Kenyan-based literary network, Kwani? Trust previewed a new mobile app during the 2012 Kwani Lit Fest. MKwani was developed by Timothy Mruttu of On Demand Mobile and is currently in beta testing stage. “About a year ago, Angela and I discussed the possibility of creating an app and because the lit fest was coming up, we thought to incorporate some of the information into the app,” says Mruttu during the soft launch of MKwani at the National Museum of Kenya.

By visiting http://168.63.97.186/shoppingcart/mkwani, users can help the team develop MKwani further by commenting on its functionality in general. Ideally the app will enable readers to download pictures, audio and video files and purchase from Kwani’s e-book catalogue. For now they can access the Kwani? Lit Fest program and preview articles from Kwani? 07. “Telling stories in digital” is the premise behind the app.

Kwani’s Kate Hampton feels that other places in the world, such as the US and Europe, have set the digital trend and though Kenya is still trying to find its footing, they are ready to lead the way. As Kate Hampton states it: “Digital is the future.”

MKwani will soon be available via m.kwani.org