For rugby fans, you might know Otieno—the Buffalo of the Kenya Rugby team. A mighty man who lives up to his name: fearless in a tackle, with handoffs strong enough to rattle your bones. Travel further south to South Africa and you’ll see the Springboks in their full glory; athleticism, power, and strength on display. Watching them, one can’t help but wonder: how did Africans ever get colonised? Their stories of resistance need to be told from an African perspective, says author Ciku Kimeria, who will be speaking at TEDx Nairobi on 20 September at Braeburn School, Gitanga. The event promises a host of activities—including 12 speakers, an art exhibition for sale featuring curated local artists, and activities for children aged 13 and above.  She spoke to Tracy Ochieng.

Congratulations on your TEDx Talk. How are you feeling about it?
This feels like a dream come true—a testament to the power of persistence and passion. I’ve always been deeply committed to stories and history, and with this TEDx talk, it feels like everything is coming together. Through my novels, my journalism, and my career, I’ve consistently unearthed stories that are often left untold. So, standing on that stage is not just about the talk itself, but about honouring years of work that led here.

Briefly tell us about who Ciku Kimeria is.
I am an author, journalist, communications and strategy specialist, traveller, and above all, a storyteller. I’ve written two novels: Dance of the Monkeys and Of Goats and Poisoned Oranges. In journalism, I’ve worked with several media houses, most recently as an opinion columnist at Bloomberg and previously as Africa Editor at Quartz. I’ve also written extensively about travel—I’ve been to 60 countries, half of them in Africa—which is why I also call myself an explorer. Before stepping into this artistic life, I was a strategy consultant. And most recently, I’ve added “podcast host” to my list of titles. My podcast, The Griot’s Path, is inspired by the griot tradition in Africa. Griots are more than storytellers in African communities; they are the guardians of memory. On the show, I interview historians, cultural custodians, and creatives who dig into the past to help us understand the present.

Your previous life?
Before fully embracing my artistic side, I was a strategy consultant. But now, with the podcast, novels, and journalism, I feel I’m living more fully in my purpose.

How is the podcast going so far?
It’s amazing. It’s still new—I’ve done four interviews so far—but I have a long list of guests I can’t wait to bring on, many of whom I met through my travels. I plan to interview Nana Darkoa, author of The Sex Lives of African Women, whose upcoming book explores the history of sex on the continent. I’ll also be speaking with Tara Roberts, an African-American traveller and storyteller who works with a slave ship wreck project (Diving With a Purpose), honouring ancestors lost at sea. Another guest will be Senegalese historian Felwine Sarr, co-author of the landmark 2019 Restitution Report, which revealed that 90% of Africa’s material heritage remains outside the continent in European museums. The conversations will span music, art, resistance, and history. As long as there’s a historical element, it fits—and I’m loving it.

Why is this topic on African history and identity important?
My TEDx talk is on, “Reclaiming history, one story at a time”, and exploring what happens when we learn the history they never taught us. For too long, our history was told to us not by us. Colonial education erased and distorted our stories. Even today, global systems from Western media and academic narratives frame Africa in limiting ways. And on top of that, much of the evidence of our past, like artefacts, was taken away, leaving us with gaps. So, for generations, we’ve learned about ourselves through others, often in ways that diminish us. Reclaiming our history is about reclaiming our pride and power.

What would a reclamation of history look like for Africans?
It would look like pride. Too often, the history we’ve been taught is one of conquest, slavery, and defeat—as though something was inherently wrong with us. But that’s not the full story. There were countless stories of resistance, of communities fighting back, of resilience that endured even in the Caribbean and the Americas after slavery. When we uncover and tell those stories, we no longer see ourselves only as victims. We begin to stand taller, to own our history, and to shape our future from a place of pride.

How has the media shaped portrayals of Africa?
Organizations like bird, which study narrative shifts, show that even today, international coverage of Africa focuses mainly on three themes: poverty, politics, and corruption. Imagine how the world—and we ourselves—see Africa if that’s all that’s reported. It’s as if all you ever heard about the U.S. was school shootings; it would distort your entire perception. That’s why we must reclaim our own stories.

How should we write about Africa?
Binyavanga Wainaina, in his famous satirical essay How to Write About Africa, highlighted how the continent is often reduced to tragedy and despair. Sadly, that still holds true today. But the power is shifting. By telling our own stories, we don’t erase negative narratives, but we balance them with the richness, joy, and diversity of Africa. We dilute the stereotypes with truth.

What role does social media play in this effort, especially with misinformation and disinformation?
Social media has been transformative. It’s allowing Africans to reclaim stories in real time—whether it’s TikTokers teaching indigenous languages, or Instagram creators reviving ancient textile traditions. Technology is helping bypass traditional gatekeepers, making it easier to tell our stories from our perspective. Of course, misinformation is a challenge. But misinformation exists everywhere, even in so-called “credible” global outlets. So, the key is discernment. We must apply the same rigour in questioning sources, whether they’re on TikTok or in The New York Times.

Tracy Ochieng is a staff writer with Books in Africa. Email: tracy.ochieng@ekitabu.com