Grace Wangari, fondly known as Wangari the Storyteller, is a celebrated Kenyan performance storyteller and children’s author whose work blends entertainment, education, and cultural preservation. Based in Nairobi, she has perfected the art of storytelling, captivating audiences of all ages with interactive performances that inspire imagination and foster learning. Her craft has taken her beyond Kenya’s borders to festivals and stages in countries such as Sweden, Iran, and India, where she shares African stories with global audiences. Wangari is a regular presence in schools and community events, often invited to nurture reading for pleasure and to promote storytelling as a vital tool for education and cultural connection. Through her vibrant narratives, she bridges tradition and modernity, ensuring that stories remain a living, breathing part of everyday life.
Interesting quotes from Grace Wangari:
What is your passion? I love stories, so you will find me where stories are being shared, whether as an active participant or a listener. I am also big on literacy, especially in promoting reading for pleasure and culture.
Please share your best experience: I have dozens of amazing experiences – spanning from sharing stories in Mandera, which is in Kenya’s North Eastern region, performing in front of hundreds of audiences, to carrying the Kenyan flag high in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The high I get when people interact with my work and leave either inspired, affirmed, or challenged is always a huge reward.
What is your favourite food? Ugali any day! I can eat Ugali every single day of the week, as long as the accompanying stew is different.
How do you spend your free time? I love nature, so you might catch me out there walking or running. When I’m indoors, you will probably find me curled on the sofa with a book or bingeing on some crime and drama series.
What inspires you? The world around me. I love taking a back seat and observing things as they unfold. Some of these scenarios find themselves in my work.
What is your principle? Be all in, or don’t do it. Doing a task half-heartedly makes things harder, not just for you but for everyone else involved in it.
Please share your educational journey: I was born in Nakuru and attended my primary school there. I went to high school first in Elburgon and then in Nairobi. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, alongside other courses in performance and the arts.
Best experience and lessons learned from your storytelling event: As an artist, you are always judged by your last event, so I always try to give 100% whenever I show up. However, I also know that 100% looks different on different days, so I also intentionally give myself grace if things don’t go the way either I or the client expected. Also, keep learning, keep improving yourself.
Invite Wangari Grace 'The storyteller' to your school via support@eKitabu.com