The Nairobi Soma festival is the 1st edition this year and was launched by the County Executive for Talent Skills Development and Care, Rosemary Kariuki at the Macmillan Library in Nairobi.
The planning of the festival started late 2023, and was driven by the motivation to promote library services, having activities that attract users and develop a reading culture among the residents of the City. This has inspired local authors & readership too. The Nairobi soma festival not only promotes the library but also gives authors a platform to market their work hence need to engage more in addressing the users’ needs.
The County Executive said that this event is informed by the objects of the Macmillan Memorial Act chapter 217 (c) that talks about organization, promotion & encouragement of public lectures, cinemas, performances, educational classes among others. Part (e) talks about cooperation with or contribution by institutions and this is why today we work together with Local Authors to host The Nairobi Soma festival.
She said Governor Sakaja promised in his manifesto to establish community libraries and to bring library services closer to the people. This event demonstrates his commitment to fulfilling his promise. The County recently took over the management of Kibra library from the National Government making it a fully-fledged Nairobi City County Entity. This adds the number of our libraries to 4, the others being Kaloleni, Eastlands and Mac Millan.
Ms. Kariuki said the County recently refurbished Kaloleni and Eastlands Libraries in collaboration with our partners Book Bunk and invite has been extended to all especially during this school holiday to keep the children busy in all these library facilities our doors are open to the public for an inner & better understanding of the library services that Nairobi City County offers.
The County Executive appreciated the local authors who are displaying their works and sharing different experiences through books. She said the history of Macmillan dates back in early in 1906 with rare information materials especially, the first East African standard of 1906. “This festival is an avenue to encourage the reading culture. I encourage all to take advantage of this rare opportunity.”
The County Executive said the County plans to hold sessions for the children on Saturday where there will be storytelling, games & fun-reading activities. She encouraged parents and guardians to bring children to take part and grow intellectually as they have fun.
The County Executive was accompanied by Jacob Ananda in charge Library Services and other members of staff from the library section.
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