Born in January 6, 1965, Ken Walibora Waliaula was a Kenyan award-winning author and journalist best known remembered for his Swahili novel Siku Njema published in 1996.
Walibora was born in Baraki, Bungoma County before his family moved to Kitale, Trans Nzoia County and later Cherangany in the same County.
Little wonder, he mentioned most of these places in his seminal novel Siku Njema.
Walibora pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Swahili Studies at the University of Nairobi.
In June 2006 Walibora pursued a Master of Arts in Comparative Cultural Studies at Ohio State University.
In 2009, the celebrated author graduated with a PhD in Comparative Cultural Studies from Ohio State University.
Walibora worked as a High School teacher from 1985 to 1986 before moving to the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1988 where he worked as a probation officer until 1996 when he left.
He joined Kenya Broadcasting Corporation in the same year where he worked as a Swahili radio news anchor, news editor and translator from 1996 to 1999.
From October 1999 to April 2004, Walibora worked at Nation Media Group as a Swahili news anchor.
Later in 2008, Walibora joined the University of Wisconsin, USA, as an assistant professor, African languages where he worked until May 2013.
After his exit at the University of Wisconsin, in recognition for his contribution to the development of Kiswahili, he was appointed the Nation Media Group Head of Kiswahili, a position he served until he joined Riara University.
Until his demise, Walibora was a lecturer at Riara University’s School of International Relations and Diplomacy.
Walibora has been eulogised by former colleagues as someone who would go out of his way to help those in need.
Ali Mtenzi, Yassin Juma and Jamila Mohamed are among the big names mentored by the Swahili guru.
READ ALSO: Ken Walibora: Renowned Swahili author dies after being hit by Matatu
Ken Walibora’s books include, Siku Njema, Naskia Sauti ya Mama, Ndoto ya Almasi, Mbaya Wetu, Chapuchapu, Hazina Bora, Kidagaa Kimemwozea, Kufa Kuzikana, Damu Nyeusi an Hadithi Nyingine, Upande Mwingine, Innocence Long Lost and Homa ya Nyumbani.
READ ALSO: Ken Walibora: President Uhuru , DP Ruto and Raila mourn Siku Njema writer
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