In March 2003 when I decided to buy my own domain name and start blogging seriously one of the first things I did was search for Kenyan bloggers. This search proved largely fruitless. Most blogs that did mention Kenya were not written by Kenyans but by tourists and were full of photos of animals frolicking in game reserves. While these blogs serve their purpose and indeed are a joy to look at, they did not represent Kenya.
Here we are two years later and the picture could not be more different. At the time of this article the Kenyan Blogs Webring has 46 active members with 3 prospective members in the queue. Each week I come across a new Kenyan blogger and many of you do so as well. While not all Kenyan bloggers are members of the webring, the Kenyan Blogs Webring remains the most successful attempt to bring Kenyan bloggers together.
For this reason, it became increasingly clear that it is beneficial and indeed necessary to have a permanent online home for the webring. A centre and focus point for Kenyan bloggers by Kenyan bloggers.
On kenyaUnlimited you will find information on the Kenyan Blogs Webring, requirements of membership and how to join as well as a list of Kenyan Blogs Webring members. This information is available in both English and Kiswahili.
You will also find information on blogging including answers to the question we get asked most often, how do I start my own blog? In the next few days we will publish articles on how to keep the creative juices flowing, advice for new bloggers and blog and net etiquette. We welcome your suggestions for any other additions to our information databases.
kenyaUnlimited however, is not just a blogger information tool. Aside from the informational pages you will find Voices the KenyaUnlimited blog. Voices is a unique experiment in the Kenyan blogosphere in that the blog, while maintained by kenyaUnlimited is open to practically everyone. Periodically guest bloggers will be invited to write an article on a subject of their choosing. The purpose of these articles will be to raise the level of debate on the issue in question which taken together with the comments to the article will provide an online conversation available to all. Please leave your suggestions for guest bloggers or for topics/issues to tackle in the comments to this post or send us an email using our contact form.
Finally I want to pay tribute to the members of the Kenyan Blogs Webring. The enthusiasm of this bunch of bloggers is infectious. From the informational blogs, to the analytical, the personal journals to the observational, the religious to the crazy blogs (you know who you are!) these are true ambassadors of Kenya. For an authentic look at Kenyan life, the lives of Kenyans and the Kenyan issues you can not get a better window than Kenyan bloggers.
Sawa sawa. Let’s get blogging.
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About the author:
Mentalacrobatics is the founder of the Kenyan Blogs Webring and part of the kenyaUnlimited admin team.
This is such a fabulous idea Mental!! Kudos. Once again you prove yourself the true KBW Capone!
This is just too wonderful an idea to pass up. I’m glad you made the effort to create this site that will surely be more than just a base for bloggers & blogging.
You just set up a tool that will bring together a huge number of Kenyans scattered all over the world to share all sorts of interesting stuff.
No two Kenyans are alike & the many Kenyan blogs I have visited are proof enough that we’re truly an amazing, hardworking, spontaneous & cheerful people.
Congrats on your launch & I wish everyone a happy time here.
uh yes the first family of KBW
1.GODFATHER
2.MAMA BLOG
3.PURPLE AUNTIE
4.Swa Consigilieri(could u translate my blog!!!)
P.S is it me or to be in the admin ur name has to start wit M???
Now once this thing starts up-we can work on the awards thing.
Viva KenyaUnlimited
well done.
Not only is this a good idea that went from the discussion and planning stages to deployment in a relatively short period of time, the site exemplifies the energy and spirit and talent of a special group Kenyan women and men working hard in the “Blogosphere”.
It’s still too early to tell, but I think this could be one of the most significant group of Voices from the people of East Africa to hit the Web in years. I plan to stop by often to see if I am right (I usually am, you know).
Congrats and a deep bow to the kenyaUnlimited Crew for their design and technical skills.
This is great. Bankelele introduced me to blogging, where i found out about Kenyan pundit, then found a link to Ethan Zuckerman’s paper click here for that. (Read the whole thing, it is soo pertinent to what is happening here). In the paper, there is a reference to a a 3 part model for social engagement - collect information, comment, debate, then act. I applaud you!
Hi all,
Just a quick note to thank everybody at KBW for the love they continue showing for Tafsiri, my French blog.
To return the love I have decided I will from now on ensure every post comes with an English version of the French language text.
Asanteni sana & always feel welcome to share & comment at:
http://tafsiri.blogspot.com
-akiey-