On January 17, 2007, the Prince Claus Award for 2006 was presented to Dr. Henry Chakava, Founder and Director of East African Educational Publishers, in Nairobi, Kenya, by Her Exellency, Ambassador Laetitia van den Assum of The Netherlands.
Kenyan author and professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o came specially to Nairobi to be guest of honor at the ceremony. In his speech, Ngugi wa Thiong’o stressed how much courage Dr. Chakava had shown in a period of severe political repression by publishing the novel “Devil on the Cross” written by Thiong’o while he was in prison.
Publisher Walter Bgoya and Dr. Chakava also spoke at the award ceremony, attended by around 200 guests.
KLM, Kenya Airwars and the Hotel Intercontinental helped make Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s presence possible.
H.E. Ambassador Laetitia van den Assum and Henry Chakava
Prof Ngugi wa Thiong'o
Mrs Chakava and Henry Chakava
