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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In the season finale of A Palace For The People, we go back to Kenya’s independence era to uncover the roots of the country’s labor movement. Writer and historian Shiraz Durrani speaks about the struggles of workers under colonial rule, the rise of trade unions, and the forgotten figures who fought not only for fair wages, but also for freedom itself.
Live from NBO Litfest, feat. Keith Ang'ana (00:28:29)
In this special live episode of A Palace for the People, Wanjiru Koinange and Angela Wachuka sit down with writer, editor, and cultural organizer Keith Ang'ana to unpack the past, present, and future of protest in Kenya.
Teargas and Testimony: The Story of Timothy Njoya (00:22:46)
Reverend Timothy Njoya risked everything to stand up to authoritarianism in Kenya—armed only with his Bible and his voice. In this episode, we revisit the story of the fiery cleric who challenged both government and church to speak truth to power. From colonial Kenya to the Saba Saba protests of 1990, Njoya’s journey is one of spiritual conviction, political courage, and personal sacrifice in the face of brutality.
We Wore Rage (00:18:51)
In 2014, a viral video of a woman being stripped in public sparked national outrage and led to the My Dress My Choice protest in Nairobi. This episode traces how a social media uproar became a powerful street movement demanding safety and dignity for women. Organiser Rita Mutheu reflects on what it took to reclaim public space — and how the fight for bodily autonomy continues today.
Seeds of Resistance (00:17:25)
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?
This episode was reported by Iddah Apondi and Enock Wanyama
Protest and Punishment (00:23:52)
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.
This episode was reported by Esther M. and Clinton Otieno
S2E8 | Live from NBO Litfest, feat. Petina Gappah (00:43:14)
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.
S2E7 | Stop The Press (00:20:59)
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.
S2E6 | We Need New Names (00:18:47)
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.
S2E5 | Mau Mau & Memory (00:22:33)
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?
S2E4 | The Death Penalty (00:23:41)
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.
S2E3 | A Good Education (00:24:50)
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.
S2E2 | Italian Prisoners in Kenya (00:16:12)
Why did Kenya once host over 60,000 Italian Prisoners of War? Wanjiru and Wachuka look at a slice of Kenyan history during World War II.
S2E1 | Shooting Animals (00:20:26)
Wanjiru and Wachuka investigate the history of the library's colonial hunting trophies and the disruption of indigenous conservation during colonialism.
Trailer | Season Two! (00:01:02)
Coming soon, a brand new season of A Palace For The People, a podcast about what Kenya’s past tells us about Kenya’s present. Join our hosts, Wanjiru Koinange and Angela Wachuka Thursday, April 20 for the first episode.
Episode 8 | Live Episode (00:31:18)
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.
Episode 7 | Bunk Books (00:21:29)
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/
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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.
Episode 6 | A Palace Full Of Memories (00:20:20)
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!
Episode 5 | A Palace Needs A Roof! (00:25:24)
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.
Episode 4 | Books! Books! Books! (00:17:10)
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.
Episode 3 | The People Need Public Space (00:18:59)
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.
Episode 2 | Little Palaces (00:17:59)
Wachuka and Wanjiru introduce us to Jacob Ananda, Head Librarian of McMillan Memorial Library and Orpah Agunda, Book Bunk Inventory intern. Both of them share how growing up in Makadara and Kaloleni, the libraries shaped them into who they are today by instilling in them a love for books and inclusive public spaces.
Episode 1 | A Palace for The People (00:29:11)
A short history of McMillan Memorial Library including Lucy and Northrup McMillan, who it’s named after. Wanjiru and Wachuka walk us through the library as they share the story of Book Bunk’s inception of their dreams for this library.
Trailer | A Palace For The People (00:00:58)
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.
Join us on an eight-part journey featuring conversations with featured guests including McMillan Memorial Library’s Chief Librarian, Jacob Ananda, Kaloleni resident Orpah Agunda, Urban Ethnographer Dr. Wangui Kimari, Environmental Architect Dr. Alfred Omenya, Publisher Henry Chakava and Social Heritage Architect Balmoi Abe. Conversations are centred around the McMillan Library; its history; the restoration process; the importance of designing public spaces with people in mind; plans for the library; publishing in African languages, and the future of Nairobi’s public spaces.
Produced by Maeve Frances, Wanjiru Koinange and Angela Wachuka
Research & fact-checking by Syokau Mutonga
Sound Design by Maeve Frances and Anthony Kiringe
