On the 13th of April 2023, the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize (ARIBP) will celebrate the winner of the 2022 call for indie authors. Echoes of Military Souls by Jerusha Kananu Marete scooped the win ahead of Vincent de Paul’s Inevitable Desires: First Love and Duncan Ouma’s City of Cannibals, which came in second and third, respectively. Jerusha writes passionately about the scourge of terrorism in Somalia, the Central African Republic, Mozambique, and the Boko Haram menace in West Africa. Families across the continent have been devastated by the effects of war, militia committed to a faceless enemy and gallant soldiers who never give up unless in the hands of death.
The colourful one-of-a-kind event will be held at Alliance Française de Nairobi, at the heart of Nairobi City. The Prize, managed by Mystery Publishers, aims to recognise and promote the quality of self-published books that tell extraordinary stories addressing the current state of the African continent and the future we want to see. The event has drawn the support of many partners and stakeholders who support its noble mandate, key among them the venue sponsor partner— Alliance Française de Nairobi.
Alliance Française de Nairobi is a hub for fostering arts and culture in Nairobi. The organisation has set up centres worldwide to support the propagation of higher education and certification. They also host programs supporting film, music, and visual arts. The space is also known for hosting music festivals and book clubs.
Therefore, the Alliance Française de Nairobi, as a sponsor, is a lifelong strategic partner for the Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize because of its rich potential to encourage dialogue in contemporary society. The partnership seeks to give voice to a new generation of budding writers for whom traditional publishing has confined to the sidelines. This collaboration is set to transform African independent publishing by building an audience for experimental works of literature and propelling the reading culture in Kenya and beyond.
