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The Authors

At East African Educational Publishers (EAEP), we are dedicated to making a positive impact on society through our corporate social responsibility initiatives. Our mission goes beyond publishing; we are committed to enriching the socio-cultural fabric of our community.

The late Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, born in 1938 in Kenya, is a renowned writer, academic, and activist, recognized as one of East Africa's most influential literary figures. His works, including Weep Not, Child (1964), A Grain of Wheat (1967), and Petals of Blood (1977), focus on colonialism, oppression, and postcolonial struggles in Africa.

A strong advocate for writing in indigenous languages, Ngũgĩ abandoned English in favor of his native Gikuyu, arguing for linguistic decolonization in his essay Decolonising the Mind (1986). His activism led to his imprisonment in 1977, during which he famously wrote Devil on the Cross on toilet paper.

Ngũgĩ has taught at leading universities worldwide and continues to inspire writers and intellectuals with his commitment to cultural liberation. His works are widely studied globally, and he has received numerous accolades for his contributions to literature.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is a Kenyan writer considered one of the best literary minds in East Africa. He is known for his literary novels, which have been used to teach literature in several schools and universities worldwide.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o Kenyan writer

A Moving Horizon is the remarkable life journey of Amb. Dr. Muthaura, tracing his path from a humble childhood on the slopes of Mt. Kenya to a distinguished career in public service.

The book chronicles his rise through diplomatic assignments across Europe and the United Nations, culminating in his pivotal role in revitalizing the East African Community. It further details his leadership as Head of the Kenya Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, and explores the emotional chapter of his indictment at the International Criminal Court.

Amb. Dr. Muthaura's story is one of unwavering focus, loyalty, resilience, and patriotism, offering inspiration to both aspiring and seasoned civil servants.

Dr. Muthaura Kenyan writer

John Kiriamiti, a former criminal-turned-novelist, gained fame for his autobiography My Life in Crime, written while serving time at Naivasha Maximum Security Prison for a series of bank robberies that shook Kenya in the 1960s and 1970s.

His books, including My Life with a Criminal: Milly's Story, became a sensation among Kenyan youth in the late 1980s and 1990s. Kiriamiti's gripping narratives offer a raw, firsthand account of his life of crime, rehabilitation, and the challenges of reformation, resonating deeply with readers across generations.

Kiriamiti's writing provides a stark and compelling account of his life of crime, capturing the gritty reality of his experiences and his subsequent path to redemption. His second major work, My Life with a Criminal: Milly's Story, explores the impact of his criminal life on his relationships and offers a poignant narrative from the perspective of his partner..

Kiriamiti’s journey from crime to authorship is not only a tale of personal transformation but also a powerful commentary on the potential for rehabilitation and change.

John Kiriamiti Kenyan writer

Yolanda Chakava, an avid enthusiast of superhero and action films, found herself questioning why the protagonists in these stories seldom resembled her or reflected her lived experiences. Motivated by this disparity, Yolanda set out to create a narrative that bridges this gap. Her book is a celebration of modern heroism, drawing from her own experiences growing up in Kenya and addressing the everyday challenges that she and others face.

In her writing, Chakava paints a vivid picture of Kenya’s landscapes and cultures while focusing on the spirit and bravery of Black girls. Her stories reimagine heroism through the lens of African experiences, offering a rich tapestry of characters who confront and overcome the 'villains' of everyday life. By doing so, Yolanda not only highlights the beauty and resilience of her homeland but also provides a powerful and empowering representation of Black girls, showcasing their strength, courage, and potential.

Through her work, Yolanda Chakava aims to inspire readers and create a sense of belonging for those who see themselves in her stories. Her book stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in shaping the narrative of heroism.

Yolanda Chakava Kenyan writer

Lieutenant General (Rtd) Daniel Ishmael Opande, born in 1943, is one of Kenya’s most distinguished soldiers and peacemakers. Commissioned into the Kenya Army in 1964 after training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Britain, he rose to become the first commanding officer of 9 Kenya Rifles, Director of Operations and later Vice-Chief of General Staff.

His name is closely tied to peacekeeping across Africa. He served as Deputy Force Commander of the UN mission in Namibia, represented Kenya in the Mozambique peace process and was Chief Military Observer in Liberia. He later commanded the UN peacekeeping forces in Sierra Leone and Liberia, leading the disarmament of former fighters and helping both nations return to peace.

In his autobiography, In Pursuit of Peace in Africa, General Opande traces his journey from childhood and education through a long military career. He also reflects on his work in retirement as a mediator in Kenya’s election crises and in the aftermath of South Sudan’s 2015 upheavals.

The book is a rich, inspiring resource for aspiring leaders, scholars, security professionals and anyone interested in dialogue, negotiation and the price of peace.

General Daniel Opande Kenyan soldier & peacemaker

The late Dr Henry Chakava (1946–2024) is widely regarded as the father of indigenous publishing in East Africa. Born in Vokoli, western Kenya, he studied literature and philosophy at the University of Nairobi. He graduated in 1972 and joined Heinemann Educational Books that year as its first African editor, rising to Managing Director in 1976.

Under his leadership, the house published many of the continent’s most celebrated voices, among them Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Okot p’Bitek, Ali Mazrui, Meja Mwangi, Francis Imbuga and Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye. He stood by his authors, and by publishing in African languages, at a time when doing so was considered subversive. In 1992 he led the first local buy-out of a British multinational publisher, turning Heinemann Kenya into East African Educational Publishers.

He co-founded the African Books Collective and the African Publishers’ Network. His work earned him an honorary doctorate from Oxford Brookes University, the Prince Claus Award and the Moran of the Burning Spear.

Coming of Age honours that legacy. Its sixteen chapters, with a foreword by Tanzanian publisher Walter Bgoya, bring together writers and publishers including Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Simon Gikandi and Micere Githae Mugo to reflect on more than forty years of African publishing.

Dr Henry Chakava Kenyan publisher

Dr Dan Gikonyo is one of Kenya’s best-known cardiologists. Born as the Mau Mau struggle for independence was beginning, he grew up in Central Kenya, attended Kagumo High School and studied medicine at the University of Nairobi. He went on to specialise in internal medicine and trained in cardiology at the University of Minnesota in the United States.

His career has been defined by courage as much as skill. During the push for multiparty democracy, he treated activists and opposition leaders, among them Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Prof Wangari Maathai, despite the risk of reprisals. He later served as personal physician to President Mwai Kibaki.

With his wife, Dr Betty Gikonyo, he founded the Heart-to-Heart Foundation, which funds heart surgery for children from needy families. Together they also built The Karen Hospital, the first private hospital of its kind started and run by Kenyans.

Doctor at Heart, launched at the 2024 Nairobi International Book Fair, tells his story across generations of Kenyan history. It includes a previously unpublished interview with President Kibaki and is an inspiring read on service, perseverance and purpose.

Dr Dan Gikonyo Kenyan cardiologist

Hon. Sicily Kanini Kariuki was born in Gakwegori, near Embu town, on the slopes of Mt Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s in Strategic Management, along with several postgraduate diplomas.

She built her career in Kenya’s horticulture and tea sectors, leading the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya and serving as Managing Director of the Tea Board of Kenya. She then became Principal Secretary for Agriculture before serving as Cabinet Secretary in three ministries: Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs; Health; and Water, Sanitation and Irrigation.

After leaving Cabinet she entered elective politics, then returned to the private sector as a certified Executive Leadership Coach and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner.

In Breaking the Illusions, she gives an insider’s view of government and of what it costs to challenge the status quo against powerful interests. Her memoir is a story of perseverance, and a valuable read for leaders, public servants, researchers and anyone interested in statecraft.

Sicily Kariuki Kenyan leader & author

Dr Frank Njenga is one of Kenya’s leading psychiatrists, with more than forty years in practice. He is the founder and chairman of the Chiromo Hospital Group, and a long-time champion of mental health care that treats patients with dignity and challenges the stigma around mental illness.

A true Nairobian, he grew up in the city and attended Delamere School (now Upper Hill School), where he was among the first Black students and later head boy. He trained in psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital in London. He has written many scientific papers and books, and is well known to readers for his column in the Business Daily.

City Boy: Chronicles of a Nairobi Life is his warm, candid autobiography. It recalls a 1960s Nairobi adolescence of books, travel and ambition, set against the Mau Mau years and the birth of independent Kenya. It is also a love story, tracing a marriage of more than five decades.

The book challenges the popular idea that success must be born of rural hardship. It is a charming tribute to Nairobi and a thoughtful read on ambition, family and building a professional life.

Dr Frank Njenga Kenyan psychiatrist

Prof Ken N. Kamoche is a Kenyan academic and fiction writer. He studied Commerce at the University of Nairobi before going to the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar in 1988, where he earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in management.

He has taught at the University of Birmingham, at City University of Hong Kong, where he lived from 1998 to 2007, and at Nottingham Trent University. He is now Professor of Management at the University of Nottingham, where he leads the Africa Research Group. His first book of fiction, A Fragile Hope, was shortlisted for the 2008 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book, and his novel Black Ghosts explores the ties between China and Africa.

Clan of Warriors follows Chege, who lives in the shadow of his accomplished brother and never quite earns his father’s approval. When his brother is convicted of treason after the 1982 coup attempt, the family loses its land. Years later, while studying in the UK, Chege is drawn into Kenya’s biggest financial scandal and must return home to clear his name as the Special Branch closes in.

Award-winning: Clan of Warriors won the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature 2026 in the English Adult category. Awarded by the Kenya Publishers Association, the prize was presented on 26 September 2026 at the closing ceremony of the 27th Nairobi International Book Fair. The award recognises a gripping story of family, loyalty and courage set in some of Kenya’s most turbulent years, and confirms Prof Kamoche as one of the finest voices in Kenyan fiction today.

Prof Ken Kamoche Kenyan novelist

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