IHRAM Writivism Influencer Mbizo Chirasha talks to Prolific Kenyan Words Curator Michael Mwangi Macharia

MC: Who is Michael Mwangi Macharia?
MMM: Well, I would say that I am a literary enthusiast who engages in many activities. I am a prolific poet, writer, critic and reviewer. I have edited for two private publishers. I also identify and nurture upcoming writers and poets through Modern African Poetry and East African Literature Journal. I also  direct poetry for performance.

MC: How many writers have you profiled and nurtured so far?
MMM: The profiles are very many between the two platforms. The membership is over nine thousand poet, writers and Literature lovers.

MC: How many books have you written so far?
MMM: I contributed to magazines and newspapers that had literary forums before publishing a poem Upon Death of a Poet in Echoes Across the Valley (EAEP). That was in the year 2000. I also contributed poetry and articles to Miombo publishing and One hundred Thousand Poets for Zimbabwe. From 2020, I have contributed to many anthologies including A Mad Lion Hunting and Haunting Cities and Towns (Ed. Gorata Ntshwabi), Unspoken Crime Scenes (Ed. Harlord Ankwasa) and light verse titled Animals,Vegetables, Mineral (Ed. Rhs Hughes). I have been featited and interviewed in several platforms.

MC: Do you write anything about Gender equity and equality?
MMM: Yes. Unspoken Crime Scenes that I have mentioned was an initiative by UPASHAR (Ugandan Poets Against Sexual Harassment and Rape). Many of my verses depict the strength of woman  epitomized in  Mother Africa. There is also growing concern about challenges facing the boy child.

MC: Does Kenya promote ideas of free expression and speech?
MMM: Officially the new 2020 constitution provides for protection of all kinds of freedoms. These include freedom to receive and pass information. There are limitations such as libel, sedition, immorality or incitement.

MC: How is the publishing industry in Kenya?
MMM: After independence the industry was dominated by mainstream publishers. These were Heinemann, Oxford University Press and Macmillan. There were a few  local publishers that were established by the government to meet growing needs such as Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB) and Jomo Kenyatta Foundation. After several decades the companies were taken up by Kenyans. Heinemann became EAEP and Longman  turned into Longhorn. As the new millennium approached there was a new movement called Kwani. The adherents led by Binyavanga Wainaina were dubbed ''literary gangsters'' for their unconventional approach. Mainly they went against the canon and caught attention with a variety of wirks. Currently many writers have taken to self-publishing. They use the social media to promote and sell the publications.

MC: How are human rights defenders in Kenya and East Africa treated?
MMM: The human rights activists enjoy some measure of freedom. They have a role to speak out especially in the  situations where politicians from both government and opposition have common interests. In Uganda,a poet Stella Nyanzi has been incarcerated and pushed to exile occasionally due to her poetry.

MC: What is the role of writers in cultivating free expression,human rights and democracy?
MMM: Writers are the conscience of society. They have an important role of pinpointing the ills while acknowledging positive developments. This can be through published works or digital platforms.

MC: Parting shot to young writers ...
MMM: The writer's role is to write. They should prepare poems, short stories, plays and novels awaiting opportunity. That is their  way of influencing change in society.

Michael Mwangi Macharia is the the founder of East African Literature  Journal. He was born and brought up in Nakuru. This the headquarters of the expansive and  scenic Rift Valley province, Kenya. He attended Kenyatta Primary, Koelel and Kabarnet High School before joining Moi University Eldoret. He is interested in nurturing upcoming poets and writers. Besides literature, he has an interest in  photography and has won an award. Currently he is based in Laikipia.