East African Educational Publishers (EAEP) is celebrating a landmark 60 years at the forefront of shaping literacy, nurturing talent, and elevating African narratives.
Founded in 1965, EAEP has evolved from a modest local publisher into a continental thought leader whose catalogue has influenced classrooms, enriched homes, and safeguarded cultural memory.
Its titles have become a foundational pillar in Kenya’s educational development and a bridge connecting generations to African identity, language, and imagination.
Speaking during the EAEP Anniversary celebration, Daystar University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Laban Ayiro, lauded EAEP as one of Kenya’s most consequential institutions in the knowledge economy.
“EAEP is a foundational architect of Kenya’s intellectual capital. For decades, this Institution has powered our classroom experiences, shaped national discourse, and strengthened the credibility of African scholarship. Africa must continue owning its knowledge systems, and EAEP has been at the helm of this mission for 60 years. This legacy deserves investment, protection, and amplification for generations to come,” said Ayiro.
Echoing this ambition, EAEP CEO Kiarie Kamau noted that the Anniversary is not just a celebration of heritage, but a springboard for bold transformation in African publishing.
“For six decades, EAEP has carried the soul of our continent; our cultures, our joys, our
struggles, our triumphs. We have shaped learning journeys and ensured African stories take their rightful place on the global stage. Our next chapter is anchored on innovation, digitisation, and content that resonates deeply with African identity. We are scaling up to nurture new voices, strengthen local authorship, and leverage technology to keep African publishing globally competitive,” said Kamau.
The Anniversary brought together authors, educators, scholars, policymakers, and industry partners who have contributed to EAEP’s enduring legacy. The celebration highlighted the publisher’s pivotal role in elevating African literature, promoting multilingual content, and sustaining a robust ecosystem for academic and creative expression.
Today, EAEP is recognised as one of the region’s leading school and general publishers, with an expansive catalogue spanning education, culture, development, literature, drama, poetry, and children’s content. Its works, available in English, Kiswahili, and multiple indigenous languages, remain a staple across schools and homes, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a strong sense of African identity.
As EAEP enters a new era, it remains unwavering in its mission: to deliver knowledge that empowers, preserve Africa’s intellectual heritage, and shape the future through authentic, powerful storytelling.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
