Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#MijiYetu
Names have power. Just as a person’s name bears a strong connection to their identity and individuality, so does the name of a place. Kenya has an abundance of towns that are home to rich culture, diverse heritage, and picturesque features. Each of these towns is denoted with names so unique and distinct that they have elaborate origin stories. In our unending quest to uncover little-known facts about Kenya,
Remember the story of...
Remember the story of...
Kata Simu Tupo Site
Back in July, the phrase “kata simu tupo site” gained traction on social media. We owe this viral moment to Tanzanian comedian Umar Iahbedi Issa, known simply by his stage name, Mzee Mjegeje, who uttered these words when freestyling a rap song. The phrase has caught on with Kenyan netizens who weave it into the stories they share online. Brands have also adapted this phrase and use it to announce...
Our audio stories
A note from our team
THE BEAUTY OF KENYA
Our flag, coat of arms, and national anthem are the symbols of our national unity. Within these symbols lies the story of our nation’s founding, our shared values, and our hope for the future. #KeSymbols takes a closer look at the creative process behind the creation of these unifiers. Have you ever noticed that the Maasai shield features across the board in either visual or lyrical form? There is diversity in every facet of our beautiful nation, from the population’s rich cultural heritage to the vast landscape covered in unique physical features. Not to mention the treasure trove that is our history! #KeSafari is a story journey into these distinctive aspects that make up Kenya, starting off in County 001 and concluding in County 047. Take a journey across Kenya with us via stories or on our Podcast Series.
TEAM PAUKWA
A note from our team
JOURNALISM AS SERVICE
If you were to look up the purpose of journalism, you would probably find something along the lines of empowering citizens with the information they need to make the best possible choices in their everyday lives, and for their communities and government. In our #MagazetiYetu and #KePhotographers collection,s what strikes a chord is the sacrifices that journalists throughout our history have made to give us the power of decision-making. When we take a closer look at our media history, it is clear that these professionals went far beyond the call of duty to secure the credibility of information reaching the public. And for this sacrifice, we can’t help but label these journalists the epitome of servants. These heroes have stood for truth, democracy and our nation time and time again – even to their own detriment. Be emboldened by the figures who remained uncompromising in their values. May we stand on their shoulders.
TEAM PAUKWA
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