Beloved Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina is seriously ill following a stroke and has travelled to India for treatment. AAISHA DADI PATEL explains.
The author who brought us “never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of your book” and “treat Africa as if it were one country” in his famous satirical essay How to write about Africa, has taken severely ill.
After suffering a stroke, Wainaina has been diagnosed with a chronic condition for which he needs extensive treatment, and is in need of urgent help to obtain financial assistance to get the medical help that he needs.
Wainaina is well-loved in the literary field. Thando Mgqolozana, author of A Man Who is Not a Man, told the Daily Vox: “Binyavaga Wainaina is the one without whose contribution the African literary scene wouldn’t be the same.â€
Science-fiction author Lauren Beukes said: “Binyavanga is one of my lit heroes – he writes with a clarity and molten wit that sears through to the bones of things. Speedy recovery, my friend, we need you.”
Support for Wainanina has also poured in on social media.
@BinyavangaW Dear Binj, don’t you dare die on us or any such pedestrian nonsense. Sending you lots of love. Get well soon champion.
— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) November 7, 2015
Thinking of this outstanding son of Africa as he recovers to full health. @BinyavangaW pic.twitter.com/3D7AHXtAbU
— Afrika Reads (@AfrikaReads) November 22, 2015
@BinyavangaW dear, give your gentle heart some well-deserved rest. Greens, meditation may help… Meditation always helps. Mucho love
— Jeanine Munyeshuli B (@awozdeya) November 8, 2015
If you’d like to help financially, you can do so by making a donation through the online fundraiser set up to assist with his medical costs.
Read the full statement on his health, released by his family here.
