A drastic measure taken to encourage reading and boost literacy in Kenya

 There has been a campaign to scrap VAT on books to reduce prices to encourage reading and to boost literacy. Majority of Kenyans read books on purpose, mainly to pass exams. The 8-4-4 system inculcated the culture of reading to pass exams.

Some critics have blamed our education system, which does not instill in students an appreciation of reading to gain knowledge. Others have accused parents and teachers of placing excessive emphasis on academic achievement which influence them even as adults. We have scholars, politicians, preachers, doctors among others who have acquired immense knowledge which they can explicitly share through writing a book.