Family and friends pay glowing tributes to literary legend, Prof Micere Mugo

Prof Micere Mugo died aged 80 after a sixteen-year battle with cancer. [Standard, file]

Family, friends, and colleagues gathered at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on Tuesday, August 15, to pay their final respects to Prof Micere Mugo, a renowned playwright, activist, and author who died on June 30.

The author died aged 80 after a sixteen-year battle with cancer.

Mugo will be remembered by her friends as an intellect who left a mark on everyone she interacted with.

"Micere had many friends. Those who interacted with her knew that she always left an impact on their lives. She had many achievements, and one of them is that she gave birth to the idea that leaders must be held accountable," said Lawyer Paul Muite, who spoke on behalf of her friends.

Her family described her as a warm and down-to-earth person.

"I knew that because she was so many different things to people, to me, she was a mentor and a best friend. On behalf of me and my family, I would like to thank you for being here for her," her daughter Mumbi Mugo said.

Mugo was a Professor of Literature at Syracuse University and was known for her fierceness in fighting against human rights abuses in Kenya.

She wrote over 15 books, including "My Mother's Poem and Other Songs," and edited several others.

As a thespian, Mugo collaborated with other African writers in editing plays and stories, including "The Trial of Dedan Kimathi," which she co-authored with Ngugi wa Thiong'o.

Mugo will be remembered for her boldness in fighting for the human rights of Africans and upholding African culture through literary works.

Azimio la Umoja Coalition Co-Principal Martha Karua and Nominated Senator Beth Mugo were among the leaders present.