'Kigogo' author Pauline Kea speaks on her political play and the power of stories

In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, we sit down with acclaimed author and teacher Pauline Kea to discuss her journey as a writer and the impact of her work on Kenyan society.

Kea is best known for her novel 'Kigogo,' which unexpectedly went viral at the height of political unrest in Kenya. The book, released in 2016, tells the story of citizens rising to demand change in the face of bad governance—an uncanny reflection of recent events in the country.

Speaking on the show, Kea emphasizes that 'Kigogo' was never written with today’s political climate in mind, but she is not surprised by the parallels.

Despite the book’s resonance, Kea urges young people to push for reform through civil and constructive means rather than resorting to violence or destruction.

Beyond 'Kigogo,' Kea’s career has been remarkable. She has authored 108 books, making her one of the most prolific writers in Kenya. Yet, she is candid about the realities of the literary scene: being a full-time author is rarely financially sustainable.

“In Kenya, academic books tend to generate more income than other genres. Most writers need other sources of livelihood.”

Watch the full episode of Beyond the Headlines to hear Kea’s insights on writing, teaching, and navigating the challenges of being an author in Kenya.