• President Kenyatta described the late Walibora as a polished broadcaster and prolific writer whose literary works will continue to inspire future generations.
• DP Ruto said Walibora was “an outstanding academic, ingenious author and a prolific journalist with a charming personality and humour”.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has condoled with the family of celebrated Kenyan Kiswahili scholar, author and journalist Prof Ken Walibora.
In a statement by Presidential Strategic Unit, President Kenyatta described the late Walibora as a polished broadcaster and prolific writer whose literary works will continue to inspire future generations.
Walibora was hit by a matatu along Ladhies Road in Nairobi on Friday and was found at the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary on Monday by relatives and friends after a frantic search.
Deputy President William Ruto said Walibora was “an outstanding academic, ingenious author and a prolific journalist with a charming personality and humour”.
“Prof @KenWalibora was a man of insight and brevity; he was a driving force with monumental energy and vision when pushing Kiswahili language-related issues. We will miss his great depth of knowledge, positive orientation, wit and resilience. Our thoughts and love goes out to Prof Walibora’s family, friends, the academia and the media fraternity. Rest In Peace,” the Deputy President tweeted on Wednesday.
Dr. Njenga Karugia, a scholar based in Frankfurt, tweeted, “We debated heatedly about Africa-China relations together with Ngugi wa Thiong’o during Abdilatif Abdalla’s retirement colloquium in Germany. You showed me around Nation Centre one time. You were a humble yet superb scholar. May you rest in eternal peace Ken.”
Citizen journalist Linus Kaikai said, “Rest In Peace gentle soul #KenWalibora He was the Swahili version of a consummate English gentleman. Measured tone. Weighed words. Courteous to all. And never prideful of his own accomplishments as an author.”