Henry Chakava: A Pioneer of Indigenous Publishing in Kenya and Africa

By Francis B. Nyamnjoh

Chakava’s impact extended to challenging the dominance of multinational publishers and glorifying colonial narratives in Kenya. Photo courtesy

Henry Chakava (1946-2024), often hailed as the “father of Kenyan publishing,” played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of African literature. His contributions extended beyond the commercial realm, encompassing a deep commitment to promoting African languages, facilitating translation, and challenging the dominance of multinational publishers. This tribute highlights Chakava’s multifaceted legacy, examining his key initiatives and their impact on the publishing industry in Kenya and Africa.

Challenging Multinational Control

Chakava’s impact extended to challenging the dominance of multinational publishers and glorifying colonial narratives in Kenya. In a groundbreaking move, he spearheaded the acquisition of Heinemann East Africa, the first instance of a local publisher taking over a multinational publishing house in the country . He then rebranded the company as East African Educational Publishers (EAEP), marking a turning point in the Kenyan publishing industry.

This bold move had a ripple effect, paving the way for other local publishers to acquire established multinational companies, such as Longman and Macmillan . These acquisitions significantly altered the Kenyan publishing landscape, empowering local voices and fostering a more diverse and representative literary environment.

This shift in ownership, however, presented challenges for the remaining multinational publishers, such as Oxford University Press. They faced increased competition from local publishers who were more attuned to the needs and preferences of the Kenyan market . Furthermore, these multinational publishers had to contend with issues like piracy and distribution barriers, which significantly impacted their operations and market share . The rise of local publishing houses forced them to adapt their strategies to remain relevant in the evolving landscape.

Henry Chakava and the Language Question

Chakava’s commitment to African languages transcended mere economic considerations. He firmly believed in their power to foster cultural identity and social growth. This belief manifested in several bold initiatives. Notably, he published Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s works in Gikuyu, despite the commercial risks involved and the fact that Heinemann, where he worked at the time, was under British ownership .

This decision, taken in the face of potential political repercussions, exemplified his courage, dedication to providing a platform for African voices, and challenging the hegemony of colonial languages . Despite threats, censorship, and commercial struggles, publishing Ngũgĩ remained one of Chakava’s greatest achievements, despite Ngũgĩ’s reduced influence in Kenya because of his exile .

Furthermore, Chakava was instrumental in publishing Kiswahili course books, which further solidified the language’s role within the Kenyan education system as a crucial mediating language between dominant English and other mostly marginalised African languages .

This proactive approach underscored his vision of Kiswahili as a unifying force and a vehicle for national development. Despite the limited profitability of publishing in African languages, Chakava remained steadfast in his commitment, recognising their intrinsic cultural and social value . He published an array of titles in various African languages, including oral literature, language learning materials, and a comprehensive English-Swahili dictionary .

Henry Chakava and Translation

Chakava’s contribution to translation further solidified his commitment to promoting African literature. Recognizing the linguistic diversity of the continent, he initiated the translation of major titles from the Heinemann African Writers Series into Kiswahili, and also facilitated some translation from Kiswahili into English. . This initiative broadened the accessibility of African literature, allowing readers across linguistic boundaries to engage with works by renowned authors such as Chinua Achebe, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, and Elechi Amadi , even when these translations were not commercially viable . By facilitating cross-cultural exchange through translation, Chakava enriched the literary landscape and fostered a deeper appreciation for African narratives.

Founding Member of the African Books Collective

Chakava was not only a champion of local publishing within Kenya, but also recognised the importance of collaboration and wider distribution for African books. He was a founding member of the African Books Collective (ABC) , a non-profit marketing and distribution outlet that promotes books from African publishers to a global audience .

Working with publishers from other African countries (including other founding members such as Dakar-based Council for the Development of Social Science Research (CODESRIA) and Walter Bgoya of Mkuki na Nyota Publishers in Tanzania), Chakava helped establish ABC as a platform to amplify African voices and ensure the dissemination of African literature internationally .

I first met him in 2004 at the ABC board meeting in Oxford. I had just been appointed Senior Programme Officer in charge of publications at CODESRIA. Chakava was on the ABC board in his capacity as a founding member and chairperson of East African Educational Publishers (EAEP), while I was representing CODESRIA.
It did not take more than an initial conversation for me to see that Chakava’s vision and commitment to promoting African writers and publishing African scholarship dovetailed perfectly with CODESRIA’s own vision .

During my six years on the board of ABC, it was an infinite pleasure and privilege to work with Henry Chakava, a man of great wisdom and experience, who inspired and spurred me on in my own dedication to help fulfil CODESRIA’s ambition and mission as a leading scholarly publisher in Africa, and eventually as well, my enthusiasm and dedication to Langaa Research and Publishing Common Initiative Group, an institute I co-founded in 2004.

Other Contributions to African Publishing

Beyond his work with EAEP and unrelenting advocacy for greater cooperation among publishers, government support for local publishing, and policy reforms to strengthen the industry in Kenya , Chakava made significant contributions to the development of the African publishing landscape. He was instrumental in founding the African Publishing Institute (API) and the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature .

The API, with its partnerships with organisations like the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, the World Bank, and others, aimed to enhance African literature through training and development programs. The Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature, established in collaboration with the Text Book Centre, recognised and celebrated outstanding literary works by Kenyan authors.

Chakava was instrumental in the creation of networks such as the Pan African Writers’ Association (PAWA), the African Publishers Network (APNET), the African Booksellers Association (PABA), and the African Books Collective (ABC). These networks, established in the late 1980s and early 1990s to strengthen African writing, publishing, and book distribution, have increased awareness and accessibility.

They aimed to address the challenges faced by many African writers of fiction and non-fiction who struggle to get published, often not due to poor content. The struggle often lies in publishers’ limited capacity to ensure quality and effectively distribute publications, a problem particularly acute for those writing in indigenous African languages. These initiatives demonstrate Chakava’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a vibrant literary culture in Africa.

Chakava’s Writings on Publishing

Chakava also shared his insights and experiences through his writing. His 1996 book, Publishing in Africa: One Man’s Perspective , provides a valuable account of the challenges and opportunities in African publishing. In this work, he explores various aspects of the industry, including the role of indigenous languages, the need for government support, and the importance of developing local publishing capacity. The book serves as a testament to his deep understanding of the field and his commitment to its growth.

Furthermore, Chakava’s influence and contributions were recognised by his peers through the publication of a festschrift in his honour, Coming of Age: Strides in African Publishing . This collection of essays, written by prominent figures in African literature and publishing, pays tribute to his significant role in shaping the industry.
Finally, Chakava played a crucial role in drafting the Kenyan copyright act . This contribution helped shape the legal framework for publishing in Kenya, ensuring the protection of intellectual property rights for authors and publishers.

Conclusion

Henry Chakava’s legacy as a pioneer of indigenous publishing in Kenya and Africa is undeniable. His unwavering commitment to African languages, his significant contributions to translation, and his bold challenge to multinational control transformed the Kenyan literary landscape. Beyond these achievements, his work as a founding member of the African Books Collective (ABC) demonstrated his understanding of the importance of collaboration and international reach for African literature.

By championing African voices and fostering a more inclusive publishing environment, Chakava ensured that African literature would continue to thrive and reach new heights. His vision and dedication serve as an inspiration to publishers and writers across the continent, reminding them of the power of literature to shape cultural identity, promote social growth, and challenge established norms.

Chakava’s influence extended beyond the borders of Kenya, contributing to the global discourse on African literature and publishing. The long-term impact of Chakava’s work on the accessibility and diversity of literature in Kenya is profound. His story serves as a reminder of the transformative power of individual vision and dedication in shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of a nation. He will be missed, but his legacy endures.

*Prof. Francis B. Nyamnjoh is an Anthropologist at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is Chair of the Board of Langaa Research and Publishing Centre,Bamenda, Cameroon

This article was first published on Pan African Visions (PAV)