Reclaiming Africa’s Sparkling Narrative Through Story Moja with Muthoni Garland

In the highlands of Kenya, is Dondori township, located in Bahati Constituency in Nyandarua County, a mere 3 hours from Nairobi.

At approximately 6,500’ or 2000m, Dondori Forest flourishes in the cool highland climate and boasts a 60’ waterfall with its own miniature rainbow.

*

Ruth and Muthoni sat down for a conversation, on one of Nairobi’s trademark “just perfect weather days”. Ensconced in the studio at Story Moja, both Muthoni and Ruth were keen to get started on what was clear was a shared favourite topic: telling stories.

Muthoni Garland’s origin story could hardly be more befitting for someone who is so passionate about books. That Story Moja is a quietly humming efficient book churning operation, becomes clear that it’s the product of blood, sweat, tears, copious amounts of coffee and sleepless nights. 

Muthoni’s story has arced beautifully to this stellar point where together with the team at the coal face and behind the scenes at Story Moja, her love for reading has manifested in getting children to read. A drive so powerful, that on July 10th, 2026, an audacious goal has been pinned on the collective Story Moja consciousness: to harness the magic of one million Kenyan children reading at the same time! 

Complimenting the foray into Academic books, restoring Africa has taken centre stage. To quote the African literary giant Chinua Achebe: “until the lion learns to speak, the story is told by the hunter.” And so to speak, we must, according to Muthoni, by capturing the many stories of outstanding Africans pre and post the colonial era, who determined not to be erased,  championed the cause for their people. 

The result is the SHIZU History Books. Fantasy and real stories, creatively woven through the threads of time travel, championed by twin teenagers. Stories zig zag the continent and include Zulu Queen Mkabayi to Luo Chief Odera and shooting away again, to Ndongo Princess Njinga, and others. 

Born in “the original safari country” it’s not surprising that Muthoni has included a series dedicated to educating children about Kenya’s spectacular wildlife. Once again, imagination takes over the shuttle, and it’s smart young wild life detectives that go traipsing in the wild, learning fast and taking the reader along. 

No doubt the magic at Story Moja has only just begun. Enthused by Muthoni Garland’s fresh laughter and vibrant energy, this is one tale we won’t want to end anytime soon. 

Twendeni, Africa is Ready!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.