Born on January 6, 1964, Ken Walibora hailed from Bungoma, Kenya, East Africa, and garnered fame as a versatile African figure. His extensive talents spanned academia, as a professor, author, poet, novelist, playwright, cultural scholar, and motivational speaker.
One of his notable literary achievements was the creation of numerous widely-read books. Among these, “Siku Njema” (published in 1996) stood out as particularly cherished and commercially successful, capturing the hearts of readers around the globe. Beyond his literary contributions, Ken also inspired audiences through his motivational speaking engagements and held a position as a professor.
His academic journey led him to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA, where he served as an Assistant Professor. At this esteemed institution, he imparted knowledge to students in the realm of African Languages and Literature. In addition to his pedagogical pursuits, he showcased his talents as a prolific writer, producing an array of literary works and novels, with a focus on Kiswahili fiction.
Acknowledgment and accolades flowed to Ken Walibora in recognition of his exceptional abilities. Notably, in 2003, he secured the Jomo Kenyatta Literature Prize for his literary piece titled “Ndoto ya Amerika.” This prestigious award came his way again in 2009, this time for his novel “Kisasi Hapana.” Tragically, before his demise, Ken was engrossed in his latest literary endeavor titled “Kenyan Political Prisoners,” a testament to his enduring commitment to the written word.
Ken Walibora died at the age of 56
Renowned writer Ken passed away on April 10, 2020, while under hospital care in the urban center. Law enforcement authorities indicate that his demise resulted from a traffic incident. At the time of his passing, he was 56 years old. Philip Ndolo, the Police Commander, stated that a Matatu bus struck him and fled the scene at high speed.
The incident occurred at approximately 9 am along Landhies Road. Concerns raised by Ken’s family unveiled a prolonged period of his absence. Eventually, his lifeless body was located within the premises of Kenyatta National Hospital’s mortuary. The police have announced their pursuit of the responsible driver, expressing confidence in an impending apprehension.
Childhood, Parents, Siblings & Education
Emerging into the world on a Monday, January 6, 1964, in Bungoma, Kenya, East Africa, the esteemed writer arrived as the youngest offspring in his middle-class family. His birthplace was graced by his parents’ presence. At 56 years of age, he left a mark on the world.
His father, whose name remains unspecified, held the position of a school headmaster. His mother, known as Ruth Nasambu Makali, fulfilled the role of a homemaker. At the tender age of 4, the family relocated to Cherangany, where he shared his upbringing with his siblings. Education beckoned, leading him to a local high school for his formative years of learning.
Subsequently, he secured admission to the University of Nairobi, accomplishing his undergraduate studies in the domain of Arts Literature. The allure of Swahili studies also captured his academic pursuits within the same institution. This journey then guided him to the Ohio State University in Columbus, where he attained a master’s degree in Comparative Cultural Studies and ultimately, a Ph.D., further solidifying his academic achievements on American soil.
| Quick Info & Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Full Real Name | Ken Walibora. |
| Nickname | Ken. |
| Profession | Professor, Author, Novelist, Poet, Play writer, Cultural Scholar, and Literary. |
| Date of Birth | January 6, 1964. |
| Age at the time of death | 56 years old. |
| Place of Death | Landhies Road. |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn. |
| Place of Birth | Bungoma, Kenya, East Africa. |
| Cause of Death | Road Accident. |
| Nationality | African. |
| Religion | Not Known. |
| Gender | Male. |
| Sexuality | Straight. |
| Social Media Profiles | Twitter: @KenWalibora (17.9K + followers). |
| Family | |
| Parents | Father: Name Not Known. Mother: Ruth Nasambu Makali. |
| Siblings | NA. |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height | Feet & Inches: 5′ 8″. Centimeters: 172 cm. Meters: 1.72 m. |
| Weight | Kilograms: 65 Kg. Pounds: 143 lbs. |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Black. |
| Personal Life | |
| Marital Status | Married. |
| Wife | Not Known. |
| Education | |
| Highest Qualification | Graduation. |
| School | local high school. |
| Alma Mater | 1. The University of Nairobi. 2. The Ohio State University Columbus. 3. The Ohio State University United States. |
| Career & Wealth | |
| Books | 1. Chapuchapu. 2. Damu Nyeusi an Hadithi Nyingine. 3. Hazina Bora. 4. Homa ya Nyumbani. 5. Innocence Long Lost. 6. Kidagaa Kimemwozea. 7. Kufa Kuzikana. 8. Mbaya Wetu. 9. Naskia Sauti ya Mama. 10. Ndoto ya Almasi. 11. Siku Njema. 12. Upande Mwingine. |
| Net worth (approx.) | $4-5 million US dollars (As of 2020). |
Career
Upon the culmination of his Ph.D. studies, he embarked on his literary journey, penning his own creations. In due course, he embraced a role as a Kiswahili newsreader at NTV, a prominent Kenyan news channel. Simultaneously, his creative drive continued to flourish, resulting in the creation of numerous books. Subsequently, he opted to conclude his tenure at NTV and transitioned into the role of an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States.
A prolific poet and writer, he etched his name in the literary world. The year 1996 witnessed the release of his remarkable work titled “Siku Njema,” which swiftly attained global popularity. Beyond this, his literary repertoire expanded to encompass a multitude of titles, including “Chapuchapu,” “Damu Nyeusi na Hadithi Nyingine,” “Kidagaa Kimemwozea,” “Kufa Kuzikana,” and various others.
Beyond his contributions in the realm of books, Professor Ken Walibora demonstrated versatility by crafting a diverse array of literature and novels. His exceptional writing prowess garnered him a multitude of prestigious awards. Ken’s intellectual explorations extended to scholarly articles published in esteemed platforms like the Journal of the Association of African Literature, East African Literary, and Cultural Studies, among others.
His dedication also extended to research in crucial domains such as Human Rights, Society, and Political Incarceration in Africa, reflecting his commitment to addressing vital societal issues. Adding to his multifaceted roles, Walibora held positions as a professor and headmaster at Riara University. The culmination of his endeavors translated into a net worth ranging from $4-5 million USD (as of 2020), a testament to his fruitful career.
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Some Lesser Known Facts About Ken Walibora
- Ken kept his personal life secret.
- According to some sources, he was married but live alone.
- The name and profession of his wife are not available.
- Moreover, he gave more focus on his writing career.
- Ken Walibora’s height was 5 feet 8 inches (in meters 1.72 m).
- His body weight was around 65 kilograms (in pounds 143 lbs).
- Ken worked as a news anchor and editor for 4 years from 1996 to 1999 at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
- In an interview, Walibora said that he wanted to become a police officer in childhood.
- He also worked at the National Media Group (NMG) for 6 years.
- Because of his talent, Ken Walibora earned more than 40 titles.
- His real birth name is Ken Walibora Waliaula.
- When he was 20 years old, his mother died at the age of 51 due to a long time disease.
- Walibora earned the Jomo Kenyatta Literature price for three times.