Uasin Gishu Hosts Annual Regional Book Fair

Uasin Gishu County has hosted Annual Regional Book Fair that had been organized by the Kenya Publishers Association.

Speaking during the official opening the chairperson of the Kenya Publishers Association and also managing Director of East Africa Education Publishers Kiarie Kamau, said that the book Fair event aims at promoting lifelong learning and also also bringing the books to the people.

“The essence of this Regional book Fair is to take books to the people, despite having a national book Fair in Nairobi the Regional Fair helps people to easily interact with the books at the regional level,” said Kamau.

He also noted that the organization is receiving support from the National and County government so as to inculcate the reading culture and also help learners acquire more knowledge.

Kamau added that book piracy has been a big challenge to publishers since the growth of technology where books are being sold as soft copies on social media platforms and they are working with the related authorities in arresting the suspects and taking them to court to face charges.

He also said that the organization intends to donate books to the selected schools targeting Early childhood Education, primary schools, secondary and also universities in the region.

County Executive Committee Member For Education, Vocational Training And Gender Janet Kosgei who was among the chief guest has said that there is a need for all published books to get approval from the Kenya Institute Of Curriculum Development (KICD) before being issued to schools.

“All books that will be issued to schools must be accredited by KICD and the Ministry of Education before being issued to learners.”

Kosgei has urged the publishers to ensure the books are also published in simple language that is fit for learners.

” All the books issued to learners should be written in simple language for the learners to clearly understand and get the required knowledge.”

She also emphasized the E-Learning program saying there is a need for evolution since there is digitalization in the book industry and also learners should use the available libraries to read.

County director Khallifa Hassan said that the book fair event is going to help enhance education and the reading culture of the learners and the community.
“We don’t take this for granted because through this education is going be enhanced and the reading culture in our region. Learners should read for life and not for exams and books,” he said.