Dear Author/Reader,

Feels good to be able to bring you the February/March issue of The Candle. As you’ll see from our revamped website, we now come to you from South Bend, Indiana, and the beautiful city of Nairobi, Kenya. It’s been our strategic goal for the past few years to eventually bring the world-class services of Sahel Publishing to the East African region and Africa in general by locating one of our offices in Nairobi. Gives me great joy to announce that this goal has finally been met however difficult it has been.
As Sahel Publishing gets down to business in Kenya and the wider Africa, we call on you to spread the word about the company’s presence in the local market.
Lest you be worried about our new mode of operation, let me say this—nothing changes in our publishing process. The only significant difference you’ll notice is that those who want their book/s in the Kenyan market will have that opportunity.

OUR NEW AUTHORS:

1. Professor 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.

2. 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 A Twist of Fate, this novel is bound to add glory to the increasingly barren world of the Kenyan novel.

3. 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.

4. Dr. Absalom Birai
Last year was a trying time for Dr. Birai. One of Sahel Publishing’s most aggressive authors, he was taken ill when a clot was discovered in his left leg. Upon diagnosis, his stunned Minneapolis doctor told him that had he not come in, he would have been killed by the travelling clot. What followed was a treatment regimen that left the man of God bewildered. In his new book, My Midnight Hour, this senior minister at the Maranatha S.D.A. Church tells his devoted readership of the trials and triumphs he experienced in that very dark hour. Just like his first book Except for the Lord, this new one is bound to inspire and rekindle your faith in God.

5. Sam Okello

My latest book is a departure from the political thriller. In my new guidebook for form four candidates, I’ve walked the students through the themes, styles, context, characterization and the two-point questions in Ngugi’s The River Between, the fodder from which the steely examiners love to harvest questions for candidates.

I ask all of you in the Diaspora who have relatives and friends who’ll be sitting exams later this year to buy this book for the student. I guarantee you that a student who diligently studies my guidebook will NOT fail the set book—The River Between.

And just like with Ngugi’s book, I’ve written a guide for HenriK Ibsens, An Enemy of the People. Again, I’ve brought up the themes, styles, characters and other testable issues in the play.

Note:  If you’re a form four student and you’ve not bought these two guides, you’re planning to fail your English exams. Look, I don’t need to remind you that failing English is detriment to your overall performance in the national exams and may affect your future career choices. So get these two guidebooks and plant yourself on the path to success.

6. 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.

THE NEW TEAM AT SAHEL PUBLISHING

In addition to the very capable staff Sahel Publishing has worked with over the years, our entry into the East African market has necessitated recruitment of local experts. In this regard, we hired the following:

Sammy Mwirigi

Sammy is our new graphics guy. He’s responsible for ensuring that the cover of your book looks exactly as you want it…and even better. He brings to Sahel Publishing years of experience in this area, including a stint at the organization of African Unity (OAU). A very approachable guy, we look forward to a fulfilling relationship with him and guarantee that he’ll be of tremendous help to our authors and associates.

David Tuikong

 Dave is one of the most gifted web designers this side of the Sahara. He has designed websites for some of Kenya’s leading firms and is increasingly on demand abroad. He will be responsible for updates and management of our site and other pertinent issues.

Garrie Okello

Garrie has joined the Sahel Publishing team as the new Book Orders Director. In this capacity he’ll be responsible for receiving orders from authors and readers and ensuring they are processed in a timely and effective manner. Contact him @ garrieokello@sahelpublishing.net

THIS MONTH'S POEM:

THEY TOLD ME…

When I left Nairobi they told
Me that America was a land
Of the brave and the free…

They told me that America
Was the last best hope  of
Mankind, a shining city on a hill… 

They told me that  America was a
Democracy the likes of which
The world has has never seen…

They said that the Americans are
Loving and kind, just like the
Missionaries they sent to Africa…

I believed what they told me because 
I loved the idea of America, until I
Came and saw for myself!