Mwalimu Patrick Mutisya
By Hosea Namachanja
Briefly tell us more about yourself
My name is Patrick Mutisya Muia a teacher by profession, Swahili writer, an Editor, a Magazine Designer, Video and Sound editor born and bred in Kalikoni Village, Mtito- Andei Division in Makueni County and a last born in a family of six.
Shoot your shot about your education background
Education is a journey. I started schooling at Mang’elete Primary School then later Kithing’iisyo Primary where I did my KCPE exam. Unfortunately my parents could not raise money to pay my High School fees but thanks be to God! I got a chance to join Maranda High School in Siaya County for my Secondary education under the sponsorship of Makueni County Government. Currently, I am a student at Moi University Main Campus pursuing my degree in Bachelor of Education (Arts) specializing in Kiswahili and History.
Nail something on our heads about your writing journey
Writing is an art which began to develop itself within me during my tender ages. My compositions and Insha which I wrote while I was a student at primary school were interesting and captivating. My teachers used my writings as an example and this motivated me. I had realized that, a little progress each day could add up to big results. My teachers guided me both in Primary and Secondary schools. While at Maranda High I participated in Taifa Leo Insha writing competitions where most of the time I featured at top three countrywide. This was another source of my motivation to write. I was really yearning to emerge the best nationally but I sat my KCSE before achieving this. Most of my swahili poems were read during parents day and other meetings at primary and secondary schools.
Mwalimu Patrick Mutisya..
Who are these people behind your writing journey?
They are many. I will mention just but a few. First, writing as an art, was destined in me only waiting to be ignited. My elder brother, Deon Musau Muia, who is also a swahili writer and consultant encouraged me to write. My teachers both at primary and secondary school shaped me well. The big Swahili Main Campus Organisation at Moi University molded me to be who I am today. In this Organisation I once served as an Editor of their weekly publications and also as an advertiser where I got the video and audio editing skills. In addition, I designed and edited one-of-its-own magazine, “HAZINA YA CHAKIMO.” The following members of this organisation played a central role to form me; Dr. Vincent Magugu, Richard Amunga, Ijeiza Halima, Bin Bakari, Simproser Moraa, Hosea Namachanja, Fatma Ali, Kevin Otenga, Esther Ndinya, Jairus Mafunga, Moses Kimtai . The list is long!
So far, just highlight your work samples to remove the cobwebs in the ears and eyes of literature lovers
The following are part of my Swahili writings; Bakora ya Ushirikina na Hadithi Nyingine, Harufu ya Jehanamu na Hadithi Nyingine, Mateka na Hadithi Nyingine, Tasnia ya Ushairi, Kito cha Ushairi, Vitahiniwa katika Insha, Jinoe katika Ushairi.
To let your name bloom and shine as an amateur litera, there must be some challenges. Let’s know and ways you’ve applied to curb them
Considering the fact that I am still a campus student, writing, editing and publishing requires time, dedication, consistency, patience and most of the time it’s costly. Some time I end up sacrificing my rent or even my upkeep money to publish. You can guess how the caretaker behaves knocking at your door every other time. Sometime, I am also forced to pend most of my writing projects. But what I have always kept in my mind is that, today is hard, tomorrow may be more worse but day after tomorrow will be sunshine. Remember, the more you face challenges, the more you get an opportunity to grow faster, getting stronger and powerful.
Hence you’re still a student, how do you balance between tutorial works and writing?
Time management is essential for success. I don’t get stressed and overwhelmed when there are too many tasks on my to-do list. At campus I prioritize the most important, my academic work because it matters most to do the most valuable tasks first. Since not every time l have lectures, I have always utilised my weekends and any other free time amidst the week in writing most of my works. Sometime burning the midnight oil. This has worked for me.
In the contemporary society, youth engaging in literal works are pursuing it as a hustle. What about you?
To me writing is not an hustle. I write to air and publicize issues affecting the current society and world as a whole. I as well write to warn people, motivate them, guide and counsel them, encourage them and also teach them. But when an earning opportunity comes on my way, I always play and I will play my cards well.
Why self-publishing to you?
I consider self publishing because it’s convenient and reliable. Furthermore, I am used to it. Otherwise, change of taste is also good for me. If I can get sponsorship to publish my pending projects then its okay so long as it is adaptable.
Millennial youth rarely read books. What may be the reason to this and what can be done for them to read?
Due to the current advancement in technology, most of the youth prefer using google, facebook and other social media platforms to read. Through this, they fail to realize that their phones can crash or get lost to lose the entire document they rely on to read. However, at a time, the information displayed in most of the platforms may be confusing and incorrect. The use of this new technology is also expensive and addictive. Books store information. The youth should be advised to buy books and also be sensitised on the importance of reading books.
There exist a loud silent noise of Kenyan High School teachers specialized in History and Kiswahili being poor in both written and spoken English. What’s your opinion?
I strongly disagree with this. If at all they exist, they are few and those few I am yet to meet them. To me, English is a foreign language which in order for us to achieve fluency both in speaking and writing, we must talk and write everyday in English. In the beginning everybody do mistakes. Maybe those in question are at their beginning stages. Furthermore, English is just a language, not a parameter of measuring one’s intelligence.
What’s the future of Kiswahili keeping in mind the presence of Sheng’ and the newly trending shembeteng language?
Sheng’ and the trending Shembeteng forms of communication are not a threat to Kiswahili. We cannot start comparing two or three confused people in the streets using either Sheng’ or Shembeteng with millions of Kenyans, Tanzanians and other foreigners who are using Kiswahili. So many publications in Swahili are currently being used in learning institutions and in other grounds. Sheng’ and the so called Shembeteng is a street form of communication, not even a language, between or among two or three people who want to understand one another.
Wow! What are your promises to literature lovers and students as your work is concerned?
To all literature lovers and students, expect more writings from me covering almost all themes and aspects of life in the current society and world as a whole. Primary and High school students should expect more swahili publications in line with their curriculum. Tertiary institution related publications is part of what they should expect. Soon I will be releasing my tiktok and youtube short swahili videos related to primary and high school curriculum. Stay tuned.
Awards:
I feel honoured to have edited the following swahili publications :-
Harufu ya jehanamu na Hadithi Nyingine
Mateka na hadithi nyingine
Hazina ya chakimo ( A magazine )
Vitahiniwa katika insha ( to be published )
Jinoe katika ushairi (to be published )
I am proud to have contributed to swahili short stories and poems in the following publications:-
Bakora ya ushirikina na Hadithi Nyingine
Tasnia ya ushairi
Kito cha ushairi
Is my bard off the market maybe ?Someone maybe salivating to shoot her shot.
Hahaha. Still on the market looking for a running mate.
Your piece of advice to the rising scribes.
Many at a time in life, you win not because of your talent but because you have more hunger than others do. For the upcoming scribes, consistency, patience, faith, self-motivation and knowing the value of time, can make a big difference and the results are sweet. Always remember, the beginning is the hardest part. Write, write and write! Whatever is written is permanent! Write not because you have a thirsty for money but write because you have important items to write. Above all, put God first.
Lastly, where can people find your books and also reach at you?
Currently, the most convenient way to access my books it’s through placing an order. You place your order, I deliver. But soon, the books will be available at the bookshops. You can reach me through my social media platforms;
Facebook- Del Pato, Twitter- @Delpato, Tiktok- @delpato, Youtube- @Delpato,
Instagram- Del Pato
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