9 episodes

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.

A Palace For The People A Palace For The People

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 9 Ratings

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.

    Episode 8 | Live Episode

    Episode 8 | Live Episode

    Welcome to the last episode of Season One of A Palace For The People! We are thrilled to have so many of you listen in.

    In our finale live episode, we answer your questions about Book Bunk, the podcast, the libraries and our plans for these palaces for the people. Tune in and hear our responses to your questions.

    • 31 min
    Episode 7 | Bunk Books

    Episode 7 | Bunk Books

    We have a little something different for you in this episode, our second-to-last of the season! Do you like audio fiction and Kenyan literature? You'll love this episode as we have an all star cast perform a snippet of Wanjiru Koinange's debut novel "The Havoc of Choice". Also, get to hear about Book Bunk's aims in the world of publishing.

    Buy the book book here: https://www.bookbunk.org/projects/bunk-books/

    ********
    Our upcoming episode is the 8th and final one, and will feature a Q&A with our listeners. We are inviting you to share questions about this podcast, the libraries, Book Bunk or anything else we have touched on. Send us a voice note to (+254) 714 258474 and we will answer your questions in the live episode.

    • 21 min
    Episode 6 | A Palace Full Of Memories

    Episode 6 | A Palace Full Of Memories

    In this episode, we explore a significant element of Kenya's history; the King's African Rifles. Join Wachuka and Wanjiru, on this episode's journey exploring a significant element of Kenya's history's.

    How is this multi-battalion British colonial regiment connected to the McMillan Memorial Library? Tune in to find out!

    • 20 min
    Episode 5 | A Palace Needs A Roof!

    Episode 5 | A Palace Needs A Roof!

    In this episode Wanjiru and Wachuka go deep into the history of architecture and empire. We ask, who designed the McMillan Memorial Library building? And how do we make sure we keep it standing?

    Wanjiru speaks to Dr. Sarah Longair an expert in the architecture of the British Empire to try and found out more about the design, and we speak to architect Balmoi Abe about the future of the building.

    • 25 min
    Episode 4 | Books! Books! Books!

    Episode 4 | Books! Books! Books!

    How to actually build a library. In this episode Wachuka begins by telling us about the process of creating the first ever digital catalogue of McMillan Memorial library. It took 23 people, 8,332 hours and loads of stickers! She also speaks with Dr. Henry Chakava, a publisher with the African Writers Series from Heinneman in the 1970s. Both of them converse on Nairobi and East Africa’s rich literary scene. Many of these authors’ books from the region will find a home in McMillan Library and its branches.

    • 17 min
    Episode 3 | The People Need Public Space

    Episode 3 | The People Need Public Space

    In this episode we listen to Dr. Wangui Kimari and Dr. Alfred Omenya converse with Wanjiru and Wachuka about the colonial history of Nairobi’s urban planning and how these segregated divisions endure in present-day Nairobi. Nairobi was not made for us. Wanjiru explores how we can change this by highlighting the importance of public space in fostering creativity in Nairobi’s citizens.

    • 18 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

Dadriance ,

Brilliant

Came here after reading the article in the New York Times. Have listened to the first episode and can’t wait to listen to the rest. If you are a Nairobian with any interest at all in our city’s history this is a must-listen!

RenalFellow ,

Love it

Such a well produced and educational podcast! Very easy listening too. I am one of those Nairobians who hasn’t set foot in the McMillian library (shame; but always wondered about it) and with this podcast I hope to change that next time I visit Kenya. Thank you

aorukhu ,

So glad this exists!

Such a necessary topic.

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