This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
On a Saturday evening at the Goethe Institute in Nairobi, Kenyan poet Mufasa Kibet launched his first book of poetry, Raising a Sun, in front of a packed audience, including former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.
Published on July 6, 2019, the 111-page book is a culmination of six years of hard work and dedication to his craft. Mufasa, whose real name is Ken Kibet, has gained a significant following among fans who appreciate his unique style of spoken word poetry.
As a young boy growing up in Eldoret, Mufasa's earliest poems were prayers. He would often accompany his mother to church, where he would listen to the pastor's cadence and transcribe the prayers in his notebook. This early exposure to the power of words had a profound impact on Mufasa, who would later become one of the most visible spoken-word poets in the country.
When asked about his inspiration, Mufasa explained, 'I do poetry for self-expression, to create space for people to experience themselves, to self-reflect. I like to stimulate community interest in relevant issues, be it social or political.'
The book launch was a testament to Mufasa's hard work and dedication to his craft. His Facebook page and YouTube channel, where he regularly publishes his work, have attracted a significant following, with fans appreciating his unique style of spoken word poetry.
One of the themes tackled in the book is love, which is a major topic in Mufasa's body of work. He writes movingly about the little joys of found love and the pain of love that fails. He also champions the rights of women, advocating for their respect and dignity.
Spoken word, an elastic genre that fuses elements of traditional poetry with hip-hop and stand-up comedy influences, has gained popularity over the past decade. While some critics view the art as lazy and compromising, Mufasa believes that it has the power to provoke thought, action, and change.
With the release of Raising a Sun, Mufasa is taking his craft to the next level. The book has already sold out, and new copies are set to be released in the coming week. As he continues to perform and write, Mufasa remains committed to his craft, inspiring others to do the same.
