# 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
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* Q
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* Z

## 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
* 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

* 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–), 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–), 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
* 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
* Alexander Nderitu (1979–), novelist, scriptwriter and Kenyan e-book and Print on Demand pioneer
* Mona L. Nduilu (1976–)
* 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
* 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

## 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
* 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