Poetry is one of the most powerful literary forms.  It can be used to communicate human emotions, aspirations, desires and dreams in simple and yet powerful forms of communication. 

Kenya in recent times has gone through violence and political turmoil, ethnic violence resulting in realignments that have left many people struggling to know themselves and to know each other.  "But we coexisted so well before"  But what exactly was the nature of that coexistence?  

There are few avenues to coherently sift through the many things that have happened and to come up with new positive ways of relating with the different communities that make up the Kenyan Nation.  The poetry of Sitawa Namwalie gives Kenyans an opportunity to explore these changes together.  Although the poetry focuses on Kenya it deals with issues that other African countries are currently addressing. 

The poetry of Sitawa Namwalie distils the essence of life in Kenya in its most fundamental form.  Individual poems work together in the show as interrelated stories that explore different aspects life moving from large global themes to more personal intimate recollections and spaces.  The body of work traverses five key themes including:

§         Place and Evolving identity

§         Politics and Political Critique

§         Love and Desire

§         Tradition and Genealogy

The show "Cut off my Tongue" was first performed at the Ramoma Gallery (June 2008) and National Museum (August 2008) to full houses and rave reviews.  The show has been invited to the Hay Festival (May 2009). 

Who is Sitawa Namalie? 

I am also known as Betty Wamalwa Muragori.  I started to write poetry in March 2007 after I went to listen to Shailja Patel perform at Club Sound.  I was astounded that such a vibrant form of expression existed.  The very next day I sat down and wrote "Land of Guiltless Natives".   This poem is a satirical look at the relationship Kenyans have around land,

"Kenyan vices women tusker lager and land.  Not necessarily in that order". 

Poetry allows me to serve up my observations of my world raw.  I love that in a few words I can expose something powerfully. 

 Carcass of the House 

The carcass of the house stands still

Sentinel to a rage set free

Windows gouged out

Blinded, to keep secrets of terror alive

Hollow doors, open wide

Tribute to Africa's tribal scream

The roof couldn't take it

She flew away, escaping the stalking beast of grief

Walls stand, brooding, alone

The carcass of the house still stands

At first I was afraid to share my poetry because I thought it might not be that great.  I play to win not to simply take part.  The anonymity of the Internet came in handy here.  I found a site that impressed me for the quality and diversity of its contributors and sent them a few poems.  The site was "Chicken Bones: A Journal." 

They loved them and published them.  Then I started to share my poetry with friends and family.  At last I started to believe that they were good enough to share with the public in general. 

I have a Bsc in Botany and Zoology and an MA in Environment.   I have worked in the development industry for the last 15 years. I have worked with NGOs, the UN, REDSO/USAID, IUCN - The World Conservation Union in various capacities.  I live in Nairobi and I am married and have three children. I am now working in alliance with Storymoja, a new publishing company formed by a collective of writers.  The company is committed to publishing contemporary East African writing in order to market it to the widest possible readership within the region.  Furthermore, Storymoja has launched a campaign to revitalize the reading culture in Kenya.