My foray into literary journalism

Books

By Barrack Muluka

With such famine as there is in parts of Northern Kenya, a publication like ‘New Age’ must appear a luxury Hardly two years since its inception, the most promising literary publication in Kenya (and I dare say in East and Central Africa) is faced with the danger of going the same way all other literary and educational publications in East Africa have gone. New Age, launched in January last year, might have to fold up, unless donor support funds to the tune of Sh1.8 million are urgently secured.

The publication, the brainchild of Otieno Amisi, a young literary enthusiast, came into being with the financial support of Ananda Marga Mission, a volunteer relief mission that is involved with a wide range of educational, hunger and medical support programmes. Throughout last year, New Age won the hearts of many with scintillating literary, educational and cultural debates. The tabloid, depending largely on external writers, has attracted contributions and reactions from such scholarly and creative luminaries as Prof Chris Wanjala, Prof S. Atieno-Odhiambo, Taban Lo Liyong and Marjorie Oludhe-Macgoye. In all, 12 editions were issued last year – essentially one issue a month. It is not stretching the truth to say that the publishers of New Age have acquitted themselves with speed, spice and credence.

They have previously adroitly carried refreshing and provocative articles on such topics as the racial descent of the ancient Egyptians, based on Caetanya’s book, The Restoration of African Greatness, in which the argument has been advanced that the ancient Egyptians (and indeed others like Moses of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ) were black Africans. Also discussed in back numbers have been topics like slave trade and the decline of African civilisation, hunger in Africa, self-censorship in literature, the future of education in Kenya, the nagging problems of economic decline in Kenya, inflation, population … one could go on for ever. Then come 1992 and it soon becomes clear that all was not well. So far, only three editions of this magazine have been issued this year.

The managing editor, Otieno Amisi, explains that this is due to the partial withdrawal of Ananda Marga Mission from the project. When the publication was launched, Ananda Marga bank-rolled production fully. They also provided office space as well as financing other infra-structural needs.

But, explains Amisi: “In recent months, it has been impossible for them to continue giving us this support because of the very growing number of emergency relief and social service projects they are involved in.” With such famine as there is in parts of Northern Kenya and other neighbouring countries, a publication like New Age must appear a luxury to any donor who is himself in the first place hard-pressed for finances.

Indeed, Ananda Marga have indicated through their Mr Dada Ramaendrananda that they intend to pull out of New Age altogether. Perhaps the picture would not be so bleak if advertisers honoured their commitment and paid up in time. Amisi reports that they are owed upwards of Sh140,000 from previous advertising in the magazine. “And it is unlikely that they will all pay up at the same time.” To try to save the situation, Amisi and three others, David Njenga Muhia, Castor Kweye and Mcloud Givonda, have recently registered a new company, Creative Ventures, which will fully take over New Age. The new company, which will operate as a non-profit making organisation, will be housed in Gill House, Nairobi.

Already appeals have been sent out to individuals, foundations, and other organisations to help contribute towards the Sh1.8 million Creative Ventures would initially require to keep afloat. Whether this assistance will be forthcoming or not, only time will tell. What is clear, though, is that the hopes of many literary enthusiasts are once again hanging in the balance with New Age, as were, on the precipice.