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EAEP Chairman, Dr. Henry Miyinzi Chakava, undeniably a man for all seasons, has another jewel bedecking his crown. Barely two years after winning a honorary Doctorate from Oxford Brookes University for his indefatigable efforts in African publishing, the veteran publisher bagged the 2006 Prince Claus Award. The prestigious award, founded by the Prince Claus foundation, went to Dr. Chakava for his bold decisions to tread where few would have dared in his publishing career. As if that was not enough, Dr. Chakava's efforts also attracted a Presidential Award when he was declared A Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) at around the same time the pleasant news of the Prince Claus Award came.

Dr. Chakava was awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) in recognition of his outstanding and distinguished services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities. The award of Orders, Decorations and Medals was released on Jamhuri Day, 12 th December 2006 by the President, H.E. Mwai Kibaki.

On Wednesday, 13 th December 2006, The Prince Claus foundation awarded Dr. Chakava the Prince Claus Award honoring him for his lifetime's work in developing African publishing, for nurturing and promoting writers in a difficult context, for defying dictatorship in his own country and for his major contribution to intellectual and cultural development in East Africa .

On 17 th January 2007, the Dutch Embassy in Kenya and the Prince Claus fund organized a ceremony to honour Dr. Chakava at the Dutch Ambassador's residence.

Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong'o, who was the guest of honour at the event, described Dr. Chakava as a man who defied all odds to publish his works. He described how he submitted his manuscript for Detained : A Writer's Prison Diary, written on toilet paper since it was the only material the eminent author could get in prison. He went on to say that Dr. Chakava has not only remained his trusted publisher but also his treasured friend.

The Dutch Ambassador, Madam Laetitia van den Assum, described Dr. Chakava as an innovative, courageous and enterprising publisher who has published works by renowned authors and new voices in African Literature. She said that her country is keen on rewarding people who have made a difference in their societies and that Dr. Chakava had surpassed their benchmark.

The leadership of Dr. Chakava gained International recognition when Oxford Brookes University honoured him with a doctorate in 2004 for his indefatigable contribution to publishing not only in the African continent, but also on the international scene.

We at EAEP congratulate the Chairman for his outstanding work and wish him all the best.

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