This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
How soccer scholarship to US inspired Kenyan to write first book ¶
Published on July 6, 2019
Robert Mwangi, a Kenyan author, has shared his inspiring journey from being a soccer player to writing his first book, Whisper in the Jungle. The book, published by Storymoja Publishers, is a work of love, adventure, and humour that takes the reader from Kenya to the US.
Mwangi, who was awarded a soccer scholarship in 2002 to study accounting at Oklahoma Christian University in the US, drew inspiration from his experiences in America. He was shocked by the sea of white faces that surrounded him and the surprise that he could communicate in English. These incidents sparked the desire to paint Africa in a positive manner, to celebrate the positive aspects of being an African in the modern world.
When asked about his experience working with local and foreign editors, Mwangi noted that local editors related well with the story, unlike foreign ones. He credited his lead editor for helping him note the gaps in his story and beef them up.
As for the difference between Robert Mwangi the manuscript writer and Robert Mwangi the author, he said that the two are now different persons in one. The manuscript writer has undergone a great transformation, exposing his thoughts to readers and opening his work to critiques.
Mwangi's mother, Esther Wangechi, is very excited and proud of him, and has not stopped thanking God for these achievements. His friends at Ofafa Jericho High School, Nairobi, where his skills in soccer were sharpened, are also happy for him.
As for his parting shot to writers and the general public, Mwangi advised them to do their job whether they like it or not, to pay their bills. However, he emphasized the importance of following one's passion, as it brings a certain joy and satisfaction. He also encouraged people to fight the demons that hold them back in their desire to fulfill their dreams and never give up on their dreams.
