Kwani? is an annual literary journal that was established in 2003 by the Kwani Trust to promote East African writers and the development of the literary community in the Region. Over fifty new writers have been published in the four issues of Kwani? out so far.

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, who was published by Kwani? won the Caine Prize for African Writing 2003. Parselelo Kantai was short listed for the Caine Prize for African Writing 2004.In 2007 Kwani? Assistant editor Billy Kahora was highly commended by the judges of the Caine Prize.

Kwani? has been positively reviewed or featured in major newspapers and other media in East Africa and internationally ranging from Kenya's Sunday Nation and the East African to the Washington Post and the Miami Herald in the USA and The Independent in the UK. Stories from Kwani? have also been read on the BBC.

At home, in kenya, Kwani? continues to be at the head of a renaissance in arts and culture. Kwani? hosts two live events every month: Sunday Salon, Nairobi- a prose reading series- and the long-running Kwani? Poetry Open Mic.

Kwani?'s monthly events are a brimful with creative talent. There are a space where cultural practitioners from Kenya and abroad can meet to showcase their art forms and share ideas and creative energies while extending a mentor's hand to budding creatives.

Kwani? also holds an annual Literary Festival- the Kwani? Litfest- in partnership with the Summer Literary Seminars. Past editions of this event have brought together renown literary figures: writers, editors and publishers from the US, Britain, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Gambia, Uganda, DR Congo and Kenya. The festival has seen the birthing of myriad literary collaborations that continue to enrich and inform global conversations. The festival has also provided an immense opportunity for new writers to train on and learn the craft of writing and performance from some of its leading practitioners.

Kwani? is published by Kwani Trust, a not for profit organisation registered in Nairobi, Kenya. (read less)

Kwani? is an annual literary journal that was established in 2003 by the Kwani Trust to promote East African writers and the development of the literary community in the Region. Over fifty new writers have been published in the four issues of Kwani? out so far.

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, who was published by Kwani? won the Caine Prize for African Writing 2003. Parselelo Kantai was short listed for the Caine Prize for African Writing 2004.In 2007 Kwani? Assistant editor Billy Kahora was highly... (read more)