Humble artist who moulded literary giants bows out

By Allan Olingo

Millions of Kenyans who have gone through secondary school know Prof Francis Imbuga. He has spoken to them through his words in school plays and set books such as Aminata and Betrayal in the City.

But on Monday they were mourning a man who nurtured their literary acumen in their formative years as news of Prof Imbuga spread.

The writer, playwright, actor and lecturer died on Sunday following a stroke he suffered while at his house in Nairobi’s Kahawa Sukari.

According to his colleagues at Kenyatta University, the 65-year-old artist was taken ill at around 8pm Sunday at his home and rushed to the nearby Kenyatta University dispensary where he was pronounced dead on arrival. 

The University’s vice chancellor, Prof Olive Mugenda, said she was saddened by the death.

“It is tragic for the KU and Prof Imbuga’s family. We pray for the family during this trying moment,” said Mugenda.

Too distraught

His family was too distraught to talk to us.

Kisa Amateshe, a senior lecturer at the Literature Department and a colleague of the late professor, said, “Prof Imbuga was a great artist, generous, cheerful and down to earth.

He has left very many orphans as he took care of many children besides his own,” he said.

Another of his colleagues, Prof Martin Etyang from the School of Economics at the same institution recounts with nostalgia their early days with Imbuga. 

“He was an ardent supporter of AFC Leopards and we would use his vehicle, which he had christened ‘Paulina’, or my car to go to the stadium and cheer our team.”

Dr Mbugua wa Mungai, the chairman of the Literature Department at the university, described Imbuga’s death as a “personal loss” to him.

“I am still in shock after learning of his death. He taught me the value of laughter and how it can make people learn,” says Mbugua adding that Imbuga supervised his MA research at Kenyatta University.

Great publisher

Imbuga has published several plays including Betrayal in the City, 1976, The Successor, 1979, Man of Kafira, 1984, Aminata, 1988, and The Return of Mgofu, 2011. He has also authored several novels.

Aminata and Betrayal in the City are set books in secondary school.

Born in Wenyange village in Maragoli East in 1947, Imbuga was one of the pioneer playwrights in Kenya having started in 1972 with his first book, Kisses of Fate.

Outstanding work

Kamau Kiarie, a publisher with East Africa Educational Publishers, who published some of Imbugas’ work, describes him as an intelligent, articulate and humble person.

“Prof was humble, sharp and was able to incorporate satire and irony into his work and bring out the serious socio-political issues that affected the society.

Kiarie describes Imbuga as patient and well respected among his peers and editors.

“He was the kind of person who would listen to opinions from anyone without discrimination and incorporate them in making his work outstanding.”

Kiarie first worked with Imbuga in 2002 when Aminata had been selected to be a set book.

“We worked together to clean out his work. It was very interesting working with him,” says Kiarie adding that the last time they talked was a fortnight ago when the Kenya Institute of Education had recommended changes in his book.

“It is sad that he will not live to enjoy the financial gains of his work, leave a lone seeing his book shaping up the lives of the young audiences,” says Kiarie.

Witty lecturer

Patricia Wangui, a former student of his at Kenyatta University remembers Imbuga as a knowledgeable and witty lecturer who was thorough at his work.

“He taught me creative writing  at KU. He was extremely easy with his students, very supportive and ensured that we all understood his the subject,” says Wangui.

Until his death, Prof Imbuga was the director, Quality Assurance, at KU.

He also served as the Chairman of the Literature Department between 1985 and 1988, and the dean at the Faculty of Arts.

Before then, he held the position of dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Kigali Institute of Education.

— Additional reporting by Philip Etyang