List of Kenyan writers

This is a list of Kenyan writers. A writer is a person who writes books, stories , or articles as a job. A writer is a person who writes books, stories , or articles as a job.

• Justus Kiprono (2019–)
• Abdilatif Abdalla (1946–)
• Carolyne Adalla
• Jared Angira (1947–), poet^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Jonah Anguka
• Khadambi Asalache (1934–), poet and author^{[Jahn] [Killam & Rowe]}
• Karen Blixen a.k.a. Isak Dinesen (1885–1962), novelist
• Rocha Chimera, Swahili author and critic
• Hazel de Silva Mugot (1947–), novelist
• Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla
• Mugo Gatheru (1925– ), autobiographical writer^[Jahn]
• Muga Gicaru (c. 1920– ), novelist^[Jahn], real name as John Mwengi
• Moraa Gitaa, author, novelist, short story writer, 2010 Penguin Prize for African Writing nominee, 2008
• Stanley Gazemba (1974–) author, novelist
• Elspeth Huxley (1907–1997), journalist and autobiographical writer
• Francis Imbuga (1947–2012), director and playwright^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Samuel Kahiga, short story writer and novelist^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Joseph Elijah Kariuki (1931–1975), poet^[Jahn]
• Amin Kassam (1948–), journalist and poet^[Jahn]
• Jomo Kenyatta (1892?–1978), politician and writer^{[Gikandi & Mwangi] [Jahn]}
• Leonard Kibera (1942–1983), novelist and short story writer^{[Gikandi & Mwangi] [Killam & Rowe]}
• Wanjiru Kihoro (1953–2006), journalist, writer, academic, activist; produced Kenya News in the 1980s from London
• John Kiriamiti (1950–), writer of popular fiction^{[Gikandi & Mwangi]}
• Henry Ole kulet (1950–), ^{[Zakayo & Manexe]}
• Kinyanjui Kombani (1981–), writer of popular fiction
• Muthoni Likimani (1926–)^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Jeff Lumiri (2015–), author, poet, and novelist^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye (1928–2015), novelist, essayist and poet
• Charles Mangua (c.1940–), fiction writer^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Anne Matindi (1942–), children’s writer
• Ali A. Mazrui (1933–2014), academic and political writer^{[Jahn] [Killam & Rowe]}
• John Samuel Mbiti (1931–), poet and writer on religion^[Jahn]
• Miguna Miguna
• Parmenas Githendu Mockerie (1900?–?), writer^[3]
• Mwana Kupona binti Msham (died c.1865), Swahili poet
• Micere Mugo (1942–), playwright, academic and poet^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• James Ngugi^[Jahn]
• Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ (1971–)
• Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi, a.k.a. BMJ Muriithi, US-based Kenyan journalist, works for VOA (US) and NTV (Kenya)
• Joseph Muthee (1928–), Kikuyu writer
• Meja Mwangi (1948–), novelist^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Gitura Mwaura, development writer and journalist
• ebecca Nandwa, Swahili children’s writer
• Alexander Nderitu (1979–), novelist, scriptwriter and Kenyan e-book and Print on Demand pioneer
• Mona L. Nduilu (1976–)
• Stephen N. Ngubiah (1936–), novelist^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Ngugi wa Mirii (1951–2008), playwright
• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (1938–), English-language and Gikuyu writer^{[Jahn] [Killam & Rowe]}
• Rebeka Njau (1932–), novelist, playwright and poet^{[Gikandi & Mwangi] [Jahn] [Killam & Rowe]}
• Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha (1952–), playwright
• Njeri Simon Gichimu (Kiswahili and children’s story writer, Jomo and the Wild Cats)
• Asenath Bole Odaga (1937–2014), publisher and author
• Atieno Odhiambo (1945–2009), academic
• Oginga Odinga (1912–1994), writer, philosopher and politician^{[Gikandi & Mwangi] [Jahn]}
• Margaret Ogola (1958–2011)^{[Gikandi & Mwangi]}
• Grace Ogot (1930–2015), writer and politician^{[Gikandi & Mwangi] [Jahn] [Killam & Rowe]}
• 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
• Shailja Patel, poet, playwright and activist
• Paul Kipchumba (1983–), poet and prose writer
• Mwangi Ruheni (1934–), scientist and popular novelist^{[Gikandi & Mwangi] [Killam & Rowe]}
• Shilaho Wa Muteshi
• M. G. Vassanji (1950–), novelist and editor
• Iman Verjee
• 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^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Charity Waciuma (1936–), novelist^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Binyavanga Wainaina (1971–2019), founder and editor of Kwani?, winner of the Caine Prize 2002
• Gakaara Wanjau (1921–2001), writer and Gikuyu nationalist
• Kenneth Watene (1944–), playwright^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Miriam Were (1940–), public health advocate, academic and novelist^{[Killam & Rowe]}
• Wanjiru Koinange, writer, restorer of libraries and entrepreneur