A haven for Kenya’s artists

On July 22, 2003, Sunday Nation humorist Wahome Mutahi died after 137 days in a coma. With his pen Whispers, as he was popularly known – after the name of his column – informed and entertained readers in Kenya and across the region.

Six years after he exited the scene, the vacuum he left still begs to be filled. However, Investment (Eva Wanjugu), the youngest child in Wahome’s family, is determined to keep the memory of her father alive.

Wanjugu, 26, has teamed up with her high school friend Treza Kinoru, also 26, to form the Whispers Book Den.

Cultural scene

“We want to revolutionalise the cultural scene in the country,” said Ms Wanjugu. “Most of all, we want to nurture young artistic talent to ensure continuity.”

Ms Kinoru said the Whispers Book Den will be a place for expression. “Our vision is of a place where people can express themselves in various ways, be it through books or performances. The bottom line is to make Kenyans better appreciate their culture.”

The two women, who are the directors of the Whispers Book Den, said that when it comes to books, they would be dealing exclusively with local, and to a certain extent, African works.

“Why promote foreign books when our authors are suffering from lack of exposure?” Ms Kinoru asked. “Charity begins at home.”

Ms Wanjugu said that although their initiative is not a Wahome family affair, it nevertheless has the blessings of the family. “My family has given us the go-ahead to proceed with the Whispers Book Den, including use of the name,” she said.

“In fact my brother Patrick Mutahi, aka Whispers Junior, is a member of the advisory board of the Whispers Book Den.”

Ideal place

Others who sit on the board include Prof Kimani Njogu, Dan Ndambuki (Churchill), Tony Mochama and Eunice Kagiri. The board will help the two directors run the Den and offer advice where its needed, for example, by offering publishing or managerial tips.

The Whispers Book Den aims to be a haven for artistic persons. “Humour writers will find this the ideal place for them as their work will get appreciated. We will also have children’s reading clubs where children tell and write stories, which will eventually be published,” said Ms Kinoru, who works in public relations.

Apart from reading books, book lovers will also be able to borrow books from the Den, which will be located at Chiromo Courts on Waiyaki Way. People wishing to borrow books will need to become members.

There will be different categories of membership named after characters in Whispers’ world, the most prestigious being Appep, who was Whispers’ mother, followed by Thatcher, his wife. The others are Whispers Junior, Pajero and Investment. The children’s category will be known as Whiz Kidz.

The categories will attract separate charges and will determine the number of books a member can borrow. Most of the books will be from Whispers’ library.

The Den will also have a coffee lounge where patrons can enjoy their favourite drinks while reading books or enjoying performances. Customers who buy books from the Whispers Book Den can have them delivered via the Dial-a-Book service.

When the idea to start the Whispers Book Den occurred to Ms Wanjugu and Ms Kinoru, they applied for the government-backed Chora Bizna competition this year and won in the Fine Arts and Performing Arts category.

The Chora Bizna competition involves writing a business proposal, and the winners in the various categories are awarded the amount they propose in their presentations to set up the envisaged businesses.

The two friends were awarded close to Sh500,000 and added this to their savings and contributions from their family and friends. While what they have will help them open the Den, they are still looking for further funding to sustain their long-term dreams.

Whispers Book Den will open on August 1 and will be launched on August 20.