Abigail Arunga is a writer, author (Akello, A Side of Raunch, The Mysteries of Jabali and Sauti) editor, columnist, moderator, scriptwriter, social media manager, influencer, publicist, poet, copywriter, bookstore owner, quizmaster, podcaster, and MC. She’s passionate about the arts, pop culture, current affairs, and social justice. Abigail is invested in how to sleep more, anti-capitalism, virulent feminism, and good fiction.
You can read her writing on the Daily Nation, Nation Online, Akoroko, Sinema Focus, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Goalkeepers Report), Debunk Media, as well as her own website on akello.co.ke. Also, watch Pepeta on Showmax and listen to the first episode of the Wadhii Podcast (under Africa Uncensored). Her first short film as writer/director, Bella Is Dying Maybe Next Week, is out in the next quarter of 2024.
1.You are a multihyphenate working in media and the arts, how did you get started and what’s the journey been like?
My degree is in Journalism (with honours, from the best school, USIU). Seriously though, journalism, print specifically, was where I was always going to end up. I used to envy the people who had so many of these hyphens, and now I’m one of them. I think they came about because of a combination of things – in Kenya, you can’t have one job, and if you do, you’re either in corporate or at the top of your game. Everything I’ve fallen into has been mostly by accident, and then built up from necessity.
For example, I used to write a blog called the shy narcissist (which is now akello.co.ke) and I would write all these random stories about my love life; and tag people on Twitter to read them, as one used to do. I tagged a television producer (Dorothy Ghettuba) one time, and she liked my writing and invited me to write on the TV show Higher Learning. That’s literally how I got started in TV (and how we met, Mwende).
The first time I was published, I was 19 years old, trying to understand and deal with the first person who ever broke my heart. I wrote a very weepy poem about how they broke up with me right when I realised I loved them, and sent it to True Love magazine. They published it, and paid me Ksh 3500 for that article. I was rich!
It’s been tumultuous. Writing is one of those things that need life experience, inspiration, and desperation; things that sometimes don’t come at the same time. And it’s infinitely harder when you make it your job. Writers that do only writing? It’s actually quite rare and I can think of maybe 3 that I know off the top of my head in Kenya, and even these people often break out to pivot and evolve, ironically in a sector that isn’t yet a fully-fledged industry. You have to change and think out of the box. Would I have it any other way? Absolutely not. I love it and I’ve been incredibly lucky in my 17-year career.
2. You are the undisputed queen of the Nairobi Quiz Night scene. How did that happen and what does it take to wear that crown?
Am I the queen? That’s so kind, thank you. I’ve worked hard for it. I started doing quiz nights in 2019 on a whim – Lava Latte saw an opportunity to do quizzes, and I really enjoy torturing people. I also have a wealth of unnecessary information in my head, from a combination of things; personal interests, and also the 844 system.
Running a quiz night takes innovation and creativity, but I also only really want to do quizzes on what I like and enjoy. I love asking questions about what I love talking about. And that comes though in my hosting – if I like the topic, I’m going to love the quiz.
3. Which do you prefer and why? Writing poetry or writing screenplays? Is there a different access point for each of these mediums or is it all the same to you?
I’m not going to lie, screenwriting is really hard for me. Story lining takes so much from me. Every time I have a writing room, I am super stressed the weekend before, because I know that means my entire brain is going to be wrung out like a stubborn pair of waterlogged underwear. I always feel like I need a holiday after a Writers Room. It’s, for me, the hardest form of writing. I suspect that’s why the thought of a novel is daunting; because the work is very alike.
Poetry is infinitely easier for me because it’s like therapy. It’s expressing what I already feel, as opposed to having to craft a story, characters, plotline. The access point is also very different. Scripting, I’m usually doing for money while poetry is for myself.
4. If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
A singer, actually. I’ve been in and started a couple of bands and cover bands, and those were some really fun times in my life, especially right after high school. Shout out Wooden Table, and Harmony. I can really sing, but I haven’t flexed that muscle nearly enough. I may come back to it later. I love harmonies, I love arrangements, I love being able to nail the rhythm, I love it all. Maybe because I grew up Adventist? Or maybe because I just have a deep appreciation of beautiful things.
5. What is something that our readers may be surprised to learn about you?
I’m an open book so I’m not sure what people don’t already know? Maybe that I’m a shy person. That usually surprises people because I don’t present like a shy person, but if you know me from the days of tSN, then you already know. I often have to force myself to not be shy, because I don’t want to be a shy person. So in any social situation – which is funny when I’m MCing – I have to force myself to push out of the natural urge to retreat.
I’m also super passive aggressive (I present as aggressive) and extremely petty. It’s the Leo in me.
6. Name 3 women you are inspired by and why?
My mom. She’s literally the person I want to eventually become with my own twist. That woman isn’t scared. Or if she is, she doesn’t show it. She has no filter and is unapologetic and I wish I could be like that.
My sisters, including my cousins/nieces (Luo doesn’t have a word for cousins, they’re all sisters). My sisters are so kind. So special. So giving. So strong. I don’t want to put the Black women are all strong thing on them, because we’re tired of being strong, but truly, they are. These women have been through a lot and they still hold space for me. They raised me and they continue to carry me.
My friends. My soulmates. The only good thing that came out of having to go through 844. My friends are extra special. I know everyone says that about their friends, but for real my friends are next level. They are the ones who are the witnesses to my life; they remind me who I am. They hold me up and keep me sane. They give me space, and gin. They hold hands with my soul and forge it. I am forever grateful and I only hope that I can be as funny, as magnanimous, as encouraging, as encompassing, as they are for me.
7. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
It’s never that serious. That was the quote in my yearbook as well. Nothing really matters in a couple of days, weeks, years. Look back on everything that has ever stressed you, how much do you actively remember? It all eventually passes.
8. What do happiness and success look like to you?
Success is being happy about where you are. Or content. And understanding that part. Knowing that you are happy with the sum total of the decisions you’ve made to this point that have made you who you are.
9. What is your favourite thing about Kenya?
Kenyans (insert crying emoji). They’re my favourite thing. They’re why I can’t leave this place. They’re why I maandamana. They’re the reason I travel far and wide and still look for Kenyan bracelets. I love our Kenyanness and Kenyanisms and general nosiness, stubbornness, me-I-ness, community, our jams, our dancing, our spirit, our idiocies, our Twitter. I love us.
You can connect with Abigail on her platforms below.
Twitter (X): @AbigailArunga
Instagram: @AbigailArunga
Facebook: @AbigailArunga
Tiktok: This is a secret, ha!
Website: akello.co.ke
