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I’ve been reading The Power of a Positive No: Save the Deal Save the Relationship – and Still Say No by William Ury, the author of the earlier bestseller, Getting to Yes.

Ury is an experienced mediator, at levels from the corporate to the national, and he is a co-founder of the Harvard Law School Negotiation Programme. I found his writing very helpful. just as I do the related Disagreeing Well initiative at University College London, where I was an undergraduate.

When was the last time you stepped into a library? Or are you more of an ‘is there a PDF version?’ kind of person? It’s not really your fault, we live in a digital age built on convenience. But it does make you wonder: what happens to libraries?

That’s where today’s How to Build a Library comes in.

How to Build a Library is a 2025 Kenyan-American documentary directed by Maia Lekow and Christopher King. It follows Shiro Koinange and Angela Wachuka as they work to restore the McMillan Memorial Library in Nairobi, turning what was once a not-so-well-maintained, forgotten colonial building into a hub for readers. The film will open the 6th edition of the NBO Film Festival, running from October 16-26, 2025, at Prestige Cinema, with additional screenings at Kaloleni Social Hall, Docubox, and Unseen Nairobi.

The festival, as always, focuses on Kenyan and African stories that rarely make it to mainstream screens. Now you know where and when to see it, back to the review.

Red flags

Going in, I had little to no expectations. I knew very little about the project, so by the 15-minute mark, a few red flags started popping up.

First, I saw a foundation logo. That usually translates to aligning with a narrative that aligns with that organisation. Then I noticed it was co-directed by a woman and starred women. That has never been a problem, in fact, I condone it. The issue is what that combination tends to signal in modern storytelling.

From what I’ve seen, especially in projects like this, representation often outweighs good storytelling. Weak scripts and ideas still get greenlit as long as they tick what a few people in a boardroom deem as the right social boxes. So yes, I was worried when a couple of frames lingered unnecessarily on random women in the audience for no apparent reason.

Then came the second red flag, a foreign co-director. And again, this has nothing to do with race but with exploitation. Every time I see a foreigner behind the camera in stories from developing countries, I brace myself.

Too often, they show up to tell what they think is an ‘important story,’ collect festival praise, make their money, and disappear. You see it every day on YouTube. Cultural vulturism, profiting off local struggles for credibility. So when I saw a foreign name attached to the project, I was very sceptical.

What worked

But 20 minutes in, I realised I might have been wrong. How to Build a Library is a well-crafted, layered documentary. It spans about five to six years, following Shiro Koinange and Angela Wachuka as they attempt to revive McMillan Memorial Library and its branches in Kaloleni and Makadara.

The timespan alone is impressive, you move through 2017, into the pandemic years, and finally get a glimpse of the events of 2024. It feels like a time capsule, with small, subtle details marking each era.

There’s also historical depth in the storytelling. When the old black-and-white photos and archival clips appear, you’re transported back to colonial Kenya. Those images, portraits, and documents, many hidden for decades, those small moments speak volumes, especially for anyone interested in the country’s history. The library becomes both a time machine and a metaphor.

From the outside, McMillan looks grand. Step inside, and you find decay, neglect, and bureaucracy. The metaphor couldn’t be clearer. Like the McMillan building, Kenya, too, looks fine from the outside.

But as a citizen, you know and see the cracks and decay. Anyone who tries to fix anything here runs into red tape and political egos. The film captures that perfectly. You see it in the behaviours of some librarians, entitled, stubborn, and oddly reflective of our politicians.

People who cling to status even as their institutions collapse. Whether intentional or not, that parallel is perfect.

Technically, the cinematography is grounded and natural. The lighting, colour, and audio stay consistent from 2017 through 2024. You barely notice the passage of time. Nothing feels overproduced or staged.

The dialogue sounds real, crisp, and unfiltered, with natural switches between English, Swahili and Sheng. No one’s performing for the camera, well, apart from one or two scenes that feel a bit off.

I also liked the chemistry between Shiro and Wachuka. There’s a sense of purpose in everything they do. They’re articulate, focused, and committed. You follow them through bureaucracy, funding challenges, and people politics. You see their frustrations, their small wins, and their big moments.

What’s missing, though, is who they are beyond the mission. We get glimpses, a hearing issue here, a pet lover there, something around a necklace, but never a full sense of the people behind the passion. I wanted more humanity, less logistics.

Another thing I appreciated is how the film captures the concept of taking action. These women saw a problem, recognised their passion, and jumped in. Even with all the challenges, they pushed forward. Sometimes small, almost crazy steps can spark something much bigger. And when you look at what they’ve managed to achieve, you can’t help but feel inspired.

Also, let’s be honest, the film makes libraries look cool again. Beyond being a storage for knowledge, they come off as living, breathing community spaces.

It’s also a short, tight experience at only 96 minutes, which works in its favour.

What didn’t work

The film’s biggest weakness is the locations orientation. It never explicitly establishes the libraries visually, where they sit geographically or what they mean to their communities, it’s only implied.

McMillan is at the heart of Nairobi, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, yet we never get a wide top-down shot of the building or even a map showing its relation to the city and surrounding buildings.

The same goes for Makadara and Kaloleni. We hear about them, explore the interior, meet a few people, but the social and economic context feels thin.

The second issue is focus. The documentary tries to cover too much: bureaucracy, restoration, politics, colonial history, personal stories, and even African literary culture. It’s ambitious, but without a clear through-line connecting everything.

Then there’s the pacing. While the editing is timely, sharp, and clean, the rhythm is flat. No real highs or lows, it just coasts. There’s no build-up or release; it flows evenly from start to finish. That lack of variation makes the 96 minutes feel longer than it actually is.

The tone also plays it too safe. The film celebrates the women’s journey, which is fine, but it rarely challenges them or the viewer. It never lets moral or ideological tension surface. Everything is framed as a path to something, with only glimpses of struggle.

Great documentaries provoke thought, they make you uncomfortable, they question motives, they dig into contradictions. This one doesn’t quite go there.

By the end, when the text appears about the current state of McMillan Library, everything I had just watched felt like a pitch rather than a full story.

I also thought the last six minutes were unnecessary. Yes, the events were monumental for the country, but compared to the rest of the film, they feel tacked on, more like an afterthought influenced by outside pressure than a natural conclusion.

The title, should’ve been How to Rebuild a Library or How to Restore a Library. ‘Build’ feels misleading given the story’s actual focus.

Final thoughts

That said, How to Build a Library is still worth watching. It’s short, polished, and genuinely inspiring. You follow two women who cared enough to fix something most people overlook. Based on the ending, it’s safe to assume they’re still on that journey.

It may not be groundbreaking, but it’s honest, hopeful, and quietly powerful, a snapshot of what action, persistence, and love for culture can achieve. You know where to see it.

The Eldoret International Airport exceeded targets for annual customs revenue collections for the financial year to June 2025, marking a rebound from the previous financial year when cargo flights were temporarily grounded following a stalemate over a new taxation system.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collected Sh1.8 billion at the Eldoret facility against a target of Sh1.694 billion, surpassing the target by 6.44 percent, or Sh109.06 million.

Dozens of importers and transporters have been caught up in a feud between two tycoons battling for control of prime warehouse facilities near the Mombasa port, leaving hundreds of containers stranded.

Truck owners and traders using the Mahadi Container Freight Station (CFS) say they have been unable to access the premises after a new owner took over the facility, which sits on two adjacent plots along Port Reitz Road on the SGR bypass.

A legal dispute is ongoing at the Environment and Land Court between a trading company and KCB Group over a Sh95 million land sale gone awry, with potential compensation claims of Sh1.3 billion hanging in the balance.

At the centre of the case is M’Big Limited, which accuses KCB and Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) of frustrating its 2017 purchase of two prime parcels of land in Naivasha town.

Sanlam Kenya Limited will receive Sh220.6 million for transferring its general insurance business to Jubilee-Allianz General Insurance Kenya Limited in a deal that marks part of the strategic alliance between their parent companies.

According to the business transfer agreement between the two insurers, the deal is valued at Sh820.6 million.

Kenya Power has erected permanent pylons for the Suswa to Nairobi North double circuit line, raising hope of improved transmission of electricity from one of the major hubs.

Joseph Siror, Kenya Power CEO, disclosed that the permanent pylons were set up on Monday, replacing the temporary overhead lines that had been erected across the standard gauge railway (SGR) line near Gicheru Mines, Kikuyu sub-county, since 2019.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is among a group of debt investors that will fund Axian Telecom’s acquisition of Kenya’s Wananchi Group.

The global financier will be the lead investor in a $550 million bond to be issued by Mauritius-based Axian, with part of the proceeds earmarked for buying out telecoms and entertainment firm Wananchi. IFC intends to invest $75 million (Sh9.6 billion) in the bond.

After many false starts, Kenya’s Treasury finally launched the electronic government procurement system (e-GP) in April 2025.

In his first budget speech, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi emphasised that the system was one of the key public finance management reforms for FY25/26, with an allocation of Sh700 million.

On the surface, indoor gardening looks like an easy, almost effortless hobby. You bring a plant home, place it by the window, water it now and then, and watch it flourish. At least, that’s what the glossy Instagram and TikTok feeds suggest.

But for Kariuki Chege, the reality has been anything but easy. The first months of caring for his plants were filled with disappointment, dead leaves, pests, and confusion. He had to learn-sometimes painfully-that plants are living beings with their own stubborn personalities.

‘You water too much, they die. You underwater, they die. Finding a balance was the hardest part,’ he recalls. Orchids, in particular, tested him. ‘Even experts struggle with them. Just when you think you’ve done everything right, one small change kills them.’

Roses, he adds, really tested his patience. ‘I try propagating them, but they just dry up,’ he recalls.

Over time, he established a routine: watering once a week, misting for humidity twice a week, and dedicating weekends to dusting and care.

But it wasn’t always smooth. The biggest heartbreak came when he unknowingly brought home pests that messed his plants a lot.

‘Last year, I unknowingly introduced mealybugs into my collection. Within weeks, they spread everywhere. I had to cut everything down and start afresh,’ he recalls.

Since then, he stopped buying full plants. ‘I mostly propagate from cuttings-it’s safer and easier to monitor.’

Today, when the 31-year-old talks about his indoor garden, his eyes light up. What began as a way to kill time during Covid-19 quarantine five years ago has since grown into a full-blown passion, with nearly 50 plants thriving on his balcony.

‘Weekends felt endless, so I thought, why not take care of two plants?’ His first companions were two ferns, three zebra haworthias, and two snake plants. That small beginning turned into something bigger.

‘I can’t say it was inspiration. I just needed something to do. But maybe I’d always loved plants without realising it. Corona became the medium that connected me to this hobby.’

His pride lies in his variegated monsteras-24 of them at different stages-alongside money plants, philodendrons, ZZs, orchids, and even rare air plants he ordered from Dubai.

‘I’m drawn to unique, statement plants,’ he says. ‘When I come home tired, sit among them, and play soft music, it changes everything.’

For him, plants are more than décor. ‘They bring joy. I searched for orchids for a year before getting them, and they’re expensive-some cost up to Sh10,000. Air plants too; I paid around Sh3,000 each after shipping. But the joy they bring is worth it.’

Plants also give him a calming environment. ‘Most landlords give us plain white walls. Plants add life, texture, and colour.’

He finds joy in the hunt for rare species and dreams of building a tropical collection. Kariuki believes plant choices reflect personality.

‘Just like pet lovers choose breeds that suit them, plant lovers should pick species that feel right. If you love succulents, you might struggle with flowering plants. If big leaves excite you, tiny succulents may bore you. Go with what brings you joy.’

His biggest advice? Start small. ‘Don’t go for complicated plants like peace lilies right away. Begin with beginner-friendly ones like succulents, pothos, or spider plants. And don’t be too hard on yourself when a plant dies. Snip yellow leaves, cut back when needed-plants often bounce back.’

Turning home into picnic site

Martha Simiyu remembers clearly about six years ago when she bought her Sh500 echeverians from a road side vendor. She was enthusiastic, visualised her experience turning out, just like the ones she sees online.

However, that hope quickly turned into frustration. Her early days were marked by yellowing leaves, root rot, and confusion. She, too, had to discover, through trial and error, that plants each come with unique needs and temperaments. Despite growing surrounded by plants. There is one aspect about plants that she missed out.

‘I didn’t know some plants actually survive on neglect! As a beginner, I gave them too much attention-overwatering, treating them all the same. I lost some to root rot and yellowing, but the survivors taught me lessons that even Google couldn’t.’

However, instead of throwing the plant away, she snipped a healthy cutting and propagated it into something new. That turned out to be a turning point that taught her resilience and resourcefulness.

Her biggest headache? The spider plant. ‘It’s so dramatic. I’ve struggled to keep one alive for months, even when conditions were perfect. Umbrella plants also gave me trouble-I gave up after several attempts, but I’m determined to try again.’

To guide her journey, Martha once relied on a plant identifier app that helped her place species in the right spots-bright corners for light-loving ones, cozy corners for hardy snake plants. She also experiments with creative plant hacks.

‘Different plants like different beverages,’ she says. ‘Some love coffee, others tea, and some even beer! I tried coffee on my Chinese evergreen, and it worked like magic. I also make an eggshell-vinegar mix to spray on leaves and soil.’

Now, the 42-year-old tends to 13 potted indoor plants and two varieties of succulents on her balcony. Her collection includes snake plants, spider plants, pothos, Chinese evergreen, aloe, arrowheads, corn plants, and succulents. She laughs when she recalls her early struggles.

‘It’s like feeding and keeping humans happy. Sometimes I even want to believe in the myth that plants bring good luck. That’s why I’m looking to get a lucky bamboo. Who knows? Maybe it’ll work.’

Her plants have reshaped her space and lifestyle. ‘Indoor gardening has displaced so many things in my house. I’d rather create space for plants than gadgets like TVs or home theatres. My home now feels like a picnic site.’

Besides the aesthetic part, the plants have also reshaped her social life. ‘I’ve found a community of plant lovers-we even had a WhatsApp group to share stories and cuttings. Some of my friends are getting into plants too, so the community keeps growing. As a cyclist, I even find myself cycling with purpose, always on the lookout for cuttings to bring home.’

The joy, she says, is in the little things. ‘I love staring at my plants and watching new leaves unfurl. It reduces stress and excites my hormones. They keep me busy, but they also give me company.’

Plants have always carried a quiet presence in Martha’s life. Growing up, she admired the pothos her mother cared for so diligently. Years later, while cycling past a garden, she stopped and bought her first Chinese evergreen.

‘I placed it on my balcony, watered it as required, and it didn’t disappoint. Watching it sprout new lush leaves was so fascinating that I had to get another one. That was the beginning,’ she says.

‘It felt like such a small thing at the time. But that little succulent opened up a whole new world for me.’

Martha’s love for nature only deepened with time. ‘Being surrounded by plants gives me a sense of connection. The smell of soil after watering reminds me of the first rains after a dry spell.’ During the pandemic, when life slowed down, caring for her plants became both a hobby and a source of comfort. ‘It boosted my mood and gave me something meaningful to do.’

Her guidance is simple and practical. ‘Don’t love your plants to death. Too much attention-especially overwatering-will kill them,’ she says.

According to plant consultant Josphat Nguro, indoor gardening is a popular hobby that adds life and calm to homes and offices. However, keeping plants alive can be challenging, with many beginners struggling with issues such as wilting leaves, pests, and stunted growth.

‘Often, people either overwater their plants or neglect their light and humidity needs. Too much water and poor drainage can quickly lead to plant death,’ he explains.

For newcomers, he recommends low-maintenance plants such as spider plants, snake plants, and pothos. ‘These varieties are resilient and forgiving, whereas more demanding species like orchids require special care.’

Orchids, for example, thrive in bright, indirect light and should be watered weekly in summer and every 10 to 14 days in cooler months.

Higher humidity levels, ideally between 40 percent and 70 percent, can be maintained using a tray of water and pebbles.

Umbrella plants are hardy and prefer bright sunlight, drying out slightly between waterings. Spider plants enjoy bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil, and they are easy to propagate.

Common issues include overwatering, which can lead to root rot, and underwatering, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Josphat advises regularly checking plants, wiping leaves, and ensuring good air circulation. ‘Small adjustments, like moving a plant closer to a window or using a humidifier, can make a big difference,’ he says.

Leaves can indicate a plant’s health: wilting or yellowing may signal stress. ‘Observe before reacting; yellowing doesn’t always mean that the plant needs more water,’ he adds.

With new tools such as moisture meters and smart watering systems, plant care is becoming easier. ‘Success begins with choosing the right plant for your environment. Adapt your care practices based on how your plants respond, and remember that healthy plants are the most beautiful,’ concludes Josphat.