Khainga O’Okwemba: I spend most of my time with other writers and reading. PHOTO | FILE
Whenever Khainga O’Okwemba enters into a literary event, handshakes and hugs with genuine smiles mark the encounter. He is a well-known personality in these circles.
A writer, host of the KBC English Service’s The Books Café, literary columnist and president of the PEN Kenya Centre; the country’s charter of PEN International — the world’s largest association of writers.
We caught up with the PEN man and had a chat.
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You are a poet, essayist, radio host, columnist and the PEN president. How to juggle all these roles?
Being a writer I spend most of my time with other writers and reading books. When I was starting the literary column five years ago my editor was worried about how I was going to sustain it. I know the major players in the industry, including publishers, writers and editors. Things just overlap. I can host a writer then write the experience for the column.
Your poetry book ‘Smiles in Pathos and Other Poems’ is quite a volume for a poetry book.
It is actually three books in one. Poetry is not like a novel, where you have an idea, structure it, then say ‘I want to finish this book in six months’. Poetry’s inspiration is fragmented and comes at different times. Over time you get a good number to put together a collection.
What does PEN Kenya Centre do?
PEN stands for Poets, Essayists and Novelists. PEN International was founded more than 90 years ago ideally to promote literature and defend freedom of expression.
Who can join PEN?
It is open to anyone who is published. Over the years, it has grown to accommodate all genres of literature and type of writers even broadcasters and non-vanity bloggers. To join, one needs to look at the charter and subscribe to the ideals of what literature can do to society.
Since one of the ideals of PEN is to defend freedom of expression, got any success stories?
Two years ago, a play by Butere Girls called Shackles of Doom was banned because people felt that it was too controversial. We intervened and went to court to protect the writer’s work. We succeeded.
There was a lead factory at the Coast that was causing multiple health issues for the residents. We trained the local civil society then gave the matter a national profile. We put together a petition which was presented to the Senate; the factory was closed.
What does PEN Kenya do to spread the appreciation of literature?
Since 2009 we have been running a creative writing programme in secondary schools. We visit 10 schools a year. We demystify writing, giving writing tips, and grow the next generation of African writers.
