Binyavanga, the brave and independent

Binyavanga Wainaina: Photo Courtesy

Today, we think of the men and women who won our Independence for us. There is State Independence, there is professional independence, and there is personal independence – and the stricken founder of our post-millennial Kenyan literature, Binyavanga Wainaina, embodies all three. Allow me to explain.

In an era where body image is everything, from the ‘Big is Beautiful’ movement to the ‘big is bothersome’ hate talk (fuelled by some weekend columnists), and with all sorts of programmes like ‘The Ultimate Challenge’ on KTN television, a lot of folks could well learn from Binya’s battle of the body.