Teaching Myself How to Be Human

by Kariuki Kimuyu

After a decade of writing short stories and novels, K. Kimuyu’s debut poetry collection is finally here, and his penmanship flows just as eloquently and beautifully in verse as it does in prose.

Teaching Myself How to Be Human is a collection of poems that lays bare the myriad aspects of desire, love, and the embracing of change.

The collection takes readers through the emotional turbulence of trying to connect with other human beings and discovering who you are in the midst of it.

It’s stunningly lyrical, and it tugs at the heart with deep honesty. You will not only sing to the melody in the verses, but also see your reflection in the poetry.

228 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2026

About the author

Kariuki Kimuyu is a writer based in Nairobi, where he is currently working on his fifth book. Kesho & Malkia. When he is not whacking away at the keyboard, you can find him taking long walks or stopping to buy anything consumable by the roadside.

Reviews

[Patience Wanjiru]

The New Book is well beautiful written,
The poems are well crafted word by word plus the illustrations of pictures.
The dedication of the First page 🥰🥰🥰..
Also there's a chapter about heartbreak it's as if the author is speaking to you directly but can't mention your name.

[Olivia Davis]

Lovely, beautiful collection of sweet and simple poetry that I enjoyed more and more as it went on ❤️

[Christine Wambiru]

I’ve enjoyed reading the poems and the book in general. The book touched on desire, love and longing, the three things that make us human. Every poem has been taught me how to be more human. How to open my heart to love, how to love openly even though trauma and triumphs fill the room, how to not let doubt and fear creep in and take away my dreams, how to go after everything I desire without any shame and how to listen to myself first before everyone else. Thank you Kimuyu for blessing us with your amazing work yet again ✨