When the library burns: Remembering Kenya's fallen cultural giants

Following Raila Odinga’s death on October 15, tribute songs flew in from Kenya and Tanzania. Musician and visual artist Coster Ojwang released the song Raila Odinga, hip-hop artist King Kaka’s was titled Baba, gospel musician Christina Shusho released Pumzika Baba, Ken wa Maria released Raila Apumzika, and several more artistes, including Rayvanny, Prince Indah, Elisha Toto, Bahati, Vinny Flava, and Ken wa Maria.

The statesman is remembered for his love of music and riddles during political rallies and interviews.

He revealed details of his life when he was in detention and his sacrifices for the struggle for the country’s democracy in a 2013-published book, The Flame of Freedom, co-authored by Sarah Elderkin. Back in 2006, Nigerian writer and diplomat Babafemi A. Badejo released his book Raila Odinga: An Enigma in Kenyan Politics.

In Kikuyu culture, the falling of a Mugumo tree symbolises the end of an era or an impending tragedy involving a significant leader. When Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o died on May 28 this year, posts declaring that “a mighty Mugumo tree has fallen” flooded online, paying tribute to his culture and his profound legacy.

When giants of the arts like Ngugi, Meja Mwangi, and David Mulwa depart this world, the insurmountable losses are lettered in literary and African traditional symbolisms that reflect the brilliance and knowledge of their artistry with statements like ‘the library has burnt. One social media user posited that the literary gods are angry that death took these three greats.

Ngugi wa Thiong'o

Starting with Ngugi; he published more than 30 books ranging from novels and essays to children’s books. The globally-celebrated author and playwright has penned critically acclaimed works that challenged colonialism, neo-colonialism, African identity, and liberation like A Grain of Wheat, The Trial of Dedan Kimathi, Petals of Blood, I Will Marry When I Want, and Decolonising the Mind.    

Born as David Dominic Mwangi in Nanyuki in 1948, Meja Mwangi’s early life became a backdrop for his children’s books Jimi the Dog, Little White Man, and The Mzungu Boy, set in his birth town, capturing the Mau Mau rebellion and colonialism. Some of his widely read novels are Kill Me Quick (1973), Carcase for Hounds (1974), Going Down River Road (1976), The Cockroach Dance (1979), and The Last Plague (1997). Kill Me Quick earned the Jomo Kenyatta Prize in 1974, Going Down River Road in 1977, and The Last Plague in 2001, while Big Chiefs took third position in 2006. He won the Wahome Mutahi Prize for Literature for The Boy Gift, the German Literature Prize for The Little White Man in 1992, and Le Prix au College for Kariuki in 1992.  

The literary legend earned the repute of a reclusive writer for avoiding public events and interviews, and we could get glimpses of him through people, such as Lexa Lubanga, founder of Kenyan Readathon. He passed on in Malindi on December 11, a few days shy of his birthday.

Every year, Lubanga, fondly described by author Silas Nyanchwani as Mwangi’s literary daughter for their close bond borne out of her advocating for his works. Through her campaign dubbed 'Read Meja Mwangi', which she has been running for years, she reminds people to read his novels. He has published novels, short stories, and children’s books and worked on films. 

In 2021, she created another movement to celebrate the author's months leading up to his December 27th birthday. In each year, she would aim to secure for a number of readers equal to Mwangi’s approaching age. Last year on his 76th birthday, the goal was 76 readers of his literature who would share which they are delving into. This year was no different; the commemoration continued.

Nyanchwani deems Mwangi as the greatest Kenyan writer of all time for heavily portraying Kenyan urban settings. He notes the direct connection from Going Down River Road to the film Nairobi Half Life to Wakadinali's song Geri Inengi, noticing little changes in Nairobi between 1976, when Going Down River Road was published, and Nairobi Half Life’s 2012 era.  

“He was the first to capture urban decay and the nihilism that still characterises the poor half of Nairobi. His writing was raw and cinematic, and he pretty much set the tone for urban literary form. He was the first proper flaneur, who laid the ground for the likes of Binyavanga Wainaina and myself,” Nyanchwani says.

Nyanchwani remembers Mwangi as one who yearned for a better Kenya.

“Some of his books showcase the worst of Kenya and others the best of what we can be, even though he gravitated more towards the bigger ills, corruption, not just of the politics, but of the body and mind,” he says.

Author Rugara Eric, who is part of the Meja Mwangi book club, remembers Mwangi for crafting enjoyable stories that told the struggles of the young people and depicted city life. He adds that when great artists pass on, it creates moments of introspection on who is going to rise to the occasion. 

“Who is going to speak about African languages now that Ngugi is not here? Who is going to speak about the informal settlements in Nairobi like Meja? When Binyavanga Wainaina died, it was a big blow to Kenyan literature because that was when Kwani? dwindled,” says Rugara. 

David Mulwa

Born in 1945 in Machakos County, David Mulwa was one of the longest-serving theatre practitioners and most published authors.

He also held a Fulbright Scholarship and a Rockefeller Foundation Scholarship. His academic training included an MA in Theatre Arts from UCLA, studies at Ohio University, and a BA Honours from the University of East Africa.

His early career included a stint at Bomas of Kenya, where he served as director and producer of the Harambee Dancers from 1973 to 1974. In 1974, he joined Kenyatta University (KU) as a lecturer, a role he would hold for 52 years.

He taught creative writing, theatre arts, drama, oral literature, and African and European literature, and later served as a senior lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Technology. He also produced more than 200 educational programmes for the Kenya Institute of Education, now the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.

On stage, Mulwa acted in productions, such as The Good Samaritan, Treasure Island, Wole Soyinka's Kongi’s Harvest, Joe de Graft's Muntu, Mzalendo Kimathi by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Micere Mugo, Athol Fugard’s The Island, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and many more.

He also performed in his own plays, including Redemption and Clean Hands, works that are critically acclaimed as a playwright and performer.

As a director, he staged several productions, among them Muntu, Kongi’s Harvest, Kinjekitile, Animal Farm, Man of Kafira, The Bride, The Successor, and The Island, with his directorial choices leaning towards discipline. 

Mulwa’s screen career began in 1967 with Joe de Graft’s Through a Film Darkly. He went on to write and act in more than 50 television plays in programmes, such as Play of the Week, Theatre Special, and Family Affairs.

Some of the titles of the plays are The Search, About Turn, Lunch Time, The Union, The Past Speaks Again, Deadwood, We Live Again, and The Last Truant Goes to School.

His film repertoire is equally endless; he appeared in The Great Elephant Escape, The Baisikol, To Walk with Lions, 100 Days, Behind Closed Doors, The Knife Grinder’s Tale, Shuga, Born Free, Eye of the Witness, and Kolor Mask, the first locally produced feature film. Audiences also remember him in major TV series, including Makutano Junction, Higher Learning, Tahidi High, Reflections, and Men of Office.

As an author, Mulwa published more than 20 books, such as Inheritance, Buriani, Terrible Times, The Girl with a Vision, The Crocodile’s Jaw, Flee, Mama Flee, Kabasha Says No, Master and Servant, Champion, and Love Lasts Forever. 

Remembered as one of the fathers of Kenyan theatre, he was also part of the drama festivals; since 1975, he served as a drama adjudicator for teacher training colleges, primary and secondary schools, and at district, provincial, and national levels.  

His honours reflect the measure of his contribution, as he received the Head of State Commendation twice, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sanaa Theatre Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kalasha TV & Film Awards, the Kenya @50 Heroes Award, and recognition from the East Africa Theatre Institute.

Leonard Mambo Mbotela

Leonard Mambo Mbotela’s name is synonymous with the radio show Je, Huu ni Ungwana?, which centred on social etiquette and aired for 55 years. The veteran journalist and media personality, who passed on at the age of 85 on February 7, was born in Mombasa County in 1940 and joined journalism in 1964.

He has hosted the programmes Salamu za Vijana, where he would read letters on air; Uhalifu Haulipi Chochote, which spoke about societal issues; and a sports commentary.  

He was awarded the Head of State Commendation (HSC) and later the Order of Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW).  

Similar to Mbotela, veteran radio presenter Amina Fakii leaves behind a lasting legacy of entertaining radio audiences. Fakii, who passed on December 21, aged 83 years, has been eulogised by the Mining Cabinet Secretary as a distinguished broadcaster who made an invaluable contribution to the media industry through dedication, professionalism, and integrity.

Abdallah Moi, a veteran comedian who took his last bow on December 23. Born Basheikh Abdallah Basheikh, he is celebrated for 

Mombasa County Senator Hassan Omar Hassan remembered him for being a gifted comedian and cultural icon.

“He was more than an entertainer. He was a storyteller of our times. Through his unique talent of mimicking voices, especially that of the late President Daniel arap Moi, he brought laughter, reflection, and unity to many homes along the Coast and across Kenya,” Hassan reflected.

“For those of us who grew up in Mombasa, his humour was part of our shared memory and cultural fabric. He carried the spirit of Old Town with pride and used his God-given talent to earn an honest living, inspire young creatives, and remind us that art and humour are powerful tools of connection.” 

Bilal Wanjau

Bilal Wanjau kicked off his acting career through set book performances, such as Kifo Kisimani by Prof Kithaka wa Mberia, Mstahiki Meya by Timothy M. Arege, Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen, Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong’o, and Utengano and Tumbo Lisiloshiba na Hadithi Nyingine by Said Ahmed Mohamed.  

He later got a role as Mr Mwiruki in the popular TV show Tahidi High, and since then he has acted in Gavana, Jela 5 Star, Janjaruka, Sumu la Penzi, Hullabaloo Estate, Njoro wa Uba, 4Play, and Gasket in It’s a Free Country. He also continued acting on theatre stages, with his most recent roles in Kifo Kisimani as Batu, Uncle Georgy in Vienyeji Promax, and Bonoko in Mtakatifu Bonoko.  

Appie Matere, who died December 16, was a formidable force in the film and television industry. She had her first breakthrough in the early 2000s as an assistant, working on international productions, such as The White Maasai in 2005. In 2011, she founded Zamaradi Productions to create African content that would entertain local and international audiences. She executive produced Kina, Jela 5 Star, and Nyumba 10. 

She has worked on feature films, short films, documentaries, and television dramas. Her piece, Killer Necklace, won Best Short Film and Best Director at the Kalasha Awards and was later screened at the New York African Film Festival. Her feature documentary Headlines in History won Best Feature Documentary at the Kalasha Awards.