Sitawa Namwalie | Why Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o Matters: Language, decolonisation and theatre
Poet and playwright Sitawa Namwalie reflects on the deep impact of Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s work on her life and art. She speaks about growing up in post-colonial Kenya, the violence of language erasure in schools and how Ngugi’s Decolonising the Mind reshaped her understanding of theatre, resistance and identity. Her performance of Names of the […]
Mohamed Amin Abdishukri | Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s Radical Resistance and the Spirit of Gen Zote Movement
In this compelling interview, journalist and political commentator Mohammed Amin Abdishukri reflects on Kenya’s current wave of youth-led protests — often dubbed the Gen Z or Gen Zote movement. He places this moment within a historical continuum of resistance, drawing connections from the Mau Mau and the Kenyan Land and Freedom Army to radical thinkers […]
Prof Kimani Njogu | Language, Politics and the Legacy of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
In this compelling reflection, linguist and Director of Twaweza Communications, Prof Kimani Njogu, explores the centrality of language in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s political and literary work. He explains why Ngũgĩ turned to African languages to reach people across the continent, arguing that language is not just a tool of communication but a force for liberation, […]
Writing not to Intrpret, but to Change the World: Reflecting on the politics of Ngugi’s writing
A powerful tribute to Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o – renowned writer, academic and political thinker. This event brings together influential voices to reflect on his legacy and impact on African literature, identity and resistance. Speakers: Sitawa Namwalie – Poet, playwright & performerYusuf Hassan – PoliticianMohamed Amin Abdishukri – Writer & socio-political commentator Kimani Njogu – […]
Ngugi wa Thiong’o Tribute – Highlights
On 5 July 2025, the Rift Valley Forum—in collaboration with the British Institute in Eastern Africa, IFRA, Cheche Books and Twaweza Communications— brought together scholars, authors, activists and politicians to celebrate Ngugi’s literary brilliance, political courage and enduring influence: A tribute to a towering figure whose voice empowered generations. The Forum explored how his work […]
Writing Not to Interpret, but to Change the World: Reflecting on the politics of Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s writing
On 5 July 2025, the Rift Valley Forum brought together scholars, authors, activists and politicians to celebrate Ngũgĩ’s literary brilliance, political courage and enduring influence: A tribute to a towering figure whose voice empowered generations. The session drew more than 65 participants in person and 38 online, underscoring the continued public interest in Ngũgĩ’s intellectual […]
Writing Not to Interpret, but to Change the World: Reflecting on the Politics of Prof Ngugi’s Writing
Format: Hybrid Venue: BIEA Seminar Room, Laikipia Road, Kileleshwa Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EAT Join us in honoring the legacy of Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the celebrated Kenyan writer and academic, who passed away on 28 May 2025, at the age of 87. Ngugi was more than a […]
Trends Analysis: Political instability and conflicts in the Great Lakes, the Horn of Africa and the Sudans
Format: Zoom WebinarDate: Thursday, 13 March, 2025Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EAT The Horn of Africa, Sudan and South Sudan, and the Great Lakes are all experiencing a surge in political instability and conflict: On 13 March 2025, the Rift Valley Forum will host a webinar that brings together a panel of leading experts—who will also […]
Who Controls the Borderlands? Rents, debts and the role of political and commercial elites on the Kenya-Ethiopia and Sudan-South Sudan borders
Format: Hybrid EventDate: Tuesday, 18 February 2025Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PMVenue: BIEA Seminar Room, Laikipia Road, Kileleshwa, Nairobi and Online Borderland revenues, routes and controls are at the heart of state projects on the margins in Kenya and South Sudan. New XCEPT research examines the evolution of border controls and revenue generation projects on two crucial borders in the region. These […]
Multidimensional Causes and Responses to Climate Change and Displacement in the Horn of Africa
Date: Friday, 20 December 2024Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Venue: Heron Portico Hotel, Jakaya Kikwete Road, Nairobi and onlinePartners: Rift Valley Institute & OSUN Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives Established in 1992, the Kakuma refugee camp has grown into one of the largest refugee settlements in the world, hosting more than 200,000 refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, […]