Days of Geneva
They say the greatest journeys happen in the mind long before they happen in reality.
Since January, Geneva has been my quiet refuge. It’s where my characters have lived, breathed, and plotted their next moves. But next week, the quiet work becomes very loud.
In just a few days, I will be stepping onto one of the biggest stages in the global television industry: the Series Mania Forum in Lille, France. I’ll be pitching my series, Kanaan, to the world.
To my Dear Dreamers, Kings, and Queens—this is proof that the late nights, the deep introspection, and the audacity to believe in your own stories eventually pay off.
We are taking our Kenyan narratives to the global stage.
Lille, I’ll see you soon. Wish me luck, tribe! 🎬🇨🇭🇫🇷
Gitonga Tosh Here we go!
#StoryBoardCollective #realnessinstitute
#SeriesMania2026 #ScreenwriterLife #DearDreamer #RomanticThriller #GenevaToLille #WriterJourney #KenyanCreators #AfricanStorytellers"
Baba, My Fellow January Baby…
We were born two days apart —several years of course, so I’m still on the road behind you.
As my mother likes to say, how is it over there? There where you took a trip on a sailing ship.
You know what’s funny? We always think we have time. Time to tell people how much we appreciate them,
love them. Time to succeed. Time to accomplish our dreams. Time to make an impact. Time to bring change.
We always think we have time. I always thought I’d have time to work with you, for you. That time is coming.
You taught us, we need to be brave enough to do the big things. The difficult things. The things that scare us.
You taught us that playing small, shrinking, serves no one and nothing.
You played big. And you moved big things. I learned about your life mantra the other day from your daughter Winnie:
First we follow procedure.
Then we apply pressure.
Then we act.
Procedure. Pressure. Action.
You did this over and over again. And because of it, because of the giant you were — we stopped when you stopped.
Now … we are each finding different ways to continue: your legacy and our own.
I don’t want to play small. Truth is, January Babies? We don’t know how to play small.
So, give us courage. Send us light. Shine our paths with bright rays of sun. And signs: This way.
And then… over there on that Mountain Top… wait for us with Uji.
We are coming.
Happy Belated Birthday, my Fellow January Baby.
Happy Belated Birthday, Baba.
xoxo
Your Daughter of the Lake
Day 4: A True Brother
As I bring the journey of my pilgrimage to Bondo to a close, I’d like to celebrate this man, Evanso (Wan Tam.)
He is one of the silent soldiers. The ones who hold up the ones that break when no one is looking. The ones who quietly do the jobs many others cannot. The ones who bridge gaps, are sent as emissaries when all else fails.
The strength in the background, where no camera will ever snap. No news will be told.
But their names will secretly be etched among those without whom Baba would never have been Baba. Those he met quietly when he just wanted to be a person, to laugh. To let down his guard. To leave his crown at the door.
Those he called friend. Those who kept him sane. Human.
My brother, your name is written in bright letters indeed and still, you walk in the service of a great legacy.
Thank you for opening doors for me in Bondo. Thank you for allowing me to say goodbye to Baba: kowo juogi.
For the breakfast with Mama Ida, Min Piny. For the memories.
If no one has said it, erokamano owadwa.
To you … and all the unnamed soldiers who keep our legacies going… we call you blessed. We call you blessed.
xoxo
Daughter of the Lake
🔵 As @seriesmania draws closer, we’re excited to re-introduce the talented writers participating in the AuthenticA Series Lab! 🤩📝 (1/4)
Once again, meet Mona Ombogo 🇰🇪 @monwon82
Mona Ombogo is an award-winning Kenyan scriptwriter and best-selling author known for advancing African storytelling. Born in Kenya, raised in Swaziland, and educated in the UK and US, she brings a global perspective to culturally rooted stories with universal appeal.
Her work has earned major recognition, including the 2024 Women in Film Award for Best Script Writer and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) for Best Writing in a Series for the Netflix show Volume, which she head-wrote. She has also served as head writer for the M-Net series Salem and Shanga, and written for Showmax’s Single Kiasi.
Her passion for developing new talent is evident in her work as a development executive and trainer for industry giants like Netflix and the Multichoice Talent Factory. She has participated in prestigious programs such as the Red Sea Series Lab, where her project *Generation ‘A’ won a grant, and a residency at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with Deserter.
As a director, her film Unseen, Unsung, Unforgotten received eight Kalasha Award nominations and won two, reflecting her ability to bring African stories to global audiences.
🫂@storyboard.collective@cmf.fmc@seriesmaniaforum
#realnessinstitute #storyboardcollective #canadamediafund #seriesmania #africanstories
WRITING THE FUTURE, ONE STORY AT A TIME. 🇰🇪✍️ We are beyond thrilled to welcome the award-winning scriptwriter and best-selling author Mona Ombogo to #AfroBerlin2026!
As the Director of SummerRain International, Mona is a true visionary based in Kenya who has mastered the art of “Emerging Trends in Storytelling.” 🎞️💎 She’s joining us to break down how to capture the pulse of the continent and turn it into global cinematic gold. If you’re ready to level up your narrative game, you cannot miss this session.
Of the powerful pen, and international vision! Help us welcome the maestro: Mona Ombogo. 🚀🎬
#AfroBerlin2026 #MonaOmbogo #SummerRain #KenyanCinema
