This year’s eKitabu Digital Essay Competition has been nothing short of extraordinary. We are proud to share that the competition reached over 97,000 students from more than 8,000 public and private schools across all 47 counties of Kenya—including learners in refugee camps and special needs education schools. This milestone reflects our shared commitment to inclusive education and the power of storytelling to unite diverse voices.
We received over 15,000 essay submissions from learners with and without disabilities, each responding to this year’s thought-provoking topic: “What’s your favourite book and why?”.
This simple yet profound question opened a window into the literary worlds our students inhabit. It sparked curiosity about whether learners are venturing beyond the prescribed curriculum—exploring genres, authors, and stories that resonate with their lived experiences and imaginations.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this year’s competition, the 13th edition, was observing how students engaged with artificial intelligence in their writing process. From idea generation to refining drafts, learners demonstrated thoughtful and creative ways of integrating AI tools—raising important questions about the future of writing, learning, and digital literacy.
Creativity was not just encouraged—it was essential. And our students rose to the challenge with essays that were heartfelt, humorous, insightful, and deeply personal. Whether describing beloved characters or reflecting on how a book changed their perspective, each submission was a testament to the power of reading and self-expression.
We’re thrilled to announce that the awarding of winners and finalists will take place on Friday, 26th September, at the 26th Nairobi International Book Fair. It will be a moment to celebrate not just individual achievement, but the collective effort of learners, teachers, families, and communities who made this competition a success.
A heartfelt thank you to the Ministry of Education and all our collaborators for their unwavering support. Your dedication to inclusive learning and innovation continues to inspire us.
Pongezi to all the winners, finalists, and participants. You’ve shown us that stories matter—and that every learner has a voice worth hearing.