List of Kenyan writers explained

This is a list of Kenyan writers, includes writers of various genres, who are notable and are either born in Kenya, of Kenyan descent or who produce works that are primarily about Kenya.

A

• Abdilatif Abdalla (1946–)
• Carolyne Adalla
• Jared Angira (1947–), poet
• Jonah Anguka
• Khadambi Asalache (1934–), poet and author

C

• Rocha Chimera, Swahili author and critic

D

• Eastlandah David (Wesonga) (born 1985)
• Hazel de Silva Mugot (1947–), novelist
• Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla
• G.V. Desani (1909–2000), writer

G

• Mugo Gatheru (1925–2011), autobiographical writer
• Muga Gicaru (c. 1920–), novelist, real name as John Mwengi^[1]
• John Rugoiyo Gichuki
• Njeri Simon Gichimu (Kiswahili and children's story writer, Jomo and the Wild Cats)^{[2] [3] [4]}
• Moraa Gitaa, author, novelist, short story writer, 2010 Penguin Prize for African Writing nominee, 2008

H

• Elspeth Huxley (1907–1997)

I

• Francis Imbuga (1947–2012), director and playwright

K

• Samuel Kahiga, short story writer and novelist
• Daniel Kamau
• Kingwa Kamencu - poet, script writer
• Joseph Elijah Kariuki (1931–1975), poet
• Josiah Mwangi Kariuki (1929–1975)
• Amin Kassam (1948–), journalist and poet
• Justus Kiprono (2001-), journalist and finance writer ^[5]
• Jomo Kenyatta (1893–1978), politician and writer
• Leonard Kibera (1942–1983), novelist and short story writer
• Wanjiru Kihoro (1953–2006), journalist, writer, academic, activist; produced Kenya News in the 1980s from London
• Maina wa Kinyatti
• John Kiriamiti (1950–), writer of popular fiction
• Wanjiru Koinange, writer, restorer of libraries and entrepreneur^[6]
• Kinyanjui Kombani (1981–), writer of popular fiction
• Henry Ole kulet (1950–),

L

• Muthoni Likimani (1926–)
• Jeff Lumiri (2015–), author, poet, and novelist

M

• Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye (1928–2015), novelist, essayist and poet
• David Gian Maillu (1939–) author and publisher
• Charles Mangua (c.1940–), fiction writer
• Anne Matindi (1942–), children's writer
• Ali A. Mazrui (1933–2014), academic and political writer
• John Samuel Mbiti (1931–2019), poet and writer on religion
• Miguna Miguna, lawyer
• Ngugi wa Mirii (1951–2008)
• Parmenas Githendu Mockerie (1900?–?), writer^[7]
• Mwana Kupona binti Msham (died c.1865), Swahili poet
• Micere Mugo (1942–2023), playwright, academic and poet
• Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ (1971–), poet, author and academic
• Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi (1968–), a.k.a. BMJ Muriithi, US-based Kenyan journalist, works for VOA (US) and NTV (Kenya)
• Joseph Muthee (1928–), Kikuyu writer
• Wahome Mutahi (1954–2003)
• Meja Mwangi (1948–), novelist
• Gitura Mwaura, development writer and journalist

N

• Rebecca Nandwa, Swahili children's writer^[8]
• Alexander Nderitu (1979–), novelist, scriptwriter and Kenyan e-book and Print on Demand pioneer
• Mona L. Nduilu (1976–)^[9]
• Michael Ndurumo (born 1952)
• Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ (born 1971)
• Stephen N. Ngubiah (1936–), novelist
• Ngugi wa Mirii (1951–2008), playwright
• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (1938–), English-language and Gikuyu writer
• Rebeka Njau (1932–), novelist, playwright and poet
• Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha (1952–), playwright

O

• Asenath Bole Odaga (1937–2014), publisher and author
• Atieno Odhiambo (1945–2009), academic
• Oginga Odinga (1912–1994), writer, philosopher and politician
• Margaret Ogola (1958–2011)
• Bethwell Allan Ogot (born 1929)
• Grace Ogot (1930–2015), short story writer and politician
• Makena Onjerika, winner of the Caine Prize 2018
• Troy Onyango (1993–), writer
• Dominic Owuor Otiang'a (1987–), author, novelist^{[10] [11] [12]}
• Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (1968–), winner of the Caine Prize 2003

P

• Shailja Patel, poet, playwright and activist
• Paul Kipchumba (1983–), poet and prose writer

R

• Mwangi Ruheni (1934–), scientist and popular novelist

T

• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (born 1938) - novelist, playwright, essayist

V

• M. G. Vassanji (1950–), novelist and editor
• Iman Verjee
• Vincent de Paul (1986–), novelist, editor, publisher, and creative writing tutor^[13]

W

• Wanuri Kahiu (1980–), film director, producer and writer^[14]
• Wangui wa Goro (1961–), academic and translator^[15]
• Koigi wa Wamwere (1949–), politician and writer
• Godwin Wachira (1936–), novelist
• Charity Waciuma (1936–), novelist
• Binyavanga Wainaina (1971–2019), founder and editor of Kwani?, winner of the Caine Prize 2002
• Gakaara Wanjau (1921–2001), writer and Gikuyu nationalist
• Wanjikũ wa Ngũgĩ (1970s–), writer
• Binyavanga Wainaina (1971–2019)
• Koigi wa Wamwere (born 1949)
• Kenneth Watene (1944–), playwright
• Miriam Were (1940–), public health advocate, academic and novelist

See also

• List of Kenyan artists

Notes and References

1. Web site: Afrikansk Litteratur på Svenska 1949-1974 (Thesis on the librarian training). Staaf. Rune. BADA - University of Borås. Borås Academic Digital Archive (BADA). 144. 19. 2011. 2016-10-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20161028021905/http://bada.hb.se/bitstream/2320/9231/1/1976%20nr%20114.pdf. 28 October 2016. dead.
2. Book: 978-1-9758-1063-4. Jomo and the Wild Cats. Gichimu. Simon. 25 August 2017.
3. Web site: The Guide Kenya. The Guide Kenya. en-US. 2019-07-13.
4. Web site: 2017 the year that was. Daily Nation. en. 2019-07-13.
5. Web site: Justus Kiprono journalist - Google Search . 2024-07-17 . www.google.com.
6. Web site: Kenyan women lead bold revival of libraries' faded glory. 2020-07-20. The East African. en.
7. Angus Calder "The Journal of Commonwealth Literature March 1983 vol. 18 no. 1 128-130", 6. A Note on Parmenas Mockerie
8. Kiundu Waweru, "Champions of the writers' bloc", The Standard, 29 May 2009.
9. Book: Gitonga, Catherine. Can Scars Become Stars. 2007. Revival Springs Media. Nairobi. 978-9966-7241-0-6. 312.
10. Verlag Edition Solitude. Person:Dominic Otiang'a. Field of Practice: Literature
11. Goethe Institute: our “Frankly …” column series is written by Dominic Otiang’a
12. http://d-nb.info/1068284919 Deutsche Nationalbibliothek:
13. Web site: 2020-07-02 . Vincent de Paul: It's time we told different African stories . 2023-02-12 . Nation . en.
14. Stevenson. Deborah. 2017-11-29. The Wooden Camel by Wanuri Kahiu (review). Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. en. 71. 4. 164. 10.1353/bcc.2017.0865. 201780558. 1558-6766.
15. http://www.thegoldenrhino.co.uk/siteV1/?page_id=199 Golden Rhino Film Festival Jury Panel