Kwani? has always been significantly connected to the Diaspora through the individuals who founded it, and its early contributors. Its early creative energies were highly informed by individual experiences of different spaces – the US, the UK and South Africa. Roughly one-third of the writers who contributed to the first issues had spent time abroad, mostly as students.

The Bible tells the tale of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the salvation of the righteous. As they flee from the destruction being wreaked on the wicked, they are warned not to look back. One, however, is unable to resist one last glance at the burning hell that she once called home and is instantly turned into a pillar of salt.

Kenya, too, today is in flight. We are running from the flames of five years ago and from the iniquity of the last 50 years. And just like the Lots, the tribal gods who have afforded us escape have warned us not to look back… –Patrick Gathara, ‘Moving on. To what?’

This time, Balarabe caught the urgency in Baba Idi’s voice. “Haba, take it easy. It’s not like I’m leaving town or something.”

“How do you know? Nobody knows what’s going to happen.”

“You are agitated, is something wrong?”

 “There’s an election coming up, what do you expect?” –Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, ‘Baba Idi’s Enclave’