The Kendeka Prize for African Literature is a Not-for-Profit Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Kenya whose main aim, objective, vision and mission is to nurture new and existing writers from the African Continent and the Diaspora, creating a platform for Africans to tell their stories not only on the Continent, but to reach wider audiences around the world. The Prize encourages up-and-coming writers to write about issues affecting Africa from an African perspective, thereby amplifying African voices around the world. The prize was founded and launched in September 2020 by Andrew Maina Kariuki, a Kenyan author, in memory of his late mother Kendeka Nyambura. It celebrates the strength and role played by the African mother in nurturing, supporting and watching her children grow up. It is a celebration of her desire to see her children triumph through hard work and determination.

The Kendeka Prize aims to stimulate a new army of writers from Africa and the African diaspora, unhindered by age, social, economic, educational or ethnic origins. The publication of the long-awaited stories is guaranteed by Solano Publicações Ltda in the "I'm Listening" anthology. We are delighted to have received coverage in many African countries and especially in the Johannesburg Book Review, which published the three winning stories. Our aim is to develop a publishing network across Africa, as well as outreach programmes to bring our published writers closer to their readers. Prizes of Ksh 100,000 will be awarded to the best story, while 2nd and 3rd place will receive Ksh 50,000 and 25,000 respectively.

VALUE

• The first prize will be Kshs.100,000.
• 2nd and 3rd will receive Kshs.50,000 and Kshs.25,000 respectively.
• All the stories listed above will be published in an anthology entitled I am listening, at the end of the year.

ELIGIBILITY

• Participants must be born in, or be citizens of, any African country.
• One entry per writer.
• Manuscripts should be between 3000 and 5000 words.
• All entries must be in English.
• Entries must be attached in Microsoft Word or Rich Text format, with the title of the story as the file name.
• The first page of the story should include the title of the story and the number of words.
• The entry should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1.5 line spacing.
• Entries should be sent as attachments to the e-mail info@kendekaprize.com.
• The e-mail to which the story is attached must include the writer's legal name, telephone number, a short biography, age and country of residence.
• The participants agree that the organisers of the award may publicise the fact that a story has been entered, long-listed, shortlisted or won the award.
• An author of a long-running story agrees to its inclusion in the anthology and to work with the editors to get the story ready for publication.
• The long listing of a story is not a guarantee that the story will be included in the anthology
• The winner, first and second place in the Kendeka Prize 2021 are not eligible.
• Each author confirms that the submission is their original work, has not been published elsewhere and has not been listed for a long time in this award or any other award.
• The entrant grants exclusive global print and digital rights to Solano Publications Ltd for stories long-listed for publication in an anthology. The author retains copyright.
• The judges' decision is final.

To register and for more information go here