The Big Read takes readers away from the mainstream menu of politics to explore the plight of ordinary Kenyans and the pluck of extraordinary ones. And Star writers went out of their way to get interesting stories last year.
One writer ventured into a banditry-prone area to capture a medic’s unwavering service. Another rang the alarm on Kenyans in America raping their own daughters. And one immersed readers in a meeting of young thugs at the Coast trying to reform.
What emerged from these and other narratives were unsung heroes, hardcore villains and tragic characters. Love them or hate them, their stories were gripping to read.
While an outline is shared in today’s Big Read, below is the full list of best features of 2018, along with links to the stories and writer bylines.
A. BEST EDUCATION FEATURES
3. Thirst for education drives the elderly to school in West Pokot
By Marryann Chai
2. Unearthing the sanitation crisis within Nairobi’s public schools
By Sarah Nanjala
1. Bias or rules? How prayer time row led to stabbings in Jamhuri School
By Julius Otieno
B. BEST HEALTH FEATURES
3. Hero nurse treats patients alone under trees in Tiaty
By Joseph Kangogo
2. Why Kenya wants health solutions from Cuba
By John Muchangi
1. How cancer pain is pushing patients to use marijuana
By Monicah Mwangi
C. BEST SPORTS FEATURES
3. How boxing promoters kill talent in Kenya
By Monicah Mwangi
2. Chess coach Githinji Hinga’s endgame: To nurture Kenya’s first Grandmaster
By Tom Jalio
1. My 400km run to raise funds for cardiac centre in Vihiga
By Joseph Jamenya
D. BEST BUSINESS FEATURES
3. The diminishing returns of digital taxi business
By Cynthia Ilako
2. The economics of suicide
By Victor Amadala
1. Why I abandoned degree for mitumba business —
graduate
By Abel Muhatia
E. BEST ENVIRONMENT FEATURES
3. Drought to flood and back again: Cycle that haunts Kenya yearly
By Stephen Rutto
2. As hyacinth chokes Lake Victoria, more women trade sex for fish
By Habil Onyango
1. Village where sand harvesters don’t let the dead rest in peace
By Habil Onyango
F. BEST CRIME FEATURES
3. Is killing a pregnant woman a case of double homicide?
By Joseph Ndunda
2. Where shall we wail? Kenyans in US decry rapes of own daughters
By Special Correspondent
1. We want to quit but fear being targeted: Mombasa juvenile gangsters speak out
By Brian Otieno
G. BEST SPOTLIGHT FEATURES
3. Four convictions out of 9,000 cases draws flak for IPOA as officials exit
By Ramadhan Rajab
2. Kilifi bears the brunt of teenage pregnancy crisis
By Alphonce Gari
1. Why more women are marrying two husbands
By Joseph Ndunda
H. BEST SOCIAL DILEMMA FEATURES
3. Is Waititu saving alcoholics or wasting tax hiring them?
By Stanley Njenga
2. Why HIV rate in Homa Bay is four times that of Kenya
By Robert Omollo
1. Women shun contraceptives to increase libido, keep husbands
By Ernest Cornel
I. BEST INSPIRATIONAL FEATURES
3. Pokot chief turns cattle rustlers to peace envoys through gospel
By Marryann Chai
2. Courage of a woman who beat late cancer diagnosis
By George Mugo
1. Ex-VP Joseph Murumbi’s Legacy of Integrity serial , and
By Karen Rothmyer
J. BEST TABOO FEATURES
3. Boni elders demand FGM 'to tame teen pregnancies'
By Cheti Praxides
2. Harsh realities behind the moral debate on abortion
By Kagweni Micheni
1. ‘Rafiki’ film opens the door for homosexuals to open up
By Nancy Agutu
AESTHETICALLY SPEAKING
Best photography: ‘Handshake’ and Brexit through the prism of a wedding in England:
Best alternative imagery (cartoon): How rogue traffic police, gangs rob matatus of Sh50bn each year
Best layout: The economics of suicide
Congratulations to the writers singled out for exemplary works, and thank you to the readers who took time to give their feedback.
Do you agree with our picks? Which one did you like most? And what kind of features would you like to see more of? Let us know in the comments below.
Tom Jalio is a narrative journalist whose works are compiled at