A Bow to Shiraz Durrani: Publishing the Struggle

Oduor Ong-wen shares his thoughts on the recent retirement of Shiraz Durrani from Vita Books.

Two days ago, in what appeared like from the blues, Comrade Shiraz Durrani announced his retirement from Vita Books. While this unfamiliar new year gift of an announcement marks the end of an era, it is also a moment to celebrate a towering figure who has dedicated his life to merging activism with intellectual labour.

When asked by a journalist how he managed to be in the struggle and still write so well, South African revolutionary Alex La Guma famously responded that he indeed wondered how anyone could be out of the struggle and still  write anything useful. This insight resonates deeply with the life and work of Shiraz Durrani. He did not merely write or publish; he published the struggle, ensuring that stories of resistance, liberation, and hope were told, preserved, and disseminated. But beyond that, Shiraz actively engaged – and to continues to engage – in the struggle.

Shiraz’s journey as a revolutionary publisher began long before Vita Books. He was one of the early members of the underground December Twelve Movement (DTM), a vanguard group committed to fighting injustice and championing progressive ideals and liberating Kenya. At the University of Nairobi, Shiraz served as a progressive librarian, using his role to challenge conventional narratives and empower faculty and students to think critically. His radical stance and fearless advocacy for justice inevitably drew the ire of the Moi regime, forcing him into exile.

Exile, however, was not an end but a new beginning. Upon arriving in the United Kingdom, Shiraz founded Vita Books, a publishing house that would become a beacon for progressive thought. Prior to that, literature from Kenya’s underground and overt anti-imperialist struggles found it hard to get published, save for efforts of a few foreign publishing houses like Zed Books. Under his leadership, Vita Books published a wealth of literature not just on Kenya but across Africa, extending the horizons of freedom of expression and amplifying the voices of the marginalized. Through Vita Books, Shiraz ensured that the histories of struggle and the dreams of liberation would remain accessible for generations.

As Shiraz passes the mantle, we can only be confident that the tradition he has established at Vita Books will be perpetuated. His unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Left, social justice, freedom, and equality has inspired countless others to continue the work he began.

This should not sound like an obituary for we are used to tributes coming only after one has died. This is a celebration of a monumental contribution in service of humanity, freedom, and truth. Shiraz Durrani’s legacy reminds us that the pen, when wielded with conviction, is a powerful tool for liberation. This and, hopefully, his future contributions will forever illuminate the path for those who believe in a better, fairer world. Another world is possible. A new Kenya is indeed necessary.

Oduor Ong’wen
January 5, 2025