Nairobi Litfest 2025

Wanjiru Koinange and Angela Wachuka in conversation

A Palace for The People: Where were you on June 25th?

Sunday 29 June 2025, 12pm – 1pm –  Green Bunk Stage

As part of the recording, the hosts will collect public responses to the prompt: “Where were you on 25th June last year?”, capturing personal reflections on a day that marked a pivotal moment in Kenya’s recent protest history.

Sen. Crystal Asige in conversation with Mamka Anyona

Worth fighting for

Sunday 29 June 2025, 1pm – 2pm –  Green Bunk Stage

Prof. Kithaka wa Mberia in coversation with Ngartia Bryan

Book Talk: 'Kifo Kisimani'

Sunday 29 June 2025, 1pm – 2pm –  Book Talk Stage

Maricruz Rivera and Prof. Rinaldo Walcott with Mohamed Amin Abdishukri

Reversing cultural erosion

Sunday 29 June 2025, 1pm – 2pm –  Ikulu Stage

With the support of the Ford Foundation-Malunga: Network for Global Justice

Dipo Faloyin in conversation with Astrid Madimba and Chinny Ukata

Book Talk: 'Africa Is Not a Country'

Sunday 29 June 2025, 1.15pm – 2.15pm –  Book Talk Stage

A chat with Dipo Faloyin, a Nigerian journalist and author of non-fiction novel, Africa Is Not a Country on how his book seeks to reverse the simplistic and stereotypical depictions of the continent. In conversation with Chinny Ukata and Astrid Madimba.

With the support of Open Society Foundations, South to North series

James Rugami in conversation with Ras Mengesha

Tactile and analogue

Sunday 29 June 2025, 1.15pm – 2.15pm –  Ikulu Stage

An interview with James Rugami affectionately known as the “Real Vinyl Guru” and a mainstay in Kenya’s musical landscape. Mr. Rugami has run a record store in Nairobi since 1989. In conversation with Ras Mengesha.

Prof. Kithaka wa Mberia and Jane Obuchi in conversation with Francis Mutegi

Mother tongue on the page

Sunday 29 June 2025, 2pm – 3pm –  Green Bunk Stage

Ntone Edjabe and Billy Kahora in conversation with Augustin Trapenard

Experiments in pedagogies

Sunday 29 June 2025, 2.30pm – 3.30pm –  Ikulu Stage

A conversation with publishers Ntone Edjabe and Billy Kahora who have adopted subversive approaches to the development of creative work across music, film, teaching and publishing. In conversation with Augustin Trapenard.

Ayanna Lloyd Banwo in conversation with Lilly Bekele-Piper

Book Talk: 'When We Were Birds'

Sunday 29 June 2025, 2.30pm – 3.30pm –  Book Talk Stage

Ayanna Lloyd Banwo discusses her award-winning debut novel, When We Were Birds, a mythic love story set in Trinidad and Tobago. In conversation with Lilly Bekele-Piper.

Neddy Amoga, Mutua Matheka and Eric Wainaina with Ciku Kimeria

For the people, by the people

Sunday 29 June 2025, 3pm – 4pm –  Green Bunk Stage

Hear from creatives telling nuanced stories about Kenyan life through their artist endeavours. Eric Wainaina from the NBO Musical Theatre Initiative has written a brown-black love story filled with original Asian-Kenyan and African-Kenyan sounds. Neddy Amoga shares how Cinema in Nature blends storytelling, history, and forest trails, transporting audiences into the tension, camaraderie, and courage of the Mau Mau movement. Mutua Matheka is an architecture, travel and conceptual photographer and a Ford Foundation (Africa - No Filter) Fellow whose recent project, FRGMNTS presented Nairobi's skyline through immersive images and sounds. In conversation with Ciku Kimeria.

Dennis Mugaa in conversation with Muthoni Muiruri

Book Talk: 'Half Portraits Under Water'

Sunday 29 June 2025, 3.45pm – 4.45pm –  Book Talk Stage

Join Dennis Mugaa as he discusses his debut short story collection, Half Portraits Under Water which features ten loosely interlinked stories that explore love, loss, and the interconnected nature of human experiences. In conversation with Muthoni Muiruri.

Leïla Slimani in conversation with Mukami Kowino

Hearth as source

Sunday 29 June 2025, 3.45pm – 4.45pm –  Ikulu Stage

French-Moroccan author Leïla Slimani discusses her latest work, The Devil is in the Detail and other writings, a collection of stories and essays examining key topics including Islam and fundamentalism, the importance of literature, and Paris as a symbol of freedom and tolerance. In conversation with Mukami Kowino.

With the support for the Embassy of France and Alliance Française de Nairobi

Michelle Angwenyi, Momtaza Mehri and Willie Oeba in conversation with Abigail Arunga

Balm for a world on fire

Sunday 29 June 2025, 4pm – 5pm –  Green Bunk Stage

Celebrated poets Michelle Angwenyi, Momtaza Mehri and Willie Oeba explore meaning-making through the written word and recurring motifs in their craft. Momtaza Mehri is a British-Somali poet, essayist, editor, and researcher. Her poetry collection, Bad Diaspora Poems is the winner of an Eric Gregory Award and the 2023 Forward Prize for Best First Collection. Willie Oeba is a Spoken Word artist and 2024-2025 Ford Global Fellow who champions social justice, economic equity, and democracy. In conversation with Abigail Arunga.

In Koli Jean Bofane in conversation with Nteranya A. Sanginga

Retrospective on a career

Sunday 29 June 2025, 5pm – 6pm –  Green Bunk Stage

With the support of the Embassy of Belgium

Panashe Chigumadzi, Pankaj Mishra and Joe Sacco with Garnette Oluoch-Olunya

Defying the long shadow of empire

Sunday 29 June 2025, 6pm – 7pm –  Green Bunk Stage

In seeking new answers to the issues that plague us, we look to leading intellectuals whose work decenters Western powers and brings to the fore their moral blindspots. Award-winning Zimbabwean writer and historian, Dr. Panashe Chigumadzi, Indian essayist and novelist, Pankaj Mishra and Maltese-American cartoonist and journalist, Joe Sacco gather to explore what it takes to challenge and transcend colonial hegemony. In conversation with Garnette Oluoch-Olunya.

With the support of Open society Foundations, South to north series

Closing party: DJ set

Sunday 29 June 2025, 7pm – 9pm –  Green Bunk Stage