In this episode, Tracy Ochieng is joined by Empress Ciku Kimani Mwaniki, author of NaiRobbery Cocktail, and Ciku Kimeria, author of Dance of the Monkeys, for a spirited conversation on a decade of Kenyan storytelling. They explore the starring role Nairobi plays in their fiction, the audacity of “badly behaved” women in literature, and how religion and alcoholism shape the lives of their characters—and sometimes their readers. Both writers proudly reject their colonial names and make a strong case for responsible alcohol use, a subject rarely addressed openly among women.

In this episode, Tracy Ochieng sits down with author Sarah Haluwa to discuss her publishing journey and her captivating book, Sinners. Haluwa shares her thoughts on the unequal dynamics of sex, arguing that women often get the short end of the stick. She passionately advocates for every woman to experience at least one orgasm in her lifetime.

James Murua shakes, stirs, and sips his way through the literary world of Ciku Kimani-Mwaniki, the brilliant author behind the beloved Cocktail series. Known for blending wit, grit, and charm into every story, Ciku spills the tea (or is it a mojito?) on her writing journey, her inspirations, and the art of crafting characters as intoxicating as her book titles. From tantalizing tales to heartfelt narratives, her words are a literary happy hour you won't want to miss.

In this premier episode of Books in Africa podcast, James Murua chats with poet Scholastica Moraa about her path from scribbles to published pages. In 2024, Scholastica published her latest anthology, When Love Says Goodbye; known as, Sometimes, Love Lives Here, in this episode. She opens up on the magic and mess of writing relationship-based poetry, the grind of getting published, and her passion for amplifying African voices.

Welcome to Books in Africa, the podcast that dives into the vibrant world of contemporary African literature! Here we explore the stories, the writers, and the unique voices shaping the continent’s literary landscape. Whether you're an avid reader, a curious listener, or someone with a passion for African storytelling, grab your favorite book, or notebook, and let’s turn a page together!