By KPC Reporter
Kenyan author and Swahili language expert Phibbian Muthama is in Nigeria to participate in the April/May 2026 edition of the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin.
Muthama, a published writer, will spend four weeks at the residency working on a new fiction manuscript.
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During her stay, she is also expected to mentor secondary school students in Iseyin by introducing them to the Swahili language as part of a cultural exchange initiative.
“I am passionate about using Kiswahili as a bridge—connecting cultures, promoting inclusivity, and empowering language, with the hope of Swahili becoming our African official language in line with the AU Agenda 2063,” she said.
The Ebedi International Writers Residency provides a free and conducive environment for writers seeking to complete ongoing literary works.
Since its establishment in 2010, the residency has hosted approximately 400 writers from 12 African countries.
Over time, it has built a network of emerging and established voices contributing to the continent’s literary landscape.
Residents are often encouraged to engage with local communities through readings, workshops and mentorship programmes.
Muthama arrived earlier Monday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, marking the start of her residency programme.
Muthama’s participation adds to the growing list of East African writers featured at the residency and underscores the increasing role of Kiswahili in pan-African cultural dialogue.
Her dual focus on writing and mentorship reflects a commitment to both creative production and knowledge sharing.
