This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
On April 22, 2020, the passing of renowned author and journalist Professor Ken Walibora sent shockwaves across the literary world. As tributes poured in, a discussion on Twitter raised eyebrows over his humble abode in Kitale.
A social media user questioned why the 56-year-old Swahili author lived in a simple house, despite being a respected figure in his field. The user wondered whether Walibora was struggling and questioned what copyright authorities were doing to protect creatives like him.
However, others defended Walibora's lifestyle, pointing out that his family was based in the US and he lived in Nairobi. This perspective shifted the focus from the value of his house to the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Walibora was laid to rest on April 22, 2020, in the absence of his widow and two children, who were unable to travel due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
