By Iminza Keboge
Published November 4, 2022
In this very first article on contemporary artists in Kenya we feature Ogova Ondego, a literary and screen artist who also publishes ArtMatters.Info.
Trained in mass media and communications, Ogova Ondego is a writer, journalist, critic, editor, publisher and events producer.
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Among the books written by Ogova Ondego and which are available in online book shops and libraries like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, Rakuten Boko, Vivlio, Tolino, BorrowBox, OverDrive, Bibliotheca, Scribd, Hoopla and Amazon are:
- How to Write on 1001 Subjects! is a manual for professional writers that tackles creative writing, criticism and journalism. It not only teaches any one how to think logically and coherently but also assists any one interested in writing to find direction and preserve professional consistency. Like a reliable compass, this guide draws from various eclectic international sources on writing, grammar and criticism. It helps demystify the myth that writing is a treacherous terrain to navigate.
- Stories From Life is written on the premise that history is written not to justify anything but to inform, educate and caution. Running almost the whole gamut of human experience, Stories From Life is also meant to entertain and celebrate humanity in all its manifestations.
- From Terror to Hope tackles xenophobia and hypocrisy based on myopic considerations like race, ethnicity, gender, class or creed. In the story, the faith of a 12-year-old boy in the supernatural and humanity is shaken to the core following some diabolical terror visited on him and his family, and
- The Braggart’s Day is a coming-of-age adventure story about a 12-year old boy who enjoys his childhood in laid back rural Kenya till his younger sister is afflicted by illness and he is forced to trudge deeper into the dark forest in spite of the dangers lurking behind the sky-clutching trees and octopus-like creepers and man-eating plants in order to secure a cure for her.
So what drives the work of Ogova Ondego who was born in Kakamega but grew up in Nairobi?
“The primary motivation for my writing is the love for sharing information with other people. My work is influenced by the ancient Hebrew prophets. Just as they were considered the ears and eyes of society, I believe I am a watchman who should be guiding my society,” Ondego says. “Writing, to me, is my godly calling rather than a profession. Writing serves a prophetic role and demands that I be bold and courageous as I practice it. I am influenced by Amos, who preached against social injustice, and Micah, who stressed righteousness. Like Jeremiah, I cannot afford silence in the face of wrong-doing. I strive to have the courage and boldness of Elijah and Nathan, who confronted their kings for evil. I can almost see myself attaining the notoriety of Micaiah, son of Imlah, who ‘never prophesied anything positive’ even when he was prevailed upon to ‘Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favourably’ of King Ahab’s intended battle (I Kings 22).”
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Ondego took up writing at an early age.
“I ventured into writing while I was still in secondary school, but it was not until university that I took it seriously. I began with feature writing and then took up creative fiction writing for children. By then I was still a secondary school teacher and was revving to go full throttle on writing. I left teaching and took up journalism, beginning with investigative exposé writing. But this was short-lived as the writing rubbed people the wrong way and I had to resort to feature stories in order to survive.
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And how does Ondego write?
“Before I write anything, I observe what goes on in society, do some research on it, and then begin writing. After a story is complete, I let the manuscript cool down and then come back to it after several days or even weeks. I read through, making corrections and rewriting before letting it rest again. Meanwhile, I continue with my other manuscripts. Although I practice journalism, I prefer working on arts and children’s writing. I am determined to preserve some of the good African ways I grew up with from the onslaught of Westernisation galloping across Africa. I do all kinds of writing, from proposals to screen scripts: new, analyses, and fiction. And I believe I am getting better with time.”
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The hobbies of Ogova Ondego who has a strong interest in policies of cultural or creative industries, especially those related to moving images and mass media production as socialising agents for children and youth besides their role as tools for socio-economic development, include reading, writing, watching movies and live performance and yes,eavesdropping.
