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
