About
Meet the multidisciplinary team behind Utamaduni Bora—Kikuyu storytellers, Kenyan artists, and TRU educators united by a shared commitment to decolonial, open education.
Explore their backgrounds, inspirations, and the collaborative process that brings ancestral wisdom to a global classroom.
What we do
Utamaduni Bora is a culturally grounded Open Educational Resource that explores the Kikuyu knowledge systems through the lens of storytelling, visual art, and reflective pedagogy. Rooted in decolonial and Indigenous educational frameworks, the project curates traditional Kenyan folktales and pairs them with inquiry-based learning activities to engage participants in critical dialogue about cultural identity, values, and resistance to colonial erasure. Designed for educators, students, and community members, Utamaduni Bora serves as both a pedagogical tool and a platform for amplifying African voices within global education contexts.
Leticia Kanywuiro, M.Ed
Leticia Thogori Kanywuiro is the original designer behind Utamaduni Bora, an Open Educational Resource designed catering to the online learning needs for Indigenous Education in Kenya, using her mother’s stories from the Kikuyu culture as a pilot resource. She holds a master’s degree in education from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. Originally from Kenya, she worked as an Early Childhood Educator for a period of five years in an international school and holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Kenyatta University Nairobi, Kenya.
Her work as a Research Assistant at Thompson Rivers University focuses on the preservation of African Indigenous Knowledge by inculcating African Indigenous pedagogies through Open Educational Resources that can educate young learners on cultural appreciation and identity.
Rose Wangui Thuo, ECE
Rose Wangui Thuo is an Early Childhood Educator with over 30 years of experience in leadership. Her origins stem from the Kikuyu tribe, which currently serves as the largest tribe in Kenya, East Africa. She prides herself on having learnt her mother tongue from her parents, Elizabeth Thogori and the late Samuel Thuo. Growing up in Nyandarua county, she recollects these four stories among others, as special memories where she would sit around the fireplace with her siblings listening to the captivating narrations told by her late grandmother, Agatha Wanjiku Kamau. In sharing these stories, Rose treasures the value of passing them onto the next generation, with the aim to preserve the Kikuyu identity, morals, and giving honor to her ancestors.
Caleb Okeke, Graphic Illustrator
Caleb Okeke is an African digital illustrator with 8+ years of experience bringing African stories to life through vibrant, culturally rooted art. His work is deeply inspired by the rich hues and dynamic patterns of African landscapes and cultures. Drawing from the warm pigments of savanna sunsets, the lush greens of tropical forests, and the bold vibrancy of traditional African textiles, Caleb’s illustrations capture the essence of the continent’s natural beauty. His passion for storytelling through art is driven by a desire to celebrate and preserve African heritage and culture, weaving narratives that resonate with authenticity and pride. Each illustration reflects a commitment to showcasing the soul of Africa, blending nature’s palette with cultural motifs to create captivating visual stories. He is featured by clients like Facebook Africa and the Red Cross. Explore his portfolio at calebokeke.com.