An exclusive collection of full-run magazines, newspapers, and films from the legendary Kenyan journalist, Hilary Ng’weno.
The Legacy of Hilary Ng’weno: A Daughter’s Tribute to the Legendary Journalist
Hilary Boniface Ng'weno was born in Nairobi in 1938. Considered Kenya’s most accomplished journalist, he was a critically important figure in postcolonial East African history. His commitment to investigative journalism and critical analysis, and to holding those in power accountable, garnered respect and admiration from many.
The archive presents more than 100,000 pages of newly digitized, historically significant, groundbreaking publications from Ng’weno’s media company. Much of the material has not been available outside of Africa and will be invaluable for researchers and students in journalism, history, political science, Africana studies, education, and media studies. Highlights include:
• The Weekly Review, 1975-1999
• The Nairobi Times, 1977-1983
• Rainbow children’s magazine, 1976-1995
• Making of a Nation documentaries and oral histories
A unique collaboration
The archive was collected by the Ng’weno family. It’s currently stored and made available for digitization by Moi University, Kipkenyo, Kenya.
Digitization is done in situ by Digital Divide Data, Nairobi, Kenya, a nonprofit organization with a focus on socially responsible outsourcing practices. They’re providing training and expertise that can be used for further digitization and indexing projects. Materials are organized, further indexed, and delivered on Coherent’s Africa Commons platform.
The finished database will be made freely available across Africa and to HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
The project itself is made sustainable by purchasing universities. Twenty percent of revenues are set aside to ensure long-term sustainability of the archive.
Our thanks go to the Ng’weno family and the many individuals and organizations that have made this project possible.
Digitization in progress at Moi University
The Weekly Review
In 1975, Ng’weno founded The Weekly Review with a goal to change the way Africa was reported. A groundbreaking weekly news magazine, The Weekly Review played a significant role in advocating for press freedom and democratic values in Kenya and quickly became the standard-bearer for political news reporting for East Africa. Ng'weno and his team were considered trailblazers, pushing boundaries and setting high standards for investigative reporting.
The Weekly Review addressed topics such as governance, democracy, human rights, the environment, economic policies, and social justice. The publication often provided a critical perspective on government actions and policies, holding those in power accountable and contributing to public discourse and debate.
We include a full run of the magazine from 1975 to 1999, with over 1,150 issues and 57,600 pages.
The Nairobi Times
A Sunday newspaper that later became a daily, The Nairobi Times covered a wide range of topics, including national and international news, politics, business, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Ng’weno was Editor in Chief and strived to provide comprehensive and up-to-date reporting on issues relevant to Kenyan readers.
“Ng’weno's modest publishing empire comprises… the only African-owned and African-managed independent newspapers and magazines south of the Sahara. Ng’weno's political analysis is so astute that some diplomats base their reports to their governments almost exclusively on what they read in The Weekly Review. The publication also examines issues that are left untouched in most African countries -- income distribution, tribal rivalries, rising unemployment, the performance of parliaments.
The Los Angeles Times, June 13, 1980
“The Weekly Review was a must-read and produced some of the finest journalists in the country. Its analyses of Kenyan politics in the 1970’s and 1980’s remained in a class of their own and is still unmatched.”
John Kamau, Editor, Nation Media House
“…analytical journalism unseen and unmatched in the region… outstanding cover stories on environment, wildlife, medicine, agriculture, sports, education and other topical subjects.”
Macharia Gaitho, Business Daily
Rainbow children’s magazine
Launched by Hilary Ng’weno and his wife Fleur in 1976, Rainbow was written for children, rather than about children, and was widely regarded as a pioneering publication. It became a staple in many Kenyan households and encouraged children to develop their reading skills, expand their knowledge, and explore their talents.
Rainbow also featured contributions from young readers, allowing them to showcase their creativity and writing skills. This aspect of the publication encouraged children to participate actively and engage with the magazine, fostering a sense of community and empowerment. The Ng’weno archive includes a full run of all issues.
Documentaries and oral histories
The Kenyan Heritage Series is a captivating collection of fifty short videos, produced by Hilary Ng’weno, and released for Kenya’s 50th anniversary in 2013. Commencing in the pivotal year of 1963, as Kenya attained its independence, the series describes the people and events that have shaped Kenya’s post-independence political landscape.
This work comprises a history of Kenya as a new country charts its course internally and in the world.
Access
East African Magazines, Newspapers, and Films is part of Africa Commons, a project to digitize, disseminate, and discover African cultural materials. Our aim is to enable Africa easily to control its archival riches. We help preserve African content and enable African scholars easily to find and access expressions of their heritage in Western collections.
For more information or to request a trial, please contact us or click on one of the links below.
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