Kenya’s Peter Ngila Njeri has won the 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature with his novel manuscript, “Legend of a Beach House”.
The announcement was made by jury member, Nneoma Otuegbe, in Oxford, UK today at the end of the African Literature Festival in Oxford.
In a momentous literary triumph, Njeri clinched the coveted prize.
Njeri’s exceptional literary prowess shone through his evocative work, which has not only captured the hearts of readers but has also garnered him the £1,000 cash prize, along with a highly sought-after publishing deal with Abibiman Publishing UK.
He was one of five shortlisted writers from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The James Currey Prize for African Literature, a prestigious accolade in the literary world, celebrates the finest African voices and narratives, and Njeri’s achievement solidifies his position as a prominent figure in contemporary African literature. This triumph is not only a personal milestone for Njeri but also a source of immense pride for Kenya and the entire African literary community.
The James Currey Prize for African Literature is an annual award for the best unpublished work of fiction written in English by an African writer. The prize aims to promote and celebrate African voices and stories. The literary award is named after James Currey, a prominent publisher known and acknowledged for his contributions to African literature.
