Leading the Night

By Philo Ikonya

Deprived of being heard, people still have a voice. They make it heard in ways that disturb the status quo. This book is an engagement with such voices. Can Deni, Wairi, Yaadi, matatu people, militia people and taxi drivers in Kenya also ask "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" as Nelson Mandela did. Why do two men wearing bling bling turn into two snakes dancing in Rika's imagination? The web of corruption is intricate. No-one can lead this night alone. It takes many constellations, each one twinkling in its own radius. Many rays of light dispel darkness. The peoples' good leadership alone can check politicians' terrible ways. Philo Ikonya is the author of two poetry anthologies, This Bread of Peace and Out if Prison.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Twaweza Communications
• Release date: Dec 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9789966028174

Philo Ikonya

Philo Ikonya is a Kenyan poet and novelist. She is known for speaking out against injustice and corruption. She has written extensively on governance, mass poverty and post-election violence in Kenya. She was arrested several times, and brutally in 2009, for speaking out. She is in exile in Norway since Dec. 2009. She is an avid blogger and journalist. She has been a teacher, lecturer and editor. She speaks Kiswahili, English, Spanish, Norwegian and understands Italian and French. Philo Ikonya is the author of This Bread of Peace, Out of Prison- Love Song, and Leading the Night.

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