In a small village nestled in the heart of Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County a young boy named Isaac Naburuk, alias Brain Power, was born with a penchant for storytelling and a passion for literature.
Growing up, Isaac’s life was marked by hardship and displacement due to the unstable Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) period in the area, forcing his family to relocate several times. Despite these challenges, Isaac’s determination to succeed in his studies remained unwavering.
His academic prowess earned him a spot at Cheptais Boys High School, where he excelled, scoring an impressive grade A- in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in 2015. However, his remote location in the Mt. Elgon forest meant he was unaware of his achievement and unable to celebrate with his peers, a memory that still lingers.
Isaac’s journey took a significant turn at the University of Kabianga, where he discovered his true calling – Literature. Mentored by Professor Ogembo and Dr. Wesonga Robert, he began writing poetry, initially sharing it on social media platforms. The 2020 Covid-19 lockdown was a turning point, inspiring him to compile his poems into an anthology.
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“I grew up listening to folktales and Bible Stories from my mother. Although she did not go as far in her education, she made sure I worked hard to achieve greatly in my Studies,” Isaac recalls. His mother’s words of wisdom, “If you don’t want to hold the jembe, hold your pen tightly!” continue to drive him.
Despite setbacks, including financial constraints, Isaac’s perseverance paid off. His short story collaboration, ‘The Heir to Chaos’ was born, and his poetry collection, ‘The Brain Power’ is a testament to his talent. His next project, ‘Why I Beat My Aunty’ is expected to hit the shelves by April 2026.
“Everyone has a story to tell, given an opportunity. First I want to be better than I was yesterday. That is a competition I can win. It is all about consistency and determination,” Isaac says, aspiring to write more, explore novel writing, and further his studies.
When asked about his writing journey, Isaac notes, “Like every other journey, you don’t miss hurdles and bends along the way. My writing journey has its fair share of challenges. Sometimes the will power isn’t just there, you feel you don’t want to keep doing it, but that is normal and every author must know how to maneuver this phase.”
Isaac’s motivation stems not only from his mother but also from friends and mentors who have urged him to keep going. “I always meet friends who urge me to keep going; and that is enough motivation for me,” he says.
With several online short stories published via Amazon, Isaac’s work is gaining recognition. One of the editors in these book projects is author Thokozani Ndinisa from South Africa.
Looking ahead, Isaac hopes to leave a mark in the literary world. “I want to swim as deep and wide as it can get. I also hope to one day further my studies and lead a quiet happy life. I believe it can be!”
By Kimtai Cherongis
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