Kenyan LGBTI activist Kenneth Binyavanga Wainaina died yesterday (21 May) at the age of 48.
Tom Maliti, the chairman of the Kwani Trust which Wainaina founded, told The Associated Press the journalist died Tuesday night in Nairobi after an illness.
Born in Nakuru in Rift Valley Province, Kenya, the journalist penned an array of books. He helped create tolerance for the LGBTI community in his home country.
Who is Binyavanga Wainaina?
Wainaina worked in Cape Town for a few years, writings columns as a freelance food and travel writer.
But he had a real hunger for change. From a biting satirical essay, How to Write About Africa, winning the Caine Prize in 2002, to being named among Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2014.
He soared. Above all, he ‘demystified and humanized homosexuality’ author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wrote at the time.
Adichie added that Wainaina decided to speak openly after the death of a friend: ‘He felt an obligation to chip away at the shame that made people like his friend die in silence.’
One of the first
Furthermore, he was one of the first high-profile Kenyans to openly declare he is gay. In a country where laws decrminalize queer behavior, tweeting ‘I am, for anybody confused or in doubt, a homosexual’ was an act both revolutionary and rebellious.
As well as coming out as living with HIV in 2016 on Word Aids Day. Thereby promoting transparency in a coastline country where so few are.
Moreover, last year, he announced plans to marry his long-term partner at a wedding in South Africa. This announcement divided his home country.
Wainaina’s death comes just days before a court ruling in Kenya on Friday on whether to abolish anti-queer laws.
Kenyan’s penal code, like in many other African countries that outlaw queerness, are vestiges of British colonial rule.
‘The world is worse off today without him’
Tributes have poured in on Twitter, as countless numbers of fellow LGBTI activists and authors from Kenya and all over the world mourn.
#GoodMorningAfrica
It is with a heavy heart we learnt of the passing away of Kenyan writer, Binyavanga Wainaina, one of Africa’s leading writers who set a pace in the literary world. He was blunt & brave, vulnerable & insightful, charming & cheerful.https://t.co/J4gssMvcRC pic.twitter.com/rgbV2BjLA0— This Is Africa (@ThisIsAfricaTIA) May 22, 2019
‘He was blunt and brave, vulnerable and ingihtful, charming and cheerful,’ wrote This is Africa. A leading African arts forum.
We have indeed lost a literary giant. Binya, we promise to continue cherishing your words; from the short story that made you the pioneer of Kenyan Caine Prize winners to the wit you showed in countless interviews.
Rest in Peace Binyavanga Wainaina https://t.co/gcnP30m2Oc— Paukwa 🇰🇪 (@paukwa) May 22, 2019
Binyavanga Wainaina was the public intellectual we needed but didn’t deserve. The world is worse off today without him to challenge our prejudices & defend the humanity of everyone. And now his watch is ended
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) May 22, 2019
‘Thank you for your writing and for adding colours to the #LGBT rainbows of the continent,’ tweeted leading human rights activist Ashiwaju Bisi Alimi.
Really heartbroken to wake up to the news of the passing of #Binyavangawainaina, once again, #Africa has lost another giant, another mortal has gone to be with the gods. Thank you for your writing and for adding colours to the #LGBT rainbows of the continent
— Ashiwaju Bisi Alimi (@bisialimi) May 22, 2019
See also
Kenya’s refugee camp Pride will be back despite violence and death threats
LGBTI refugees arrested after protest turns violent in Kenya
Massive win for LGBTI Kenyans as court rules they can form NGOs