Kenyan politicians who have ever written books
Martha Karua is the latest to write a book titled, Against The Tide.
23d agoHillary BettInfographics
Kenyans have been urged to be consistent with reading books and lifelong learning so as to broaden their mindset and enable them to be more knowledgeable.
Experts raised concerns that the reading culture in the country is slowly dying and that there’s a dire need to revive it to benefit Kenyans with more knowledge and insightful opinions to help shape their lives, businesses, and imagination and fuel their creativity.
Samchi Group of Companies CEO Dr Esther Wanjiru Muchemi said that the time is ripe for Kenyans to shift from the culture of reading to pass exams and aim to read to shape their perspective of life.
Speaking during her ‘Springs of Water’ book launch in Nairobi on Friday, Muchemi reiterated that reading is imperative, especially for the youth and startups in the country as they provide insightful information on entrepreneurship including hardships and ways to handle them.
“Whether it's non-fiction books that provide insights into science, history, philosophy, or fiction books that explore human emotions and experiences, each book offers an opportunity to learn something new. Reading books broadens our perspectives, deepens our understanding of the world, and fosters a lifelong love for learning,” Muchemi said.
The CEO reiterated that books should be preserved as they are relevant sources of information even during the current fast-paced digital era, where information is readily available.
“Despite the proliferation of digital content, books remain a timeless treasure that holds immense importance in preserving and nurturing our reading culture. Books still matter and it is crucial to uphold the reading culture in the modern era,” she said.
Dr Muchemi at the same time hailed youths in the country for voicing out their concerns regarding the administration of the country during the Gen-Z protests saying that it was a wake-up call to leaders to prioritize the interests of the common mwananchi.
“I’m usually riled by people especially those in the political class who always reprimand the youth for their behaviours. If you don’t act as a role model by shaping their career paths and guiding them, then you don’t have to question them. The youth are the future of our country and must be supported,” Muchemi said.
Muchemi noted that her business empire which includes Micro Finance, Hotel (hotel After 40) and Telecommunication outlets across the country has been supporting and nurturing startups and guiding them to growth and prosperity.
Muchemi, known as a Mpesa Agent pioneer, quit her job as an auditor which she had done for 16 years to start and build Samchi Group- a company that is one of Kenya’s biggest telecommunication dealerships and whose interests extend into real estate, microfinance and hospitality.
She called on Kenyan youths to develop the right attitude, be entrepreneurial and be well-versed with the rapidly changing technological trends.
“Soft skills go beyond technical skills and we must endeavor to be techno-preneurial individuals because there’s a wide application of technology in almost all areas. Therefore don’t miss out on the relevant technology,” she said.
Mercy Wanjau, the Secretary to the Cabinet of Kenya, who graced the event reiterated the government’s dedication to supporting talents and creatives noting that all budding authors are provided with a platform to further develop their talent as well as disseminate their products.
She however urged Kenyans to embrace and support the country’s literature by reading books written by Kenyan authors.
