Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize Announces 2024 Winner
Nairobi, Kenya – October 30, 2024 – The Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize is thrilled to announce the winner of the 2024 edition: Sibiloi: The Genesis of Humanity? by Dan Kairo. This prestigious award celebrates the best independently published books by African authors, recognising outstanding contributions to literature that address current and future African narratives.
Dan Kairo’s Sibiloi: The Genesis of Humanity? captivated the judges with its compelling storytelling and profound exploration of humanity’s origins. Set against the backdrop of Sibiloi National Park in Northern Kenya, the novel intertwines archaeology, mythology, and suspense, offering readers a unique and thought-provoking journey.
The 2024 shortlist featured an impressive array of works from talented authors across the continent, showcasing the diversity and richness of African literature. The first runner-up was Run, Cheche, Run (YA novella) by Tony Mochama (Kenya), and the second runner-up was Joe’s Collectanea by Joshua Omeke (Nigeria). They were both presented with a certificate. Other shortlisted authors were:
Serving God With Joy by Mary Maganga (Kenya)
How to Help the Boy Child by Wilson Macharia
The winner, Daniel Kairu Kiaraho, writing as Dan Kairo, will receive Ksh 20,000, scholarships to select creative writing courses at Mystery Creative Writing Training Institute, and a book distribution offer to all Mystery Publishers distribution channels. Dan Kairo joins the previous winners, Engineer Peter Nduati (2023) and Jerusha Kananu Marete (2022).
“We are incredibly proud to honour Dan Kairo with this year’s prize,” said Vincent de Paul, the Publishing Manager at Mystery Publishers. “His work exemplifies the spirit of the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize, celebrating the power of independent publishing and the vibrant voices of African authors.”
The chairperson of the judging panel, Lexa Lubanga, founder of Kenyan Readathon and ardent supporter of Kenyan writers/literature, Lexa said: “Let us come together to collaborate in elevating the standards of our literary community, ensuring that these remarkable stories attain the recognition and appreciation they truly deserve.”
The judging panel comprised reader and passionate supporter of African literature, Lexa Lubanga (Kenya) as the chairperson; Dr Michael Dickel (Israel) as the vice-chairperson; and members writer and columnist Empress Ciku Kimani-Mwaniki (Kenya), writer Lesalon Kasaine (Kenya), avid reader Xavier Omweri (Kenya), Tanzania-based Kenyan teacher, Richard Mbuthia, and Dr Carren Odhiambo from Rongo University (Kenya).
For more information about the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize and to view the full list of shortlisted books, please visit https://bookprize.mysterypublisherslimited.com/shortlisted-books/2024-shortlist/.
