Publisher hopeful as board term renewed

Kenya Literature Bureau’s (KLB) managing director Victor Lomaria yesterday promised to prioritise the delivery of Grade Four books for the new curriculum as he starts his second term in office.

Lomaria’s contract was renewed last week, effective September 1, 2019.

This comes as Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha renewed the contracts of the board on April 24.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had renewed board chairman Francis Bayah's term on May 3.

Board members include John Kenduiwo, Augusta Muthigani, Cheryl Majiwa, Nicholas Mac’Botongore, Prof Winston Akala, Abdallah Bii, Elyas Abdi Jillaow, Sammy Chepkwony, Martin Mburu and Josephine Maangi.

Speaking to the Saturday Standard, Lomaria said the delivery of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) books is the publisher’s priority.

“We are working day and night to ensure we deliver on this mandate because children must get books when they open schools next year,” he promised.

The government is scheduled to roll out Grade Four in January next year.

President Kenyatta announced last month that the national roll-out of the new curriculum will move to Grade Four next year, resting the debate on the fate of the next class.

The CBC was rolled out in all schools on January 3, 2019, in Pre-Primary 1 and 2 and Grade 1 to 3.

Lomaria said KLB remains the top printing and publishing house, adding that the agency exceeded its targets for the past four years.

“Having surpassed the targets set in the strategic plan of 2016-2020, we embarked on formulating the new Strategic Plan 2019-2024,” he said.

He added that the new phase will seek to re-position KLB in the publishing and printing industry.

“Our past achievements have emboldened us to focus on new business areas in the coming years,” he said.

Lomaria said non-textbook revenue alone grew to a record Sh847 million, translating to 15 per cent of total revenues.

“This business segment is one of the potential areas identified for growth, and deliberate measures will be put in place this financial year to accelerate the development of new products and markets to augment the current business portfolio,” he stated.