MEJA MWANGI

Mega Mwangi, one of Kenya's and Africa's finest writers of fiction, has had a long, successful, and fulfilling career in writing.

This splendid writer, who was born in 1948, is recognised mainly for his novels, although he has done very well in the film industry too. He studied at the University of Leeds, and was also a Fellow in Writing at the University of Iowa.                

Mwangi has published - by African standards at least - an astonishing amount of works of fiction. His themes range from protest (struggle) writing, the Mau Mau movement, to quasi historical novels (like Carcase for hounds).       

He published Kill me Quick in 1973, where he focused on young men, who though possessing adequate education, can not find appropriate employment. Many years later, this is a much familiar problem in Africa!

In Bread of Sorrow (1987) Mwangi produces a gripping thriller; here he harnesses his deft talent and characterization allied with experience to concoct a fine work that deserves even more recognition.

Meja Mwangi's works are marked by their humour and hilarity, despite a canvas of grimness and "struggle". There are always undercurrents of protests and  somewhat stolid spirit. 

Also a personality who has etched his talents on the film industry, Mwangi has many credits in this wise, whether as script-writer or director. Such films include Out of Africa, Gorillas in the mist, and Shadow on the sun.   

He has also written exceptional books for children, and the young generally. They include acclaimed works like The Hunter's dream, and The Mzungu Boy. 

Over the years Mwangi has won, or been short-listed for major awards and accolades - for example, the Jomo Kenyatta Prize; and the Lotus Award. He continues to be active in his niches. 

- Henry Ozogula

Meja Mwangi’s published books include Kill Me Quick, Going Down River Road (1976), The Cockroach Dance , Carcase for Hounds, The Bushtrackers (1979) Bread of Sorrow (1987), Weapon of Hunger (1989), The last Plague (2000), The Boy Gift (2006),  Mama Dudu, the Insect Woman (2007), Gun Runner (2007) and Power (2009)

Studies:

In the shadow of neocolonialism : a study of Meja Mwangi's novels,
1973-1990 by Lars Johansson

Meja Mwangi : writing lively stories set in colonial and post-colonial
Kenya by Harriet McGuire

Sukumasiki : food and drink in the Nairobi novels of Meja Mwangi by
Eleonore Schmitt