Nairobi: Child literacy in Kenya faces major gaps, with recent studies showing that 43 percent of adolescents aged 13 to 17 cannot read a Grade 4-level text. Three out of 10 Grade 6 pupils cannot read a Grade 3-level text, and general illiteracy for ages 15-17 sits at 6.8 percent. Globally, studies show major challenges, with international organisations noting that up to 70 percent of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income regions struggle to read a simple story.
According to Kenya News Agency, it is against this backdrop that one man on the slopes of the Aberdares, driven by his passion for education and commitment to inspire society through generations of learners in rural Murang’a, established the Gacharageini Community Library in Gacharageini, Mathioya constituency. Zack Gichane, the founder of the library, emphasizes the importance of literacy as a core foundation for lifelong learning, school success, and future job opportunities.
‘We wanted pupils in schools in rural areas that do not have access to libraries to be able to develop a reading culture. That is why, with the help of our friends and guests, Book Aid, and the Kids Library Trust, we were able to build and equip this library as part of CSR for the Aberdare Cottages and Lodges,’ says Gichane. Established in 2010, the library boasts more than 20,000 books, ranging from storybooks and children’s literature to science and technology books, biographies, novels, and more.
Gichane advocates for early literacy development, stating that children as young as 18 months should have the opportunity to interact with books. ‘We have an initiative known as Little Hands, Big Steps, a 10-week program where parents with toddlers as young as 18 months come to the library, carry five books home, and exchange them in a merry-go-round arrangement before returning them for a new batch,’ he explains.
The library is open to all, including older individuals who seek to improve their knowledge. ‘We have over 3,000 registered members, and for the last 15 years, professionals from various fields have passed through this facility, transforming lives and inspiring generations,’ he notes.
The Gacharageini Community Library also promotes inclusivity by providing wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility aids for learners with physical disabilities. Additionally, it offers braille materials for visually impaired learners and tablets for digital learning access. Gichane urges replication of such initiatives nationwide to foster a reading culture.
The library’s daily operations are fully funded and maintained by the Aberdare Cottages and Lodges. Gichane welcomes support from well-wishers and education advocates to sustain the initiative for a brighter, reading generation. The library serves communities from Kiriani, Kangema, Nyagatugu, and surrounding areas, with the nearest community library located about 50 kilometers away in Murang’a town.
