Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#MagazetiYetu
Kenya’s earliest newspaper was established in 1902, a time before the country’s name was conceived, and when the region was still a protectorate. Nonetheless, the realities of colonialism were already setting in. With time, a resistance emerged. As some Kenyans took up arms to fight for freedom, others wielded pens, sharpening their words into weapons of knowledge. The latter contributed to the popularity of newspapers as tools used by
Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#BomaZetu
The term ‘boma’ is a traditional word used to refer to traditional community enclosures or homesteads. In past times, the structure of a boma said a lot about a community and even a family in the context of wealth. Large bomas were a display of a man’s wealth, and depending on the community, had huts and homes that belonged to his wives, his mother, his sons, and even guests
Remember the story of...
Connecting with Africans through Story: A Conversation with Kevin Mwachiro
As a journalist turned full time writer, podcaster and activist, Kevin Mwachiro ameona mengi especially in the context of ‘Africa rising’ in stories and literature. He speaks with Paukwa’s Natalie Sifuma about his journey into storytelling, and his hope for future African stories. Natalie: Kevin, you are a writer, journalist, activist and podcast host. Tell me about your journey into these spaces. Kevin: My most recent journey is that of a podcaster having started Nipe Story just over...
Our audio stories
A note from our team
JOURNALISM AS SERVICE
If you were to look up the purpose of journalism, you would probably find something along the lines of empowering citizens with the information they need to make the best possible choices in their everyday lives, and for their communities and government. In our #MagazetiYetu and #KePhotographers collection,s what strikes a chord is the sacrifices that journalists throughout our history have made to give us the power of decision-making. When we take a closer look at our media history, it is clear that these professionals went far beyond the call of duty to secure the credibility of information reaching the public. And for this sacrifice, we can’t help but label these journalists the epitome of servants. These heroes have stood for truth, democracy and our nation time and time again – even to their own detriment. Be emboldened by the figures who remained uncompromising in their values. May we stand on their shoulders.
TEAM PAUKWA
A note from our team
LOVE AND IMPACT
Love and impact drive us as human beings. These themes are evident in the #KeExcellence s and #KeInnovators stories that celebrate Kenyans whose accomplishments have been recognized and awarded on global stages. Through these stories, we’ve learned a couple of things. The first is that it’s never too late to reset and restart. Passion was another factor that stood out across all the stories. It set them apart from their contemporaries and the result? International recognition. If this isn’t an ode to the saying, ‘You can do anything you set your mind to.’ So, as we continue taking strides through life, let’s be inspired to be the best at what we’re doing – whether it’s chasing dreams or pursuing ventures we are passionate about. Just remember to always do it with a smile.
TEAM PAUKWA
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