African Book Talk Series - "Dialogue and Dissent: A Constitution in Search of a Country Kenya" by Irungu Houghton
Columbia Global Centers | Nairobi is pleased to introduce our ongoing virtual book series featuring African authors! With this series, we hope to offer a platform where African writers can engage a global audience, offering not just their work but exciting perspectives on how personal, political, and cultural experiences drive their storytelling.
Dialogue and Dissent: A Constitution in Search of a Country Kenya is a valuable record written by an insider to the Kenyan and Africa story, reflecting a fight for a society founded on constitutional values of inclusion, equality, and social justice. Written for global audiences, it shares vivid insights and bold perspectives from some of Kenya’s boldest advocates over 2010-2020. Their stories lie in the simple choices they take daily to uphold democracy and respect human rights in a world where these conditions are rapidly diminishing.
For more about the book, join us virtually on 21st July 4 PM Nairobi/9 AM New York.
Moderator Bio
Wendy Njoroge is a book curator, entrepreneur, community builder, and reading advocate who has formal and informal experience in the book industry in Kenya. As a bookseller and community builder, She served as the lead in marketing for the biggest bookshop chain in Kenya for five years, where she established & hosted the largest corporate-sponsored book club. Wendy has since transitioned to be an entrepreneur focused on filling market gaps of access and availability of books in Kenya under the brand Soma Nami Books. Soma Nami Books is a book lovers hub comprising a book club, bookstore, book subscription service, and book forum.
As a curator at Books & Wine (a community of books and wine enthusiasts), Wendy drives the discoverability of books and literary works. The community interacts through the Books & Wine website, newsletter, social media, and regular events. As a reading advocate, driven by the conviction of books' transformative power, she is part of a trio that runs a vodcast (video podcast) named Things Fall Together, which uses literary works to highlight, interrogate and spark conversation about current issues in society.
Author Bio.
Irũngũ Houghton has been actively engaged in rights-based advocacy for the last 30 years. An insider writes this book to the Kenyan and Africa story. Currently serving as Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director, he leads a team of committed investigative researchers and campaigners working to end human rights abuses and realize the Constitution of Kenya. Widely known as an inspirational speaker and news columnist, his public interest campaigns have received awards and citations from the African Union, New Partnerships for Africa's Development, Nation Media Group, New African, Architectural Association of Kenya, and Sabre Africa Awards over the period covered by this book.