DAVID G. MAILLU (Kenya)

By O Bolaji

David G Maillu of Kenya is one of Africa's most prolific writers; some pundits even claim that he has published more books than any other writer in the continent. But then again, a writer like Naiwu Osahon is said to have published up to a hundred works! What we can say is that Maillu's scores of books have straddled some six decades. To latch onto a cliche, ink decidedly runs in his veins!

As South African literary critic Pule Lechesa has stated: "I suppose it is often startling, even to literary pundits when one comes across a writer, especially an African writer who has published 50, 60 books...such writers are patently thin on the ground. There is a writer, Kgang Abel Motheane in SA who has published as much...and of course the internationally recognised, David Maillu"  

Maillu was born in 1939, in Kenya when the country was still far from attaining political independence from Britain. He attended a Salvation Army school, then an intermediate school en route to the then East African Cambridge School Certificate. His formal education again embraced the British Tutorial College where he studied for the High School education. From a young age, Maillu revelIed in the world of writing, and African Art and Sociology.  

His published books over the decades are numerous indeed with some of his early works published in the 70s; including Troubles (1974) and The Kommon Man 1975)

Other popular works by the wordsmith include My dear Bottle, The Ayah, (The Benni Kamba adventures), eg Equatorial Assignment, After 4.30, Our kind of polygamy, and The Survivors (2002). But Maillu's most popular book international is probably For Mbatha and Rabeka.

Published in the erstwhile Macmillan Pacesetter series, For Mbatha and Rabeka struck a chord with many readers for a number of reasons, including its intrinsic humour, a superb seduction scene that never becomes vulgar, a rich cast of main protagonists, etc. It was quintessential Maillu.

But Maillu could turn his hand into virtually any type, genre of writing. The hefty work, African Indigenous political Ideology (1977) for example has intellectual savvy and undulations. Note that Maillu is actually a qualified Doctor of letters.

And he has published a number of books in the Swahili language too, including the well received Laana ya Mkufu.

Again, Dr Maillu has produced works with rather intriguing titles.  What about - How to look for the Right Boyfriend; or/and, PO Box I love you via my heart...?

The list seems endless, but other works by this distinguished writer again include Man from Machakus, Maillu Revolution, Kadosa, The poor child, Dear Daughter, The priceless gift, Untouchable, Unfit for human consumption, The black Adam and Eve, Thorns of life, Broken Drum,  and My dear Mariana. Talk of being prolific!