Book lovers and literary enthusiasts are set for an exciting week at the 25th edition of the Nairobi International Book Fair, which kicked off on Wednesday, September 25, at the Sarit Expo Centre in Westlands.
Running through September 29, with daily hours from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the fair promises a lively atmosphere filled with engaging discussions, book signings, and the joy of discovering new literary treasures.
This year’s event celebrates a Silver Jubilee, themed “25 Years of Excellence and Innovation in Publishing.”
On Monday, the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) officials met during a media breakfast in preparation for the event at Sarova Stanley. During the discussion, they highlighted achievements, challenges, and new plans. Most importantly, they expressed appreciation for the growth seen over time since the 1990s, from creativity to innovation, all of which have contributed to redefining the publishing landscape.
To embrace new digital technology trends, the publishing sector has adapted by investing in digital learning materials, such as e-books and interactive digital examinations. These materials have been tested, approved, and used by various stakeholders.
Since 2018, the government has fulfilled its promise to supply books to different schools at a ratio of one per student, totaling 150 million copies, as noted by Chairman Kiarie Kamau.
This has been made possible through the partnership between the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the KPA. This collaboration has enabled schools to receive books, allowing the government and relevant associations to achieve their goal of providing high-quality education.
Additionally, Kenyan publishers have benefited from tenders, leading to improved revenue, while authors and creators have also seen financial gains. Job opportunities in the publishing sector, such as editors, proofreaders, illustrators, and finance professionals, have been created, resulting in increased revenue for the government.
However, the high cost of reading materials, exacerbated by a 16% tax on books, needs to be addressed, and the KPA has requested the government to remove this tax.
“At 16 per cent, this tax only serves to make books more expensive, hence unaffordable to the common mwananchi,” he said,” Mr Kamau said.
“We call upon the government to scrap VAT on books, as a way of making knowledge affordable to all, hence promote lifelong learning, and grow the knowledge economy.”
Additionally, high production costs contribute to the overall price of books.
But on a brighter note, this year’s celebration has been enhanced by the induction of the founders of KPA into the KPA Hall of Fame. The event will also honor the top 25 notable authors of fiction in Kenya and showcase 25 works of fiction spanning different literary genres.
Recognizing and honoring authors aims to promote and motivate them to enhance their creativity, solidifying Kenya’s stature in the literary arena. This year, there are 119 exhibitors, including 13 international participants from countries such as China, Japan, the UK, Iran, and Turkey, making this year’s book fair truly international.
The event will culminate in the presentation of the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature on September 29.
– By Tina Akal
