Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature

The Text Book Centre Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature is a biennial literary award given by the Kenya Publishers' Association.[1] It has been called "the most prestigious literary award in the country".[2]

The first award ceremony took place in 1974, however due to financial constraints, it was unable to continue.[1] In 1990, the award was revived with sponsorship from the Text Book Centre, and the first prize was given in 1992.[1] Beginning in 2015, the award's official name was changed to Text Book Centre Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature.[3]

Honorees

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1974[1]

1992[1]

1995[1]

1997[1]

1999[4]

2001[1]

2003[1]

  • English Adult Fiction first place: Stanley Gazemba, The Stone Hills of Maragoli
  • English Adult Fiction second place: Tobias Otieno, The Missing Links
  • English Adult Fiction third place: Paul Nakitare, I Shall Walk Alone
  • English Children's first place: Wahome Mutahi, The Ghost of Garbatula
  • Kiswahili first place: Ken Walibora, Ndoto ya Amerika

2005[1][6]

  • English Adult Fiction first place: (no prize)[7]
  • English Adult Fiction second place: Muroki Ndung’us, A Friend of the Court
  • English Adult Fiction third place: Valerie Cuthbert, Wings of the Wind
  • Kiswahili Adult first place: Kyalo Wamitila, Musaleo
  • Kiswahili Adult second place: Ken Walibora, Kufa Kuzikana
  • Kiswahili Adult third place: Kyalo Wamitila, Pango
  • English Youth first place: Bill Ruto, Death Trap
  • Kiswahili Children's first place: Ruth Wairimu Karani, Kofia ya kadogo

2007[1][8]

  • English Adult Fiction first place: Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye, A Farm Called Kishinev
  • English Adult Fiction second place: Margaret Ogola Place of Destiny
  • English Adult Fiction third place: Wanjiru Waithaka, The Unbroken Spirit
  • Kiswahili Adult first place: Kyalo Wamitila, Msimu wa Vipepeo
  • Kiswahili Adult second place: Joseph Muthee, Kizuizini
  • Kiswahili Adult third place: Kimani Njogu Al Amin Mazrui, Sudana
  • English Youth first place: Kingwa Kamencu, To Grasp at Star
  • English Youth second place: Ken Walibora, Innocence Long Lost
  • English Youth third place: Meja Mwangi, Boy Gift
  • English Children's first place: Kabaru Ndegwa, The Wonderful Ball
  • English Children's second place: Kyalo Wamitila, The Mysterious Box and the Magic Spoon
  • English Children's third place: Nyambura Mpesha, Far Far Away
  • Kiswahili Children's first place: Nyambura Mpesha, Hanna na Wanyama

2009[1]

2011[9]

2013[10]

2015[11]

2017[12]

2019[13]

  • English Adult Category: Mutu Wa Gethoi, Elders of the Mace
  • Kiswahili Adult Category: Mwenda Mbatiah, Watoto Wa Mwelusi
  • English Youth Category: Kinyanjui Kombani, Do or Do
  • Kiswahili Youth Category: Hassan Ali, Picha Ya Karne
  • English Children Category: Jennie Marima, Trio Troubles
  • Kiswahili Children Category: Simiyu Mukuyuni, Busara Na Hekima
  • Wahome Mutahi Literary Award: Kinyanjui Kombani, Of Pawns and Players

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature History 2011". Kenya Publishers' Association. 2011. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  2. ^ "New Award to Shake Up Publishing Industry." Africa News Service 10 January 2011. Gale Student Resources in Context GALE|A246092961. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  3. ^ Ngunjiri, Mbugua (30 August 2015). "Must it be called Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature?". Standard. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  4. ^ Nation Correspondent (20 September 1999). "No award situation!" Africa News Service. Retrieved 12 October 2012
  5. ^ Judges decided that the books that had been submitted lacked creativity and therefore did not award any prize.
  6. ^ "Lack of Award Winner an Indictment of Our Writers." Africa News Service 17 October 2005. Gale Student Resources in Context GALE|A137645842. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  7. ^ In 2005, judges failed to award the first prize in the English category, arguing that the titles submitted were not strong enough.
  8. ^ "Veteran Writer Oludhe Macgoye Wins Top Award As Book Fair Ends." Africa News Service 1 October 2007. Gale Student Resources in Context GALE|A169300498. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  9. ^ "Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature Award 2011". Kenya Publishers' Association. 2012. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  10. ^ Murua, James (4 October 2014). "Kenya: Star Columnist Wins Jomo Kenyatta Literature Award". allafrica.com. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  11. ^ "Owuor wins literature prize at book awards". Daily Nation. Kenya. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  12. ^ Murua, James (6 October 2017). "Text Book Center Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature 2017 winners announced". Writing Africa. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  13. ^ Murua, James (30 September 2019). "Text Book Centre Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature 2019 winners announced". Writing Africa. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
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