18 episodes
A Palace For The People A Palace For The People
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- Society & Culture
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5.0 • 11 Ratings
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
Customer Reviews
Can’t get enough of this podcast, WOW!
A knack for storytelling and digging into important and relevant issues, this is easily in my Top 5 Podcasts of all time. Interesting topics to anyone, anywhere, this podcast is about more than libraries and Kenya. It’s about public spaces, cultural heritage, and an important dialogue that makes you ask yourself that timeless question, “Where do we go from here?” Great production value and affiliated with a great organisation - Book Bunk. Loved Season 1 and I can see Season 2 is even better!
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!
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