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The winners of The Kusoma Book Project, which invited Kenyan storytellers to submit a manuscript for a children’s book that celebrated intellectual, physical and emotional differences, were announced and celebrated at an artist’s reception in Eldoret earlier this year.

The winners are:

• Ruth W. Ngiciri, author of The Little Giraffe Who Was Different
• Blessings Wanjiku Njorogo, author of The Little Seed
• Noella Mudunga Okoth, author of Thamani’s Song

First place author Ruth Ngiciri works as an actuary, but her heart finds joy in storytelling. Her skills converge into tales that captivate young minds. Her journey is fueled by insatiable curiosity, turning challenges into stepping stones for growth. She believes in the transformative power of knowledge and she is excited to share a story that celebrates the uniqueness of every child. 

Blessings Wanjiku Njoroge is a poet and short story writer whose creative journey is deeply rooted in the everyday wonders of life. Inspired by the simple beauty of flowers blooming in her home, she delves into the intricacies of growth, change, and human connection through her writing. With each poem and story she pens, Blessings invites readers to explore the world through her unique perspective and to find solace and inspiration in the beauty of the ordinary.

Noella Mudunga Okoth is a fifth-year medical student at Moi University School of Medicine from Siaya County. She writes occasionally and was excited to try writing a children’s book after encouragement from her friends and classmates. She was familiar with cerebral palsy as the most common cause of childhood disability in Kenya but recognized that many did not know about it. She was excited to create a story to raise awareness for children with disabilities.

The Little Giraffe Who Was Different and The Little Seed were illustrated by artist Gloria Mwange whose artwork on canvas was featured during a gallery exhibition in Eldoret to launch the two books. At the art gallery, community members, students, caregivers, educators, medical professionals, and creatives gathered to see the nearly 30 painted canvases that lined the walls.

The project was coordinated by Megan McHenry, MD, and Indiana University medical student Mary Ann Etling with the goal of positively impacting children’s lives and getting more books for young children into Kenyan homes.

Dr. Etling, now an intern at the University of Minnesota, had this to say:

“One of the core principles of AMPATH is collaboration, which was a major theme in this project as talented Kenyan authors, artists, and bookmakers were brought together to make these stories come alive. Our hope is to increase access to books early in childhood throughout Kenya with stories that celebrate uniqueness and differences in children. We are so proud of these stories and illustrations and those who made them possible.”

Congratulations Ruth, Blessings, and Noella!

Read more on the impactful organisation here.

Bongiwe T. Maphosa

Bongiwe Maphosa is a writer whose fiction and poetry offers fresh, imaginative perspectives on the human condition. Her work has been  published in prominent literary spaces, including Isele Magazine, Akowdee Magazine, the AVBOB Poetry Anthology, Journal of African Youth in Literature (JAY Lit), and more. She was also nominated for the 2025 Best of the Net Anthology. Bongiwe is one of six writers selected for the inaugural Caine Prize Online Editing program and serves as a content writer, peer reviewer, and tier three awards judge for JAYLit. Bridging inner reflection with speculative worlds, she continues to carve out a distinctive voice within contemporary African literature for a growing global audience.