Ngugi wa Thiong’o visits CORD leader Raila

Kenyan renowned writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o is in the country. Ngugi who visited the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga today together with his children is launching the golden jubilee anniversary for his first novel “weep not child” the first English novel to be published by the East African in 1964.

“Your father Jaramogi, his publishers were my publishers, they asked me to look at the manuscript I did not have much to add then I later published the book in Nairobi” said Ngugi

Raila was privileged to receive copies of Ngugi’s books and those of his children who have taken after their father. Addressing the press Raila recalled their shared history as political detainees, noting that events in Kenya and Africa have continued to influence Ngugi’s writing.

“A lot of times we talk about the struggle for change in Kenya but we hardly agree when this struggle really began. Some think it began in the 1990s and others think it began after the final push for the new constitution in 2010,” said Raila.

Ngugi was detained at the Kamiti maximum security prison for over a year following the publication of a play he had written and that carried a strong political message, Ngaahika Ndeenda (I will Marry You when I want).

“Prime Minister you and I have other connections, you are actually my senior off coz younger in years but in area of prison am a graduate,” he amusingly said

“It is because of the struggles of the likes of Ngugi that our country avoided the fate of other African nations where dictatorship took roots because citizens agreed to suffer in silence and fear” added Raila

The 77 year old who left the country in 1982 for a self-imposed exile in London has written several books including the River Between, A Grain of Wheat among others.