Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize: A striptease

The Winner/Chief Guest: Jerusha Kananu Marete, 'Echoes of Military Souls'

Your truly, Sant Mark, 'A Funeral Dress for Nyasuguta', with the esteemed writer and musician, Tee Ngugi

24^th/August/2023

Venue? Alliance Française, Nairobi. The event? Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize. The organisers? Mystery Publishers. The forward thinking companies that have come on board as the sponsors? CLAVIS Fashion Hub, U.M. Gallery, kamaNu, GL, Sayari Insurance Agencies, Alliance Française (and the French Embassy), and Nuria Bookstore. Subsequent stories will reveal why these are forward thinking companies.

Well, you can always tell how big an event is by looking at the list of speakers and the notable attendees therein. The speakers: Prof. Mugubi, Prof. Wangari Mwai, Prof. Ngugi, Prof. Austin Bukenya, Alice Kairichi, Hon. Dr. John Kanyuithia Mutunga, Prof. PLO Lumumba, Prof. Mohammed Bakari, Justice (Retired) Aaron Ringera, Dr. Muthomi Thiankolu, Dr. Gameli Tordzro, Vincent de Paul, Ezekiel Machogu… eminent persons through and through. Notable attendees: Tee Ngugi, Smitta Smitten, John Sibi-Okumu, Empress Ciku…

Of course, an excellent event is also judged by the quality of scheduled entertainment: Kamanu Band, Humble Buoy Dancers, Sant Mark (yours truly), Swinton Nkatha, Qibuchi, Obert Dube, Dr. Gameli Tordzro, Jerusha Marete, Kimani Gichau…

The nominees to the prize: Dancan Ouma (City of Cannibals), Vincent de Paul (First Love), Jerusha Kananu Marete (Echoes of Military Souls - is a power-packed package of art that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a roller coaster stream of emotion. The poems forcefully remind us that soldiers lay down their lives for fellow humans. But do we really value this singular sacrifice?… )

And to the finale (fireworks), the winner of the 2022 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize… (more stories around the event next week)

(Meanwhile, get my short stories collection at: https://nuriakenya.com/product/a-funeral-dress-for-nyasuguta-by-mark-mwangi/)

Comments

#20BobSanaa

With a heavy heart, having cried my heart out, I let go. Of these dear books with many a memory. This to support my book launches. Gladden, though, for they are on offer for as low as Kshs 20 – 20bob (exclusive of delivery costs): 1. Betrayal in The City 320 2. Paper Doll 320 3. Royal Scandals 320 4. Poems from East Africa 320 5. Mimba Ingali Mimba 220 6. Half a Day and Other Stories 120 7. Kitumbua Kimeingia Mchanga 320 8. Walenisi 420 9. Horn of My Love 220 10. Mayai Waziri wa Maradhi 120 11. Brisinger 520 12. Cabal 320 13. The Patriot Game 320 14. The Resurre...

Gossip this morning

I heard this morning, that… The price of unga, is about to go up I heard this morning, that the price of unga, is coming down I heard this morning, that the government, it has banned, unga Perhaps, the speaker meant, burnt Either way, our bellies, they burn Some, of hunger Others, belly full. I heard mid-morning, that, oil, is scarce Or, for cars, the speaker, he mumbled about. I heard mid-morning, that, he has passed us Or, the pastor, is us The messiah, he plays games. I heard in the afternoon, the government, is broke The weather, out of order The war, just In my afternoon, there was no peace. In the evening, I held counsel My ears, blocked with wax My eyes, blinded in tears My tongues, stilled in fury These things, they are not for me Screams of - baby Isak Shrieks of - Fatuma Howls of – Abdi Bombs, play toys Up above, silver streaks The rain, violent For a Utopia, the soldier man.

My-Once Molly (thinking of Valentine),

My-Once Molly… the girl who broke my heart, the one who got away, the one who promised me the world and left me to survive alone – typical of our Kenyan politicians… I hope you are good. Now, as February – the month of love – lurks about, I find myself thinking of you. Thing is, my dear Molly, I have new neighbours. A young couple, very much in love like we once were. The young lady, her name is Val… maybe Valentine… I don’t know. This Val, a spirited girl with rich, deep, heaving laughter - almost like yours. Her smile… ah! You should see it. The shine of the morning sun distilling the dew upon cool meadows… I am totally in love with her. Alarmingly, she teases me much and I am getting ideas… Molly, dear, wherever you are, please pray for me… the temptation is too much. If you don’t, the frail creature that I am may fall. This, despite having numerous songs in my playlist to warn me. Invariably, Majengo – that infamous locale – does a dishonourable appearance in most of them… ‘Maj...

Upya Fresh

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