Emmanuel Muchui, a Kenyan author, has launched a 73-hour reading marathon at Nuria Book Store in Nairobi. The challenge, set to conclude on Monday afternoon, seeks to promote reading culture in a nation grappling with declining book engagement. This marks Kenya's first such endurance event.
Emmanuel Muchui, an author and avid reader, began his reading marathon on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 10:51 a.m. He is scheduled to finish on Monday at 3:51 p.m., potentially setting a national record for Kenya. The event is taking place at Nuria Book Store in Nairobi, marking the first time the country hosts such an endurance challenge.
Store owners told Kenyans.co.ke that Muchui is not pursuing the global record of 215 hours held by Nigeria's Samson Ajao from May 2024. His goal is more focused: raising awareness about reading amid Kenya's waning literary habits. "Emmanuel’s main aim of the challenge is to holistically create awareness on reading in Kenya, bearing in mind that as a country we have a very poor reading culture," the bookshop owner stated.
The marathon includes 75 minutes of total breaks for stretching, eating, and resting before resuming. Muchui prepared for about a month, selecting books carefully for the three-day effort. This initiative builds on recent Kenyan efforts, such as the 2024 group read-aloud involving 300,000 students to surpass the U.S. record of 233,363 participants.
Similar attempts are emerging across Africa, like Nigeria's Kenedy Yinefawa aiming for 160 hours, though many lack international verification. As Muchui contends with fatigue and sleep, his endeavor could reshape Kenya's engagement with books for years to come.
