The Global Book Alliance, with deep sadness, shares the recent passing of former GBA Chair Dr. Henry Chakava. GBA’s Chair, Sakil Malik, shares the following with the GBA community:
““Known as the “Father of Kenyan Publishing”, Henry was a distinguished leader and advocate for education. He has influenced publishing in local languages which supported the freedom of expression of minority languages in East Africa. We will follow his path to continue the movement to make sure all children have access to books in languages they know and understand.” ”
The GBA celebrates Henry’s tenure as the GBA Chair and his groundbreaking accomplishments in his professional life. Through his trailblazing work, Dr. Chakava nurtured and promoted African writers, furthered indigenization of the publishing industry, promoted observance of international standards, and ensured greater access to books and other written materials for African children.
As Chair of the GBA. Dr. Chakava worked closely with GBA partners to align strategies to promote literacy and ensure that children have access to the right books at the right levels in the right languages. Dr. Chakava once said,
““I look at learning as a broad and continuous endeavor, which should be nurtured from an early age, and encouraged throughout one’s life. I believe that this cannot be achieved through textbooks alone, but through works that capture the readers’ imagination, help the reader travel far and wide, and create the urge to ask for more.””
Under Dr. Chakava’s leadership, the GBA launched its “Books for Every Child: A Global Pledge” to promote the crucial role of books in literacy development and highlighted African publishing through a webinar and interview with a local publisher.
Scott Walter, former Executive Director of CODE and former GBA Deputy Chair, shared his experience working with Henry,
““A true gentleman and scholar in every sense of the expression, Henry nurtured and promoted African writers, furthered indigenous languages (even when considered subversive) and promoted children’s access to great literature as part of his lifelong devotion to the development of book publishing on the African continent. I was fortunate enough to serve under Henry in the role of Deputy Chair of the Global Book Alliance when he was Chair. At the time of his appointment I commented that, ‘As one of Africa’s preeminent book professionals, Henry brings a lifetime of experience to the Alliance in terms of the creation and publication of the kinds of relevant, high quality reading and learning materials that children need to succeed. We’re very fortunate to have him joining us as our new chair.’””
The GBA wishes comfort to Dr. Chakava’s family and friends at this time, and knows that his legacy in the African publishing space will carry on.