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
B
C
D
G
H
I
K
- Ken Walibora (1965-2020)
- Samuel Kahiga, short story writer and novelist
- Daniel Kamau
- Kingwa Kamencu, poet, script writer
- Joseph Elijah Kariuki (1931âÂÂ1975), poet
- Josiah Mwangi Kariuki (1929âÂÂ1975)
- Amin Kassam (1948âÂÂ2024), Kenyan journalist and poet
- Jomo Kenyatta (1893âÂÂ1978), Kenyan politician and writer
- Justus Kiprono (2001-), Kenyan journalist and finance writer
- Leonard Kibera (1942âÂÂ1983), novelist and short story writer
- Wanjiru Kihoro (1953âÂÂ2006), journalist, writer, academic, activist; produced Kenya News in the 1980s from London
- Maina wa Kinyatti
- John Kiriamiti (1950âÂÂ), writer of popular fiction
- Wanjiru Koinange, writer, restorer of libraries and entrepreneur
- Kinyanjui Kombani (1981âÂÂ), writer of popular fiction
- Henry Ole kulet (1950âÂÂ),
L
M
- Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye (1928âÂÂ2015), novelist, essayist and poet
- David Gian Maillu (1939âÂÂ), author and publisher
- Charles Mangua (c.1940âÂÂ2021), fiction writer
- Anne Matindi (1942âÂÂ), children's writer
- Ali A. Mazrui (1933âÂÂ2014), academic and political writer
- John Samuel Mbiti (1931âÂÂ2019), poet and writer on religion
- Miguna Miguna, lawyer
- Ngugi wa Mirii (1951âÂÂ2008)
- Parmenas Githendu Mockerie (1900?âÂÂ?), writer
- Mwana Kupona binti Msham (died c.1865), Swahili poet
- Micere Mugo (1942âÂÂ2023), playwright, academic and poet
- MÃ
©koma wa NgÃ
©gé (1971âÂÂ), poet, author and academic
- Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi (1968âÂÂ), a.k.a. BMJ Muriithi, US-based Kenyan journalist, works for VOA (US) and NTV (Kenya)
- Joseph Muthee (1928âÂÂ), Kikuyu writer
- Wahome Mutahi (1954âÂÂ2003)
- Meja Mwangi (1948âÂÂ2025), novelist
- Gitura Mwaura, development writer and journalist
N
- Rebecca Nandwa, Swahili children's writer
- Alexander Nderitu (1979âÂÂ), novelist, scriptwriter and Kenyan e-book and Print on Demand pioneer
- Mona L. Nduilu (1976âÂÂ)
- Michael Ndurumo (1952âÂÂ)
- MÃ
©koma wa NgÃ
©gé (1971âÂÂ), poet, author and academic
- Stephen N. Ngubiah (1936âÂÂ), novelist
- Ngugi wa Mirii (1951âÂÂ2008), playwright
- NgÃ
©gé wa Thiong'o (1938âÂÂ2025), English-language and Gikuyu writer
- Rebeka Njau (1932âÂÂ), novelist, playwright and poet
- Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha (1952âÂÂ), playwright
O
- Asenath Bole Odaga (1937âÂÂ2014), publisher and author
- Atieno Odhiambo (1945âÂÂ2009), academic
- Oginga Odinga (1912âÂÂ1994), writer, philosopher and politician
- Margaret Ogola (1958âÂÂ2011)
- Bethwell Allan Ogot (1929âÂÂ2025)
- Grace Ogot (1930âÂÂ2015), short story writer and politician
- Makena Onjerika, winner of the Caine Prize 2018
- Troy Onyango (1993âÂÂ), writer
- Dominic Owuor Otiang'a (1987âÂÂ), author, novelist
- Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (1968âÂÂ), winner of the Caine Prize 2003
P
R
T
V
W
- Wanuri Kahiu (1980âÂÂ), film director, producer and writer
- Wangui wa Goro (1961âÂÂ), academic and translator
- Koigi wa Wamwere (1949âÂÂ), politician and writer
- Godwin Wachira (1936âÂÂ), novelist
- Charity Waciuma (1936âÂÂ), novelist
- Binyavanga Wainaina (1971âÂÂ2019), founder and editor of Kwani?, winner of the Caine Prize 2002
- Gakaara Wanjau (1921âÂÂ2001), writer and Gikuyu nationalist
- WanjikÃ
© wa NgÃ
©gé (1970sâÂÂ), writer
- Binyavanga Wainaina (1971âÂÂ2019)
- Koigi wa Wamwere (born 1949)
- Kenneth Watene (1944âÂÂ), playwright
- Miriam Were (1940âÂÂ), public health advocate, academic and novelist
See also
References