This article celebrates genuine efforts. It celebrates publishers going beyond the call of duty. It honours publishers whose motivation is not commercial gains. Publishers whose drive is to enrich the literary spaces. A rare breed of publishers.
Publishers whose titles have made it to the shortlist of KICD-approved Grade 10 Senior School set books deserve a hearty pat on the back. In an era where commercial viability often dictates publishing decisions, these firms have demonstrated that their motivation extends beyond profit margins to the advancement of literary discourse and national intellectual growth. By investing in autobiographies, biographies, poetry, plays, novels, short stories and oral literature, they have affirmed their role not merely as businesses, but as custodians of culture and champions of education.
Among those deserving recognition is Oxford University Press (OUP), whose title Dear Mama appears under the autobiography genre and whose Kiswahili text Mlemavu? Sio Mimi also features prominently. OUP has long been associated with academic rigour and global publishing standards, but its continued investment in local narratives demonstrates a commitment to nurturing voices that resonate with Kenyan learners. By supporting autobiographical writing, OUP contributes to humanising success and demystifying greatness, ensuring that students encounter authentic life stories rather than abstract ideals.
Publishers celebrated
Hummingbird Publishers has earned its place through Fumbo La Baba, a Kiswahili riwaya. Championing creative fiction in local languages is not always the most commercially predictable venture, yet it is culturally invaluable. Through such works, Hummingbird sustains the vibrancy of Kiswahili literature and affirms that African stories deserve scholarly attention and classroom engagement.
Moran Publishers, featured with the Oral Literature text, continues its tradition of grounding learners in indigenous knowledge systems. Oral literature is the backbone of African storytelling heritage. By publishing texts that formalise and preserve these traditions within the curriculum, Moran is investing in cultural continuity. Their role ensures that proverbs, folktales, riddles and performance traditions are not relegated to nostalgia but remain dynamic components of modern education.
East African Educational Publishers (EAEP) stands tall with multiple entries, including Upeo wa Fasihi Simulizi, Voices from the Woods, and The Parting Clouds. EAEP’s consistent presence signals a deep commitment to literary diversity – spanning poetry, novels and Kiswahili scholarship. Publishing poetry and literary fiction is often a labour of love in a market that tends to favour textbooks with guaranteed high sales volumes. Yet poetry and serious fiction shape critical consciousness and aesthetic appreciation. EAEP’s catalogue reflects courage and vision.
Storymoja Publishers deserves commendation for titles such as Dreams Denied and Kichaa cha Mlungula. Storymoja has, over the years, positioned itself as a dynamic promoter of reading culture in Kenya, organising festivals and literary initiatives that extend beyond the printed page. Its presence on the KICD shortlist confirms that its efforts are bearing fruit at the highest curricular levels. By nurturing contemporary voices in drama and prose, Storymoja strengthens the bridge between creative expression and formal education.
Access Publishers features prominently with Kiswahili poetry titles such as Dunia ya Washairi and Dila ya Ushairi. Poetry publishing demands editorial patience and faith in literary value. By investing in ushairi and diwani, Access reinforces the importance of linguistic artistry and African poetic forms within the Competency-Based Education framework.
Mountain Top Publishers (MTP), credited with Jahazi La Mchongoma, further enriches the tamthilia genre. Drama texts demand careful crafting and cultural sensitivity, especially when destined for classroom study. MTP’s contribution strengthens Kiswahili dramatic literature and expands performance-based learning opportunities for students.
Booklyst Press, publisher of Master Poetry, also merits recognition. Reference poetry textbooks may not command the glamour of bestselling novels, yet they are foundational in shaping interpretive skills and literary appreciation over three years of Senior School study. By investing in such enduring resources, Booklyst Press demonstrates dedication to long-term academic development rather than fleeting trends.
Collectively, these publishers have proven that educational publishing can balance sustainability with intellectual responsibility. They have chosen to amplify autobiographies that humanise achievement, biographies that contextualise leadership, poetry that refines emotional intelligence, plays that sharpen dialogue and critical thinking, novels that cultivate sustained reading and short stories that enhance analytical precision. This breadth reflects intentional curation rather than opportunistic printing.
Their achievement also signals confidence in Kenyan and regional writers. Behind every approved title stands an author whose voice has been validated. Publishers act as gatekeepers and mentors, refining manuscripts, investing in editing, and ensuring production quality. When their titles reach KICD approval, it is not merely a commercial win; it is a cultural milestone.
READ ALSO: KICD: 93.89 percent of Grade 10 books printed, 70.41 percent distributed nationwide
In celebrating these publishers, we affirm that advancing literary discourse is a shared national project. Education systems thrive when publishers dare to prioritise substance alongside sales. By making it to the KICD shortlist, Oxford University Press, Hummingbird Publishers, Moran Publishers, East African Educational Publishers, Storymoja Publishers, Kenya Literature Bureau, Access Publishers, Mountain Top Publishers and Booklyst Press have demonstrated that their vision transcends the monetary. They are shaping minds, preserving heritage, inspiring aspiration and strengthening Kenya’s literary future. For that, they deserve not only a pat on the back, but enduring gratitude.
By Ashford Kimani
Ashford teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub-county and serves as Dean of Studies.
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