Prof Wanjiku Kabira has been actively involved in women affairs and gender issues for several years.
She has specialised in oral literature, Eastern Africa and West African Literature, African American, Caribbean literature and Black Aesthetics, writing and criticism through her academic publications and policy analysis and evidence based policy advocacy among others.
Prof Kibara has over the years published widely on literature, women and on gender issues.
One of her notable publications include, “Time for Harvest: Women and Constitution Making in Kenya” which traces women’s struggles to change their status, their lives and their entire destiny.
In the book, she challenges the then 16 women MPs of the 290 elected that their mere presence in Parliament will be fruitless if that opportunity is not properly utilised.
Additionally, she has published, “Grandma Remembers in Time for Harvest and “Letter to Mariama Ba” which is was a response to ‘so long a letter’ a book written by Mariama Ba.
Other published credits of Kabira include “Gender and Elections: Assessing the Jurisprudence from the Courts” co-authored with Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Okoth and “The Dream Keeper: Expanding the Boundaries of Law, Women and Constitution Making in Kenya.”
Prof Kibara was born November 15, 1948 in a village in Lari Constituency, Kiambu County.
She attended Githirioni Primary School and later joined Loreto High School, Limuru for her O Levels.
It was in the high School that her journey with literature began. In 1965 when she wrote and recited a poem called Virus, she was then a Form One student at the school in Limuru, then ran by Irish missionaries.
She later proceeded to Loreto Convent Msongari for her advanced certificate (‘A’ levels) which she cleared in 1974.
Prof Kibara attained her Bachelor of Arts Specialization in Literature from University of Nairobi in 1978 before proceeding for her Master of Arts in Literature, The Oral Artist in the United States. She also has a Doctor of Philosophy in Literature from University of Nairobi.
Her teaching experience dates back to 1971 in Loreto Primary in Eldoret to her current position as an associate professor of literature at the University of Nairobi.
She also doubles as the Director, African Women Studies Centre at the university. It was through her work with women that the centre was set up.
The centre, a first in Africa, is committed to promoting African Women’s experiences and worldview in scholarship, policy and institutional development.
She has been involved in several other national and regional developments largely promoting gender matters and forwarding the women’s agenda.
Prof Kabira was also involved in the review process of the Constitution having served as a Vice Chair, Constitution of Kenya Review Commission and a member of the, Rapid Results Initiative Committee on sensitization of staff on the constitution of Kenya, 2010.