Celebrating African Voices in Literature

7th February 2026

Meja Mwangi: A Voice from Urban Kenya

Meja Mwangi is one of Kenya’s most well-known writers, recognised for his honest portrayal of urban life. His novel Going Down River Road is set in Nairobi and highlights the struggles of ordinary people facing poverty, unstable work, and social inequality during a time of rapid urban growth.

Rather than showing the city as glamorous, Mwangi focuses on its realities. The novel reflects the lives of people working hard to survive, especially in areas shaped by labour, trade, and daily struggle.

‘...River Road’ is also personally meaningful for many. For me, it is nostalgic because my grandfather had a shop there, and I have grown up hearing his stories about the road. Mwangi’s focus on this part of Nairobi makes the novel feel connected to real-life experiences and memories passed through generations.

By Dhara Shah 11N

Kenyan International Schools Association
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Association of International Schools in Africa
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