba, a political cartoonist already the sake of a few laughs, they hope to see professional and fully functional co-working known for his caricatures of Kenyan society. Africa become accountable in civic spaces so that we can finally have an open society. 50nd3k4 142 50nd3k450nd3k4 143143 50nd3k4 142
1.2768° s, 36.8270° E SARAKASI trust 1.3298° s, 36.6804° E THE HIVE Sarakasi Trust is a performing arts development organization working towards building capacity in the arts sector in Kenya. The Trust works as a mechanism for culture for development by effecting actual demonstrable transformation in the livelihoods of young people from low-income backgrounds and neighbourhoods, by expanding their scope, The Hive is an art studio where artists come together to paint and interact. networks and capacity through performance-based training, exchange programs and create paintings and have fun with the feel of the paint while interacting contracts and special projects that influence the young artist’s ability to reach a high with each other. The Hive is one of the residents at Karen Village and hosts level of professionalism and thus access a sustainable income. The Sarakasi Dome established artists and upcoming painters both of whom are willing to learn that is also the trust’s office, is a multifaceted space, suitable for theatre productions, and are constantly creating. Headed by Patrick Mukabi AKA ‘Panye’, they corporate functions, concerts, workshops and seminars, wedding receptions, children also function as a gallery and allow visitors. The Hive moved from its birthday parties, training programs and team-building activities among other things. It is original location in the CBD once its popularity resulted in demand for a also a rehearsal space. larger space. artistic space is open to visitors. 50nd3k4 145 50nd3k450nd3k4 144144 50nd3k4 145
1.2840° s, 36.8066° E NAIROBI DESIGN WEEK 1.2520° s, 36.7987° E THE NRB BUS The NRB Bus is a double-decker bus converted to make a space where creatives can share, develop and produce, rent and trade, love and create. The NRB Bus has been a creative space Nairobi Design Week is an annual week-long festival showcasing work from Kenya’s design for visual artists and musicians since its official opening in 2012. It is also the spiritual home and industry. It was originally a one-off event but due to the overwhelming support it received, mobile office of Cultural Video Production and Cultural Video Foundation, two organizations NDW took on a persona of its own and grew into a staple within the creative community. with twelve years of experience in East Africa and multiple award-winning productions. The NDW also has platforms for creatives to collaborate that further their mission to prove the NRBbus has partnered with many creatives including Paul Onditi, The Hub, Wazi FM, Different value of creative design. They host the Afrika Design podcast, which features Cinema, Summer Monks and Muze. conversations with some of Africa’s top designers and run EatDesignRepeat where their community hangs out, showcases their work and shares opportunities. 50nd3k4 146 50nd3k4 147 50nd3k4 146 50nd3k4 147
1°15’45.3”s36°48’14.2”E the alchemist 1.3169° s, 36.6903° E KAREN VILLAGE Karen Village is an art, culture, and creative innovation hub with studios, spaces, shops The Alchemist is Nairobi’s creative event space in Westlands with a collection of wacky and and restaurants with over 450 people working at Karen Village. The Villagers include; determined entrepreneurs in food, fashion, music and many others. More than just the club artists, social entrepreneurs, painters, glass artists, artisans, framers, sculptors, fashion people think it is, The Alchemist is home to lovers of craft and offers an opportunity for event designers, lecturers, animators, music producers, theatre companies, art galleries, organizers to share their vision by hosting open-air film screenings, club nights, open mic recycling artists, tour operators, event agencies and digital artists. Karen Village is a sessions, fashion shows, yoga and more. space that encourages entrepreneurial growth and networking. Their Villagers and their guests have plenty of opportunities to network and have fun whilst playing football on the field, participating in regular events, eating or drinking in the coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, surrounded by green landscaped space. 50nd3k450nd3k4148148 50nd3k4 149 50nd3k4 149
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LINCCELL TECHNOLOGY inNOVATORS Innovation is the hands-on enactment of ideas that results in the introduction of new goods and services. The process of concocting new things by bringing together different things and coming up with a product that solves a number of problems is innovation. The successful exploitation of new ideas is crucial to a business being able to improve its process, brings new and improved products and services to market, Lincoln Wamae’s engineering firm, Linc cell Technology develops electric personal increase its efficiency and most importantly improve “No one was its profitability. Innovation increases chances to mobility solutions, particularly for disabled create and react to changes and discover new users. The wheelchairs developed by Lincoln doing it, opportunities. are designed specifically for Kenya’s rough so I did it” terrain but are also suitable for indoor use. Lincoln Wamau uses upcycled office chairs Lincoln Wamae for the seats of his wheelchairs and they are powered by Lithium-Ion batteries sourced from discarded laptops. Once assembled, Lincoln takes each chair on a literal road test to simulate the conditions its users might encounter. 50nd3k4 156 50nd3k4 157 50nd3k4 156
AUTO TRUCK EAST AFRICA seedballs Kenneth Guantai and Bradley They have also developed a 7 seater When Teddy Kinyanjui isn’t giving away These small world-changing balls are Mbagaya from Autotuck East Africa three-wheeled electric cab (tuk-tuk) recipes or tips on using his Cookswell made up of indigenous tree & grass are at the forefront of electric and a cargo version capable of carrying Energy Saving Jikos he’s busy furthering seeds encapsulated in a protective and vehicle development in Kenya. The larger loads than conventional tuk-tuks. knowledge of the ‘seed-to-ash’ cycle. He nutritious biochar ball. Just launch them National Youth Service (NYS) has Their goal is to increase the share of and his team have developed an inno- into the air using a slingshot, your arm or partnered with Auto Truck East electric vehicles (2-,3- and 4-wheelers) vative afforestation method called Seed- toss them out of a chopper in any area Africa in the development, mass in the total volume of individual balls. where plants grow or have grown. Seed- production rollout and distribution motorized transport in cities to at least balls are featured in a game with the of electric handcarts (mkokotenis). 30% by 2030. same name developed by Usiku Games 50nd3k4 158 50nd3k4 159 50nd3k4 159
Lux in Tenebris Victor Mutua is a professional photographer and His primary source of income was from events and by Vic Mutua videographer specializing in portrait, fashion, personal shoots but the pandemic made him shift his wildlife and street photography as well as camera focus to drone photography. He enjoys it for the chal- ops and drone photography and videography. He lenges it proposes as a new horizon in photography burns with a fiery passion for creating spectacu- and for the chance to see and show the world from a lar imagery capable of capturing and portraying new viewpoint. incredible moments to share with the world. Vic is an introvert and discovered his love for photography after he organised a photography club in high school so he could have an extra- curricular activity that required minimal social interaction. Since then, photography has been an important part of his journey of self-discovery and is a tool he uses to help make sense of the world. 50nd3k4 160 50nd3k4 161 50nd3k4 160 50nd3k4 161
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Nairobi started as a colonial train depot settled by the British during the construction of the Kenya Uganda Railway line also known as the lunatic express. Throughout the years Kenya’s capital city has shifted from a colo- nial outpost to one of the most thriving administrative centres in Africa. The financial and governance aspects of Nairobi aside, it is also a centre for history, arts, music culture and education. In Kanairo sounds and tales of the city, we explore different stories and aspects of this urban environment through a four-part series. So grab your popcorns, get your drink, sit and check out our deep dive into Kanairo 50nd3k4 164 50nd3k4 164 50nd3k4 165
Welcome to the world of Matwanas, a culture of where they defy road rules to dodge the its own where the streets meet design, clubbing gridlock that plagues Kenya’s capital. They and essential travel collide and road etiquette charge higher fares, of course, for allowing you counts for sh*t. It is characterized by blaring the privilege of actually getting to work on time. music, hypnotizing lights in between darkness, Board one with your inhaler handy and avoid aggressive touts, wicked graffiti from creative them if you have a pacemaker because your gods like Rajahkzmoecustomz, Mwasgraffixx, heart will pump and you will gasp multiple times Martin Ojiambo and Moha Grafix. as you hold on to your seat. In Ronga, the coolest matatus are referred to as Pin Popping Paps caught up with Brian ‘Graffo’ ‘ýa wire’ of the cable. No, they’re not like cable Wanyama, who has dedicated his life to cars that creep along powered by electricity, Matwana Culture. So much so that he’s started these matatus are the electricity. Zooming from an organisation that documents this Rongai on the outskirts of the city to Nairobi counter-culture that was featured on CNN. 50nd3k4 166 50nd3k4 166 50nd3k4 167 50nd3k4 167
strEet food Mahindi Choma (roast maize) costs like KSh to describe. Mutura blood sausage, intestines Veve/Miraa Khat is a shrub that grows area for groups of clients. These spots 30 for a cob but the vendor will likely go down stuffed with tripe with a little bit of blood for along the equator and is chewed for its often have negative connotations to 20 shillings if you tell him “Mwezi Iko Kwa taste. Some people say that the salt comes euphoric and stimulative properties. It’s attached to them. These honestly draw Konya Mbaya” It’s Mid Month. That’s when from the cook’s sweat as he grills the intestines consumed all over the world but from stereotypes that assume any group your next paycheque is two weeks away and but that’s an urban myth, that earthy salty taste particularly in the middle East and of young people together from a you used up your spending money on ex- is from the blood added to stuffing (we think). Eastern Africa. The cultivation, sale and particular social class has to be a gang. pensive “Ya Wire” matatus and you’ve been consumption of Veve brings in Pin Popping Paps goes to his favourite throwing rounds of tusker baridi and nyama Pin Poppin Paps jumped at the chance to USD 400 000 a day in Kenya alone. veve base to meet up with his friends choma for your friends after work. interview Amoh from the Junction Family Kuchana Veve chewing miraa is often a to chew Khat, chew the fat and discuss Before you get there though there’s a Kenyan Butchery, a man deserving of a Michelin star social activity and in Nairobi this mostly sheng culture. delicacy that is delectable, perfect and difficult for his work with this amazing (often happens at a ‘Veve Base’. These are misunderstood) delicacy. retail shops often with a small seating 50nd3k4 168 50nd3k4 169 50nd3k4 168 50nd3k4 169
jabba juiCe Veve is mostly chewed but let’s be honest for a lot of people the image of chewing Miraa is of a guy with one bulging cheek, a little green dribble on the side of his lips and a 200ml soda bottle in his hand shouting “BUUUDAAAA!” every time one of his mates says something. It’s not the most pleasant image. That’s why more and more people are developing new ways to consume it. One scientist in Australia even tried to extract the active ingredients and turn them into a snortable powder….That’s what he’s using his chemistry degree for, imagine. Ghat Juice’s founder, Hiram, isn’t going to such extremes. His company is one of the few that are liquefying miraa and turning it into a drink. They go one step further and add herbal extracts to their product. Curious about hibiscus and lemon-infused miraa juice, our film crew visited their farm in banana to find out more about what they Ghat in store for their consumers. (They use that pun a lot we’re just staying true to their brand image) 50nd3k4 170 50nd3k4 171 50nd3k4 170 50nd3k4 171
Sheng is an urban language mostly used in Nairobi. The word “Sheng” is coined from the two languages; Swahili and English. The “h” was included from the middle of “Swahili because why would anyone say “Seng”? The word Sheng was first recorded in 1965. Originating in the early 1950s in the Eastlands area of Nairobi, Sheng words were introduced in various communities and schools and given wide exposure by music. Pin Popping Paps is fluent in speaks sheng all the time and all his interviews and stories are conducted and filmed in the language. Since we understand that not everyone may understand what here’s an audio class on the basics of sheng. In just a few minutes you’ll understand a few words of a language that is constantly changing. By the time you finish this book, everything you’ve learned might even be obsolete! What a joy! 50nd3k4 172 50nd3k450nd3k4173173 50nd3k4 172
Anything goes in Nairobbery, especially if you have money. Cold hard Kenya shillings can get you anything here; a good education, bad narcotics or everything in between. We decided to sample sounds and Nairobi and in this instalment, we tell you the tales of Kanairo (Nairobi) through these sounds 50nd3k4 174 50nd3k4 174 50nd3k450nd3k4175175
In Nairobi life moves as fast as a crazy Boda rider on speed. It can be like a fast-paced Flixnet ™ dramedy where you’re the star and everyone else is the antagonist. Nairobi is the place where Politicians (thieves), Thieves (mostly politicians) loctitians, doctors, ma idle minds, bankers and more mingle. This robust city has all sorts of characters this last instalment is a fly on the wall telling of some of their stories. 50nd3k450nd3k4176176 50nd3k4 177 50nd3k4 177
Mishap za Kaniaro I had heard that people were getting my bag. I figured this would minimize the robbed in matatus without their knowl- chances of a thieving or nosy passenger get- edge. I never imagined it would happen ting a peek inside. I don’t know what prompted to me. I’m careful, watchful. I’ve always me to open my bag this time, but when I did placed my handbag on my lap in full sight, I was shocked to find that I didn’t have my and as such, how could anyone unzip wallet! The wallet that had my 12K. The 12K it and help themselves to any valuables I had grand plans for. I frantically emptied the therein without me noticing? Well, I was contents of my bag; my wallet wasn’t among about to find out. them. I searched the floor of the matatu. I sus- piciously and accusingly asked my immediate I had just come from a Chama where I neighbor to stand up and check on their seat, had been awarded a cool KES. 12,000 as under it, in their jacket, but it was still missing. I was that month’s beneficiary. The money I loudly asked if anyone had seen a blue wal- couldn’t have come at a better time. I had let. I looked inside my bag again and again. pending monetary commitments press- The wallet was gone. I had been robbed! I ing me for fulfilment. I boarded a matatu couldn’t have accidentally dropped it. When for home like I often did and continued and how it happened remains a mystery to daydreaming about the things I would buy date. To add fuel to the fire my newly renewed and the debts I would pay. The amount ATM card and its enveloped PIN were in it. would not settle everything and would This took place on a Sunday and there was no probably be finished by day two, but at way I could have gotten in touch with the bank Toilet Chronicles is a short series of interconnected stories that occur in least I would pay my Mama Mboga’s ac- to cancel the card or unauthorize any transac- front of the bathroom mirror at a club’s ladies bathroom. These stories Toilet Tales is a short series of interconnected stories that occur in front of the cruing bill before she could gossip about tions made through it. By the time I reached explore different characters’ emotional foibles, indiscretions, joys and bathroom mirror at a club’s ladies bathroom. These stories explore different my daily vegetable diet and my poor debt the bank the following day my account had fears. The stories are fictional but carry an element of truth in them. settling, if she wasn’t already. already been cleaned out. I have never felt so characters’ emotional foibles, indiscretions, joys and fears. The stories are helpless in my life. That month had about sixty fictional but carry an element of truth in them. Usually, I held the exact fare in my hand days, and extremely depressing ones. so there would never be a reason to open 50nd3k4 178 50nd3k4 179 50nd3k4 179
Sensual City by Kins of Spade Time 8.30PM Dim Lights in smoky bars Time 4.59PM Patrons drinking, prey preying Sultry voice as backdrop to noisy drunks Bustling streets, whistling Dark hands running through teenage hawkers breasts Hands pressing on hoots in heavy Into voluptuous Vera’s hips policed traffic Dirty fingers slip into her wet vagina Matatu touts touting women’s clothes Shaming and Policing their bodies Time 9.13PM Calloused fingertips inserted for quick release The body surrenders to quick Water gushes hitting her beautiful succession lips The sensation drives her crazy Time 5.35PM She moves the session to her bed Spreading her legs, she inserts her pink dildo Three minutes later, stops at oh god! Wife adorned in intricate embroidery Shot gunning husband in a sleek Rover Looking out of the car window Numb with feelings of hurt and hate Dreading her scheduled dick date Blink once if you need help… 50nd3k4 180 50nd3k4 180 50nd3k450nd3k4181 181
Time 9.54PM Screams from the noisy neighbors Startles the hood rooster into immature crowing Man dressed in battle regalia of Wife beater and dirty blue briefs Chasing wife to beat her for his frustrations Time 11.26PM As she runs in burlap clothing Child in tow, guess she is sleeping Pulls her closer, Unclasps bra outside tonight Bodies unclothed, souls embodied Time 10.45PM Generous thighs, firmly wrapped around her body Nipples dance like a flame in her mouth Bodies sway in unison, as feelings boil into lust Shredding doubts, fears through songs of praise Miniskirt hugging prostitute’s body toes holding for dear life in peep toe’s Time 11.33PM woman cycling block scared to pick her up Council officer harasses her for corner taxes Quick blow jobs offered in return for freedom Dingy Lodgings, Premature ejaculation Prayers in high intonations Quick cums, pretentious moans Time 1038PM Sperm swims to existential nothingness Syphilis exchanged, transaction paid in full Rope burns, Daddy’s in command Time 11.59PM Whip unleashed, bottoms red Kneeling down, fistful of braids Shoves in mouth his juicy phallus Starry street lights, polluted air Out of breath, storm overwhelms her Semblance of peaceful streets Safe word dropped, safe in daddy’s arms The streets rest longing for a new dawn A whiff of domination rises To repeat the sins of a sensual city 50nd3k4 182 50nd3k450nd3k4183183 50nd3k4 182
thE JiKo So si me I said that “I have done wrong”, “I’ll never do it again” “I was confused” “nilikuwa nimevuta weed”, basic excuses and when we left I had told myself that it was sawa. That night I woke up in a panic because my dad was holding me down on the bed. Meanwhile our pastor and his assistant (my mother) were setting up a jiko in my room. Mum was blowing on the makaa as the pastor was adding some sort of leaves or something. I don’t know, my memory is fucked from that night. What I do remember is how it started with the prayers, then the shout- ing calls for the demon within me to leave. They might have been the same thing walahi. I was shouting and screaming and I’m sure this convinced them that this tu-demon was chucking so it only embold- ened them. The pastor used a can to beat me and beat me and beat me and beat me. The whole time my mother is saying the same words as him and my father is holding me down on the bed. To their credit they were all crying ama they just had tears in their eyes because the smoke was acrid and thick. I was gasping and sobbing and screaming Bruh, si my folks were not ready for the wamenipeleka kwa ofisi ya pastor. I was and pulling more of this shit into my lungs with every breath and they time I got expelled from school. Or maybe counselled, told how these things are not were as loud as me shouting and beating the demon out. they were because that reaction time of right and all the basics that a lot of gays Lakini, I’ll never forget the look in my mum’s eyes. Maybe my memory kidu half a day was maybe too haraka. can attest to have heard from their parents is playing tricks on me, but even through the look of sorrow she had Yaani, i’m caught in the locker room via an interceding man of the cloth. of what she was doing to her child, her hate and conviction for what I kissing another guy, 20minutes later I’m am, shone through. in the headmasters office with the school chaplain, one hour later my parents are I left home the next day na sijarudi. there and another 2 hours later wazazi 50nd3k4 184 50nd3k4 185 50nd3k4 184 50nd3k4 185
Trying to figure out what to have for lunch and you only have indomie noodles, two onions and a leftover chicken from last night? There’s an App for that. There’s an app for practically anything. These tiny programmes that live on our phones or the web have become integral in many people’s day to day lives. From how we get entertained, ensure our safety, receive funds to figuring out when the best time of the month it’s best to try for your second baby. Here are a few apps built right here in Kenya that we think would fit neatly in your app drawer. 50nd3k4 186 50nd3k4 187 50nd3k4 187
SONDEKA AR eat design repeat Sondeka Festival will make a digital collectible book celebrating the art and culture of Nairobi 2021 and that At first glance Nairobi Design Week’s web will explore creatives, spaces, sights, sounds and ‘smells’ APP. Eat Design Repeat, might seem like of Nairobi creativity. Augmented Reality uses tech to just another directory. A regular directory enhance your view of the real world by superimposing would list creatives by name, thematic area/ video, graphics and sound onto it. The Sondeka industry and contact info. Eat Design Repeat collectable book doesn’t just contain text and pictures but goes a step further by adding a community also has augmented reality elements spread throughout aspect to their app. Creatives can create it. Creatives Garage has developed an app that allows their profiles, add audio, video and images you to easily discover the content within our content! and receive feedback from other users. With Eat Design Repeat you can scout for talent, promote your work and find like-minded individuals or organisations to collaborate with. This isn’t the final version of the app, Nairobi Design Week are constantly taking feedback from users and using it to add features that work for the creatives it was built for. JANJARUKA icow Green Dreams TECH Ltd developed iCow Janjaruka is a mobile application that aims to tool the as a comprehensive solution for farmers public with the knowledge of the law and encourage designed not only to support them with the public to follow the laws with the aim to create a livestock and crop production but also to more orderly and harmonious coexistence. Janjaruka connect farmers to the vital players in their also aims to work as a monitoring tool for corruption agricultural ecosystem. These include input patterns. The Janjaruka app and website will collect providers, agricultural financial service and analyze information that will be disseminated to the providers, veterinary experts, agricultural relevant authorities for actioning. extension service providers, NGO’s and the Government. 50nd3k4 188 50nd3k4 188 50nd3k450nd3k4 189189
SOJA makini Soja assist check in is an app that Cafrileanr’s application Makini allows for Soja by Identigate is an integrated the facilitation of affordable e-learning in front desk/gate management suite of low-income households and marginalised applications for events and other communities in Africa. controlled-access locations. Soja allows security personnel to log all traffic into and out of a location and has a feature to scan and extract personal details from National ID Cards, Passports, Driving Licenses and Visas. Soja’s users can inform gate security of an expected guest’s details and expected arrival time and receive notifications when they arrive for their appointment. call pesa UPESY Call Pesa by Probill Solutions was Upesy allows users to push their launched at the height of COVID 19 insti- power button four times and send an gated lockdowns that forced many people alert to emergency responders, the to work remotely. The app allows users to police and a predetermined group of track, log, invoice, prompt for and receive friends. Still on personal security users payments for time sent on calls and video can ask their friends to track them as consultations. It’s particularly targeted at they head somewhere until they arrive at freelance workers, small businesses and their destination. It also allows users to self-employed entrepreneurs. Call Pesa report incidents within the app to the has various payment tiers including a free police that affect them or that they option with limited functionality that allows witness users to test the app’s features. 50nd3k4 190 50nd3k4 191 50nd3k4 190 50nd3k4 191
Fundi Wa Saa Photographer, Ronny Onkeo, shares his new work series Fundi wa Saa A lot of things inspire me. Most importantly I’m inspired by the interrelationships between our African traditions, beliefs and ways of life. To only know that this can be experienced in Africa is a flex in itself. Tell us more about you and how long you’ve documenting events- kind of like freezing been doing photography time- and photography gave me the oppor- tunity to do so as I believe photos connect I’ve been doing photography for a little bit us to our past, remind us of people, places, over 7 years- starting out in 2014 when feelings, and stories. I started out in family my sis who’d studied Mass comm brought functions and over the years grew into work- the first camera which happened to be a ing with notable brands and organizations Canon 700D. She’d make me her person- such as Facebook Africa, Creatives Garage, al photographer and I’d be the designated Crown Paints, Professional Kenyan Photog- photographer for family functions and over raphers just to name a few. the years my interest in photography spiked as I learned about the importance of doc- umenting events for future reference and for younger generations to marvel at in the future. How did you start doing photography? I’ve always been a huge fan of 50nd3k4 192 50nd3k4 193 50nd3k4 192 50nd3k4 193
I can trace all these back to 2014 when I got the first drought and poverty. I try to show the humane side camera to play with courtesy of my elder sibling who of Africa as well as going ahead to merge some nos- invested and bought the first camera to the house. talgic feel to it. I believe that that’s what’s made my Due to my increased interest in photography, I took it work stand out and has made me amass an interna- upon myself to up-skill and learn more on how to use tional following as these audiences want to see what the camera- most importantly the manual feature. really goes on in an African setting and the unique- ness that I bring to the table that’s settling when they I’d occasionally carry the camera to school to take look at my bodies of work. pictures of my friend’s portraits for any applications they had going on and make an extra buck while at What is this project about and who did you collabo- it. I also got to meet other individuals with an eye rate with? for creativity on where we’d do low budget editorial shoots which set us on the right path to tread in as The project is an ode to watch craftsmanship and they later grew into notable creative team going by how it influenced the late 80’s fashion sense & life- the name of Urbanpitchaz. styles of these watch enthusiasts- with the project’s title being ‘Fundi wa Saa’ which translates to Watch As time progressed in uni and I upskilled, I got en- maker/ watch repairer. trusted in several programs such as Kenya Model of United Nations under the comms dept- most notably We decided to go four decades back in time and being awarded as the best member of press for the bring the nostalgic feel and set to full circle by incor- 16th Chapter and as they say the rest is history- and porating the styling of the late 80s courtesy of Vart also what’s led to where I currently am. KE who did the styling for the project and Moham- med Ayieko who reached out to me with the actual What inspires you? concept with the intention of bringing this concept to life and actualizing it in the best way possible. A lot of things inspire me. Most importantly I’m in- We thoughtfully formed a team that compromised of spired by the interrelationships between our African Mohammed Ayieko, Tracy Manja & Vincent Nyere- traditions, beliefs and ways of life. To only know that re who were the muses, Smallz Visuals & Odimwa this can be experienced in Africa is a flex in itself. who were the Gaffers and Maulid Owino who han- dled Behind the scenes into creating a body of work I get inspired by our daily activities and try as much that has traversed far and wide getting international as I can to show the authenticity in all my bodies recognition. of work. To show that indeed Africa is beautiful and there’s more to what meets the eye than the stale It was also an opportunity for us to showcase the narrative international media always tries so hard craftsmanship of Mutua- the watch repairer who let to showcase which includes stories of war, famine, us use his space- and showcase to this generation 50nd3k4 194 50nd3k4 195 50nd3k4 195
“Network more! Immerse yourself in spaces where you can grow as a creative and where you can market yourself to potential clients” that indeed watch making is a crafts- it. Is it travel photography? Portrait manship that goes on todate and also photography? Wedding photography? It help advertise his business to potential solely must come from deep within you. customers online. 3. Find a mentor! A mentor will help It’s also quite interesting how the older you learn a lot by learning from their generation has resonated with this mistakes and probably put you on to a particular project and have shown couple of projects and jobs where your much interest into it. Probably be- skillset might be of use or better yet cause of the nostalgia it brings with it; help you fine tune your skills. I myself being a recreation of their childhood have a mentor and I must admit it goes aesthetic. a long way! Any advice to upcoming creatives? 4. Network more! Immerse yourself in spaces where you can grow as a cre- My advice to upcoming photographers ative and where you can market your- is to hone your craft! self to potential clients. Who knows, someone might know someone who 1. Always keep learning and perfecting might be needing your services. your craft. Learn about composition of shots; lighting, color dynamics and 5. Consistency and keep creating. Con- how they invoke different moods with sistency beats talent in most cases. different tones. 6. leverage the school of YouTube 2. Find a bearing and pursue it. Don’t and photography forums to learn more venture into a particular style just about Photography and upskill in as because someone you follow on Ins- much as you can. Never has learning tagram is. Self-reflect and see which been made easier! style would suit you best and pursue 50nd3k4 196 50nd3k450nd3k4197197
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The art of... The word art is often associated with “the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.” However, we prefer a different definition. That art is the “expression and application of human skill and imagination”. In “The Art Of” we profile organisations and people who have opened up new paths in the tapestry of creativity. ‘The Art Of’ features brewers, clothing designers and others who have become beacons to look up to by creating masterpieces that continue to awe us. 50nd3k4 200 50nd3k450nd3k4 201201
254 breweries Started by Eoin & Megan initially as a Craft Beer Club, 254 Brewing has grown into one of Kenya’s most exciting producers of craft deliver exceptional craft beer across Kenya. beer. We love it because the brand and the The expert in-house brew masters at 254 use makers are super dynamic, coming up with over 20 specially selected malts to create 13 new brews regularly. They try as much as different beers that are full of character and they can to implement a circular economy, have no added chemicals. recycling spent grain back into the Located at Levilla Gardens in Kikuyu, Kenya, system – e.g. to farmers or to other makers, 254 Brewery is a must visit for any beer loving and also taking back their bottles to reuse. Kenyan (which honestly is most of us). They combine good vibes with scientific “The beauty of craft beer is that you get to innovation and operational badassery to sample and gravitate to a skillfully combined variety of flavors, body, character, carbonation, aroma, and a dozen other fac- tors that our brewer scientists love to geek out 50nd3k4 202 on.” 50nd3k4 203 50nd3k4 203
chez sonia Located in the lush suburbs that is Peponi Road, this hidden gem has everything to please any apéro-philes. For the connoisseurs, there is a large choice of wines, from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain…from great vintage like Gevrey Chambertin or Nebbiolo wines to small producers. They also serve delicious French- Italian tapas platters. Chez Sonia in French means “at the house of Sonia” and it’s here that wine lovers go to discover different varieties of wine. Like many others in the hospitality industry Chez Sonia has faced challenges since the pandemic hit. It has since gotten support once it reopened and has built a community who have visited the space post-lockdown which goes to show that you can’t keep us wine-lovers away from our wine. 50nd3k4 204 50nd3k4 205 50nd3k4 205
Blackrhino VR Black Rhino initially filmed documentaries and relevant to the African market. and human interest stories for NGOs and One such joint venture is African corporate clients. However, as time and Spacemakers, a partnership with the available tech progressed they started Cultural Video Production that we talk working in Virtual and Augmented Reality. about in “Rise of the New Bold” (link to They create content solutions for clients page/page number) and partners that are bespoke, adaptable 50nd3k4 206 50nd3k4 207 50nd3k4 207
Beyond 3D Afrika Dennis Poriot is a product designer and the the rest is history. It’s apparently quite convenient founder of Beyond 3D Afrika, which helps to make physical products. With an idea, a CAD individuals and organizations build products (Computer Aided Design) drawing, a press print and through a customized service for design, a couple of hours you’re holding your dream made manufacture and beyond. reality in hand. Leveraging digital fabrication and manufacturing So he started making 3d portraits and figurines until solutions that enable creators to turn ideas to 2019, when he developed the “Mini-Ma3” art toys. reality at scale. He, like a lot of us, had known Made in celebration of Kenya’s unique and vibrant about 3d printing but didn’t engage with it due to urban culture, Mini-Ma3’s capture the essence of art the lack of inaccessibility. This changed in 2018 on wheels that is the Matatu through a series of art when a close friend of his got a 3d printer and toys made for the young and young at heart. 50nd3k4 208 50nd3k450nd3k4209209 50nd3k4 208
that will be told for generations...Farai and Vera, HIDE!!!!) for a night of laughs to ease off this COVID craziness. The reason we decided to do this show (other than the fact we thought it was pretty cool to do a small event and remind ourselves how the outdoors feel like) we needed to laugh at the nonsense that’s been frustrating us. - The COVID-19 numbers are so skewed that they’re a joke (even funnier than our show) - Medical staff cant get protective gear (because our government’s full of comedians) - You’re worried about keeping your job, but BBI is suddenly more important (and it’s not even a pornhub category) Last year Creatives Garage brought together comedians for an - You HAVE to get a Huduma Number (we evening of socially distant hilarity and giggles. Featured voted for comedians lets admit it) comedians were Mr funny man himself, Jason Runo, our boy - It’s hard getting laid when you have Doug Mutai, the crazy Brian Onjoro, the socially awkward, the sniffles (boss, that’s on you fam stay Justine and the hilarious Ciru Waithaka who accompanied two home and off tinder for 2 weeks) of Zimbabwe’s funniest comedians comedians Munya and Lucky for you, we recorded the sets that Tinaye, graciously loaned to us by Magamba Network in are bound to make you laugh and say Zimbabwe Loaned because we tried to steal Munya and Tinaye “chesos...are they allowed to say that?”. and keep them here and Magamba took them back, a feud Don’t forget to wear your masks because “Everybody Can Gerrit” 50nd3k4 210 (this is a paid promotion by the high priestess Trish from the 420 order of the burning bush 50nd3k4 211 50nd3k4 211 50nd3k4 210
Rusty fundi Jonathan Barker, the founder of Rusty Fundi, creates bespoke furniture for homes, offices and restaurants using reclaimed materials from all over East Africa. It was founded six years ago after Jonathan moved into an apartment and decided to build the furniture and fittings for it. Since then Rusty Fundi has had installations in various restaurants around Kenya and at the departure terminal in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Their design process is unique. Rather than only create off the shelf work, they often liaise with clients throughout the design and build process ensuring that they are delivered unique, functional pieces of art. 50nd3k4 212 50nd3k4 213 50nd3k4 213
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God Is Kenyan is a streetwear and lifestyle brand that fosters the use and nurturing of homegrown solutions. They seek to bridge the gap between Kenyans and indegenous solutions. Through fashion, God is Kenyan effectively combines modern fashion with Kenyan materials to create something that is truly otherworldly and still proudly Kenyan. 50nd3k4 216 50nd3k4 217 50nd3k4 216 50nd3k4 217
ocean sole Ocean Soles is a social enterprise that was started in 2006 to clean up the coastline while also creating employment for folks from the high impact community. Ocean Soles remove trash from the ocean coastline, rivers and on damp sites and make art from the flip flop while creating employment. Ocean Soles work with a network of community members who are engaged in weekly clean ups on the coastline and in Nairobi to collect the flip flops. 50nd3k4 218 50nd3k4 219 50nd3k4 219
Sweet tooth Leon Kago, founder, head baker, and owner of Sweet Tooth is an amazing chef and an even In this chapter of the book, we explore the work of graphic better baker. He started making fresh cheese and no bake designers or “stylus slingers”. They have created fantasti- cheesecakes to satisfy the need for fresh, affordable and exciting products and his sweet- cal worlds, published self-portraits that are deeply emotive tooth (it HAD to be said). and have illustrated children’s books that you need to go He has since added ice creams, and his own fresh cream cheese into the mix (for real guys out and get RIGHT NOW if you’ve kids. from frigging scratch) and his desserts are to die for. These are the folk who take our wildest ideas and actually Not being satisfied with the mundane flavours of cheesecakes out there, Kago began experi- get them out onto a screen or paper. Want to commission menting with new and exciting flavours. Now he does a completely new flavour of the month, a piece of yourself as a dragon farting rainbows? Don’t every month so hit him up with suggestions cause you never know when you’ll help create a worry, we’ve added their contact details so you can reach masterpiece. out to them and commission some work! 50nd3k450nd3k4 220220 50nd3k4 221 50nd3k4 221
Feysal Anthony Nair is an Art Director with over 18 years of experience in the creative field. He’s had the opportunity to work with some of the best agencies in Africa and has been mentored by some of the greatest creative directors in the industry. He’s used his passion for film and visual Fx to work on several productions both commercial and non-commercial. His skills extend to animation, photography, film direction,digital painting, matte painting, concept art, 3d art, photo manipulation and retouching. He’s worked with Diageo, the World Food Program, USAID, Kenya Tourism Board, Bamburi Cement, and many more. Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/feysless Deviant Art: https://www.deviantart.com/feysalanthonynair CG Society: https://feysless.cgsociety.org/ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FeysalAnthonyNair 50nd3k4 222 50nd3k4 222 50nd3k4 223 50nd3k4 223
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Wanjira Kinyua is a full-time illustrator Manga and anime have been a source based in Nairobi. She is a graduate of the of inspiration for her and she is currently University of Nairobi with a B.A. in exploring character design and hopes Design. She started practising illustrations to eventually move on to animation and during her third year in uni where she fell storytelling. in love with the history of African Art and decided to explore it. Of particular interest to her are traditional African adornments which she is documenting through her art for posterity. Her illustrations include adornments that have since disappeared, allowing her audience to explore this part of her heritage. https://www.instagram.com/born_on_the_way/ 50nd3k4 226 50nd3k4 227 50nd3k4 226 50nd3k4 227
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“Art is fascinating and everything around you has an element of it.” Ashley Mwalimu is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator with innovative ideas and a unique approach to visuals. Her current niche is helping businesses and organizations to create what they cannot put into words by developing designs that can easily convey their message so that they can reach their target audience. A true lover of the arts, Ashley is inspired by different cultures, worldwide. Their vivacity and nuances compel her to forever immortalize them in her creations. Behance: https://www.behance.net/ashishi_atre/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashi_shio/?hl=en Email: [email protected] Twitter https://twitter.com/ashi_shi0 50nd3k4 230 50nd3k4 230 50nd3k4 231 50nd3k4 231
Catherine Jepkemboi aka Minicheps is a comedian, content creator and photographer with a “small” difference. When she started photography in 2019 her significant other suggested adding miniature versions of herself to her photos. Minicheps was an immediate hit on social media and popped up on photos she took of every- day scenes like pole vaulting over a glass of juice, swinging on a pair of earrings or hula hooping with a wristwatch. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Minichep Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minicheps/ 50nd3k4 232 50nd3k4 232 50nd3k4 233 50nd3k4 233
Tara is a 22-year old digital illustrator/ painter/concept artist and who’s been making art for as long as they can remember. Their creative hobbies, with creating their own characters. They’ve processes and endeavours have always always drawn most of their inspiration from been so dear to them and they always videogames/anime and manga/comics, as treat my work with a lot of love and they spent a lot of their childhood drawing the compassion. latter and immersed in the former. They love painting a lot of fantastical, As of late Tara has been getting a lot of futuristic and whimsical themes. They inspiration from nature, books, fashion and also love to paint portraits of people while personal spiritual themes which they hope incorporating said themes in them, along to involve a lot more in their upcoming work and eventually create a larger body of it. They would also love to create their own stories, videogames and tarot deck one day. Email: [email protected] Instagram: www.instagram.com/tara.light 50nd3k450nd3k4234 234 Artstation (main portfolio): www.artstation.com/taralight 50nd3k4 235 50nd3k4 235
Kennedy Kyalo, equal parts gamer and flower child, is a lover of art and music Kennedy is a firm believer in art as a tool and, professionally, is an of communication that he can use to show accomplished illustrator and animator his audience his point of view in a fun, and who has been working professionally often beautiful way. As such, he is for five years. He is self-taught, like constantly seeking to build his “vocabulary” many of the greats, with a natural to effectively reach his audience via talent and has a degree in Interior different mediums of visual content, among Design from Maseno University. them animation and gaming. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennedy_artist/ 50nd3k4 236 50nd3k4 237 50nd3k4 236 50nd3k4 237
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A multifaceted multi-talented graphic designer, Anoop is also a passionate photographer and illustrator. He also Anoop received his diploma in Graphic does packaging designs; creating Design at ADMI, a place he seems to love interesting stickers, book covers, for the support he got from lecturers and doodles and generally experimenting fellow students and for the chance to grow with different ideas. All in all, Anoop is an his vision as an artist. Ultimately, Anoop entrepreneurial artist with a vision for his seems happy with his journey so far, which brand. is all most of us can ask for. Not one to limit himself, he works on several diverse projects, challenging himself into brainstorming sessions from which he gets his ideas. He is currently interning at Weza Interactive as a video game artist where his passion and creative spirit are nurtured. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anoop_maxwell_k.e/ 50nd3k4 242 50nd3k4 243 50nd3k4 242 50nd3k4 243
Saya is the alter ego persona of a young Arcanum, known to the layman as Mark girl confined to a wheelchair. She is the Asaph Muchura, is a self-taught badass warrior leader of Bedlam, a rebel creative designer based in Nairobi, group of female superheroes fighting an Kenya. Under his belt, is more than 12 oppressive regime that has enslaved the years of experience, working with both human race in a simulation. Her weapons local and international clients. Arcanum’s of choice are daishō, a matched pair of forte is in photo manipulation but his Samurai swords comprising of a Katana focus right now seems to be wandering and Wazikashi. into illustration. To that end, he is currently working on a graphic novel featuring his illustrated muse, Saya, as the main character. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Asaph_muchura/ 50nd3k4 244 50nd3k4 245 50nd3k4 244 50nd3k4 245
Nyambura Wa Kariuki (Oh My Draws) a digital artist based in Nairobi with a versatile style of work that’s always evolving. She however excels when it comes to all things animated to illustrate particularly cartoons and children’s books. In 2020 Serena Williams recognised Nyambura for a COVID-19 PSA featuring “Qai Qai”, her daughter’s doll. She is currently taking mid-to long term commissions for children’s books and logos. Behance: https://www.behance.net/nash_oh_my Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashohmy 50nd3k450nd3k4 246246 50nd3k4 247 50nd3k4 247
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Zack Adell is a multidisciplinary designer & art director based in Nairobi Kenya. With a passion for well-crafted (Digital & Physical) experiences, he believes in beauty as a means to empower ideas. His goal is to connect people with communities, brands & businesses through design. A combination of strong concepts and refined execution to deliver premium results. Basically, he is into creating cool sh*t. He is heavily inspired by Contemporary African visuals and sound with a mix of legendary footprints of art in Africa. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adellbydesign/ 50nd3k4 250 50nd3k4 251 50nd3k4 250 50nd3k4 251
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Naddya Adhiambo Oluoch-Olunya is an Animator, Illustrator and musician, driven by the need to understand and represent girls and women through her work. For the past 10 years, she has been leading the creation of content for children, spanning Animation, comics for Social and Behavior Change Communication, and XR. As Founder and CEO of Nalo Studios, she is committed to producing fresh and nourishing stories for people of all ages. Her practice includes serving clients like Netflix Animation to local social enterprises and cultivating Nalo Studios’ original slate. Nalo Studio’s flagship project; ‘Uzi’ won the CICLIC Prize at Animation du Monde at the 2019 Annecy International Animation Festival, and is currently on its production journey. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nalostudios/ 50nd3k4 254 50nd3k4 255 50nd3k4 254 50nd3k4 255
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Chief Nyamweya is an author and visual artist whose work fuses storytelling, Illustration and animation to explore history, sustainability, the Farm which explores the dark side of the technology and creativity. He is currently the digitization of food production. He is currently co-founder and creative director of Freehand developing a transmedia story Trust (2021) set Studios, an African visual arts and social in a near-future fictional African nation known impact studio. In 2018, Chief graduated from as Wahengaland, in which a young woman the University of Nairobi with an LLB(Hons) struggles against the corruption of her degree and fully qualified as a chartered homeland with the help of a secret weapon accountant before taking the unlikely deci- from her grandmother. sion to pursue a career as an artist. In 2016, he was awarded a scholarship by Google to attend Singularity University in San Francisco and in 2019, was listed on Business Daily Africa’s top 40 under 40 Men. The 35-year-old father of one has since published the celebrated graphic novel Art of Unlearning (2019) as well as directed several animations such as Big Brother is Coming to Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freehandstudioske/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/freehandstudios?_rdc=1&_rdr Website: https://www.freehandmovement.com/ 50nd3k4 258 50nd3k450nd3k4259259 50nd3k4 258
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“For me art is an extension of life. I believe my passion to create is built into my very DNA and that Art is not simply defined by the finished product, but by the process one pours into the very act of creating. It is an explosion of self expression poured out in the unending process of living. Creating is as natural as breathing.” process of creating. It wasn’t until later after Izzy has always been drawn to art. As a young college that he was first introduced to child, he was constantly drawing, painting, photography and film. sculpting, playing music or building something. He has viewed himself as an artist since The drive to create beautiful things was discovering his gift. To position himself in any always there and he lives for the moment other way would be absurd. It is this when a creation is done and he can step back uncompromising passion to create that has and say “I did that”. allowed his work to compete in the marketplace. He still remembers his first official art class in Primary school, and it was nothing short of In defining his work, he views himself as an heaven for him. To have art taught in an illusionist; creating images and stories academic classroom gave validation to the that are larger than life. https://www.instagram.com/imaizzynation/ 50nd3k4 264 50nd3k450nd3k4265 265 50nd3k4 264
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Wamvii has an eye for unconventional bodies of work. mental health and sexuality (nudity). The Pieces that make you sink into a place showcase presented the narrative of a black of introspective thought and emotion. woman accepting herself, whilst dealing with Wamvii’s art is constantly evolving due the voices in her head. Wamvii used body to her experimentation with different paint and photo manipulation to create the mediums such as: Photoshop, body of work titled “Cloud Over My Head”. photography, semi-realistic sketches, “Art is a key element in my life. It embodies acrylic and watercolour paints etc. She everything. The world I wish to portray is also shifts styles moving through one of colour and imagination. Celebrating abstract art, surrealism, contrast art, the intricacies of life that make it what it is; Art Nouveau, minimal art among beautiful.” others Wamvii’s previous project was a limited series where she blended Instagram: @wamvii @artbywamvii Twitter: @wamvii 50nd3k4 270 Deviant art: @wamvii 50nd3k4 270 50nd3k450nd3k4 271271
Meeraj Vaghela is an Adobe certified associate who creates visual art, mainly about wildlife and nature. His love and connection with animals and Mother Nature is what has led him to this current focus on them and he is particularly worried about the threat they’ve faced in recent years. His current message is one calling for the conservation of animals and nature, and he spreads this message through his art. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_visuals1892/ Email: [email protected] 50nd3k4 272 50nd3k450nd3k4273273 50nd3k4 272
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Gichuhi Muikia (Junior) is an illustrator, character designer and animator who has been in the creative industry since 2016. He developed his rather unique style of animation from his experience working on children’s books and doing comics. He also learned a lot from working on projects like the XYZ Show, and as the in-house illustrator for Story Moja and HUEman Studios. As a concept artist and background painter for 5 years and counting, he has the touch to spice up everything that comes his way 50nd3k4 278 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jrpencil_king 50nd3k4 279 50nd3k4 278 50nd3k4 279
Mwas Githinji is a fine artist who uses different mediums to express himself, mainly focusing different mediums: sculpting, oil on life around him and the people paintings, pastels paintings, digital he closely observes. He studied art and different projects: book illus- art at the Buruburu School of trations, murals and street art. Fine Art from 2015 to 2016 and where he realised that art can be He is currently working on a solo expressed through several exhibition titled the “Journey Man.” different mediums. Since then he has had creative outputs in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwass_githinji 50nd3k4 280 50nd3k4 281 50nd3k4 280 50nd3k4 281
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FLAQO Meet the Othentiks His achievements in the social media sector has seen him pick up prestigious awards such as the 2020 Africa As a people, Africans breathe life into Digital Influencer Awards, Disrupter of the year and everything we do. We spark content Influencer of the Year. into even the most mundane things. The people in this section are those rastus Ayieko Otieno Kenya’s social media’s comedy who recognize this and find a way to aka Flaqo aka Raz scene with thousands of followers make it into virally watchable content. Eaka Mama Otis etc is across platforms. Flaqo won These people have mastered social ‘The Content Creator Disrupter of the year and Influencer media through humorizing life, and of Many Faces’. Flaqo’s one of Gen of the Year at the 2020 Africa Digital what is life without laughter? Z’s rising stars taking over digital Influencer Awards. entertainment. He and the characters he plays are ruling 50nd3k450nd3k4284284 50nd3k4 285 50nd3k4 285
He flawlessly delivers sketch comedy, family from rural Kenya who migrated character impressions, wacky to Nairobi yet retain their upcountry monologues, impromptu stunts and idiosyncrasies and habits. In the show, much more. He’s also an he plays the father, mother, daughter, exceptional musician and has son, grandmother, grandfather and the released a few tracks with former people around them…with many more CRAZY KENNAR group 411. He’s released a few solo to come. tracks with the promise of a full album Tales of the crazy Kennar soon. Look out for a range of music productions, shows, events and wild Flaqo’s core project is the Othentiks and wacky projects, from a character At the age of 23 he has achieved great heights by being able to work Family, a sketch comedy show about a whose creativity and acting skills know with various big brands in the market and also by being able to bag no limits!! numerous awards in the industry establishing himself as not only an influencer but also a game changer. ennedy Odhiambo Ondiek is a Kevin was later joined by his friends, young, enthusiastic and Stanley Omondi, Yvonne Khisa, Bushra Kaccomplished comedian in Sakshi, Cynthia Wanjiru, and Stephen Miser Kenya. He has spent the last 5 who all share a common vision for comedy not years building his brand ‘Tales Of The Crazy only as a form of entertainment but also as a Kennar.’ He became interested in come- tool to educate. dy from a very young age of 11 years where he took part in various drama What we love most about Crazy festivals competitions emerging as Kennar is that the top actor year in year out, he he has been continued with this path onto using his com- high school and later to edy to campus. create aware- https://www.instagram.com/flaqo_raz/ 50nd3k4 286 50nd3k4 287
ness around mental health and to reach out to youth who are battling depression. For his efforts, he was the 2020 winner of the “Go Beyond Influencer” category at the Africa Digital Influencer Awards. ESTHER KAZUNGU “my vision is to see a society that respects each other and one where we are our brothers keeper. If we mind each other and we matter to each other, we can apply our minds to things that matter.” sther Kazungu’s platform to air their views on her content is hilarious but Instagram stories creating a wave of Ebrings with it her change one ripple at a time. passion for digital activism and working Her vision is to see a society that towards social change. respects each other and one where She’s had great success we are our brother’s keeper. influencing her generation to be more “If we mind each other and we proactive in politics, matter to each other, we can apply human rights and our minds to things that matter.” https://www.instagram.com/crazy_kennar/ religion with her content. She also uses her strong social media clout to give other individuals a 50nd3k4 288 50nd3k4 289
GEORGE KIMANI “A piece of advice I can give anyone who has no idea on how to do what they want to do is to just start small. A little goes a long way.” George Kimani is an his production and scriptwriting skills aspiring film director and creating content for Instagram. Gand videographer who Although he is currently focussing has had a passion for on short-form comedy, he plans to film burning in him since he was 10 go work on short and feature films. years old. When his father gifted For obvious reasons, George credits him a handy cam for his birthday, his success so far to his family, es- he shot and edited short clips of his pecially his brother Edwin Wainaina younger brother. His parents’ who is his biggest fan and motivator. https://www.instagram.com/estherkazungu/ support of his craft was solidified He additionally is grateful to Seth when they would set aside some Gor, another content creator, with nights to watch the silly clips of his whom he started this journey. brother as a family Motivated by his incredible and positive memories, George has been growing 50nd3k4 290 50nd3k4 291
https://www.instagram.com/georgekimani_/ It’s 2021 and who thought podcasts would for everyone. Liberals, old fashioned be such a staple in modern society? (We conservatives, baby boomers and Gen Z, know we didn’t, though we also didn’t think which makes sense once you consider the we would be in year 2 of a worldwide pan- fact that everyone has an opinion and in the demic so....what do we know?) age of the internet, it’s incredibly easy to find Put simply, a podcast is a series of like-minded individuals. episodes, recorded and transmitted through audio files, making them the best In this section, we talk about some of the thing to listen to while driving or just before podcasts in our country that really caught our bed since the creation of playlists. The eye (or ear in this case) and that we felt had, beauty of podcasts (much like with film or and/or could really make a difference if given 50nd3k4 292 books) is that there is something out there a proper chance. 50nd3k4 293 50nd3k4 293
CUT THE the spread FOREPLAY podcast Nadia Favre is a radio host who is wildly Nadia. The show was inspired by the frustration Award winning musician Karen Kaz Lucas is experience, she started The Spread Podcast. passionate about voicing animations and of regressive conversations on the radio. Ones an established leader in the Kenyan arts and The Spread is a sex positive podcast that only exists championing female-driven art. Having peak- rooted in gender norms, capitalism & traditions culture ecosystem. Having begun her career in because there is no comprehensive sex education in ed at the start of her career by winning Show that she felt didn’t mirror the true openness of 1997 as a rapper/singer, she has gone on to run Kenya. Information about sex is rooted in the negative of the Year for a 3 hour radio segment called Kenyans. This half hour slot quickly became a creative ventures and projects cutting across consequences: HIV and AIDS and unwanted ‘The Hangover’ is bang on brand. Her voice safe space full of freedom, excitement, room to the performing arts, media production, digital pregnancies. But while these are some real made the leap from XFM, Kenya’s only rock be/celebrate ourselves through hearty laughs marketing and innovative events that shape the consequences, there’s a need to highlight all the station, to the musically versatile Capital FM. and unsolicited singing. Four seasons in, the industrial standard. Kaz has had a lifelong pas- positive things that can come out of healthy, informed show has found its footing as unapologetically sion for changing the way sex and consensual sexual practices. The Spread Cut The Foreplay is a 20-30 minute, sitcom crass with a delicate combination of wit, whimsy education is taught to young people. Driven by provides a platform advocating for informal and format, Podcast. Hosted and Produced by and sweetness. this passion and enabled by her media comprehensive sexuality education in our academic 50nd3k4 294 institutions. 50nd3k4 295 50nd3k4 294 50nd3k4 295
NIPE PAUKWA STORY STORIES Nipe Story came out in December 2017. I love freedom to wander and imagine. Looking back, this The Paukwa Stories Podcast is an extension of different locations. This season further gives an listening to the spoken word and more so prose. was when I fell in love with the power of the spoken Paukwa Stories: an online repository for posi- educational perspective by stating Kenyan county I also love audio editing or playing with sound, word. tive, fact-based Kenyan stories. The names and numbers. as I am a trained radio producer. I love creating One can describe the podcast as a library where podcast was launched in 2018 with the intention pictures in peoples’ minds, and so a podcast you will find short story fiction from different writers to feature themed narratives of Kenya’s people, The second season is all about history and money, was born. Nipe Story allowed me to bring some from other parts of the continent and feature vari- places and histories. dubbed #KeCurrency. The episodes here explore of my loves together. As a child, I loved listening ous themes. It is also a pool of African vocal talent, The first season (#KeSafari) takes listeners on the history of currency in Kenya - from the first to Mummy Inosi on what was Voice of Kenya both burgeoning and experienced, that breath life to a virtual journey around Kenya’s 47 counties, silver coin to the country’s current notes, intertwin- (now KBC) English service. She had a written prose. Nipe Story is storytelling of various highlighting the known and unknown, the hidden ing these transitions with the state’s transition from storytelling programme that used to air twice a Kenyan and African realities that make the listener gems and the folktales synonymous with colony to republic. week, and I loved listening to it. I was hear the continent with new ears. This is a podcast transported to another word and given the that drums different beats but with a very African 50nd3k4 296 sound. 50nd3k4 297 50nd3k4 296 50nd3k4 297
free mind sessions Our first season launches with up, their influences and what ‘support’ conversations about creative has been like for them over their careers. processes and what motivates us as In-studio we have hosts Nyacomba Githu creatives especially during the whirlwind and Lindsay Obath featuring special that has been the last year and a half. guests: Nviiri The Storyteller, Ed Wainaina, On the other hand, we also get to know Lisa Oduor-Noah and finally Mvoo from what makes the artist. How they grew Bonkerz. 50nd3k450nd3k4298298 50nd3k4 299
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wordsmiths of our time In this chapter, we present you word connoisseurs Aleya Kassam, Sitawa namwalie, Mumbi Macharia, Glady Mwende, Gcho Pevu, Kins of Spade and nick Olwah. Individually, their words make for great orgasms...now imagine how orgasmic this chapter is with all their crazy imaginations and play for words? 50nd3k4 304 50nd3k4 305 50nd3k4 305
Dress code G-cho by G-cho Pevu Born innocent from a simple Ju nimechoka ku’make headlines background kwa kila habari Akiangalia kivuli yake inamkum- Unawaka nikivaa busha her past Ati ku’dress kwangu kwako in- Pevu Miaka zilizidi kupita akuchoma Kuliko jogoo Mara tatu Mi nikiendelea kuiva Lupita alizidi kuwika Wee Baki hapo ukiungua Hakuwai lelewa Eld huko iten Round this ndio utajua hiyo uwa- But between the ages of 5- 10 naume nyinyi husema ni kichwa Msichana alikua ana’grow mbio Haiwezi twist bila shingo Alikua na u’sisterhood ndani Ati unaskia aibu yake ju ya ma’dresses Hiyo ndio ngoma ina top chart Talk yake ilikua pure ju ya kwa Masikio yako G-cho Pevu a.k.a Steve Biko is a Mu- ma’phrases Kama kudunga kwangu kwako ni Uzuri wa urembo huonekana ju ya chungu sical Spoken Word Poet from Nairobi , ma faces Tafuta kipini uji’nappy Kenya. His pieces normally address Labda pia usingizi yake ilikua I don’t dress to impress topics like morals, relationships, and nia kutamanika ju ya mattresses I dress to express social affairs in the country and beyond . In between her growth akiloose Go n dress the naked pizza’s Barabara Kama Unaona mimi hutembea uchi He has been referred to as one of the Tutakua tuna look after her Walidunga tights wakasema hao ni leading poets in the country, one who traces madem wa’loose has been able to maintain his Ku’sag haijawai fanya Mwanaume Ndivyo nilivyoskia poet flani aitwe tumbili akisema consistency in doing Music and Na pia kudunga skirt fupi hai- Wakaongezea animal prints Poetry for 7 years in Sheng (local slang; wezi fanya niache kukuaMini Un- Wakaanza kuitwa majina za kinya- a fusion of English n Swahili). He often ajam nikivaa ma performs with the help of a band to bring Na hujawai fanya job na watu wa Ni ironical hiyo Sacco ilikua out the live peptang inavua music in poetry Kirohoroho unatabasamu hadi Na bado walikua wanajiita embas- wewe huni’admire saVAA But ukiwa katikati ya umati Macho yako iko clouded na ma- Unajifanya vile ume’fume kuliko chozi ukilia unaacha room nzima Moshi ya gari ka imejaa na mist Feeling ya mtu 50nd3k4 306 Round this nimekataa kusalimika ashawai pitia mkono ya wahalifu 50nd3k4 307 50nd3k4 306 50nd3k4 307
Wakiwa garden of eden jipea position ya ukamanda Adam na huyu Madam Utadhani ame’replace huyo Mp wa Ujuaji yetu ka ya watu wa Japan starehe ju cases zao ni Minor Ndio ilifanya tujue kuishi Hiyo ni udanda UCHIna ni mbaya Kuangalia ni sawa ju macho Soon n very soon madem watajoin haina pazia martial arts But kutamani ndio mbaya espe- Ama watatafta Gym if they want cially kama hiyo si Mali yako things for them to work out Kwa hivyo kuvutana baina ya wa- Wacha isiwai fika hiyo point nawake na wanaume watatuona kama mboga kwa shamba Inafaa kuisha kama glue kwa ya rose flower Na waanze kuGet sole ya kiatu rid of us Filthy hand ya kukua na kuvua Kama hyacinth katikati ya L. wanawake Victoria. Inafaa ikafanye kazi kwa kam- If Orezzo wa Olympics ha- puni ya Mahindi na miwa jawai ongelea dress code ya hao Usi’expect background zetu zi- ma’runners fanane Usi’expect kuona hao athletes Kama tumegrow na vivuli hazi- wakikimbia races na leso toshani Naona kijana flani anajaribu ku- Ndio kwa maana Kuna fashion ya Ocha na ya city Places mbili tofauti Na level ya mdungo hu’vary Nika patient ana diabetes Ukiona huwezani hakuna haja uvae nguo za mkopo Unaweza ka switch ka Ile advert ya stima loan aleya Ndio u’show hao Wengine si laz- ima ukue m’hippy Ndio ukubalike kwa hepi Ka bado madem wa Ocha huenda disco Matanga kassam Pesa yako raha yako Pesa yako nguo yako Aleya Kassam is a Kenyan feminist, storyteller, A compulsive creative, her writing has been performed writer and performer, whose work explores nar- and published on multiple platforms and stages around ratives from the margins. As a compulsive writer, the world, from Nairobi to Kigali to Stuttgart. As the ‘A’ in she is widely experimental with form, from page to The LAM Sisterhood, she delights in telling stories that stage, screen to speaker, micro fiction to memory seek truth beauty and freedom, so that African women poems, docu theatre to participatory filmmaking, feel seen and beloved, such as the award winning stage blogs to twitter threads - she loves to play with the show Brazen. 50nd3k4 308 ways people experience a story. 50nd3k4 308 50nd3k4 309 50nd3k4 309
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And it certainly has absolutely nothing to do with love. Please! That’s for dizzy mzungus. all your correspondence looks like. The sole purpose of an Indian wedding is one thing and one thing alone. To show off. Next, the guest list... the birth ground of inter-generational family feuds. You see not It’s not just a wedding you are organizing...it is an experience you are designing. I mean for everybody is invited to every event. Shahrukh Khan’s sake we have Bollywood to live up to to. It is our ethnic duty...our way of An invitation is not a right. saying ‘But do I say.’ It is a privilege. Because Luo funerals aint got nothing on Indian weddings. Five days of events represents five ways to dazzle a captive audience with your imagi- So fasten your bindis, put on your bangles and ensure your sari is securely tucked away native, sophisticated and cultured theme ideas. into your petticoat to avoid any embarrassing predicaments. There is no such thing as ‘too much’. Bollywood Hungama is a must. Arabian Nights is a First things first....A weight loss regime. standard. Afternoon High Tea has garnered favour of late. Kitenge Couture is a new en- I’m not talking about the bride silly. trant to the theme catalog. Black Tie is the perfect opportunity to show off those backless Who’s going to be looking at her anyway? ball gowns. Oscars. Because Hollywood is still cooler than Bollywood. And West is best. I am talking about everyone else. It is imperative that you squeeze into that midriff baring For entertainment, you must have a big Bollywood Act. A bona fide lip syncing, hip swiv- outfit. Those that can afford to (and many who can’t) nip over to India to get their tummy eling, torso thrusting Bollywood actor. snipped. Size zero is sold on a menu the other side of the Indian Ocean. Complete with outfit changes and back up choreographed dancers. Obviously! The next thing you need to know is that an Indian wedding lasts on average five days. Now for the food. The most important part of any Indian wedding. The creme de la You know what that means. creme of the whole debacle. This is where you cannot afford to experiment. The buffet Five themes. table must be groaning under the weight of hundreds of delicacies; Beef Biriyani, Vege- Five colour schemes. Five dresses. table Biriyani, Chicken Biriyani, Goat Biriyani, Hyderabadi Biriyani. Five menus. Five locations. Why choose when you can serve them all! Five bands. Rotlis, Naans, Papadaums, Dhosas, Idlis, Parathas. Five times the chaos. Five time the stress. Five times the drama. Why choose when you can serve them all! And you thought you had it bad? Potato Curry, Cauliflower Curry, Eggplant Curry, Ladyfingers Curry. Why choose when Of course it would be unthinkable to have all the events in the same location. you can serve them all! You need a garden venue for the peacocks you rented to strut in. Ras Malai, Gulab Jamun, Kheer, Shrikand, Laddoos. An indoor venue to accentuate the sparkle of the 10kg wedding sari made of Parisian lace Why choose...ok you get the picture. and embroidered with thousands of Swarovski crystals hand sewn. You see the thing is, if the menu does not have enough variety, Michael Jackson himself And a helipad. could be moonwalking across the dance floor, but the only thing that people will have to You hardly expect the bride to walk to the aisle do you? say about the wedding is the food was bakwas. Now for the wedding cards. And after all...what people say is the whole point of the wedding in the first place. Or should we say merchandise. This is not a wedding. It is a brand. And every component must reflect the brand. The trend de jour is to have a chocolatier curate a bespoke tray of Belgian truffles and slip the wed- ding cards inside the box. It should appear effortless, nonchalant, casual. Like this is what 50nd3k4 312 50nd3k4 313 50nd3k4 312 50nd3k4 313
nick olwah The first single out of #ShinyangaAve EP Written & performed by : Olwah Produced by: Anariko Shinyanga Ave EP covers life in Nairobi Video by : Afro Imagination through music, served with a new unique D.O.P : Victor Ombogo K sound called Urban Ohangla. It’s a fusion of Edited & Graded by : Nezzoh Montana traditional African music and modern sound. The EP is a five track compilation of rap, poetry and musical projects by Olwah who is a Nairobi based artist. The project is based on life in Nairobi through Olwah’s lenses. 50nd3k4 314 50nd3k4 315 50nd3k4 314
SITAWA Words By Sitawa Namwalie You consume me with words, NAMWALIE Litter my path with careful analysis, Obscure my plight With your sound investigation: Sitawa Namwalie is an award winning Ken- Into who did what to me? yan poet, playwright, writer and performer Who killed me? who discovered her poetic gift in 2007 and Who raped me! by 2008 staged her first dramatized poetry show “Cut off My Tongue”, which was pub- lished as a book in 2009. But it was you! There are many highlights to Sitawa’s The architect of phrases, Blur my vision with complexity, journey. Her first ever public performance Nobel laureate of words; As if I were a pink crocodile. of “Cut off My Tongue”, held on 27, June Am I a flying hyena? 2008 was beyond special. Performing at You used words that seduced and stirred, the UK’s prestigious Hay Festival in the UK in 2009 was almost as special as the one Soured prowling tribal gangs, Are you trying to avoid me? in Langata Women’s Prison in 2012 for an Guided the machetes What are you afraid of? audience of over 300 women inmates. Just Of your followers. Come out here, like her compatriot Eluid Kipchoge, Sitawa does not believe in limits and continues You ruined me! Play with my melancholy, to explore various genres, writing poetry, Engage my hurt, plays, short stories, musicals and Now you bury me Listen to me, essays and more. In mountains of talk, Ask me how I feel, Virtuous words dripping blood. And I will give you Now you wish me away, More than words Hide me with more words, 50nd3k450nd3k4316316 50nd3k4 317 50nd3k4 317
Shadows by Kins of Spade Shadows amongst trees remind me of her The layers, the darkness and the light that shines through Veiled and yet open that is her inner beauty Her voluptuous behind, graceful contoured hips Remind me of shadows amongst hills Petals of wild roses and thorns that sting Remind me of the delicate yet strength in her Her sweet kisses and perfectly seasoned pussy Makes for Realizations of the scam that is freshly cut fruits Her shadows dance like fresh dew, stormy seas and the yellow sun And like the morning light, it cements strangers who met in the dark Her moon cast shadows linger in my memory long after she’s gone KINS OF Kins Of Spade is recluse who only comes out to play with her words and only very rarely seen in public. Her nature makes it difficult, she is an introvert in SPADEevery sense. She explores the world through words, drawing readers into sensual, raw and witty poetry and prose. You might never meet her but you’ll probably feel like she intimately know you. 50nd3k4 318 50nd3k4 319 50nd3k4 318 50nd3k4 319
I will teach them to give thanks for the things that still remain constant; like gravity, at least, when I learned how to or the fact that even with humanity at a standstill, walk the sun, without fail, still rises from the east. Mumbi Macharia Maumbile hayabadiliki. Dunia bado ni duara. When I learned how to walk, (Nature does not change its form; the world my mother says she wondered is still a sphere). if I would be able to walk through this world I will teach my children with my head held high, that love is a verb, walking with her pride, as much as it is a noun. and stepping with the grace of her mother’s I will teach my children that God is good, stride. all the time, When I learned how to walk, even if all the time, my mother hoped that I would learn all isn’t good, to always go the extra mile with her. at least all the time, When I learned how to walk, God is always on time. I wonder if my mother hoped that I would never leave her. I hope my children will understand me. I hope they will understand what I mean, When I spoke my first words, when I tell them that they should be dawn my mother says she hoped that I would al- in a world full of midnights, ways speak love into existence, or that they should be the sun in a world even with the words that I scribbled in my full of dim lights. books. I will teach my children When I spoke my first words, to always raise their hands and answer I wonder if my mother hoped I would never questions, stop telling her I love her. even when they are afraid of not being right. Mumbi Macharia is a performing spoken word poet, published When I bring my own children into this I will teach my children author, and content creator. Having begun her journey as a world, to speak with conviction, into this same, as if they are God in the Genesis, poet in 2015, she is regarded as a luminary in the spoken ever-changing, commanding light out of darkness. word scene in East Africa, having performed on major poetry uncertain world, stages in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam. In 2020, Mumbi self published her debut poetry book titled “ MUMBIWhen I Learned How to Walk & Other Poems”, and is working on more literary projects. MACHARIA 50nd3k4 320 50nd3k4 321 50nd3k4 320 50nd3k4 321
GLADY MWENDE Every Thursday at noon, she sits alone in a park eating deep-fried pork sau- sages watching people pass by. It helps her lessen the burden she carries in her heart, unsaid words, untold stories. She keeps wondering if things would have ever turned out differently if she ever said something to someone, any- one. Now and then, a passer-by would notice her distant stare and would reach out to ask her if she’s okay. Struggling to recollect herself, with a low unsure voice Glady Mwende is a writer, thespian and and a crooked smile she’d answer. “I am fine.” So they would walk away. Filmmaker based in Nairobi, Kenya. She Memories come flooding in, shadows of her past creeping on her present. She enjoys creating stories, inspired by curses the day she met her husband. Sharp stabbing pains cut across her people from all walks of life. chest whenever she remembers him. His brown eyes were always filled with Her intention with her work is to tell the subtle fury and distant warmness. How his muscles formed when he held her untold and show the beauty of life and all tightly. How on his good days, he would pin her on the wall and make love to that t comes with, through her art. her, the kind she liked. He would choke her a little as he held her waist on his, gently thrusting, whispering how much he loved her. He would cook for her and they would even take showers together. On his good days, he was a man she always knew. She smiles hiding her teary eyes. She is suddenly disgusted when she remembers his bad days, which were most days. He beat her up mercilessly like a stray dog. The times he made her feel like the ugliest crea- 50nd3k4 322 50nd3k4 323 50nd3k4 322 50nd3k4 323
ture. The times he cheated on her with her friends and every time she tried to ask, he made her feel guilty about it. It was always her fault, he said. How dare she imagine that? How he would look into her eyes and say, “I love you and you love me and we trust each other so don’t doubt me.” He’d say. His kisses felt empty, dead to her. The times he’d accuse her of being insecure until she became insecure, mostly with herself, doubting her thoughts, her words, her actions, worshipping his. “maybe you should work on your body and be like other women then you would be thinking all that.” The times she tried hard to talk and stand for herself but he beat her up and silenced her. Every time someone asked her if she was okay after the horrible nights she’d still answer ... I am fine. The day she read a Maya Angelo quote ‘love liberates’ she chose to free herself. Something that she still hadn’t figured out but she was willing. Something in her shifted. She lay beside him every night plotting her escape. She knew she had had enough. The scars on her skin had become haunting. She wondered who was this man whom she partly recognized, sweet and bitter. Too bitter. How could she have ended up this way? did she ever miss anything? a sign maybe? she hated herself for feeling so much. For always saying too little and she knew she had to leave. The day she packed her things and booked a plane ticket from Nairobi to Kigali, she had hardly slept. He looked at her and noticed her tired eyes and asked her how she was, she said “ I am fine” He left for work and she prepared her things and wrote him a letter and placed it on their bed. That day she took longer in the shower, she remembers how the water felt on her bruised skin. How she sat on the bathroom floor and cried for him. Will she miss his soft fingertips on her skin, his eyes, all the love they made? is she strong enough to leave and never come back? whatever she had become was his doing. She was sure that she never wanted closure, to understand why he did what he did. She still loved him but she was sure she needed to leave for her sake. Every Thursday at noon she sits at the park in a new city that doesn’t remind her of anything. Just beautiful a thousand hills and a past she has to conquer. Its been six months now and she has not called him or replied to his pending mails. She is finding a home in a city that is slowly defining her. 50nd3k4 324 50nd3k4 325 50nd3k4 324 50nd3k4 325
“If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry” is a phrase that often rings true, but, right now, Shazz in the midst of all that is happening in the world, it resonates that much more powerfully. Laughter is an integral part of the human existence, it Nderitu helps us, or at least me, deal with things that otherwise would be a con- stant bummer. It also brings us together as a community especially here in Kenya. Sharon “Shazz” Nderitu is the Jill of all trades, We are constantly bonding over jokes and jabs about the government, she is the queen on the chessboard, basically which I believe is the only reason many of us are able to stay sane. The she’s amazing. A stand up comedian, plus thing about comedy is that it’s inherently social, even in socially distant size fashion model, interior designer, times. If we’re remotely communicating, there’s still a connection that needs mathematics teacher, blogger, artist and to be made and laughter is a part of that. No matter what, comedy will video vixen, Shazz has done it all. She has always be part of our lives. It’ll find its way into our homes and phones and also played in several theatrical productions, even the social interactions we have on a day to day basis, because THAT’s most recently “Decalage” and “the vagina how important it is. So here we honour some of the great comedians that monologues” bring laughter into our lives. A good place to start is with Standup Collective. Standup collective is an outgrowth of Karura Comedy Club and Saturday Night Comedy, based in Nairobi. It was launched in 2017 as the incubators of English language and Ty Ngachira experimental comedy in Kenya and beyond. Besides growing a comedy club culture amongst Nairobian and by extension Kenyans, they also strived Stand up comedian, events host, reluctant lawyer and to create a community of funny people and comedy lovers in general, a voice over actor Ty Ngachira is a professional stand-up journey that is half complete. comedian, writer and emcee (MC) with years of Information about upcoming shows, open mics and workshops can be experience in the entertainment industry. found via their website standupcollective.co.ke. He has honed his skills performing in different venues To shine a light on some of the comedians to have come out of the fold; Ty and events all over the country. He has headlined Ngachira Justine Wanda, Doug Mutai, Amandeep Jagde, Ciku Waithaka, shows such the Nairobi International Comedy Shazz Nderitu(Queendom), David Macharia and Maina Murumba, just to Festival, at the BYSS Improv Show, name a few ... Spare My Ribs, Saturday Night Comedy at The Blues, Nairobi Comedy Club and for Punchline Comedy Club. 50nd3k4 326 50nd3k4 327 50nd3k4 326 50nd3k4 327
Ciku Waithaka Doug Mutai Ciku hates the word “comedienne” because it Doug Mutai started his professional journey as insinuates bias in preference of the masculine a creative in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. He over the feminine, but most importantly be- was previously signed onto Funny Business cause she can’t spell it without first mouthing it. & Yuk Yuks’ roster, Canada’s largest comedy Her shows are works of art, and so is her hair agency and chain of comedy clubs, and toured (really, check it out, its magnificent). She brings all over Canada making people laugh in comedy her all to every show she’s on and you can feel clubs, theaters, and corporate functions. He was it, mostly through the ache in your ribs from spotted and booked by talent scouts from the all the laughter. Any show she is on, will be a prestigious Winnipeg Comedy Festival and later good day, you can bet on it. featured on CBC TVs Halifax Comedy Festival and Calgary Folk Music Festival as a comedic feature. He was enlisted as part of the pioneering cast for Telus TV’s Cowtown Sketch comedy show. He later relocated to Kenya where he is the David Macharia co-founder of Standup Collective and Nairobi International Comedy Festival. Young, funny, and flyer than an ostrich, David Macharia has been known to tell a joke or two (and has also been known to enjoy a tequila Amandeep drink or two, or four). He has been performing in bars and clubs, among other Jagde venues in Nairobi for a while. Born in Kenya A master’s degree holder in architecture, a chess and raised in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Zambia, enthusiast and a flat earther... Are some of the and things he’s not. Amandeep Jagde is actually a Ethiopia, David delivers a brand of comedy Marketing degree graduate and Radio presenter with a perspective that is fresh and witty. His by day and asleep by night. He has been per- comedic style is laid-back, witty, irreverent and forming stand-up comedy for a while now and is not for those who need help crossing busy well known for his rough childhood (he did not streets. Outside of stand-up, David Macharia have a memory card for his Playstation, growing is a writer for the ‘The Lazy Riot’ news and up so he had to start games from the beginning a guitarist. Other special skills include going every time) and this pain pushed him to the great long periods of time without missing loved heights he is at now. ones. 50nd3k4 328 50nd3k4 329 50nd3k4 328 50nd3k4 329
justine Wanda Justine Wanda is a standup comedian, comedy writer and, most importantly, the queen of dark humor. Her struggles in life are the basis of her most brilliant shows. She has featured on promi- nent stand up shows such as Nairobi Internation- al Comedy Festival, Spare My Ribs and Because You Said So! Most notably, she has opened for the amazing Hannibal Buress, so you know she’s legit. Do yourselves a favour and check out her shows (you’re welcome, in advance.) Maina In this section, we talk about some of the creatives we think are doing some incredibly amazing stuff at the moment (the rising stars and the up Murumba and comers). The people on this list, we feel, really deserve recognition because they have been crushing the scene and show such blinding Maina Murumba is a standup and comedy potential, they can’t be ignored. writer in the growing Nairobi scene. Tall, laid back and quite funny, he really utilizes a sort of dry wit. He has performed all across the world of Nairobi with special appearances at the Nairobi international comedy festival. He has also opened for comedians who’ve opened for Hannibal Buress 50nd3k4 330 50nd3k4 331 50nd3k4 331 50nd3k4 330
Halisi the band (Halisi Nation) is a gentleman Tetu Shani is an alternative folk artist, trio based in Nairobi, writing, singing, recording guitarist and percussionist from Nairobi, Kenya. and performing Afro-pop music. Halisi is a swa- In 2014 he received a scholarship from Berklee hili word which translates to real/authentic/bona College of Music to study Performance but fide/original/sterling so, as the name suggests, turned it down to build up the alternative local Halisi is an embodiment of the Kenyan soul. music scene in his hometown. Since then his Check out their work here; first single, “Round and Round,” won bronze at https://afrikalyrics.com/artist/halisi-the-band the July 2015 Global Music Awards and he has developed a reputation as a master storyteller Linsday Obath is an multimedia visual artist who and performing artist; drawing audiences in with has popularized body art as an art form. Her body Fatuma Ramadhan is a crotchet and chain work his humor and authenticity. art journey started at Nyege Nyege, in 2016, which artist based in Kilifi Kenya. Her fashion label I KNit she attended as a participant and painted herself Kenya creates crochet wear from halter tops and Feel out his sound through these links: so that her friends could find her easily. Sadia shorts to bikinis for women. Fatuma is truly adept at https://soundcloud.com/tetushani Ibrahim, who runs Kenya Nights, suggested that her work and a stickler for detail which has made I https://www.youtube.com/user/juuyes she paint people in Nairobi. She now experiments knit Kenya rank among the top brands for crochet with everything, from set design to mural work to wear in East Africa. jewellery. She is also the co-founder of Free Mind https://www.instagram.com/iknitkenya/?hl=en Sessions. 50nd3k4 332 50nd3k4 333 50nd3k4 332 50nd3k4 333
Uplifters of Jah’s Creations with musical meditations, the Laze Reggae Invasion Podcast & Laze Reggae Lisa Mumbi Macharia is a performing spoken word poet, writer, and Blog work to promote Reggae culture. Each and self-published author from the green city under the sun, otherwise every week, The Laze Reggae crew presents a 1 hour known as Nairobi, Kenya. She began Spoken Word poetry in 2014 dancehall reggae show with fresh, hardcore dancehall when she first performed at Kwani? Open Mic, and subsequently juggling, exclusive interviews,remixes, dubplates, roots at PAL (Poetry After Lunch) at the Kenya Cultural Center. In 2018, & culture, oldies, foundation, Afrobeats and more, plus Mumbi was one of the curators and the host for a range of poetry your dancehall e-news and event highlights. The events in Nairobi, namely Mindful: Mind full, Poets vs Rappers, and biggest hits any given week running the streets of Poets Linkup. In 2019, Mumbi was a featured artist on Churchill Kenya are in their playlist. It is your bombastic plug to Show, one of the most popular TV shows on Kenyan TV at the time, everything Dancehall and Reggae from Kenya to di for several episodes world. https://lazereggae.wordpress.com/ Check out some of her poetry here; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjlz8qqXs00MXnVHsAp-cg His signature rugged look is hard to miss, that’s Nick Olwah. He is a poet and spoken word artist who dishes Fariji Napa is a Congolese musician currently living out reality like it’s going out of fashion and that is what in Nairobi, Kenya. Inspired by African music, his keeps you listening. Olwah and Band have graced songs aim to give a message of peace, love and different performance stages from open mic events to hope for his community and all over the world. His festivals including the Sondeka Festival delivering their dream is to share African culture with international smooth blend of spoken word, acoustics and smooth audiences through his music. vocals. Check the links to hear some of his sweet mother- Listen to his “Confessions of a drug addict” here; land music; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OyafXIXGjY https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/fariji-napa 50nd3k4 334 50nd3k4 335 50nd3k4 334 50nd3k4 335
Vallerie Muthoni aka Brown Suga, Singer- Rapper, is a Ken- yan-American recording and performing artiste based in Nairobi, Abigail is a writer, blogger, scriptwriter and committed Kenya. She is a versatile artist who simply refuses to be put in lover of sleep. She is the author of Akello and a side of one box. She samples hip-hop, trap, RnB & Soul and afrobeat raunch, both (only slightly) sensual poetry collections. on her two EPs ‘the Wavey Soul (2018) and ‘Pisces SZN’ (2019) Abigail was also a scriptwriter for the award-winning meanwhile seamlessly experimenting with these sounds to soap opera “Lies that Bind” and publishes a hard create an enticing fusion of NuAfrican Sauce. She has perfected hitting opinion column in the Daily Nation. the craft of engaging and relating with the audience in her storytelling, stage presence & charisma. Check out her writing here; https://open.spotify.com/artist/0BODXRyhRpJie8h9qpZb9E https://www.akello.co.ke/ Patricia is an entrepreneur with over 19 years experience in running Labdi is a singer-songwriter, performer and instrumentalist. two successful small businesses, Willart Productions and Confer- She plays the Orutu, a single-stringed fiddle from Western encing In A Box. She is also the co- founder of Kayana Create, the Kenya which was a taboo for women to play. premier space for female entrepreneurs, where women (and some men) come together to nurture small female run business through Labdi is inspired by music from Africa, specifically Western various educational and networking events, such as the very suc- Kenya and the Lake Victoria region , where she is from. cessful ‘Candid Despite an originally slow burn to acceptance of her Conversations: Circles for Women in business’ and ‘The Kenya Cot- instrument, she has really blown up now, with a huge crowd tage Industry Expo ‘19. She is passionate about Women in Business of supporters. and co- authored ‘A Candid Handbook for Women Doing Business’. She deeply believes in the “Spirit of Abundance” as the change the https://soundcloud.com/labdiofficial world needs. 50nd3k4 336 https://candidbusinesswomen.co.ke/a-candid-handbook-for-women/ 50nd3k4 337 50nd3k4 336 50nd3k4 337
A Material artist, Performance artist and Art director Naitiemu is intrigued with the way materials behave and the patterns they go through, finding a connection with human psychology. Her technical understanding of material science is supported by a Bsc degree in Civil Engineering which enables her to merge scientific principles with Kahush real name Kahu Mburu Mutahi aka Kahu$h is artistic concepts. This has influenced her experimental approach to a Kenyan trapper/rapper/Shrap artist. Best known for material manipulation such as using different chemical reactions on his hit songs “Mi Siwezi” and “Mastingo”, Kahush has metal to create art, using optical and audio concepts in her art, among been consistently great with his catchy songs. other materials. She is currently working for Nairobi Design Week as festival manager, project manager and art director, handling both digi- tal and physical platforms throughout the year. https://naitiemu.com/ Nyokabi Kimari (they/them) is a 22-year-old multidisciplinary artist born and based in Nairobi. Their work explores the depths of African spirituality in a postmodern world, the relationship between the seen and the unseen forces that dictate our Brenda Akinyi Obath is a 32-year old media powerhouse born and daily lives. They operate by frustrating expectations of sexuality and body imagery based in Nairobi. Not one to accept being placed in one specific and exploring these topics in a surreal manner. Focusing on mental health and the box, she has a wide range of interests that fuel her. She is not only relationship between that and spirituality is a great theme in their work. They have a host of a nationally broadcast radio station, she co-hosts The exhibited their work in Nairobi, the most recent exhibition being Kioko Gallery Grey Poupod and is the CEO, proprietor and station manager of .Nyokabi is the founder of Ujamaa, an online barter exchange market that Asylum Radio, an online Radio station based out of Nairobi. Her imagines new worlds where love is paramount and capitalism is dead. station has been the starting point, training ground and launching If imagination is the first blueprint for an altered reality, dreamwork is an act of pad for many radio hosts in the country. She is also a great mentor, activism. Kenyan artist Nyokabi Kimari creates new realms through their art, giving advice on career and life and should be paid for therapy as engaging in world-making with each piece they birth into our dimension. In well. Nyokabi’s world, the artist is a conduit: a translator of the unseen via intuitive downloads. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3FVyW6fOhI 50nd3k4 338 https://artelaguna.world/artist/kimari-nyokabi.22771/ 50nd3k4 339 50nd3k4 338 50nd3k4 339
The Nairobi Horns Project (NHP) brings together Enchantress, composer, producer and musicians bonded by the love for new music and singer-songwriter Berracah Kisia began committed to building a sound around horns in creating music as a young child in her African and contemporary music. They are Kenya’s hometown of Eldoret. The classically trained leading live act playing original music, Nairobi Horns vocalist launched her debut album ‘Lunch Break’ Project has a reputation as a formidable cover in 2012 under the pseudonym ‘August Cellars’ band; an absolute party band that provides diverse entertainment, from chilled dinners and cocktails to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL7ruYamEhc absolute party throwers. https://nairobihorns.com/ Mvoo Wanje is the owner and head designer / Shishi Wanj is a multidisciplinary artist/curator and a lover curator for Bonkerz, an organization that aims to of people and culture; more accurately, counter-cultures be a blank canvas for the African youth to express around the world, in Africa, and especially that of her home- themselves with love, dopeness, collaboration, town Nairobi, Kenya. She is also a Professional DJ, Writer community and good vibes. Bonkerz mainly does and Curator of artistic things. She uses her experiences this through fashion, but Mvoo has also ventured and observations of our fast paced societies and its nuanc- into music (DJing) as a space for expression. es to inspire her life and her artistry. They hold parties that serve the purpose of build- ing their community of like minded individuals Check out their stuff here: https://www.instagram.com/bonkerzke/?utm_ source=ig_embed 50nd3k4 340 50nd3k4 341 50nd3k4 340 50nd3k4 341
Robert Ochieng takes great pride in capturing the true spirit and personality of the people and subjects that he photographs. His style is creative, wildly fun, engaging and relaxed. Robert creates a relaxed environment for his subjects allowing him to capture their true beauty. He does this by engaging them in conversation, then listening with his ears and his camera, paying attention to the smallest of details. https://www.pexels.com/@okakarobert -Pexels handle https://www.instagram.com/okaka_robert/ - Instagram handle https://okakarobert.mypixieset.com/ -Website 50nd3k4 342 50nd3k450nd3k4343343 50nd3k4 342
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Femmolution Femmolution is a female movement coined from the two words ‘femme’ which is French for woman and revolution. It is a call for the revolution of the woman. Femmolution is all feminist; this is a gen- der that, in Africa, has sparked up uncomfortable books in our conversations that need to be held and has for centuries positioned the woman as oppressed and collection pushed down, not any more though. This move- ment, because that’s what femmolution is, mani- While the internet and television are useful in their own ways, nothing can fests what it’s like to be a woman in today’s soci- compare to a great book. Books ignite your imagination, give you new ideas, ety through the beautiful and sometimes haunting challenge your perspectives, provide solutions, and share wisdom. At every words of female artists in Africa. They share their stage of your existence, you can find a relevant book that will add value to your work in Femmolution, with the hope that their personal and professional life. They allow Readers to travel without using their refusal to be silenced (as so many women have feet, give wings to our imagination, and are full of knowledge, joy, happiness, been) will inspire more and further the movement. wisdom and so much more. Books are more than enjoyable, they have the capability to transform your life and to remind you that you aren’t alone, cause if you’re reading about it, someone else has gone through the same thing and Aggie came out the other side. It is extremely important to nurture the love of books (and therefore knowledge) Just when you thought your life was perfect and at a young age as books are a way to pass on knowledge to younger everything fits into nice little boxes, something generations. For a time, we told stories and shared knowledge through word of happens to shake that self-assurance. Aggie is a mouth (which honestly, rather unreliable) with books however, there is a sense raunchy tale of sexual exploration that starts with of accountability and the security that the knowledge is definitely out there, two women in a matatu and moves to one of their circulating. We chose to focus on the following books for the festival, so don’t bedrooms. Not the best read for work hours but stop reading to see why. perfect for your matatu ride home. “Even spaghetti is straight till it gets hot and wet” 50nd3k4 346 50nd3k4 346 50nd3k4 347 50nd3k4 347
PROSEXSIVE Prosexive is a collection, in slices, of the Liberate My intersections between sex and religion, private and public spaces, the virtual world, protection, Pussy rites of passage and mental health including Liberate My Pussy is a collection of erotic other variables that show up in our lives. Pro- poetry so amazingly detailed and vivid that sexive also explores the different power dynam- it’ll make you pine for your lover. Yes, it’s ics that affect our sexual interactions. NSFW. The work in this book shows what This lookbook shows that sex is not as it feels like to be a woman in the thralls of simplistic as penis-vaginal penetration and that passion, but also how it feels to be with a sexuality is not boxed by heteronormativity. woman in the thralls of passion. Queer Abstraction Queer Abstraction is a compilation of free verse STORIES OF stories that show the many different aspects of PRIDE being queer in Kenyan society. Kins of Spade takes us on a journey through the mind of a Stories of Pride is a collection of stories shared queer woman and perfectly portrays the good, the with Creatives Garage, anonymously, by queer bad, the sexy and the emotionally ugly aspects people living in Kenya. The first ten stories were of queer life and love. Queer abstraction is an read out by various voice actors and the videos incredible read in which Kins of Spade does not published on social media. The Stories of Pride hold back. book is the text version of these ten narratives and fifteen more . 50nd3k4 348 50nd3k4 349 50nd3k4 348 50nd3k4 349
The Long and Short of It Mama Onyis Everyone has a story to tell, one that is “Mama Onyis” is a tale about a woman who informed by the experiences they have had. always felt a special connection to her home, Lake We hear these all the time told by or about Victoria. When the lake’s ecosystem is threatened people who society has deemed to label by Bwana Mafisi, a private developer, her love for important. However, some stories are just as the lake gives her the power to save it. If you want important but aren’t often heard or told. These to see what form her power took (trust me you are everyday stories about everyday people do), check it out. with not so everyday consequences. The “Long and Short of It” is a collection of these stories recorded and transcribed by Creatives Garage. Maua and the Kwame the dancing Tribes of Giraffe Kenya Kwame is a giraffe who stands tall and is completely “Maua and the Dancing Tribes of Kenya,” is a sure of himself (as we all are as children). He sees beautiful story within a story about how and why himself as a lion though, brave and magnificent, and different tribes in Kenya Dance. In the story the though his friends laugh and his enemies look at him titular character’s mother threads a tale so intricate, it with scorn, he stays true to himself and, in the end, helps draws you in. It can seem like you can hear the the whole savannah through the simple fact that his music and see the dances described. in your mind. belief never wavered. Beyond having this beautiful mes- It’s a fun lesson on Kenya’s cultural heritage. sage on self-love, Kwame the Giraffe paints a beautiful picture of the savannah and other facets of Kenya that makes it the country and people we know and love. 50nd3k4 351 50nd3k450nd3k4 350350 50nd3k4 351
Ayanna the Makanga Too often, little girls have dreams that are crushed by society telling them what they can and cannot do and what is “proper” for a girl to be. “Ayanna the Makanga” is a heartwarming reminder to girls everywhere that their dreams are valid and that the voice they should listen to the most is their own. As a little girl, Ayanna loved the road and public transport but was always told that jobs in transport were for “tough boys”. Our heroine doesn’t pay these naysayers any heed. She grows up to do exactly what she loves and ends up changing the industry as a result. A journey Being tanu A sweet and simple poem to remind children through music that everyone is different and that’s ok as it’s these differences that make the world the amaz- It would have been easy to just get any DJs and ing place it is. That these differences, both in pre-record their sets. However, we were looking and have ourselves and in others, should be cherished, created something different. We worked particularly with as variety is the spice of life and being true to DJs who we knew already created experimental music. With yourself, is what matters. them, we found odd locations, as odd as we could make them, where recorded these sets. In a trampoline park, in an elevator and in a dhow. This is music in Kenya and from Kenya, as you’ve never heard and seen it before, so headphones on, volume up! 50nd3k4 353 50nd3k450nd3k4 352352 50nd3k4 353
Grow With Coco-Em’s sets are genre-hopping audio ad- Coco-Em ventures that can mix in popular old-skul hip hop, afro-tech and afro house tracks that you The Flow eco-conscious gatherings in line with the Emme Nzioka better known as Coco-Em is may have never heard before. Her sets are From a young age, Liam Brunner has had ethics and principles of permaculture. arguably one of the best DJs, of any gen- an adventure, something akin to an addictive an affinity for nature and the patterns found In this DJ set, he focuses on the der, in Eastern and Central Africa. After she treasure hunt; at the end of each one, you’ll in it. This constant and ever-growing love psychedelic end of the spectrum, consist- headlined a Boiler Room edition, one of the have discovered new gems and will for the natural world is translated into his ing of downtempo, minimal, psy-techno, definitely crave more! and dark progressive frequencies. He very few African women to have done so, her artwork, DJ sets and music productions. weaves a mathematical musical popularity skyrocketed. Coco-em has played Currently, he manages Growth and Flow algorithm with building progressions and at Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda, Kilifi East Africa which runs outdoor deep sound design from organic and New Year in Kenya, Rennes TransMusicales synthetic sources. It’s music that can only in France and Terra Negra in Tunisia. In a be described as transcendent, so close society that ranks DJanes based on aesthet- your eyes turn up the volume and move to ics, Coco-em shines through by sheer talent. a higher consciousness. 50nd3k4 354 50nd3k4 355 50nd3k4 354 50nd3k4 355
Knord Motacilla It’s hard to believe that house head and Eclectic, but energetic: no better words techno guru Knord started as a motown, For this set filmed at The Junction Mall describe Motacilla. Coming from Belgium reggae and RnB Dj at popular Nairobi filled with highs and epic drops (we shot he’ll bring some European bass, topped off night club “Psys”. However, after it in an elevator, what did you expect?). with African percussion and rhythms. Let discovering Chicago House and playing yourself be swayed by this irresistible mix of some of it into his sets the EDM bug bit global sounds. He’ll bring the best of both him. Now he curates a kaleidoscope of worlds, so let it bring out the best in you as house music traversing the genres of well. techno, dub tech, deep, soulful, afro and tribal house. 50nd3k4 356 50nd3k4 356 50nd3k450nd3k4357357
Akoth Jumadi Basthma Her performances and songs are an You might not have seen his face but Don’t just take our word for it though, we Singer, songwriter and elegant fusion of varied musical elements: if you’re into experimental music, then filmed this set at Village Market, Ozone multi-instrumentalist, Akoth Jumadi, Luo folk, afro soul, tribal fusion, jazz, t you’ve heard his work. It’s rare to find Trampoline park _link_ because what started out doing cover songs but in aarab, benga, reggae, and hip-hop. In this EDM that draws inspiration from better place to fim bounce music. In it, 2018 she started focusing more on recording she performs tracks from her Eastlands, a vibrant neighbourhood that Basthma takes us on a sonic journey with writing her own music. She taught debut EP “Ere Yo”, a collection of Akoth has influenced the Kenyan creative hops, jumps and skips working with music herself to play the bass guitar but Jumadi’s experiences growing up, community for decades. However Basth- that you’ve likely never heard of but will following a need to connect more with learning about herself and reflecting ma’s productions, flips and DJ sets do probably add to your playlist soon as well. her ancestry she started learning the through her environment “Where is the just that. As an artist, he not only found a Headphones on, volume up! Nyatiti, an 8 stringed Luo lute way?” niche but managed to establish himself so traditionally played by men. well in it you’d be hard-pressed to remember when the words Nu Bounce, Future Bounce, Future bass and Jersey Club weren’t a regular part of your lexi- con. 50nd3k4 358 50nd3k4 358 50nd3k450nd3k4 359359
knvl dj kace Neville, who performs under the DJ name KNVL is a Nairobi based producer When you see him walk on stage or just across genres. From Beanie Man to John De and DJ who’s creating music that doesn’t fit into any genre. It’s a new way to in promo pics you likely might decide “Ah Mathew, Kace is versatile like that, dunda. With his music. he takes listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions, you’d he’s white? Must be an EDM DJ” and get be grooving to a smooth jam while thinking about your ex and not notice that ready for a night of “doof doof untz untz” Over the years Kace has become a force to you’ve shifted to head boppin ‘on the dance floor. music. However that’s far from the truth, reckon with in the DJ scene and has made his while he can play EDM, Kace is at his mark on the industry as the go to guy for on prime playing hip hop, dancehall, stage energy and a constantly thrilled audience. reggae and more so Kenyan tunes He’s also the founder of The Circus, Boombox and it’s virtual offering Zoombox that took off during Kenya’s Covid-19 lockdown. If he’s on your screen or on stage at The Alche- mist, DeeJay Kace sets are the kind of epic that results in everything being abandoned for the dancefloor. 50nd3k4 360 50nd3k4 361 50nd3k4 360 50nd3k4 361
Uneasy listening Colonialism, Music and Fragments by DJ Raph panik Panik’s style as a house DJ can be Dj Raph preludes this mix with excerpts from Sven Kacirek/Wangari Grace – Colonialism: described as Soulful/Deep/Afro-house Colonialism – A Musical Oral History Performance A Musical Oral History Performance for His set for Sondeka Alt is similar to his Children but he firmly stays on the side of travelling YouTube series House Next Door for Children by Wangari Grace and Sven Kacirek. Citysynthesis (DJ Raph/Sophia Bauer) – more soul- and jazz-enriched forms For more Pulpit (unreleased) that showcases Kenya’s cultural heritage, Monrhea – Synth_esized of the genre. He actually started out landmarks and different landscapes through information, please visit svenkacirek.de AMET – Waiting with Kwaito music but veered to what “This project is not about making people feel Dj Raph – Chant of the Umuhara music. It creates an amazing compilation of Hibotep – Acid Dairiah he calls “the sweeter side of house”, music memories brought together in a culpable, but diagnosing a problem in order to KMRU – ib07 deep and soulful house. explore avenues for creative solutions. The target Dj Raph – Earthstep signature syncopated mixing style that Cobi van Tonder – Mutation2 embodies Kenya’s rhythm. audience will be Sven Kacirek/Wangari Grace – Colonialism: children between 8 and 12 years.” – Wangari A Musical Oral History Performance for Children Grace Break Mode – That Way The mix proper begins with the track “Pulpit” from Lion’s Drums – Snake Ibaaku - 21 the Dj Raph’s soon-to-be-released project with Lil’ Vicious – The Glock artist Dj Raph – Groove 1.2 Sophia Bauer, Citysynthesis, before progressing through sounds by fellow EA producers Monrhea, KMRU and Hibotep. 50nd3k4 362 50nd3k450nd3k4363363 50nd3k4 362
vidza schlachthofbronx Hard hitting, booty shaking, eardrum She’s often described as one of Nairobi’s thumping Tribal Sound. That’s what fastest rising House DJs, but we think DJ Vidza is notorious for. Music that that’s wrong. DJ Vidza ranks among the Schlachthofbronx is a DJ duo from Munich, Germany who speaks to your soul, drags you up by best DJs Kenya has the privilege to claim produce, play and jam to some of the most disruptive your ancestral roots and elevates you as their own. With performances at epic multi-genre club music. to a new level of dance. gigs such as Beneath the Baobabs Festi- Vidza grew up listening to classical val (Kilifi New Year),Gondwana and Africa This badass duo of club bangin’ beat bashers have built music and plays the piano and violin Nouveau we can say with absolute con- a name for themselves on the festival circuit and have but in the 90s she was drawn to house viction that soon, DJ Vidza’s will become worked in the studio with Snoop Dogg, M.I.A., Major music. What followed is an illustri- synonymous with Afro, Deep and Ances- Lazer, Buraka Som Sistema, Bonde Do Role, and others. ous career that has seen her share tral house music worldwide. the stage with legends like Da Capo, They play clubs, festivals, museums, tents, boats, floats, Blinky Bill, El Mukuka, Karyendasoul, busses, strip joints and bierzelte. Wherever they are, Suraj and Sun El Musician. (Bene) Count Stierenfroed and (Jakob) DJ King Eye Ring always bring the party...hard. 50nd3k4 364 50nd3k4 364 50nd3k450nd3k4365365
XPRSO Fusion KE XPRSO. is a Kenyan-based production team Describing Chucky as merely a DJ would Fusion KE is the brainchild of Chucky, consisting of producers; BBYY, Mars be pushing the bounds of the definition of photographer Thea Gourdon (who worked Maasai, MR.LU* and RVMP. They have the word. He’s more than just that, he grew on this pre-recorded set) and other creatives released several records under the label beyond the reluctance to work the decks living in and from Kenya. They’ve combined banner XPRSO. collaborating with MCees to become a powerhouse within Eastern their skills to create something that they Chevy Kev, Lukorito, Palmtrees & Tg.Blk. Africa’s electronic music scene. Chucky’s believe in: an immersive musical experience, Their lush and playful records are based music sits neatly in the pocket of Techno, and an economy for themselves and other on the main pillars of hip-hop, reggae and however, its diversity also sees it meld into Kenyan creatives. dancehall music, bass, dirty drums, dark the outskirts of Melodic Techno & African vocals and sampling. rhythms, with blending elements of deep tribal and minimal techno, transitioning For Sondeka Alt Mr LU* presents a through tempos with layers upon layers. 30 minute picnic basket of ambient Bryan Rajan has built a name for himself melodies, interwoven through hip hop beats, as a phenomenal DJ by constantly explor- R&B samples, vocals that cut through and ing how music interacts with the human mild electronica. Sit back, relax, and ride the experience. vibe. 50nd3k4 366 50nd3k4 366 50nd3k4 367 50nd3k4 367
Monrhea Monrhea is a self-taught producer The creative scene in Kenya has been shaped by a diverse range of and DJ who after only four years stunning on stage performer hopes creatives who have and continue to contribute to it. Some were pioneers in is already breaking into the to spread the world of music coding their fields but all have created an impact that has influenced generations of international underground DJ by creating a platform called BYTE, artists who joined or will join the creative industry. scene. She’s developed a unique in partnership with DC’s S0ftie. production style, introducing Back in the day, it was much more difficult for people to pursue a career in African poly-rhythms, elements of Her pre-recorded DJ sets streamed a field that they were interested in, particularly in the arts (or anything that future bass, and experimentations on YouTube are stunning wasn’t medicine, engineering or law). Thanks to the people on this list and using Sonic Pi, a live music explorations of resilience during the others a lot has changed. Trailblazers such as these laid the foundations that coding environment. This 2020 covid 19 lockdown. allowed for the creative industry to become what it is today. 50nd3k4 368 50nd3k4 369 50nd3k4 368 50nd3k4 369
Ajuma “I a“I am m Nasenyana Ajuma Nasanyana is a fashion model born in neneither tither too oo Turkana District. After being crowned Miss Nairobi in the Miss Tourism Kenya in 2003, she caught the attention of Lyndsey McIntyre of ffooloolish nor ish nor Surazuri Modeling Agency. Her star quality blinded the Gamma Photo Agency, who came to Kenya to do a story on McIntyre’s scouting ttoo coo clleever.”ver.” work and were so taken with Nasenyana that she became the main feature of the story; which later ran in France’s Gala magazine. Nasenyana participated in the New York Fashion Week alongside Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek for Wahome designers such as Baby Phat and Carlos Mienes before travelling to Milan to model for fashion houses such as Ungaro during the Italian Fashion Week. Paris was the final destination during the winter show Mutahi season and British designer Vivienne Westwood made her the lead model in her show. They were both released after fifteen months Wahome Mutahi, popularly known as “Whispers” without ever being brought to trial. His Besides modelling, Nasanyana has decried the apparent trend in her native Kenya toward rejection of after the name on his Daily Nation column, was imprisonment inspired him to write Three Days on the indigenous Black African physical standards of beauty in favour of those of other communities. In an one of Kenya’s most beloved humorists. His the Cross and Jail bugs. He is also the author of interview with the Kenyan broadsheet the Daily Nation, she stated that “it seems that the world is incredible column offered a satirical view of the the immensely popular How to be a Kenyan, based conspiring in preaching that there is something wrong with Kenyan ladies’ kinky hair and dark skin. Their trials and tribulations of Kenyan life and was on his newspaper column. leaflets are all about skin lightening, and they seem to be doing good business in Kenya. It just shocks known and read by almost every Kenyan with me. It’s not OK for a Caucasian to tell us to lighten our skin. I have never attempted to change my skin. access to a newspaper. He was equally well In early 2003 Mutahi underwent what was I am natural. People in Europe and America love my dark skin. But here in Kenya, in my home country, known in theatre where he wrote and acted in supposed to be a routine, minor and painless some consider it not attractive.” As a remedy, Nasanyana has contemplated launching a cosmetic and English- and Kikuyu-language plays that operation at the Thika District Hospital to remove natural skincare line for women like herself. She hopes that her products will inspire her contemporaries caricatured Kenya’s society and politics using his a lipoma from his back. He had been assured by a to love their appearance instead of attempting to alter it through artificial means and we hope she s company Igiza Productions. In 1986 Mutahi was surgeon friend, who had offered to do the ucceeds in her mission. arrested with his brother Njuguna Mutahi and operation, that the procedure would take less than detained in the infamous Nyayo House torture 15 minutes. Instead, he went into a coma from “I exist, and therefore I matter. My chambers in Nairobi and was charged with which he never awoke, passing away 137 days sedition and alleged association with the later. An unfitting end to a true legend, he will be thoughts matter. My feelings matter. My underground “Mwakenya Movement” and later missed. voice matters.” transferred to Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. 50nd3k4 370 50nd3k4 370 50nd3k450nd3k4371371
Muthoni Likimani Muthoni Gachanja Likimani (born 1926) is a Kenyan activist and writer, who has published works of both fiction and non-fiction, as well as children’s books. In one of those stories we love to hear that proves women can do and have it all, she was also the first Kenyan beauty queen, the first African to establish a public relations firm in Kenya and one of the country’s earliest female authors. Born and raised in Murang’a District, the daughter of Mariuma Wanjiura and Rev. Levi GochanJa, she taught at Kahuhia Teachers’ Training College, before undertaking further studies in Britain and Israel, becoming involved in broadcasting and public relations. She went on to become one of the first women producers at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, working on women’s and children’s programs and was a freelance broadcaster for the BBC. She founded Noni’s Publicity, a public relations company that also published the periodical Women of Catherine Kenya. Kasavuli Her first novel They Shall Be Chastised (1974) was followed by What Does a Man Want? in the same year. In Catherine Kasavuli was the first female news anchor job. Catherine was part of the founding team that saw 1985 her third and most important book appeared, Passbook Number F. 47927: Women and Mau Mau in in the country and has previously worked in other the first privately owned station go on air in March 1990 Kenya, its title a reference to her identity number during the Mau Mau struggle, is a fictional work that leading television stations including Kenya and was the first anchor to host a live broadcast at the dramatizes the roles women played and the strategies they adopted in their daily lives during the fight for Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and Kenya station. freedom. Not one to give up the good fight, in 2007, she received the World YWCA Council Award in Television Network (KTN). Her journey in the media recognition of dedicated leadership for her involvement as a Women’s Rights Activist and In 2014 she was began in 1980 as a radio continuity announcer when After being at KTN for 17 years, Kasavuli left the appointed Peace Ambassador in Kenya of The International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace an uncle who listened to her reading the Bible and station in 2007 to join Citizen TV, owned by Royal Media (IFLAC) praying for dinner told her to go for it. She decided Services. She was part of the mass exodus that saw to try out for “Voice of Kenya”, a then-popular radio several high-profile news anchors such as Swaleh Mdoe “Control your destiny or show at 18 years old. After she got the vacancy, she and Louie Otieno leave the Standard Group owned TV was thrown into the deep end with no professional Station for Citizen TV. She would later hold the position training, though she later went to Kenya Institute of corporate affairs manager at Royal Media Services, somebody else will.” of Mass Communication, about two years into her the parent company of Citizen TV. Muthoni Likimani 50nd3k4 372 50nd3k4 373 50nd3k4 372 50nd3k4 373
Fadhili Jimmy Williams Gathu Fadhili William Mdawida (November 11, 1938 – Jimmy Gathu is one of those personalities that Dr. Wangui February 11, 2001), often referred to simply as doesn’t need much in the way of introductions. He Fadhili William, was a Kenyan recording artist and has graced our television screens, radio waves, Wa Goro composer. He was born to Halima Wughanga and billboards, functions and campaigns for more than Ramadhan Mwamburi in Taita-Taveta District near 25 years. He is also one of the earliest known Wangui Wa Goro is a widely acclaimed translator, (1990), from Gikuyu into English, as well as Mombasa. His father, who died when Fadhili was rappers on the Kenyan scene. writer, poet, academic, cultural curator, editor with a Véronique Tadjo’s poetry book A vol d’oiseau (As the only seven, was a traditional musician. Additionally, great passion for languages, literature and Crow Flies, Heinemann African Writers Series, 2001) his siblings – Ali Harrison Mwataku, Esther John His most notable work is his influence as a intersectional freedom, so obviously she made our from French. Her writing encompasses poetry, essays, and Mumba Charo- were also musicians, so his champion of fidelity and safe sex with his iconic info- list. She was born in Kenya but left to study in short stories, fiction and nonfiction. Her short story upbringing allowed his passion and talent to flourish. mercial “Mpango wa Kando” which became a Europe for her undergraduate studies in Modern “Heaven and Earth” (Macmillan) has been taught on movement in its own right and is still a Languages and Economics at the University of the Kenyan curriculum. She has also been an active He is best known for being the first person, and commonly used term in Kenya. He has also acted Leicester. Owing to her activism and involvement in campaigner for human rights in Africa and Europe and arguably the best, to record Adam Salim’s song in the well-known films Rafiki (2018), State House human rights activism for democracy in Kenya, co-edited with Kelly Coate and Suki Ali the book “Malaika” which he recorded with his band The (2014) and Nairobi Half-Life (2012). Not one to ever Global Feminist Politics: Identities in a Changing Jambo Boys around 1963. The song itself was be left behind, he has recently reinvented himself Wa Goro lived in exile in England for many years. World (Routledge, 2001). Honestly, all her work would written in 1945 and talks about a beautiful lover and is working on building a TV station. We know She has translated the works of award-winning au- take up the entirety of this list so we end with that whose parents disapproved of their relationship and the term “household name” gets thrown around a lot thors, including Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s satire even now, at 60 years old, she continues to be a who was married off to a wealthier man (story of our but Jimmy Gathu is one. Matigari and his children’s works Njamba Nene and badass, keynote speaker worldwide. lives). the Flying Bus (1986) and Njamba Nene’s Pistol 50nd3k4 374 50nd3k4 374 50nd3k4 375 50nd3k4 375
Ngugi Wa Thiong’o Ngugi wa Thiong’o, original name James Thi- ong’o Ngugi, was born on January 5, 1938, in Limuru. Considered East Africa’s leading novelist, his popular Weep Not, Child (1964) was the first major novel in English by an East African. His third novel, The River Between (1965) tells of lovers kept apart by the conflict between Lupita Christianity and traditional ways and beliefs. It suggests that efforts to reunite a culturally Nyong’o Winyo divided community using Western education are doomed to failure. A concept that has to Lupita Amondi Nyong’o was born March 1(go Born Shiphton Onyango in Nairobi, he later adopted “The condition truly come to be realized in Kenya (and Africa Pisces!),1983 in Mexico City, to Kenyan parents, his stage name “Winyo”, which is a Luo word for “a as a whole) in recent times. One that some may Dorothy Ogada Buyu and Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o. bird”. The reason for this becomes apparent once of choose to ignore, but is glaringly obvious. She was also the lead in MTV’s award-winning dra- you hear him sing. His voice has a highly ma series, Shuga. Lupita became famous worldwide melodic quality that has been likened to a singing Ngugi wa Thiong’o believes in the imagination. for her performance as brutalized slave Patsey in bird. Combined with his admirable guitar skills, women in a Perhaps that seems obvious for the decorated acclaimed director Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Winyo’s music has an uplifting, yet calming quality to Kenyan novelist, scholar and playwright, who’s Slave (2013). Growing up, she wanted to go into it that is unmatched (for real, check it). nation is the been publishing for over 50 years. But imagi- botany, which seems interesting, but we’re glad she nation, and all art, for him, is not just a form of decided to be the on-screen warrior queen we know Winyo’s music is heavily influenced by the old-style creativity, it’s a form of resistance. For obvious and love. Right now, she is spearheading a project benga which he has revived, with a contemporary real measure reasons, this is a motto that resonates with us, where, through a children’s book (and sort of modern-day feel and the unmistakable guitar play- and possibly the reason that till today, Ngugi Wa biography) teaching little melanated girls ing style of legends like Ochieng’ Nelly and George of its Thiong’o influences so much of our local works. everywhere to love the skin that they’re in, much like RamogiIn. His style of music and the ethereal way she has reminded a lot of women everywhere. She he performs it led him to international recognition progress.” is an Oscar Award-winning badass and an and his numerous accolades. inspiration to black women everywhere. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Wizard of the Crow 50nd3k4 376 50nd3k4 377 50nd3k4 376 50nd3k4 377
Charles Lenny Maina Juma Faridah This 6’10 giant of a man actor was born in Kenya in Lenny Juma, born 63 years ago, has had a colourful 1976 and raised in Buruburu. Although he originally life in the entertainment industry, both in Africa and Karoney wanted to study computers and business at the abroad. He has been a professional actor since 1971. University of Nairobi, Maina decided to pursue His first theatre project was with the “Inter African Farida Karoney, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for The media queen was called back to her roots by basketball instead and we can’t say how glad we are Theatre group”, where he was able to ply his trade as Lands, stands out among the women who have Standard Media Group for the position of the Head that he did (we have enough computers and far as Japan and Europe. impacted news media in Kenya over the past 20 of Editorial at KTN for a year. During that period, she business majors) years. Her journey started in June 1994 as a also served as the Assistant Director for broadcasting Having featured in movies like The Tomb Raider II freelance correspondent at Kenya Television Net- at Standard Group Limited, until December 2008. His breakout role was at the age of 18 on the (Turkana elder), Indiana Jones Chronicles (witch work (KTN). She later became one of their reporters After her stint at Standard Group, she moved to Hollywood film “The Air Up There” in 1994, where he doctor), National Geographic’s Banged Up Abroad and had risen to the position of Features Editor by Royal Media Services and became the Group co-starred with Kevin Bacon and Yolanda Vazquez. (Colonel Bao) and the BBC’s search for the Nile Lenny the time she left in December 2000. She was later Editorial Director and was eventually promoted to He was almost unanimously praised for his portrayal Juma also known as the ‘guru’, continues to the Associate Editor at Nation Media Group, Chief Operating Officer. As COO at RMS Farida used of Saleh, a tribal prince, naturally. After the film, he demonstrate proficiency on and off-screen with his Managing Editor at Standard Group and a freelance her influence and experience to help fledgling decided to stay in the U.S to pursue college, where good-humoured nature. producer for Radio France Internationale and journalists just cutting their teeth in the industry. he received a basketball scholarship at Lynn Aljazeera. Lillian Muli laudsFarida for believing in her when no University, Florida, where he STILL holds the record one else would. for most blocks in a single game. 50nd3k4 378 50nd3k4 379 50nd3k4 378 50nd3k4 379
“A home without daughters is like a spring without a source” Dr. Margaret Ogola Benjamin Grace Ochieng Ogot Benjamin Ochieng’ was born in village Ofafa Grace Ogot, author, matriarch, politician. Her Dr. Margaret Destiny,’ an almost premonition treatise about a woman Jericho in Nairobi, Kenya as the second child of story starts in her youth, where she would listen dying of cancer. There was also ‘A Gift of Grace,’ the the family with seven boys. He graduated with a to traditional folktales told by her paternal Ogola biography of Maurice Cardinal Otunga co-authored Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer grandmother, who was a renowned storyteller in with Margaret Roche; ‘Educating in Human Love,’ a Science After graduation, he relocated to the area. Born in Kenya’s Central Nyanza district Born in 1958, Dr Margaret Ogola was a truly parenting guide on children and sex co-written with her Hollywood, California where he further studied in 1930, Grace Ogot was a founding member of amazing and awe-inspiring woman. She was not only hubby, Dr George Ogola with whom she had four chil- music and acting. Benjamin got his big break the Writers’ Association of Kenya. In 1984 she is Kenyan and human rights advocate, but also a dren and two foster ones; and ‘Mandate of the People,’ after telling the Associate Director on X-Files that became one of only a handful of women to serve paediatrician and the medical director of Cottolengo published posthumously. he spoke Swahili and was hired three minutes as a member of Parliament and the only Hospice for HIV/Aids orphans. In her spare time, she later for his first speaking role. Until this point, he woman assistant minister in the cabinet of wrote prize-winning novels such as ‘The River and the The alumnus of Thompson Falls (where she was the was mostly an extra. Since then, he was known President Daniel Arap Moi. All in all, a testament Source,’ a novel that follows the inter-related lives of best overall student), Alliance Girls High School and as the go-to actor for Swahili lines. to the strength and ingenuity of an intelligent four generations of women in pre and post-colonial the University of Nairobi, where she earned her Kenyan woman. Kenya. A book that made her into a household name bachelor’s degree in Medicine in 1984 and her In true Kenyan entrepreneurial-ism, he used this “When you are frightened, and that became a KCSE set book for many years. master’s in paediatrics in 1990, was a member of the niche as an international Swahili speaking actor Besides serving as the vice president of Family Life Opus Dei, a Catholic order, and also an adviser to to properly launch his impressive filmography don’t sit still, keep on Counselling (Kenya) and as the national executive the Kenya Catholic Bishops on family and health. The and is fast making a name for himself as a doing something. The act secretary of the Commission for Health and Family recipient of the 1999 Familias Award for Humanitarian producer and sound editor. of doing will give you back Life of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, Dr Ogola Service from the World Congress of Families died of your courage.” managed to write two novels, ‘I Swear by Apollo,’ a cancer on September 21, 2011, at the age of 53. 50nd3k4 380 sequel to ‘The River and the Source,’ and ‘Place of 50nd3k4 381 50nd3k4 380 50nd3k4 381
Micere Githae Mugo Playwright, poet, writer, educator and activist, Micere does it all. She has always stood for what she thought was right and she never hesitated to question the authority and demand for the people’s rights. Her inquisitiveness brushed the regime of President Daniel Moi the wrong way and she was exiled in 1982 for it. After being stripped of her Kenyan nationality, she took refuge in Zimbabwe and became a citizen there, though she was welcomed by several other African states such as Mozambique and Tanzania. Born in 1942, in Baricho, Kirinyaga District, to two teachers who were politically active in Kenya’s fight for Binyavanga independence, she was encouraged to always speak her mind. She joined Limuru Girls’ High School becoming the first black student in what had previously been a segregated academy. She was informed that permission Wainaina for other African students to join would be based on her performance. After Limuru and Alliance, Micere found her way into Makerere University in Uganda where she studied drama and even won an award for best actress “Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the at the Uganda Drama Festival. She went on to teach at the Department of Literature at the University of cover of your book, or in it, unless that African has won Nairobi as a senior lecturer and Dean until 1982. She would later teach at the University of Zimbabwe. Today the Nobel prize.” she is a Professor of African American studies at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York Binyavanga Wainaina was a larger than life contemporary African literature, offering training character who stands out, not in just his opportunities and establishing global networks. “Writing can be a lifeline, expecially when your idiosyncratic dress habits, but as a foremost witty Through his short stories, essays, and the existence has been denied, especially when you have contrarian, a sharp intellect and a beautiful writer. Not award-winning memoir “I Am A Homosexual, Mum” been left on the margins, especially when your life and one to be outshone, he was also one of the biggest Wainaina disassembled societal dynamics, parsed game-changers when it came to championing gay Kenyan social and creative life and called all to political process of growth have been subjected to attempts at rights and the founding editor of “Kwani?” a regional action. His death brought an end to one of the most strangulation.” literary hub, committed to the growth of the region’s storied careers in contemporary Kenyan and African creative industry through publishing and distributing literature. 50nd3k4 382 50nd3k4 383 50nd3k4 382 50nd3k4 383
Ricky Godfrey Oyaro Mwapemba Ricky Oyaro is truly one of the first pioneers of of Godfrey Mwampembwa, pen name Gado, is the most Caroline “You don’t need an hip hop in Kenya. The strategy for most aspiring syndicated political cartoonist in East and Central African rappers of the late 1980s and early 1990s Africa, and for over two decades a contributor to the Mutoko inspirational quote my was the capture the swag of the New York City Daily Nation (Kenya), New African (U.K.), Courier frien’. You need rappers of the Golden Era. Bridging the official lan- International (France), Sunday Tribune (South Africa), Caroline Mutoko, a Kenyan media big-wig, guage of Kenya, Swahili and English were consid- Le Monde, Washington Times, Des Standard, and Ja- feminist, women rights defender, and the list goes coffee.Good Kenyan ered to be a unique skill. Especially applied harmo- pan Times. He is Kenya’s most famous political on. Caroline has many titles, all deserved. Known niously. Ricky Oyaro was one of the first Kenyan cartoonist and his neighbour, who lives just down the for her long career and outspoken personality, Coffee” artist to truly master that skill. road in State House, is President Uhuru Kenyatta many recall her radio hosting days where she (we’re here for it). Godfrey is a legend to cartoonists, boldly tackled controversial topics on her morning command the morning airwaves with a mix of love, charity In 1990, he, then a teenage singer/producer, made comedians and anyone without a voice who sees the radio show, the most famous being at Kiss 100 and brutal honesty for the issues that affect Kenyans most. the initial impact on the Kenyan music scene with injustices of the government (and to anyone with a FM. Indeed, Caroline is a quintessential radio the Hip-Hop /R&B single “Renaissance” that would sense of humour) through his refusal to be censored presenter, praised for her ability to present hard Today, Caroline still partakes in her favourite trade – talking literally create a renaissance on the then ailing Ken- and his ability to find humour in every situation. Let’s facts, boldly and with the courage that listeners boldly to those who dare listen using numerous platforms. yan music industry. The single was a radio banger admit it, with the stuff that goes on in our beloved are looking for. May have referred to her as the She is part of the media industry, in the background crew and managed to influence and spawn a slew of country, sometimes you have to laugh or go crazy. “radio queen.” She is a philanthropist who dictating the flow. aspiring Kenyan emcees, some who incorporate the Relatively recently, Gado, whose drawings generally believes in sustainability and focuses her efforts native language of Sheng, giving birth to Kenya’s put the president in less than flattering light, lost his job in the areas of education for girls and empowering multi-million dollar music industry of today. And here after 23 years at The Nation newspaper in what many women. Caroline is the first female broadcaster to we give him his well deserved props as one of the saw as a clear case of political meddling. 50nd3k4 384 grandfathers of Kenya hip hop. 50nd3k4 385 50nd3k4 384 50nd3k4 385
Muthoni Gathecha “It is never too late to make a fresh start. Hit the reset button... You have the power” Muthoni Gathecha, Actress, HR samurai, MSc, Her commandeering voice and captivating manner of Psychology, Management Consultant, motivational speaking make her one of the best motivational speak- speaker (we have to stop here cause listing all her ers I have ever had the fortune of listening to and her accolades would take the entirety of this article). “do no harm but take no shit” mentality makes her talks She has starred in multiple local TV series and well worth a listen. Muthoni is one of those people who, feature films (Sense 8, Country Queen, Mama through how she shares her story, lights a fire under Digital and This is Life, to name a few). She made you to be better, bolder, and to control your her debut into the acting scene in her golden years, narrative. Not one to take anything lying down, her proving yet again that women only get better with openness while sharing her story inspires you to be maturity. better and reminds you that yes, we have to play the cards we’re dealt with but, we also have the power to choose a different game. 50nd3k4 386 50nd3k4 386
