Uwezo College Director, Felix Kyengo has launched a new book on the culture of Akamba people, in a meticulous event attended by scholars and culture enthusiasts.
The new book on Akamba Culture titled: ‘Essentials of Akamba Culture’ penned by Kyengo, has been reviewed and edited by renowned authorities such as Prof. Kithaka wa Mberia a don at the University of Nairobi, Prof David Mailu who has authored over 80 books, Prof. Angeline Nduku a Linguistics professor at the United States International University (USIU) and academician and lecturer Dr. Steve Wambua among other experts.
Nairobi-based Kamba herbalist Kasyoki Ngui has also rendered his expertise on 20 common diseases that afflicted the Akamba and their traditional herbal cures.
Speaking during the launch, Kyengo, an Alliance High School Alumnus and University of Nairobi B.Com graduate said the book was motivated by a ‘sense of guilt’ as his children had been alienated from the Akamba Culture having been raised by a non-Kamba mother.
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He said he wanted to bequeath to his children some aspects of the Akamba Culture which have long been forgotten although he acknowledged that culture is dynamic.
“This book is not a work of fiction. It is a work of research based on facts. If you read it carefully you will know where the rain started beating us,” said Kyengo.
Prof. Mailu who wrote the foreword acknowledges that there is no book on Akamba in the market which has a wide coverage as the ‘Essentials of Kamba Culture ‘.
“As you come of age, you start chasing your career, you chase after family and money and then you enter a period of reflection, “said Mathias Muli one of the Directors of Uwezo College.
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He said it takes great courage to stand up and reclaim a culture which has been eroded through modern lifestyles.
Director Kyengo however noted that the book is not a call to return to Akamba traditional life but rather a call to document every aspect of the Akamba Culture for posterity.
The book, which is retailing at Ksh1250 but those who attended the book launch got it at a discounted price of Ksh950, now places Uwezo College as a center for Culture and Social Studies, where short one month course will enable Akamba cultural enthusiasts alienated from their culture due to modern lifestyle to play catch up.
The School located at the Industrial Area in Machakos now boasts of rich cultural resources with the addition of a new book done by its director.
By Stephen Muthini.
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