Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

The Catholic zone B Youth festivals were done yesterday. And we emerged second in our narrative titled Wonderwhere Kamaru. Again! Behind Sacred Hearts Dagoretti. Again!  Josphat Kariuki and his team (Karis, as he was known at St Pauls University Chapel Theatre Group) beat us.  Again! 

Good news. The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd narratives will be proceeding to the Archdiocese of Nairobi Youth Festivals at Mang’u on October 31^st.Well, am jovial if you are asking. Emerging 2^nd position was not a joke. Competition was stiff and you should have been there to see adrenaline on stage. Young people were exerting themselves beyond limit as they tried to battle it out for the best narrator. You should have seen the beautiful stories that were presented. The awesome creativity. You should have seen the wonderful productions that were brought before our eyes. You should have seen the energy, the synergy, the sweat....Indeed, nothing good comes on a silver platter.

Karis and his team from Sacred Hearts however, thrilled us the most. The air was filled with mirth as they held our attention captive. Whenever they went into a moving part of the story, they carried you with them. When they were surprised, you were surprised the more. When they laughed, we had to lift you from the ground as laughter tore you into bits. That was Karis! No wonder the nigger scooped the best narrator’s certificate in the festivals. Karis, what shall we do to beat you at the archdiocese level?

Of Festivals, Preparations, Winning and Losing

Last Saturday September 26^th, my team and I attended Catholic senior youth Nairobi West Deanery festivals at St. Michael’s Otiende Church, Langata. We were thoroughly beaten. Thoroughly beaten! My solo verse ranked the last. My narrative only managed a position two. Thanks God, even the runners up were to proceed to the zonal levels at St Johns Kangemi on 10^th October. Were it not for this runners up narrative, I would been roasted alive in that bus that we traveled back home in. Hard stares were fixed at me by my team. I had failed them.  I was like a Kenyan Harambee Stars football coach who even after training and coaching his team diligently was beaten by another team.  Would they impeach me, I wondered.

Festivals and their preparations are moments that I look forward to with anxiety especially if I have a team performing on stage. Anything can go wrong in that short time-frame that the actors are given to do a rendition of how they understood your item. One might sneeze where they were not to. Another might sweat or develop a fever at the most weird time. Even after rehearsing and perfecting the lines during the preparations, things might go awry at the last minute.

Final preparations before the festivals also taught me the value of improvisation. We were to have our backdrops designed by an artist. However, the team leader announced a week before the D-day that their budget could not cater for the artist’s fees. I became tongue-tied. Designs of what needed to be artistically drawn had been in my mind all along.... Here were the festivals quickly coming… Here was the team leader saying that we would have to make do with sketches… What do you get from that? Confusion.

Luckily, an elder theatre director came to our rescue. He had an artistic talent and volunteered to draw for us. All I needed to do was to tell him the designs that I wanted on the backdrops. He carefully sketched most of them and left us to do the paintwork. You should have seen me with a team of Mary Queen of Apostles youth members painting!  Never before had I held a paintbrush in my hand. But I did paint well anyway. At some point, our artist was so tired that he asked us to finish up the drawings. We had no alternative. Again, pencil in hand, I painstakingly drew. The experience taught me the essence of improvising as well as taking control when things go awry since they will always go.  

During the festivals day, I could not help but notice the essence of color. Most of the winning items apart from having great storylines employed color and beautiful productions. Their teams had to go out of their ways to get the best backdrops designs, best costume, good scripts and powerful actors. All these factors led to their success.  From my solo verse loss, I learnt the importance of following instructions to the letter.

Faint Setting of my Narrative Stage

I was surprised to note that most actors do not watch other stage performances once they done with theirs. I wondered how they would learn. They were haughty. How dare you be so content with your work that you never pay attention to what others have to offer? Do you think that they are less creative?

I hope and pray that our narrative will outsmart the others on 10^th October. We hope to win all the way till we showcase it to the Pope when he arrives in Kenya in November. [Hint: Our narrative is about how the disabled (walemavus), are hidden anytime a visiting head of state or dignitary is set to touch down in Nairobi, Kenya. You saw it when US President Obama visited us, didn’t you? I just pray they will not hide them when Pope comes] For those who will be able to attend the festivals, let’s meet there for the Zone B competitions. Pray for us too.

Packaging a Story

We are all storytellers. Whether you are a tailor, an accountant, a journalist, a home maker, a teacher, a priest , a HR manager, a writer, an actor, a director, a film maker, a waiter, an undertaker, a doctor or even a MP. At one time in our professions, we find ourselves telling a story, narrating an ordeal, making a presentation, convincing a mass of people orally, singing a song or even gossiping. All these tasks if we look at them from a creative angle are stories. An accountant analyzing a balance sheet with a group of managers will need to find the right styles to make themselves persuasive as they explain why the company is experiencing massive losses. A tailor might find themselves telling a client about how a fashion trend emerged and how it is sweeping the entire world with its finesse. A homemaker mother will at most times find themselves giving stories to her cronies. Stories live in us. What however differentiates good story tellers from unsuccessful ones is how we package the tales. That brings me to the theme of this blog post; story packaging.

What is the difference between a boring play from an interesting one? You got it right—packaging. What makes some actors shine better than others? Packaging. What makes a writer shine over others? Packaging.  Packaging separates wheat from the chaff. It gives the artist an inimitable edge that only belongs to them and makes their works easily identifiable. I can for example point out the writings of Wahome Mutahi (he of the Whispers Column fame). I can identify an actor as Mr. Bean even if I stumbled on 50 actors doing their thing on blindfold.

Wahome Mutahi of Whispers Column Fame

FEBRUARY MEMORIES

Last Valentine's day will indelibly be printed in my mind till I join my spiritual realm. Not because of the wonderful date I had (of course it was breath-taking as you would expect my dates to be).You too, I kno, had a fantastic one. Therefore, I won't bore you with tales of how she blushed when I fished out the wilting red rose and knelt at Kencom, in-front of her, despite the public attention we attracted.

 Memories of that Friday refuse to get erased because the day marked a new dawn in my writing.

Let me hit the nail on the head. I won a prize writing. Never have I ever thought that my writing could fetch me a monetary prize. I knew I could get as many facebook likes, friends and comments but money...Aah Aah.

 Here we go-- I won the third prize in an essay writing contest at the university. The essay was about Korean studies that are being introduced in May. I wrote the essay last year, sent and forgot it. You know how one momentarily forgets poverty when their hands land on the first salary? That's similar to what I did with the essay. I wrote it, edited it, hated it (yes, sometimes I hate what I write) and sent it; never to remember it.

On a Monday, I got a call from the department of literature inviting me for a prize giving to award essayists who participated in the contest.  I do not want to express how I felt when I received the call. Neither do I want to tell you how my heart leapt for joy when they called my name for scooping position three. I cannot put it in words. Maybe, one needs to see me so that I can show by facial expressions how.

***********************************************************************************

THE ST PAULS MEDICAL CAMP: THE MILLING MACHINE

Saturday, 14^th September 2013 is a day that will indelibly be printed in the minds of many who attended the FOSP medical camp. On this particular day, the St Paul’s premises were filled to capacity. People of all walks of life thronged in and out of the St Paul’s chapel gates like nuns in a convent. Their goal was one; good health.

If you doubted whether people value their health, then you should have been here to clear such doubts. Patients, volunteers, medics, news reporters, musicians from the band filled the chapel to the brim. In fact, the compound was so tightly packed that if you threw a pinch of salt in the air, it would not find its way back to the ground!

What amazed me most was how the entire medical camp crew worked. Everything went fast and furious; at full swing.  All was meticulously coordinated. Although there were registration officers, IT team, ushers, medics, reporters, musicians and other stakeholders, no two things went at loggerheads! Everything went seamlessly without any turbulence. Indeed, the entire event was like a milling machine. Though a milling machine has many cogs, innumerable wheels and several gears, all parts work miraculously perfectly with no two parts ever coming into conflict.

The digitalized registration

Fr. Hunja ignited the milling machine at about 9.00 am and everything went underway. Once a patient arrived, they would be cordially ushered into the camp by the University of Nairobi students. They would then be directed to the registration desk.

Digitalization, a term that is taking root in the technological world was applied in patient registration. Patient details were typed in Google virtual forms. This would ensure that a good database was maintained. The technological nitty gritty was done by the very able and techno-savvy IT team who were tastefully donned in Google tags. All this efficient digitalization was proudly sponsored by Google.

Basic tests

After registration, patients queued for basic tests such as BMI, BP, waist circumference, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This was ably done by the Lea Toto Program and Resolution Insurance. The University of Nairobi health students were also not left behind. They applied what they learnt in class into the real world. They were also a source of knowledge and did not tire from explaining what each test was for. Did you for example know that your left hand is the one closest to your heart? I personally would not have known this until a student in the BP station told me. This is the reason why they take blood pressure readings from your left hand rather than your right.

It was also at the BP station that I met a man in total denial of his blood pressure readings. On being told that he had high BP, he refused to take this lying down. He took numerous tests from different medics but lo! The results were all the same. The man had high BP!

SI RAHISI

Si rahisi, si rahisi, si rahiiisi!
Kuamua niwaambieni, kumtumikia Mterehemezi,
Kwa moyo wako kumfuata, akili yako kumuwaza,
Ni jambo muhali niwaambieni, tunaloliona hivi sasa.
Vijana barobaro, kutoasi ukapera,
Kuwaacha wao mademu, wamsake wao Mungu,
 Wasifurahie hiyo ndoa, isiyo hata doa,
Ni jambo muhali niwaambieni, tunaloliona hivi sasa.

Wasichana pia nanyi, kutawazwa mchongoma,
Yahitaji kwingi kujitolea, kuamua liwe liwalo,
Utajitoa mhanga kweli, uumche wako Muumba,
Umtumikie kwa miaka, mikaka si haba,
Ni jambo muhali niwaambieni, tunaloliona hivi sasa.

THE GENESIS OF LOVE

In the beginning, with her he fell in love
 The dept kiss he gave her, gave her life
Everything about them had a love related meaning
Weak she was unless they were together
Taking peaceful blissful love walks in the woods



In the beginning, I thought they would last forever
But it was just that; a thought
It was just but lust I thought
When she started treating his love like forgiveness
 Easy to receive but hard to give
Yesterday’s guilt stole away love from today
Allergic to lovelessness
At her door he knocks but will she answer?
His arms are wide open, but will she respond to his hug?



 He is ready to do everything but everything that is lovely
 His efforts are worthwhile but not in her eyes
In the beginning, it was about him and her, so we thought
But we were too shortsighted to see

KITANTWARIKI HIKI

Kaitwa Ouko Oyori, jina kubwa kama kitantwariki,
Kama mvua rasha kanawiri, kwa wako wingi mzaha,
kafanya kozi yao wezi, koni mani kakoni akili wengi,
Hivi leo wewe alumni, lakini katu hukujoini illuminati,
kakataa kukengeushwa nayo campus, kwa madame wake wengi spotless.




Mnamo Septemba mwaka elfu mbili na tisa, Dominiki katoka Kisii,
Guu mosi guu pili, Dominiki kenda Nairobi,
Kabebana nazo begi, zilizojaa kwa wingi mlo,
Si matoke, si maziwa, si mahindi, si ugali, si uji, si ... HEISH!
KAFANANA NA ANAYEHAMA!
Hakutaka katu kukondeana, kwa njaa nyingi yake campus.

THE SIGH OF THE HIGH

Looking at the sky,
Truly I have gone high,
You and I,
Have been at it for quite a while,
My face always with a smile,
You are quite an addiction,
But you weren't a prescription,
Just came my way,
To brighten my day,
Leaving me with nothing to say,
But wait,
That's just how you came,
Yes, you make me feel good,
Make me wait here for you,

With all these,one thing remains,
You are never true,
Now I have everything to lose,
But nothing to gain,
Your presence has brought me pain,
You tied me up in a chain,
After all ,am gonna have to choose,
You make me happy,
That's a fact,
But i have to act,
with a lot of tact,
Because even thought you take me high,
Brighten my days,
Paint my face with a smile,
You got nothing to offer after all,
What you did was to fake it,
Now that I wanna leave,
I just cant make it,
I thought I was stronger,
To stay for a while,
But I cannot wait any longer,
All I need is rehab,
To break this chain,
The chain that my heroine,
Cocaine,
Morphine,
Created to tie me up .

By Tecla Kiplangat

THE BLAMED SERIKALI

Tick Tock Tick
I was there papa,
I was there mamma,
I was there jirani mamma Cynthia,
I was there.
There where I called sweet home,
There where i found serenity and tranquility,


 There where the wind blew my mind to oceans of peace,
Where birds chirped merrily as they ushered newborn days,
Where cows mooed sweetly making me nod my head in resonance to their mootic rhythm,
Where each day found me joyous and happy to have a sweet home.
 It is there that I learned to sing, sew and stitch.
Tick Tock Tick

VINYOZI ST PAUL'S

 

A.    Tumefika, tumefika, tumefiiika.

Kuwanyoosha na kuwanyoa,

Vichwa vyenu naleteni,

Tuwanyoe virembekeni,

Hivi leo tumeamua,

 Bila maji kuwanyoa,

B.     Kunyolewa hatukatai,

Lakini wembe butu abadani,

Utieni makali jamani,

Usiwe uchungu huno mwingi,

Pia nyinyi vichwa nyooeni,

Muwe gudi roli modeli.

A.    Hehehe… kabwela msikie jamani,

Hata marahisi hayajui.

Eti kinyozi hana mnyozi,

Nywele yake i imara tisti,

Haya vichwa mtaleteni,

Tuwanyoe bila maji.

THE GENERATION "Y"

All of us came from the same past
A past blinded and bonded
A past wounded and wild
A past sinful beyond what we thought
Some sinned more
Some sinned less
But all in all, we sinned

Our ways, wild
Our talk, terrible
Our faith, fake
Our love, lust
Our actions, like vomit, spittle, stinky stool, mucus


Double-minded
Unstable in all we do
Living in luxury and self-indulgence
Fattening ourselves in the day of slaughter
Blown and tossed
By every new movie
Every new song
Every new slang word
Every new dance club
Every new dance move
Little did we know
Friendship with the world is hatred towards God
Bitterness, envy, self ambition in our hearts
Everything we are, has fallen short of His Glory

THE YOUTHFUL DISGRACE

 You failed your ancestral paternal grandmother
after whom you were named,

How do you delete virtues that

both of us so vehemently forced in your
mind daughter?

Didn't she prove to you
that immediately after harvest men don't

look back unless they legitimately are
bound by blood of the beasts?
Was she not
serious when she demonstrated to you
that like sheep and dove they appear in
need of your orchard?

MY PEN

My pen,
May be my doing or undoing,
You should therefore not judge me,
Judge my pen.
I am not me, 
I am my pen;
I may be black ,but my pen blue,
So whatever I write is not black but blue,
I write...



My pen,
It scribbles and nibbles its way
All over the paper
Leaving legacies and efficacies.
Sometimes it weaves
A complex web,
That entangles you
But also entangles me!
I am at its mercy;
I cannot control it...
But I know I have to control it!
By Moderation Munywoki Martin Must say,
I stop writing...

AN OPEN LETTER ABOUT HOLINESS

Becoming holy is a journey. It entails 'being'  rather than 'doing'-or so did Fr. Ben of DBYES Karen put it on 13th July 2013 at  a Prayer Group Retreat.
We are all called to holiness. Whether it is in our vocations, academics, personal or family lives.

Here at St Paul's, we are not left behind; we are called to be holy in Theatre group, Mission, YCS, CLC, Prayer group, the Choir, Prolife, Liturgical dances and the Eucharistic
ministry. In the various capacities we occupy, holiness is attainable; we can achieve it!

THE NEW LEAF

 




 I saw you,
I saw you seated at the bench,
I saw you.
I looked deep inside your heart
And saw the worry, the cry and the wail
I saw it.


I saw your haggard shoulders, drooping carelessly
Your shaggy hair, boasting of the little acquaintance you had with the comb,
Your blood shot eyes that spoke volumes of the many times you had cried yourself to sleep,
I saw it all child
I saw it.

Getting into my presence, "Your Majesty's palace" as you call it, you knelt
Your shoes you left at the door. You knelt and started crying.
Weeping, mourning and languishing,
I felt you child
Waves of trembling attacked you. 
You shivered, you feared
I looked and waited on you.

Seeing that you were too troubled, compassion took the best part of me
I fished out my butter-soft handkerchief and consoled you.
" In the name of the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit",
The handkerchief sang sweetly as it wiped  your teary face clean.
" Amen", your eyes responded as they lost the sorrowful dampness.

You started, you started the litany,
A long litany of woes and pleas,
I listened keenly.
You recounted your tales,your deeds, your misgivings.
You told of the number of chicken you had recently stolen,
The number of times you had fornicated, masturbated, hated, lusted, abducted, neglected, coveted
And a host of other ...teds. 
I listened.

I listened still.
Yours was a contrite confession, truthful, genuine, authentic and comprehensive,
I accepted,
I indeed accepted.

"Teacher", you lamented, "this is the paper you gave me. 
It was plain and clean, but my mannerless pen soiled it shameless,
Scribbled and blotted it.
Here it is; not worthy for you to enter down its score, but only give me another leaf and I shall not disappoint"

The sad words bore deep into my heart and I looked straight into your eyes. 
You were like a despondent, innocent toddler having wrecked a TV remote
 And here you were
Pleading, begging, imploring, soliciting and appealing me, your dad, for another.

"Here is another leaf child but be more careful this time", with those words
I dug into my shelf and drew a new book for you. A book that you would write anew.
A book that signified your absolution, forgiveness and acceptance.
A book that I had personally designed, marked out, ruled and calibrated. 
Here is your book

THAT WAS "THE NEW LEAF" FROM SPT TIMU PRODUCTION.

 

By James Njenga

 

ALWAYS ON YOUR MIND

ALWAYS ON YOUR MIND

Mamma, why did you do it to me?

Why? Why did you do it?

Why did you do it to me?

Mamma was it the rejection by your boyfriend; my father?

That he relished the honey with you,

But refused to share the bee’s sting in equal measure?

Was it because he dumped you after calling you a lot of sweet-nothings ?

And eating your sweet potato?

Mamma, my father was to blame, not me.

But you, in your stupidity directed your wrath to me

For this mamma, I will always be on your mind

Mamma was it that you feared your mother’s reproach?

My grandmother, you thought would surely skin you alive.

Was it so?

She would surely call you a disgrace to the family.

Which you actually were!

And so in your ego-centric thoughts decided to do away with me.

For all you minded was you.

But mamma did you at any one time mind about me?

My pain, my cries, my loneliness,

Did you mind that?

For this, I will always be on your mind.

Mamma, you feared your stern dad

And what he would probably do

But mamma did you at any one time pity me?

The drugs you took cut me like sharp razor- blades.

I bled, I cried, I turned, I rolled…..

The seething pain was unbearable.

And after that…

You disposed me into a latrine

A foul-smelling, dark latrine.

There the acids corrode my fetal, soft skin.

I wailed and lamented.

Did you hear my wails?

Or were you busy rejoicing that the burden was gone!

Me? The burden?

Where was your humane?

For this, I will always be on your mind.

Mamma, is it that you feared the torment that you would suffer from your friends?

Their jeers, taunting and boos?

Calling you a teenage-mother?

Was that so?

But did you at any one time, mind about me?

You did not even give me a chance to have friends to boo me.

Why were so unjust?

For this, I will always be on your mind.

You feared losing your education.

You were a brilliant student in school.

Teachers praised and saw hope in you.

Was it because of this that you murdered me in cold bloods?

So that you could achieve your aspirations?

But did you at any one time mind my aspirations?

I always wanted to be an engineer.

An adept, skilled and competent Aeronautical engineer!

Fixing aero planes and helicopters!

But you shattered all these dreams!

For this mamma, I will always be on your mind.

It is twenty years since you aborted me, yet

You have no kid.

You are successful but unhappy.

You regret ever killing me.

But did you mind when you did it?

I will always be your nightmare!

I will haunt you, I will torment you!

I WILL ALWAYS BE ON YOUR MIND!


By James Njenga 

SPT DETAILED PROFILE

  

SP THESPIANS- UoN

St. Paul’s Theatre is a church based group. However, it draws its membership from all walks of students ready to sacrifice their time for talent development and self actualization.

MOTTO: Integrating talent with career.

VISION: To use talent as a community development tool.

MISSION: To produce top actors and actresses in Kenya and beyond.

ACTIVITIES:

The group engages in an array of activities that include the following:

1. Theatre Explosion:

This is an annual event where we showcase talents in our group. Always in the kitchen are narratives, solo verses, spoken words, emceeing and songs. Songs range from traditional to secular. We encourage traditional singing since we are always proud of our cultural diversity. The event is always crowned with a play that has been thoroughly trained and directed.

2. Way of the Cross:

This is an event always held during every lent season. After thorough preparations, the enacting is done on GOOD FRIDAY. The event attracts media personalities who would like to cover the day’s proceedings in their news houses.

3. Skit Presentations:

 This is done every Friday at the St. Paul’s Chaplaincy hall.

4. Charity Visits:

 We believe that theatre activities always entertain. We therefore majorly go for this event to keep people off boredom and refresh their minds from all the life stresses they might be going through.

5. School Drama:

 This is a new event that we have started off. The aim is to give the students positive reflections about life.

    

        6. Fun Activities:

 The aim is for bonding purposes, character building, personality and experiencing the outside world among the thespians.

LOCATION:

We are located at the St. Paul’s Chapel next to the UHURU HIGHWAY- UNIVERSITY WAY roundabout.

MEETING:

We meet on a weekly basis on Friday from 5.30 pm-7.30pm.

CONTACTS:

0710260005- Director or 0726420023-Cast Director.

E-mail:- sptimukubwa@gmail.com

CONCLUSION:

 We believe nobody is an island. We therefore cannot operate alone without involving other parties that have the same interest. Any help offered to us will be highly appreciated.

Written by Abednego Birundu Osindi (SPT THEATRE ALUMNI)

Theatre Director Tips

The director in a play reigns all the way from the kick-off of the production to when the curtains finally close. Every action, prop or word you see on a theatre stage has been recommended directly or indirectly by the director. Therefore, as a theatre director, you have to be responsible about the following:

Ø  How your script was written

Ø  How your actors do their thing on stage

Ø  Whether stage lights are working properly and at the appointed time

Ø  Whether proper décor is on set

Ø  Whether proper soundtracks play during the production

Ø  That leading cues are given rightly etc

 In most cases, the director also happens to be the script writer. From the occasions I have observed good directors pay particular attention to the following three things:

1.      Scripting

Scripting needs to be as interesting as possible but at the same time easy to follow. The story line needs to be easy for both a 1 year and a 90-year person to grasp and follow. No audience wants to follow a complicated plot where there are too many conflicts involved. Again, throw in a dash of humor here and there to spice up the script. Even in real life, even the most serious people crack a joke to the mirth of others, don’t they?

Courtesy of Kenya Drama Festivals

2.      Production

Directing requires creativity. Props and décor ought to communicate clearly the setting of the play. You need to improvise but at the same time make the audience understand that which you wanted to convey. Since there are no realias (i.e no real objects used on stage), it is the role of the producer to think outside the box but at the same time not to bring too complicated props on stage. You need not scare people with real guns, real blood, real syringes or real school blackboards but how can you utilize backdrops, your actors and simple things on stage to bring out that setting you want to show?

A director needs to know that people like color and affluence. You might have the best script, the best actors but still fail to communicate clearly since you lack proper décor. The truth is that theatre is about money. Yes, I just said it. You got to spend and sacrifice. After all, are you not interested in emerging the winners and bagging the trophy home? Well, if you are, spend on stage décor.

3.      Acting Quality

Good directors relate well with actors. They motivate them with small gifts and praises. They also have actors learn acting from an early age. Great actors have been in the trade for quite some time. They are creative and can do multiple characters and still stand out as convincing as possible. Again, actors need to occasionally be shown video clips of real good stage plays so that they may try and up their game.

Courtesy of Kenya Drama Festivals

When actors own a production, they become committed and really enthusiastic about it. However, when you make them feel as though they are acting for you, you will have the most lousy team.

Language is crucial in acting. If you are to do an English verse/play, select actors who can articulate the language in the most comprehensive, fluent and audible way. Do not pick one who mixes all the ‘r’s and ‘l’s in the wrong places. They make the play boring and inauthentic. Why not choose a script that favours them instead?

Author of 'Fashioned For Life' Releases His Second Book ' The Ultimate Recipe for a Wholesome Student'

NAIROBI, KENYA---  Ernst & Young Auditor, Vineyard Magazine Editor and author of Fashioned for Life, Mr. Samuel Kanja, released his second book 'The Ultimate Recipe for a Wholesome Student' on Thursday, 9th April 2015. The Evangel Publishing House book targets on a youthful audience and candidly speaks about education on how students can achieve their academic goals and be successful in life.

Some of the key contents in the book are:

1. Key facts about time.
2. Powerful Exams tips for all students.
3. Tackling Exams to Get ones Best Score.
4. Differences between a talent and a career.
5. Implications of Exam Grades in ones Life after School among others...

Speaking during the release of his book, Kanja was all smiles as he thanked God for the much that he had achieved. “ I give all glory to God,” Mr. Kanja said. He also acknowledged all the people who had made the book writing and publishing seamless and possible. “ This book is a product that has been moulded by many hands and reframed by many minds.” he said. “ I acknowledge John, Graduate Student-University of Connecticut-USA for his invaluable input towards the writing, Peninah, Bsc Medicine-UoN for narrating her moving story and Wanjiku Ngigi Bsc. Information Science for editing the book. Many hours were spent on the book by Mr Muthee (Mt. Kenya Senior School), Mr Muchiri (Principal, Kiandu High School) and Mr. Kelvin Ritho (Urban Planner at Nyeri Town),” the elated author continued.

The book which sells at Shs. 400 a copy will soon be in many bookstores in Nairobi. Currently, one can order for their copy straight from the author. “ The cost of Shs.400 applies if you want one copy. In case you want many copies, economies of scale will apply,” the author said responding to a question raised by one of his potential readers. “ You do not have to be a student to buy it. The book contains mind-boggling maxims that will apply even in life after school. It's a compelling, educative, informative text. An almagamation of hardwork, zeal, passion blend with a quest for God's purpose in a student's life,” one of book editors wrote. 

Mr. Kanja's second book

 

About the Author

Born and raised from a humble background in Kiandu village in Nyeri, Kanja is a true testimony that hardwork pays. The Bsc. Statisics graduate from the University of Nairobi and KASNEB CPA(K) holder has had it rough in his educational voyage and only attributes his success to God, zeal, passion and focus for everything he has gone through.

Having schooled at the local Kiandu Primary, proceeded to the prestigious St. Marys Nyeri High School where he emerged the best in KCSE 2006, taught at Trikha Girls Secondary school and summing it all with being a motivational speaker, Kanja has met a myriad of students who have awed him by their attitude towards education. Such experiences are what Samuel writes in this new book.

Contact Information

Mr. Samuel Kanja

Cell Phone No: 0729368307

Facebook Address: Samuel Kanja