List of Kenyan writers

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 (1935–2006), poet and author

B

• Carey Baraka (1996-), writer and journalist
• Ben Kiymani (2012-present),writer,filmmaker,

C

• Rocha Chimera, Swahili author and critic
• Jane Tapsubei Creider (1940s–), writer of memoir, fiction, and non-fiction

D

• Eastlandah David (Wesonga) (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
• John Rugoiyo Gichuki
• Njeri Simon Gichimu (Kiswahili and children's story writer, Jomo and the Wild Cats)
• 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

• Ken Walibora (1965-2020)
• 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 (1948–2024), Kenyan journalist and poet
• Jomo Kenyatta (1893–1978), Kenyan politician and writer
• Justus Kiprono (2001-), Kenyan journalist and finance 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
• 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.1940–2021), 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
• Mwana Kupona binti Msham (died c.1865), Swahili poet
• Micere Mugo (1942–2023), playwright, academic and poet
• MÅ©koma wa NgÅ©gÄ© (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 (1948–2025), novelist
• Gitura Mwaura, development writer and journalist

N

• Rebecca Nandwa, Swahili children's writer
• Alexander Nderitu (1979–), novelist, scriptwriter and Kenyan e-book and Print on Demand pioneer
• Mona L. Nduilu (1976–)
• Michael Ndurumo (1952–)
• MÅ©koma wa NgÅ©gÄ© (1971–), poet, author and academic
• Stephen N. Ngubiah (1936–), novelist
• Ngugi wa Mirii (1951–2008), playwright
• NgÅ©gÄ© wa Thiong'o (1938–2025), 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 (1929–2025)
• 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
• 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

• NgÅ©gÄ© wa Thiong'o (born 1938 - 2025) - novelist, playwright, essayist

V

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

W

• Wanuri Kahiu (1980–), film director, producer and writer
• Wangui wa Goro (1961–), academic and translator
• 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
• WanjikÅ© wa NgÅ©gÄ© (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

References