Text Book Centre (TBC) on Saturday hosted the second edition of its Penmanship Awards at the Jain Bhavan Auditorium in Loresho, gathering authors, publishers, educators, students, and literary stakeholders under the theme “Across Ages, Across Pages.”
The awards build on the success of the inaugural edition, which was launched during TBC’s 60th anniversary celebrations. They come at a time when both global and African publishing industries are experiencing renewed energy. Industry reports indicate that global book publishing revenues are set to grow, driven by educational publishing, children’s books, and rising demand for local content.
Across Africa, increasing literacy rates, a growing middle class, and developing education systems are fueling demand for books—particularly locally published titles. In Kenya, educational and trade publishing remain key growth segments. The government plans to raise the education budget to KSh 767 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, according to the approved 2026 Budget Policy Statement by parliament. Stakeholders in education and publishing anticipate greater investment in learning infrastructure and materials.
Speaking at the event, Sachin Varma, CEO of Text Book Centre, said: “Each year we run the Penmanship Awards, we lower the barrier for one more writer who might otherwise never have known this platform existed. Each year, the network of people committed to Kenyan literary talent grows a little larger and a little stronger. That compounding effect, small each year and significant over a decade, is exactly how ecosystems are built.”
Earlier, Prof. Miriam Maranga-Musonye from the University of Nairobi underscored literature’s essential role in society. “Literature serves as the basis for promoting and localizing storytelling,” she said. “Communities can see themselves, their histories, and their futures reflected in their literature.” She praised TBC for launching the awards, noting that their significance lies in celebrating storytelling not merely as entertainment but as one of the oldest and most vital aspects of human survival. She also called on industry players to collaborate in building sustainable, resilient ecosystems for Kenya’s literary future, stressing the need to encourage young people to nurture penmanship.
A panel discussion further enriched the conversation on the business of books, featuring Kenya Publishers Association Chairman Musyoki Muli, author Chris Madison, and Sharon Banda, Operations Director of East African Educational Publishers. Titled “From Manuscript to Marketplace,” the session highlighted exciting opportunities for African writers.
The TBC Penmanship Awards recognized outstanding authors across multiple categories, including adult books, teens, children’s literature, junior authors, as well as best school libraries and lifetime achievement honorees. Notable winners included media personality Janet Mbugua for My First Time, Dr. Anuradha Khoda for Noah and the Rainbow Promise Series 2, and Jackson Biko for Big Little Fights.
Bringing the theme “Across Ages, Across Pages” to life, a special award was presented to boys and girls under 13 who have written and published books. Winners included Joseph Laight from Potter House School for The Big Tomato, Joseph Yohan Ayiro from WoodCreek Schools for Big Africa, and sisters Maya M. and Nia M. from Kiota School for To the Land of Magic.
Closing the ceremony, Joy Okumu, Head of Retail at Text Book Centre, thanked partners, authors, and readers for their unwavering support.
“A strong reading culture takes collaborative efforts among writers, publishers, schools, libraries, and readers,” she said.
“Through the Penmanship Awards, Text Book Centre is committed to fostering Kenya’s literary development. We remain dedicated to supporting Kenyan authors, encouraging them to start young—as embodied in our special award for children under 13—strengthening reading culture, and contributing significantly to the development of the country’s educational landscape.”