Mwangi wa Gicheru crosses bridge to the land yonder, fare thee well

By Peter Kimani

Kenya: Esteemed Kenyan author Mwangi wa Gicheru exited the stage last weekend at his retreat in Kikambala. When I first encountered his writing in my teenage, he held me to rapt attention.

Soon, I and my friends were consigning nicknames lifted from Across The Bridge to neighbours who reflected traits reminiscent of the characters in the book.

The flashy man in the neighbourhood instantly became Kahuthu, imitating the tycoon in his seminal novel. His fictional portraits had managed to subvert the notion of art imitating life; it was life imitating art.

Two in One was another captivating read about twin girls who are separated soon after birth, and the constant pain that their parents endure, until a confluence of coincidences push their paths together at the Nairobi showground.

When I met Mwangi in person more than a decade ago, I was struck by his humility and lively nature. He did not bear the pompous pretensions so characteristic of many writers today.

Rather than talk about himself, like the proverbial debes that make the most noise, Mwangi let his writing speak for itself.

I remained invited to his Animo retreat in Kikambala and one of the regrets that I shall bear is never having made it there in his lifetime. He shall be sorely missed.