Craft It · 2013–2023
Archived stories
Ten years of Kenyans and the things they make by hand: makers, Nairobi and Kampala, motherhood, dusty rugs and the conversations in between. 300 stories, brought back online.
Urban GuideShabba RanksBY BETT KINYATTI It’s a few weeks after our honeymoon that GB tells me one evening, “Please don’t come to bed wearing…2019Dusty RugsDusty RugsWhat is it about old British men?BY MIKE MUTHAKA Because I’m strangely attracted to them. Well, not all of them, certainly. But I’m more likely to have a…
Conversation WithChef Les: “Food is better than an orgasm”Kitchen Confidential: a miniseries about Kenyan chefs in Kenyan kitchens #1. CHEF LESIAMON SEMPELE. EXECUTIVE CHEF AT NYAMA MAMA DELTA AS TOLD…2019Urban GuideUrban GuideKitchen confidentialBY BETT KINYATTI 2.07 p.m. I’m in the back of the kitchen at Nyama Mama Delta, Westy. Chef Les – Lesiamon Sempele,…2019Dusty RugsDusty RugsOut on a limbBY MIKE MUTHAKA These legs know no slow pace. They are used to rapid motions, their triceps relaxing and contracting as they…2019Craft ItCraft ItColours of rhythmBY BETT KINYATTI What do you write about on a day like today? Or in a week like this, when the trees…2019Craft ItCraft ItWe’re going to need a new diaryBY MIKE MUTHAKA On the weekend before Christmas, in the 34th minute of a game against Manchester City, with the scores level…
Urban GuideAnd now, something, uhm, small to wrap up 2018BY BETT KINYATTI We’ll all bawl our eyes out at preschool Muna goes to preschool in January, Inshallah. (Wait, with Matiangi’s curriculum…
Dusty RugsMoments 2018BY MIKE MUTHAKA I turned 23 in July. That afternoon, Chronixx was set to perform at KICC. I didn’t go to the…2018Urban GuideUrban GuideWhat I’ve later learnedBY BETT KINYATTI My ultimate brand of the femme fatale is a rebel. What pop culture calls the bad boys and bad…
Dusty RugsThe Pursuit of BeautyBY MIKE MUTHAKA “I add my own love to the history of people who have loved beautiful things, and looked out for…
Urban GuideWhat I’ve also learnedBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI People who tell you they’re introverts most times aren’t. Idris Elba didn’t go to ‘People’ magazine and tell them,…
Dusty RugsMy heart is in BelgiumBY MIKE MUTHAKA 1. She leans closer and plants a wet kiss on his cheek. Her pouty lips linger on his skin,…
Dusty RugsPlaying HouseBY MIKE MUTHAKA I step out of the shower without a towel. I don’t need a towel. I’m home alone. Water drips…
Urban GuideWhat I’ve learnedBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI Dress up and show up. You’ll find reason when you shut your door behind you, sit at your desk…
Dusty RugsWe got ratsBY MIKE MUTHAKA There’s a rat in my room. Nights I hear it clamoring behind the wardrobe. The other day I found…
Urban GuideThey told me I was a broken toolBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI It’s the morning of my birthday. I’m standing under the shower scrubbing my soapy back. I’m taking a cold…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsAll things lovelyBY MIKE MUTHAKA Saturday, 1.43 p.m. “Boys who say have a lovely night are suckers.” She’s recalling a text she received from…
Conversation WithRolling StonesHunt like a hungry lioness: A miniseries on Craft It about Nairobi’s creatives #5. NEWTON OMONDI: TATTOO ARTIST Newton Omondi’s fingers are…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsLove is a genreBY MIKE MUTHAKA Alternative Rock ‘Wait for me’ by Rise Against ‘Adventure of a lifetime’ by Coldplay We drove around in your…
Conversation WithTurtle neckHunt like a hungry lioness: A miniseries on Craft It about Nairobi’s creatives #4. LAURA LWALA: PRYDE ARTZ JEWELLERY Laura Lwala has…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsGate passBY MIKE MUTHAKA Once in a while my school does a round of maintenance; door handles are fixed, walls are repainted, bulbs…
Conversation WithNatural linesHunt like a hungry lioness: A miniseries on Craft It about Nairobi’s creatives #3: LINDSAY DAWN ADHIAMBO: AH THIS, BODY ART Lindsay…2018Craft ItCraft ItA Man and his HatBY MIKE MUTHAKA I finally got a newsboy hat. Google it. It’s a cool hat, aye? For some reason I’ve always thought…