Shouting from the Laptops
Kenyan Bloggers find their Voice
THE AGORA
1.What is The Agora? Tell us about your last blog post.
The Agora, taken from the Ancient Greek word for “gathering place”, is a blog about history, art and culture. My last blog post was titled: The men of the man eaters. I wanted to tell the story of the man eating lions of Tsavo from a different perspective: much is known about the infamous man eating lions but very little about the men who were actually eaten.
2.Where do you get your inspiration from?
I believe that everyone has a story to tell and each individual’s story is as unique and equally as important as the next. So it is these forgotten stories and experiences that I seek to keep alive through the blog. For me history is not just about past events, or about kings and queens, it’s about the ordinary men and women whose experiences and decisions have shaped today as we know it.
3.Who are you talking to in The Agora, who is your target audience?
I target both the old and the young; those who were lucky enough to witness historical events and those who just like me can only imagine how things used to be.
4.What would you like to achieve with The Agora?
I would like to create awareness about issues pertaining to our history and culture, two aspects which are often neglected or taken to be of less importance. Where you are coming from is just as important than where you are going. I’d love to see people share
and appreciate their stories, those of their grandparents and of their great grandparents. Memories and experiences are there to be shared, to be passed on and to be treasured.
Pika Chakula
1.What is Pika Chakula? What did you last post about?
“Pika Chakula” is a Swahili word that directly translates to “cook food”. We showcase recipes of different types of cuisines from around the world but using ingredients that are available locally. Pikachakula.com was launched on 9th May 2011 by my brother, Mr. Rajan Solanki (victim of the Westage Mall Attack) with the aim of improving skills in the kitchen. We currently have over 5000 recipes (Baking, Vegetarian, Non-vegetarian, Drinks, Baby foods etc) on our website. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter where we post at least 20-25 recipes daily. Pika Chakula has proudly held the title of “Best Food Blog in Kenya” for 2 consecutive years. Our last blog post was a recipe for “Beef Samosa’s” (http:// pikachakula.com/recipe/beef-samosas)
2. Where do you get your inspiration?
My brother was a foodie. He loved trying different cuisines and eating all sorts of different meat. He would give everything a taste. Fortunately, our mother is an excellent cook and she is our biggest inspiration. We also have a family business called C & R Food Industries Ltd, which manufactures all kinds of snacks and a range of frozen food items- I guess it runs in the family.
3. Who are you talking to in Pika Chakula, who is your target audience?
At Pika Chakula, we get a lot of international traffic although we are mainly targeting Kenyans. Male or female, old or young, everyone loves food. And we are here to show them how easy it is to cook food. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to serve a tasty looking meal: Pika Chakula will guide you all the way .
5.What would you like to achieve with Pika Chakula?
Having travelled quite a bit, I believe here in Kenya we have the best foods and as the online world advances, we would like to take it to that. We will be conducting cookery classes very soon and in the near future you will be seeing Pika Chakula on TV.
DEAR DORIS
1.What is Dear Doris? What was your last blog post about?
Dear Doris is about my letters to Doris, who is a thick n’ curvy woman who has tiny feet and long lustrous jet black hair that plays on her behind as she walks. They are random letters that relay my everyday misfortunes! I am absolutely amazed by the number of people who enjoy reading about my misfortunes! I am completely in love with Doris, even though I do not think I exist because she has never replied any of my 300 letters.
2.Where do you get your inspiration?
Dear Doris is inspired by my misfortunes that are abnormally numerous. If you dwell on your own misfortunes you will realise how numerous they are as well. No matter how small or insignificant!
3.Who are you talking to in Dear Doris, who is your target audience?
My target reader is anyone who needs a good laugh at my problems. People who need to confirm there is someone out there who is
probably going through more crap than them and laughing about it! Also for the big girls out there who need to be reminded of how
beautiful they are.
4.What would you like to achieve with Dear Doris?
I wish to encourage people who go through tough times and to remind big girls of how HOT they are…
THIS IS ESS
1.What is This Is Ess? What did you last blog about?
My blog is a platform that I use to share my personal style and other lifestyle interests with my readers. I’m so lucky that I get to do what I love everyday and that I get to work with creative minds every day, my photographer, Victor Peace, being one of them. My last post was a fun reference to Olivia Pope played by Kerry Washington in Scandal!
2.Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m constantly visiting my favourite personal style blogs and fashion magazines since I find it important to constantly feed my mind with interesting, creative images. I often draw my inspiration from that and the things that surround me.
3.Who are you talking to in This Is Ess, who is your target audience?
My largest audience is women who are interested in fashion and perhaps would like to get ideas on how to work with different items that they probably have in their wardrobe. I’d also like to think that my blog appeals to those interested in art or photography and for that reason I work closely with Victor to make sure that the images are always crisp, interesting and have a creative element to them.
4.What would you like to achieve with This Is Ess?
My goal is to scale into several other platforms where I can share my style, beauty and lifestyle tips including YouTube and maybe even TV at some point. Hoping to get things going in that direction this year!
By Ondi Madete
