{
  "id": 9265802,
  "title": "Nairobi International Fair opens Wednesday to Sunday",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/nairobi-international-fair-opens-wednesday-to-sunday",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T17:50:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/nairobi-international-fair-opens-wednesday-to-sunday/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 27th Nairobi International Book Fair commenced on September 23 at the Sarit Expo Centre, with organizers aiming to attract 60,000 visitors over the five-day event. Hosted by the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA), this year's fair will run from September 23 to 27 under the theme \"Read, Think, Lead.\" Anticipated attendance this year is expected to significantly surpass last year's 36,000 visitors, with children and young readers among the primary target demographics. KPA president Musyoki Muli highlighted the increasing popularity of children attending the fair, attributing it to a heightened recognition of books as vital resources for education, personal growth, and responsible citizenship. The event will encompass book launches, author interactions, exhibitions, workshops, and reading sessions, uniting readers, writers, publishers, booksellers, librarians, and educators. Organizers project over twenty international exhibitors, including representatives from China, India, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Publishers will benefit from a Publishers Networking Forum, facilitating connections between publishers, authors, literary agents, printers, booksellers, editors, and illustrators. The fair arrives amid Kenya's publishing sector grappling with concerns such as piracy, digital publishing, AI-generated content, and delayed government payments to publishers. A notable highlight of this year's event is the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature awards, concluding the fair. Three books are shortlisted for the English Adult category: 'Nandi Bear' by Abenea Ndago, 'Clan of Warriors' by Ken N. Kamoche, and 'Old Money' by Charles Chanchori. The winner will receive Ksh150,000. The Kenya Publishers Association will also recognize the late Raila Odinga, publishing legend Malkiat Singh, and librarian Lily Nyariki in its Hall of Fame.",
  "summary": "The Kenya Publishers Association will also honour the late Raila Odinga, publishing veteran Malkiat Singh and librarian Lily Nyariki in its Hall of Fame. The post Nairobi International Fair opens Wednesday to Sunday appeared first on KBC Digital .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}