Renowned Kenyan poet, Professor Micere Githae Mugo, has passed away at the age of 80. Her family confirmed her death on Friday night.
Leaders in Kenya, including Chief Justice Martha Koome, have expressed their condolences and praised Professor Micere Githae Mugo for her unwavering commitment to social justice.
Martha Karua, the leader of the Narc Kenya party, described Prof. Micere as an icon in the fight for academic freedom and civil liberties, both in Kenya and beyond. She also emphasized Prof. Micere’s role as a role model for many.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga also hailed Prof. Micere as a true advocate for human rights. Notably, she made history as the first black student to be admitted to the all-white Limuru Girls High School in 1961, challenging prevailing notions of intelligence.
Our Comrade, Sister, and Revolutionary, Professor Micere Githae Mugo has joined our ancestors some four hours ago. May she shine in the light of the ancestral abode as she shone on earth with revolutionary light. Her revolutionary Spirit LIVES💪👊
— Dr Willy M Mutunga, Chief Justice, Kenya (2011-16) (@WMutunga) June 30, 2023
Following her time at Limuru, Prof. Micere became a political activist, dedicating herself to the cause of social justice. In 1982, after the attempted coup, she was arrested and subsequently forced to leave the country.
She sought refuge in Zimbabwe, where she continued to write about social injustices in Kenya, gaining global recognition for her work.
As the founder of the Pan African Community of Central New York, Prof. Micere authored several books and co-wrote a play with Prof. Ngugi Wa Thiong’o. Her contributions to literature and her advocacy for social justice will leave a lasting impact.
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