Dr Tom Olali

Dr. Tom Olali, a Kenyan, has been doing research on Islamic Civilization in the Lamu Archipelago, situated on the East Coast of Africa. His area of interest is the Pre-20th Century Swahili Islamic Poetry and how the poetry is performed during the maulidi festival (the anniversary of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad). Before joining the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in Swahili Studies, Dr.Olali worked as a Senior Research Scientist at the National Museums of Kenya conducting research in Lamu. He founded the Research Institute of Swahili Studies of Eastern Africa (RISSEA) located on Lamu Island. He has presented papers in several regional and International Conferences on Classical Swahili Islamic Poetry. In 2000, he won the Aga Khan International Programme Scholarship to study at the prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London for his PhD. His thesis is titled: The Veneration of the Prophet: The Role of Kasida ya Hamziyyah during the Maulidi Festival of the Lamu Archipelago, Kenya. His external Examiner was the renowned Prof. David Parkin who is the Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Oxford University, UK.

Books By Tom

SUBMISS

Prof. Humphrey Ojwang

Professor Ojwang is a dedicated educator at the University of Nairobi. He has written a well-researched book about the life and times of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in a biography aptly titled A Taste of Freedom. This book is a sequel to the one penned by the late Opposition doyen himself…titled Not Yet Uhuru. Students of Political Science and other Kenyans will be edified by this informative book.

The good professor has also written a book on the late Bishop of Maseno South Diocese, the tireless Henry Okullu. Most Kenyans will nostalgically recall the force with which the quartet that comprised Okullu, Muge, Kuria and Njoya delivered the word of God to an increasingly autocratic and failing Moi administration. That Kenya lacks such voices today—at a time when our political leaders are clueless what to do with Kenya and for Kenyans—is a shame. Where are our pastors? Where is that moral voice? It’s gratifying that Professor Ojwang has taken time to tell us what motivated Henry Okullu. I challenge other scholars to write about Bishop Muge, Kuria and Njoya. It would be nice to know what motivated these men of God…and what made them different from the lip-sealed clergy of today.

Peter Muya Hamisi

Peter Muya’s book A Voyage of Destiny just hit the market. This book—a journey through his exciting life—is told with the humility of one who has seen God’s hand guiding him through life’s often devastating challenges, and the controlled pride of one who has witnessed triumph after another because he left everything in the hands of the Master.
Peter was recently interviewed by 93.3 Hope FM in Nairobi about his experiences with God and what motivated him to write the inspiring book about his life. I had the privilege of listening to that captivating interview. Take it from me when I say that this forceful Sahel author represented us well and spoke with the poise of one who knew that an entire family of readers and authors of the leading non-traditional publisher stood right there with him.
Congrats for a job well done, Bwana Muya.

Dr Absalom Birai

C. Absalom N. Birai is a pastor of the Maranatha Seventh day-Adventist church, a fast growing congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, under the Minnesota Conference of Seventh day Adventists. He has a passion for ministry and church planting. He started his career in Nairobi, Kenya, where he shepherded several churches before coming to the USA. Since coming to the USA, he has planted two churches: New Life SDA church in Dallas, Texas, in October 7, 2000, and Maranatha SDA church in April 1, 2006. By the grace of God, he plans to plant a total of 10 churches.

He holds a doctoral degree in Ministry and Leadership from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. He is one man, who like some, has traveled a road less traveled. His strong faith in the Living God has seen him through so many challenges. He gives all the credit to the good Lord for His faithfullness.

Him and his wife Rachel have four children: Mary, Daniel, Thomas, and Mary Anne.

Sam Okello

Sam Okello is the author of best selling novels including, Her Excellency,The Mau Mau Prophecy, The Night Bob Died and A Shining Star in Darkness, co-authored with Marianne Briner. He is the President and CEO of Sahel Books Inc., home to Sahel Publishing.

Gichaba Nyantino

Gichaba Nyantino is a new novelist based in Nakuru—Kenya. He is a history teacher at the Nakuru Secondary school. Blessed with a sharp mind and a knack for detail, this voluble son of Kenya has weaved a story that may as well have come from a pro. Titled Twists of Fate, this novel is bound to add glory to the increasingly barren world of the Kenyan novel.

Otieno Obunga

Otieno Obunga is a first-time author who lives in New York, U.S.A. His book of a running Poem is titled Choose Me One Cry. With a beautiful cover, this poem is a riveting portrayal of life on the shores of the Victoria for the Luo of Kenya…in the years gone by. For those who enjoyed Song of  Ocol, Song of Lawino…by Okot P’Bitek…here is your chance to discover this new author and to enjoy the refreshing lyrics of his engrossing poem.