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 (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–), journalist and poet
 * Justus Kiprono (2001-), journalist and finance writer
 * Jomo Kenyatta (1893–1978), politician and 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