Mr. Wanguhu Ng’ang’a is a well educated, thoroughly experienced man and has a very strong research and presentation ability.  He is a historian with strong nationalistic and patriotic qualities.  His political endeavors in Kenya help him bring his book closer to political, social and economic realities in Kenya than has hitherto been attempted.  This book stands out in its unique coverage of the history of the origin, migration and settlement of Kenyan ethnic groups.  The book uniquely (making extensive quotes from earlier works by authoritative historians like Prof. Bethwel Ogot, Prof. G. Muriuki, Prof W.Ochieng and several other early researchers into various specific ethnic groups histories)brings out the diversity, similarity, shared values and common bonds among the ethnic groups of Kenya and boldly tells Kenyans and those who want to relate with Kenyans that after all, the origins, the route to where they live today, their cultural values and even their politics have much more commonness than disparities.  They are one people and just like one brother is taller and lighter in color than the other, they are all one people. 

The eight hundred and twenty two (822) pages book is divided into 8 separate albeit theme related books each with its own separate references making it easy to read despite its cumulative large size.

Without a language or vocabulary barrier, the book is essential reading for all community leaders, politicians, students of history and sociology in colleges and universities.  It is also important supplementary text reference and library book for all schools, primary and secondary to be used both by pupils, students and teachers.

This book has no national, regional or international market boundaries.  Indeed I see much larger demand for the book in the international market as the book packs Kenya in a clear narrative for all those people who want to know Africa.  The methodology used to get this work together and the patterns established can be replicated in almost all African societies.  This book is one of the best candidates for joint publishing with selected overseas publishers in Europe, America and indeed the rest of the world.  It can also attract translation rights in Russia, Japan, China, Germany, Italy and other countries.

Frank J. Njagi
Former Managing Director of
Longman Kenya Limited (Publishers) and
Longhorn Publishers Kenya Ltd.

Reading is a pursuit open to everyone, rich and poor alike, and a source of infinite and unfailing pleasure. True, reading is but one form of what may best be termed "the cultivation of the spirit", but while the literature is not life, it is essential to complete living. A love of books is the sign of a cultivated man or woman as intellectual curiosity is the true test of education. A room without pictures has been likened to a house without windows. What, then, are we without books — are they not the window's of the spirit? A book-lined room is better than the most palatial interior.