A Palace For The People

A Palace For The People
A Palace For The People

Welcome to A Palace for The People, a podcast unearthing pieces of Nairobi’s history that support and feed the restoration process of the McMillan Memorial Library and its branches in Makadara and Kaloleni. Hosted by the Founders of Book Bunk; Angela Wachuka and Wanjiru Koinange, the title of this podcast is inspired by Eric Klinenberg’s book, Palaces for The People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life.

  1. S3E2 | Seeds of Resistance

    9H AGO

    S3E2 | Seeds of Resistance

    In this episode of A Palace for The People, smallholder farmers in Kenya push back against a law that criminalizes saving and sharing seeds. What begins as an artistic protest reveals a deeper struggle over food, culture, and control. As we unpack the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act, we ask: who benefits from these laws—and what do they cost the farmers who feed the nation?

    17 min
  2. S3E1 | Protest and Punishment

    JUN 26

    S3E1 | Protest and Punishment

    Kenya’s boarding schools have long been sites of silence and discipline—but what happens when students push back? In this season opener of A Palace for The People, we explore a little-known high school protest and what it reveals about power, punishment, and the right to be heard.

    24 min
  3. S2E8 | Live from NBO Litfest, feat. Petina Gappah

    12/18/2023

    S2E8 | Live from NBO Litfest, feat. Petina Gappah

    Live from the NBO Litfest, Shiro and Wachuka speak with author Petina Gappah about her work and the importance of history and archive in literature. We also take some questions from you - our listeners.

    43 min
  4. S2E7 | Stop The Press

    12/11/2023

    S2E7 | Stop The Press

    Shiro and Wachuka dive into the McMillan Library’s newspaper archive to look at the history of journalism - and dissent - in Kenya. A love letter to our writers, journalists and truth tellers.

    21 min
  5. S2E6 | We Need New Names

    06/02/2023

    S2E6 | We Need New Names

    What’s in a name? Wanjiru and Wachuka look at the politics and history of name changing in Kenya. Who gets memorialized and who gets forgotten? And we turn the spotlight onto the McMillan Memorial Library and ask if it is time to find a new name.

    19 min
  6. S2E5 | Mau Mau & Memory

    05/25/2023

    S2E5 | Mau Mau & Memory

    When Wanjiru and Wachuka find an old scrapbook full of Mau Mau news articles they ask: What do you remember about the Mau Mau? What were you taught at school? What does the legacy of Mau Mau mean in Kenya 60 years later?

    23 min
  7. S2E4 | The Death Penalty

    05/11/2023

    S2E4 | The Death Penalty

    A disturbing photo is found in the library archive, and Wanjiru and Wachuka speak to experts about the history of capital punishment in Kenya. Note: this episode features discussions on police brutality.

    24 min
  8. S2E3 | A Good Education

    05/04/2023

    S2E3 | A Good Education

    Kenya’s education system is in the midst of change. After finding an old exam book, Wanjiru and Wachuka look back at the genesis of the 844 system to see what its promise was, what it became, and what its replacement will mean for the future of Kenya’s school system.

    25 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to A Palace for The People, a podcast unearthing pieces of Nairobi’s history that support and feed the restoration process of the McMillan Memorial Library and its branches in Makadara and Kaloleni. Hosted by the Founders of Book Bunk; Angela Wachuka and Wanjiru Koinange, the title of this podcast is inspired by Eric Klinenberg’s book, Palaces for The People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life.

Information

  • Creator
    A Palace For The People
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    A Palace For The People

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