In this episode, Kenya Theatre Awards nominee Vivian Kabono joins us to discuss her role as Lili in After 4:30, the powerful stage adaptation of David Maillu’s 1974 verse novel set in post-independence Nairobi. In this intimate theatre podcast conversation, Vivian reflects on: Embodying a woman who resists male power in the workplace Performing restraint, dignity, and refusal on stage The emotional weight of telling women’s stories in African theatre Gender dynamics in Kenyan drama and contemporary Nairobi The rehearsal process and the importance of artist care and mental health in theatre spaces Why a story written in 1974 still feels urgently relevant today This episode speaks to actors, theatre lovers, literature enthusiasts, feminists, and anyone interested in African stage productions, Kenyan performing arts, and conversations around women, power, and identity in post-colonial society. Through Lili’s story, we confront a haunting question: if independence came in 1963, why does freedom still feel unfinished for so many women?

In this episode, Kenya Theatre Awards nominee Martin Kigondu discusses his leading role as Nikolas Mukoko in After 4.30, the acclaimed stage adaptation of David Maillu’s 1974 novel set in post-independence Nairobi. After 4.30 is a powerful Kenyan theatre production exploring gender dynamics, workplace power, marriage, patriarchy, religion, and the lingering effects of colonialism just eleven years after independence. Through the character of Nikolas, the play interrogates masculinity, entitlement, infidelity, and societal double standards that continue to shape modern relationships in Kenya today.

In this episode of the Books in Africa podcast, Tracy Ochieng is joined by Betty Kilonzo, the author of Househelp Manual, a practical guide on domestic work. The conversation explores the realities of domestic labour, focusing on the often-unspoken challenges faced by househelps and employers alike—from unclear expectations and poor communication to the absence of professional standards in the employer–employee relationship. At its core, this conversation considers how domestic work can be approached as dignified, essential labour—one that requires fairness, accountability, and mutual respect. It is a thoughtful examination of care, power, and professionalism within the home.

Do African writers living on the continent have stories worth telling? Othuke Ominiabohs, novelist and CEO of Masobe Books, challenges common misconceptions in this candid conversation with Tracy Ochieng. Together, they unpack why reading culture struggles in Africa and what it will take to change that.

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!