• Latest
Kabaji: How can you teach writing if you don’t write?

Kabaji: How can you teach writing if you don’t write?

January 7, 2023
Study Links Abortion to Higher Risk of Mental Health Hospitalization

Study Links Abortion to Higher Risk of Mental Health Hospitalization

September 1, 2025

Uganda’s critical minerals: A double edged sword for the Energy Transition

September 1, 2025
VINAStech Advert
FDC Woos Losers in NRM, NUP Primaries Ahead of 2026 Polls

FDC Woos Losers in NRM, NUP Primaries Ahead of 2026 Polls

September 1, 2025
LORD MAYOR RACE: Kasozi Pleadges Cleaner, Corruption-Free City

LORD MAYOR RACE: Kasozi Pleadges Cleaner, Corruption-Free City

September 1, 2025

Eating Own Vomits: Prof. Mushemeza Bows to Teachers, Apologizes Over Controversial Remarks

September 1, 2025
2nd Mental Health Sports Gala Returns Sept 13 in Kampala

2nd Mental Health Sports Gala Returns Sept 13 in Kampala

August 31, 2025
One Dead, Three Injured During NIRA Exercise Prep in Kansanga

Suspected Criminal Lynched in Rubirizi Days After Prison Release

August 31, 2025
5,430 Recive Medical Services at AMDA Camp Rekindling Hope and Healing in Historic Pilgrimage

5,430 Recive Medical Services at AMDA Camp Rekindling Hope and Healing in Historic Pilgrimage

August 31, 2025

NRM Politician, Husband Accused in Assault on Museveni Advisor

August 31, 2025

Regular Intimacy Linked to Better Mental Health in Women

August 31, 2025
How Watoto Church Settled Illegal Kidney Donor Court Case With Shs10m

How Watoto Church Settled Illegal Kidney Donor Court Case With Shs10m

August 30, 2025
Thousands Flock to Maryhill for Rare Medical Care as AMDA Caravan Brings Hope to Communities

Thousands Flock to Maryhill for Rare Medical Care as AMDA Caravan Brings Hope to Communities

August 30, 2025
  • About Us
  • Internship
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Parrots Media
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • News

    Eating Own Vomits: Prof. Mushemeza Bows to Teachers, Apologizes Over Controversial Remarks

    One Dead, Three Injured During NIRA Exercise Prep in Kansanga

    Suspected Criminal Lynched in Rubirizi Days After Prison Release

    NRM Politician, Husband Accused in Assault on Museveni Advisor

    Regular Intimacy Linked to Better Mental Health in Women

    NDA Closes 20 Drug Outlets, Arrests Five Individuals

    NDA Closes 20 Drug Outlets, Arrests Five Individuals

    One Victim of Buziga Country Resort Sauna Explosion Dies

    One Victim of Buziga Country Resort Sauna Explosion Dies

    Trending Tags

  • Climate Change
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Business
  • Others
    • Education
    • Lifestyle
    • Religion
    • Opinions
  • News

    Eating Own Vomits: Prof. Mushemeza Bows to Teachers, Apologizes Over Controversial Remarks

    One Dead, Three Injured During NIRA Exercise Prep in Kansanga

    Suspected Criminal Lynched in Rubirizi Days After Prison Release

    NRM Politician, Husband Accused in Assault on Museveni Advisor

    Regular Intimacy Linked to Better Mental Health in Women

    NDA Closes 20 Drug Outlets, Arrests Five Individuals

    NDA Closes 20 Drug Outlets, Arrests Five Individuals

    One Victim of Buziga Country Resort Sauna Explosion Dies

    One Victim of Buziga Country Resort Sauna Explosion Dies

    Trending Tags

  • Climate Change
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Business
  • Others
    • Education
    • Lifestyle
    • Religion
    • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Parrots Media
No Result
View All Result
Home FEATURES

Kabaji: How can you teach writing if you don’t write?

Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu by Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
January 7, 2023
in FEATURES
0
Kabaji: How can you teach writing if you don’t write?

Prof Egara Kabaji speaks during an interview in Eldoret in May 2020. Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on X

By Oumah Otienoh,

Prof. Egara Kabaji is a literary gentle giant and is best remembered for such epic radio and TV shows as ‘Books and Bookmen’ and ‘Culture Talk’.

READ ALSO

SATIRE: “I’m Pregnant for You,” The Kampala Family Blueprint

The NRM Primaries Proved That it is Still a Popular Political Party Which is Here to Stay

I first interacted with Prof Kabaji through his books, which include When the Dead Met the Living and Jomo Kenyatta: Father of Harambee. Thereafter, I got absorbed in his works and closely followed him in the Literary Discourse pages of the Saturday Nation, where he co-hosted the Writer’s Clinic with John Mwazemba.

Though we’ve in the past shared pleasantries on literary matters, it was at the launch of Francis Imbuga’s memoir, The Cherished Footprints, in 2019 at Kenyatta University, that I came up close with the literary doyen.

Ngugi wa Thion
Literature student
“Professor, our Saturday Nation literary enthusiasts have been pestering me for a literary sit-down with you,” I said to him.

“Let’s fix a date for the sit-down,” he offered.

He later sent me a single music rendition he had penned in his native language – Maragoli.

“This is my first solo ever written and performed in my father-tongue,” he texted.

I later rang him and we met the following day at the Nairobi National Museum.

Children’s Literature
“First things first, where did your love affair with children’s literature start as you’ve published more than 30 works of fiction under this genre?” I posit.

“I have experimented with almost all the genres of literature. I have written poetry not only for children but also for adults,” he explained. “I got fascinated with children’s literature for a number of reasons. First, I have an innate ability to visualise things in a certain peculiar way, which is common with youngsters. If we were to develop a reading culture as a country, our main focus should shift to children. It’s also my responsibility to inculcate morals in our minors through my writings.”

“And still on children’s literature, Ezekiel Alembi; did he in any way persuade you to write for this cohort?” I inquire.

“Alembi is my literary contemporary. We started writing as undergraduates and continued during our postgraduate days.”

I interrupt him and ask, “Who sharpened whom?”

“We inspired each other with our writings. We would critique each other’s manuscripts as both of us were passionate about children literature,” he adds.

“In your book, The Crying Stone, you’re so passionate about Kaliyesa, the greatest woman who ever lived among the Maragoli of Western Kenya. Do you believe in myths?”

“The myth talked about in the book is not societal but my creation. I created the character of Kaliyesa to carry the aspiration of women not to be oppressed by their male counterparts. Myths are a vital component of any morally upright society as they define our values and worldview.”

“During Francis Imbuga’s biography’s launch, your demeanour was that of one who lost a bosom friend. When did your friendship with Imbuga begin?” I further probe.

“Imbuga discovered me as an undergraduate student. I had just read Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Decolonising the Mind and the literary fire directed me to translate Imbuga’s play, Betrayal in the City to Maragoli. When I presented to him the manuscript, he marvelled. We later drove to his residence at Kahawa Wendani, a few miles from Kenyatta University’s Main Campus, where he taught, to celebrate the draft.

“Our friendship grew in leaps and bounds. When he moved to Kigali Institute of Education in Rwanda, I accompanied him. Imbuga had a way of making one work extremely hard. Upon leaving Kigali after two years, I had 20 complete manuscripts. This launched me into the mucky world of writing,” he adds.

“Talking about Imbuga, between him and John Ruganda, who’s your biggest East African playwright?” I posed.

“Francis Imbuga is so far the greatest playwright Eastern and Central Africa has ever produced. Ruganda comes close after him. Look at the volume of writings he’s created. In fact, he went beyond one genre and even wrote epic stories for children.”

Literary voices
He continues, “If you long to read a good story, pick The Miracle of Remera, a novel he wrote during our stay in Kigali. Tell me, which work of Ruganda can rival Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City?”

“We only hear a few robust literary voices from the University of Nairobi, Moi University and your voice from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in our newspapers. Why the deafening silence from other ‘vibrant’ literature departments?” I probe further.

He responds: “We have killed writing at our universities. If one teaches feature or opinion writing without scripting any feature story, I wouldn’t trust such a don with my son. Let me ask you, how do you teach creative writing without ever penning any work of art?”

He adds, “As a university professor, I have the noble task of being a gatekeeper of academic standards and allowing such tutors to lecture in our literature departments would be suicidal.”

Asked what makes him stand out in the literary field, he says: “I’m the Vice President of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA). We’re based in Accra, Ghana. As a penman, I fully make use of my God-given ability to contribute to literature through the pen. I’ve penned more than 30 children’s books and I’m currently working on close to 10 manuscripts.

“I term this decade a season of harvest as I have already submitted several manuscripts to different publishers for scrutiny. As an association of Kenyan writers, we’re also at the homestretch of publishing an anthology of short stories.”

“What’s the place of residencies in writing?” I press on.

“Lack of residencies tells it all. We have little interest in creative writing. Our universities, especially the literature departments, should create writing internships to nurture creative writing amongst the populace.”

To the budding writers, he says:“Writing is not an easy task. You can never be a good writer if you don’t write daily. It’s laughable that some only write one draft and expect that it’ll get the publisher’s nod. Up-and-coming writers shouldn’t also be in a quick chase for the shilling. Let them write first without thinking about money.”

The writer is the author of Rotten Apples, a play. oumahotienoh2009@yahoo.com

SOURCE: DAILY NATION

Tags: Children's literatureNgugi was ThiongioProf Egara KabajiTeaching writing

Related Posts

SATIRE: “I’m Pregnant for You,” The Kampala Family Blueprint
FEATURES

SATIRE: “I’m Pregnant for You,” The Kampala Family Blueprint

August 30, 2025
The NRM Primaries Proved That it is Still a Popular Political Party Which is Here to Stay
FEATURES

The NRM Primaries Proved That it is Still a Popular Political Party Which is Here to Stay

August 4, 2025
FEATURES

1,300 Candidates Battle for Just 31 Jobs at OAG

August 2, 2025
The Unsung Burden of HR Managers in Troubled Workplaces
FEATURES

The Unsung Burden of HR Managers in Troubled Workplaces

June 20, 2025
FEATURES

Ayoub Hamad Lesso: The Muslim Student from Tanzania Who Won Hearts at the Uganda Martyrs Essay Writing Competition

June 5, 2025
Entertainment

A Night of Jazz, Soul, and Style at the dfcu Jazz in the Pearl Festival

May 11, 2025
Next Post

Mitooma: RDC calls for NRM manifesto implementation and participation in gov't programmes

POPULAR NEWS

Catholic Priest Speaks Out Against Museveni and Son’s Leadership

Catholic Priest Speaks Out Against Museveni and Son’s Leadership

February 16, 2025

“Life Is Scum”: Kabale University Student Leaves Suicide Note, Takes Own Life

July 25, 2025

Former IGP Okoth Ogola Dies

February 14, 2025

CAF Warns Fans Against Obscene and Politically Charged Jerseys at Namboole

August 20, 2025

A Love Beyond Distance: A review of Leonard Kamugisha Akida’s poetic tribute on valentine’s day

February 14, 2025

EDITOR'S PICK

St Peter’s Parish Buyanja Celebrates Easter with Reflection on Gospel of John 20:1-9

St Peter’s Parish Buyanja Celebrates Easter with Reflection on Gospel of John 20:1-9

March 31, 2024
Health Workers Advised to Take Personal Security Seriously

Health Workers Advised to Take Personal Security Seriously

September 12, 2023

One arrested for killing herdsmen in Ntungamo

January 1, 2022
Frerich forwarders director charged.

Frerich forwarders director charged.

May 12, 2021
VINAStech advert VINAStech advert VINAStech advert
ADVERTISEMENT

About

Parrots Media

A Public Relations and Media Services Company registered and licensed to operate in Uganda and the Great Lakes Region.

Follow us

Categories

  • Business
  • BUSINESS REPORTS
  • CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS
  • Climate Change
  • COMMUNITY REPORTS
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • FEATURES
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • News
  • Obituary
  • OBITUARY
  • Opinions
  • RELIGION
  • Religion
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • TOURISM

Recent Updates

  • Study Links Abortion to Higher Risk of Mental Health Hospitalization
  • Uganda’s critical minerals: A double edged sword for the Energy Transition
  • FDC Woos Losers in NRM, NUP Primaries Ahead of 2026 Polls
  • LORD MAYOR RACE: Kasozi Pleadges Cleaner, Corruption-Free City
September 2025
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  
« Aug    
  • About Us
  • Internship
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Parrots Media | Website Designed and Maintained by VINAStech

No Result
View All Result
  • Parrots Media
  • News
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Others
    • Climate Change
    • Education
    • Religion
    • Opinions

© 2025 Parrots Media | Website Designed and Maintained by VINAStech

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

You cannot copy content of this page