The Kenya National Library Services (KNLS), in partnership with KCB Bank, will host the 2026 National Reading Day celebrations on Friday, July 10, at Maktaba Kuu in Nairobi as part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s reading culture and promote lifelong learning.
The event, themed, ‘Our Stories, Our Future: Empowering Minds Through Reading,’ seeks to encourage a culture of reading while positioning literacy as a key driver of the country’s social and economic development.
Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, is expected to officiate the event, highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting literacy, inclusion and equitable access to knowledge.
The main ceremony, scheduled for 9am to 1pm, will feature keynote addresses, recognition of outstanding participants and renewed calls for greater investment in literacy as a national development priority.
Activities will begin with a reading march bringing together learners, teachers, authors, publishers and other stakeholders in a symbolic campaign to promote reading across the country.
The programme will also feature exhibitions, cultural performances and interactive sessions designed to inspire readers of all ages and reinforce the importance of reading as a lifelong habit.
A major highlight of this year’s celebrations will be a week-long publishers’ exhibition and book fair showcasing publications from leading local publishers, including KLB, Longhorn, Moran, East African Educational Publishers (EAEP), Oxford, Phoenix, Queenex, Spotlight and One Planet.
Visitors will have an opportunity to purchase books and educational materials at discounted prices, with Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) books available at 20 per cent discount and 8-4-4 titles selling at discounts of up to 50 per cent.
The celebrations will also provide authors with an opportunity to interact directly with readers through discussion forums and book sessions aimed at promoting local literature and nurturing a sustainable reading culture.
Speaking ahead of the event, KNLS Director General, Dr. Charles Nzivo described reading as more than an academic skill, saying it is a powerful tool for empowerment, innovationand responsible citizenship.
“Reading is more than a skill; it is a pathway to empowerment, creativity and informed citizenship,” Dr. Nzivo said.
He urged Kenyans of all ages to participate in the celebrations and cultivate reading as a daily habit that contributes to personal growth and national development.
Dr. Nzivo said National Reading Day has become a flagship initiative supporting Kenya’s vision of building a knowledge-based society through inclusive literacy programmes and lifelong learning.
He noted that partnerships between public institutions, publishers and the private sector have played a critical role in expanding access to books and information while helping bridge literacy gaps in communities across the country.
According to the Director General, the collaboration between KNLS and KCB Bank demonstrates the value of multi-sector partnerships in supporting education and improving access to learning resources.
Activities leading up to the main celebration will include youth forums, children’s reading sessions and author spotlight programmes, providing learners and members of the public with opportunities to engage directly with writers and education stakeholders.
Organisers have invited the public to participate in the celebrations and support the national campaign to foster a vibrant reading culture that empowers individuals and contributes to Kenya’s long-term social and economic development.
By Anita Kariuki and Sallo Gobana
