Limuru, Kenya – 27 July 2026
The auditorium came alive with applause as learners brought scenes from Dear Mama to life, while poetry, spoken word and rap electrified the stage with energy, emotion and creativity. In a powerful celebration of literary expression, Limuru Girls High School was transformed into a vibrant performance space where stories stepped off the page and were reimagined through the talent and voices of young performers
More than 300 learners from schools across Nairobi, Kiambu and Kajiado counties gathered for ‘Beyond the Page: Stories in Motion’, an innovative literary showcase organised by Oxford University Press East Africa (OUPEA) to celebrate the launch of three Senior School Reader titles: Dear Mama, Different Colours, and Mlemavu? Sio Mimi.
The event featured drama, spoken word, poetry, storytelling and rap performances inspired by the books, with learners demonstrating their interpretation of characters, themes and storylines before a distinguished panel of judges that included celebrated broadcaster and playwright John Sibi-Okumu and renowned creative director Ian Mbugua, popularly known to many Kenyans from Tusker Project Fame.
The showcase comes at a pivotal moment for Kenya’s education sector as the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) continues to reshape classroom learning. Literature remains one of the most powerful tools for delivering CBC because it develops creativity, communication, collaboration and critical-thinking skills while helping learners engage with real-world issues and diverse perspectives.
Beyond academic achievement, literature plays an important role in preserving culture, nurturing identity and passing stories, values and experiences from one generation to another. Through books, learners gain a deeper understanding of society, develop empathy, and learn to appreciate the richness and diversity of human experiences.
OUPEA, which recently won government tenders to supply Dear Mama and Different Colours to Senior Schools across Kenya, saw an opportunity to deepen learners’ engagement with literature beyond the classroom.
Rather than limit interactions with the books to reading and examinations, the publisher created an immersive experience inspired by the authors and brought to life by learners.
“One of the greatest strengths of literature is its ability to help learners see themselves and others through stories,” said Beatrice Karanja Head of Publishing at Oxford University Press East Africa.
“As publishers, we wanted to create an experience that goes beyond reading the books. We wanted learners to interact with the stories, question the authors, perform the characters and ultimately understand that literature is a living conversation. When learners bring books to life through performance, they develop a deeper emotional connection to what they are reading and gain a richer appreciation of the messages within the texts.”
Educational research has consistently shown that arts-integrated and performance-based learning improves engagement, comprehension and retention by encouraging learners to actively interact with content rather than passively consume it. By stepping into the shoes of literary characters, learners are often able to better understand motivations, conflicts, and themes while strengthening communication and presentation skills.
That impact was evident throughout the day as learners captivated audiences with dramatic reenactments, poetry performances and creative interpretations of themes including resilience, identity, family relationships, disability inclusion and social responsibility.
For many learners, the event transformed the books from examination texts into lived experiences. “Performing scenes from the books helped us understand the characters in a much deeper way,” said a participating learner. “You begin to see the emotions, struggles and motivations behind every character. It makes reading more enjoyable and meaningful.”
One of the most significant moments of the event was the opportunity for learners to engage directly with the authors whose works they are studying. Often, learners encounter authors only through the pages of their books. At Beyond the Page: Stories in Motion, they were able to ask questions, explore the inspirations behind the stories, and gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and ideas that shaped each text.
The conversations highlighted the importance of humanising literature by helping learners connect books to the real people who create them. In doing so, literature becomes more relatable, memorable and impactful.
” Everybody has a story. And every story has a story behind the story,” said Kinyanjui Kombani during the engagement session. “When learners engage directly with authors, they begin to understand not just what was written, but why it was written.”
Teachers from participating schools also took part in a dedicated discussion with the authors, exploring themes, symbolism, character development, and authorial intent.
For Language teachers, the session provided valuable insights that will enrich classroom discussions and help learners engage more meaningfully with the texts.
Pasomi Mucha, a participating teacher, said the interaction offered a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between literary interpretation and authorial intention.
As teachers, we spend a great deal of time facilitating learners’ interpretation of literary texts. Engaging directly with the authors gives us deeper insight into their intentions, themes and creative processes. Such conversations enrich our teaching and enable us to guide learners more effectively as they study these texts.“
Joining the judging panel were respected literary figures and authors including Kinyanjui Kombani, Godfrey Ipalei and Oxford’s Chief Publishing Officer Beatrice Karanja, who evaluated performances based on creativity, originality, literary interpretation, stage presence and audience engagement.
Beyond celebrating the launch of three books, the event offered a glimpse into how literature education is evolving in the CBC era, from memorisation and examination preparation towards creativity, expression, interpretation and competency development.
The event also reinforced the vital role literature plays in sustaining Kenya’s reading culture and literary heritage. As schools seek innovative ways to foster a love of reading among young people, initiatives that connect learners directly with authors and stories are becoming increasingly important.
As the final performances concluded and the winners were announced, one message emerged clearly: literature is far more than an examinable subject. It is a powerful bridge between learning, culture, creativity and personal growth.
By giving learners a platform to read, interpret, perform and engage directly with authors, Beyond the Page: Stories in Motion, ensures that young people do more than study literature, they experience it, understand it and become part of its future. In the process, such platforms help cultivate a new generation of Kenyan artists, performers, writers and cultural champions who will ensure the country’s literary legacy continues to grow for generations to come
About Oxford University Press East Africa:
Oxford University Press is a global authority on the English language. As part of the University of Oxford, we advance English language learning worldwide, bringing together deep expertise, research, and innovation to create high-quality resources that empower millions of learners to achieve their full potential.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Daisy Rono-Mwangi, Head of Marketing
Oxford University Press East Africa
Email: daisy.mwangi@oup.com
Tel: 072 644 4392