‘Nation’ editor wins literary prize

One Planet Publishers MD Kithusi Mulonzya (left) with Ng'ang'a Mbugua, author of Angels of the Wild which won the Wahome Mutahi Literary Prize 2016 on September 24, 2016, display a copy of the book. PHOTO | JOSEPH NGUNJIRI

What you need to know:

  • He won in 2010 and 2012 for his books Terrorists of the Aberdares and Different Colours, respectively.
  • Okello called on parents to develop reading among their children at infancy.

An editor at the Nation Media Group has won the prestigious Wahome Mutahi Literary Prize 2016.

Mr Ng’ang’a Mbugua, the deputy managing editor of the Daily Nation, won the award for his book Angels of the Wild, published by One Planet Publishers.

This is the third time that Mr Mbugua has won the award.

He won in 2010 and 2012 for his books Terrorists of the Aberdares and Different Colours, respectively.

His book was nominated for the award in the English category alongside two others — Komu Fights for Change by Peter Kareithi and Ask the Stars by Anthony Mugo.

The two were published by Longhorn.

In the Kiswahili category, Mr John Habwe won the award for his book Kovu Moyoni, published by Bookmark Africa.

He had been nominated alongside Mr Tom Olali for his book Mashetani ya Ulepo and Mr Jeff Mandila (Narejea Nyumbani).

The two books were published by Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.

The winners were announced on Saturday night at a gala dinner for the closing of the 19th edition of the Nairobi International Book Fair, at a Nairobi hotel.

Mr Mbugua’s book addresses the poaching menace.

It is about a boy from Narok who is using technology to fight poaching and conserve the environment.

It stresses that if parents do not take the lead in fight poaching, their children will be forced to do so.

“I feel honoured to have won the prize thrice. I am also honoured because I worked with Wahome Mutahi as journalists and we both had passion for writing. He shaped the country,” said Mr Mbugua.

He added that he now wishes not to be considered for the award again and asked publishers to consider upcoming authors instead.

“I have now retired from the Wahome Mutahi award but I am open to other awards if they come up,” he said, adding that writers should stop imitating others and instead try to develop their own style and to read widely.

Ms Mary Okello, who was the chief guest for the gala, appealed to Kenyans to also read widely saying that research had backed reading to have many advantages such as boosting memory, relieving stress and boosting confidence in oratory skills.

She also advised budding authors to write books with characters that Kenyans can easily relate to.

She further called on parents to develop reading among their children at infancy.