This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
BY THE BOOK: Omwa Ombara ¶
Published on September 16, 2019
Omwa Ombara, a seasoned journalist, has lived a life of adventure and activism. She was the first female bureau chief of the Standard Group in East Africa and has written a memoir, God’s Child On the Run. Today, she lives as a political asylee in the US and shares her love of reading with us.
Ombara's favorite books are a testament to her love of literature and her commitment to social justice. She cites A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth as one of her most memorable reads, praising its 1400 pages and its exploration of cultural conflict and diversity.
Another favorite is The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, which she describes as a 'masterpiece' that captures the historical perspective of Kenya's colonial period. She loves the way the book teaches that unity is the key to survival.
Ombara also mentions Animal Farm by George Orwell as an allegory that resonates with her as a human rights activist. She notes that the book is always a point of reference for her, highlighting the dangers of dictatorship and the importance of striving for change.
When asked about her reading habits, Ombara reveals that she reads about 50 books a year, one every week. Her favorite spot to read is on the bus and at the bus stop or railway station when traveling to and from work.
Ombara's love of memoirs is evident in her answer to the question of her favorite genre of books. She values the authenticity and courage of memoir writers, who share their whole soul with the world.
With a collection of over 1000 books, Ombara is a true book lover. She buys 4 books a month and also picks up cheap copies that libraries sell at $0.25 (Sh. 25). Her dream is to have a resource centre where writers can come and chill as they read and write.
Ombara's two most treasured books are The Bible and her own memoir, God’s Child On the Run. She does not lend books, preferring to buy copies for others instead.
When asked which book she would be if she were to become a character from a book, Ombara chooses Wodu Wakiri the Wag from The Concubine by Elechi Amadi. She appreciates the character's ability to create comic relief in a bizarre atmosphere.
Ombara's thoughts on the reading culture of Kenyans are insightful, given her experience living abroad. She notes that as an oral society, Kenyans need to work harder to document their stories. She praises the idea of writing one's own story, which empowers and sets the record straight for generations to come.
Finally, Ombara shares her preference for hard copies over e-books, citing the feel of the book, the smell of printing paper, and the personal bonding with the author as reasons for her preference.
