The competition also provided the basis of original, primary research to find out what are the most popular books among upper primary and secondary students in Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya, 4 October 2025 — Winners of this year’s edition of the annual Digital Essay Competition by local publisher eKitabu were unveiled during the Nairobi International Book Fair at the Sarit Expo Centre in Westlands, Nairobi.
The competition, which has run annually across all 47 counties of Kenya for the past thirteen years, also provided the basis of original, primary research to find out what are the most popular books among upper primary and secondary students in Kenya. Seven of the top 12 books, the data reveals, have been published by Access Publishers Ltd.
This year’s competition attracted 15,221 entries from primary and secondary school students across 35 counties. Students at both of these levels answered the same question: “What is your favourite book and why?” The competition had nine categories: English, Kiswahili, French, German, Arabic, Braille, Art, Kenyan Sign Language, and, for the first time, Mandarin Chinese. There were separate awards for learners in primary and junior school vis-a-vis those in secondary schools. There were also prizes for learners with special needs including Deaf learners and learners with visual impairments. Prize winners comprised Grand Prize winners and runners-up in all categories.
“The issue of reading and engaging with published materials is very important for us as a ministry because this gives young people the opportunity to improve on their language, ideas, and writing,” said the chief guest at the ceremony, Director of Special Needs Education in the Ministry of Education Fredrick Haga. “The fact that learners with special needs have the opportunity to compete against each other and mainstream learners really makes me proud. This competition speaks to the core of what the directorate stands for — Inclusivity.”
Among secondary school learners, Faith Safari of Alliance Girls High School was declared Grand Prize winner in the Kiswahili category while Ruby Malulu, a student at Limuru Girls High School, won the Grand Prize in the English category. The French award went to Shanees Muriuki, a student at Starehe Girls Centre.
Other secondary school winners included Desmond Kiprotich (German category, Starehe Boys Centre), Mohamed Abdiwahab (Arabic, Mandera Secondary School), Billy Gathecere (Mandarin Chinese, Starehe Boys Centre), and Lameck Wamalwa (Art, Khasoko Boys High School).
The poetry category had three sub-categories: poetry in English was won by Prinslow Sigah of Starehe Boys Centre, French poetry by Bretel Amii, also of Starehe, and Kiswahili shairi by Bravin Imbiru of The Excellence School.
Among primary and junior secondary school learners, Josiah Khamala of Green Vail Academy won the English Grand Prize, while Faith Muliro of Mukambi Comprehensive School won in the Kiswahili category. The French Grand Prize went to Sonia Itago of Juja Preparatory School, while the German category was won by Dauphine Wangeci of State House Primary School. Hafsa Mohamed of Aga Khan Primary and Junior School won in the Art category.
There were also prizes for special needs categories, including for Deaf learners and learners with visually impairments. Winners in Kiswahili were Mitchelle Chepkogei from St Don Bosco Likuyani Special School, Vincent Shikuku of Kibos School for the Blind, Brian Wanyonyi and Minoo Kinyanya from Thika High School for the Visually Impaired, and Fidril Nyota from Kibos School for the Blind.
In English, the winners included Valentine Shiembekho and Jamal Ayanga of Kibos School for the Blind, as well as Salwa Akinyi and Onyango Elly of Thika High School for the Visually Impaired. Others were Hickmathe Ondigi from Kuja Comprehensive School for the Deaf and Tyra Atieno from St Angela Mumias Secondary School for the Deaf.
Shani Hussein from Thika High School for the Visually Impaired won the Grand Prize in German, while Victor Musika from Sega Special Primary School for the Deaf and Veronica Augi from St Angela Mumias Secondary School for the Deaf won in the KSL videos category.
The Art category had five winners: Anisa Abdisalam (Aga Khan Primary), Miriam Morussol (St Kizito Girls Secondary School for the Deaf), Serina Atieno (Ogande Special School), Winnie Onyango (Kibos School for the Blind), and Emmanuel Koech and Simon Mutio — both of Thika High School for the Visually Impaired.
Mohamed Hassan of Thika High School for the Visually Impaired won in the Arabic category.
“When there are quality books, people get to read; some connect with the stories and find their way into writing.” said eKitabu CEO Will Clurman. “The Digital Essay Competition encourages students—and their teachers—to develop ideas, stories, and original voices in different languages, media, and formats.”
The leading title selected as a favourite title by learners was Mshale wa Matumaini by John Habwe, which was chosen by 519 students. The Bible came second, with 410 students saying it was their favourite book. Third was Wema Hauozi by Timothy Arege, while Bridges Without Rivers, a collection of short stories featuring various authors, came fourth, having been selected by 280 students. Apart from the Bible, the other books among the top four are all published by Access Publishers.
Other books that made it to the top included Beka’s Misfortune by Chrispin Ogolla, published by East African Educational Publishers, which was the favourite for 234 learners; Daughter of Nature by Mbugua wa Mungai, Access Publishers, 194 learners; and Strange Happenings by Jennie Marima, One Planet, 187 learners.
The top dozen books also featured The Last Laugh by Robinson Ocharo (Access); The Hidden Package by Muthoni wa Gichuru (EAEP); Bembea ya Maisha by Timothy Arege (Access); and Tears of Joy by Charles Okoth (Access).
Learners who won in the different categories received certificates and various awards, while their schools were awarded certificates. The awards to individual students included scholarships, computing devices, shopping vouchers, backpacks, and notebooks.