Former minister Njeru Githae launches 15 fiction books

Former Finance Minister Njeru Githae signs books for former Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and former National Intelligence Service Deputy Director Frank Kiriinya at the All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi, on May 3, 2024. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

Former Finance Minister Njeru Githae has launched 15 books of fiction, saying he has found peace in writing after retiring from politics and public service

“It is never too late for anyone to find peace in realising their childhood dreams,” Dr Githae said at the All Saints Cathedral where the unveiling of his 15 book titles took place.

According to the former minister, the launch of his books symbolises the realisation of his childhood dream of becoming a published author.

He attributed the delay in writing and publishing his books to his active career as a lawyer, politician, minister and ambassador.

Githae said his late sister, renowned lecturer of Literature Prof Miceere Githae Mugo, partly influenced his love for writing.

“I was in love with English Literature and writing and I even taught literature after my A-Levels before joining the University of Nairobi to study law,” said Githae.

Some of the titles include The Trial of Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, The Trial of the Mysterious Mugo wa Kibiru and The Trial of Tom Mboya.

He said he started working on the titles when still in active public service life but was only able to focus on the project better after retirement.

“When my tour of duty ended last year I dedicated all my time in finalising what I had started and brought on board very good researchers which made it easier for me to save substantive time,’’ said Githae who served as Kenya's Ambassador to the United States of America. 

African stories

Court of Appeal Judge Mwaniki Gachoka, who spoke at the launch, emphasised the need for writers to tell Kenyan stories.

“We must tell our Kenyan and African stories from the eyes of Kenyan writers for there to be relevance,” said Justice Gachoka.

Former Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho called on Kenyans to embrace the culture of reading African literature.

“I was a lover of African literature and I remember reading hundreds of books including The River Between, Across the Bridge and many others and viewed writers as superhuman beings,” said Dr Kibicho.

Former Barclays of Kenya Chairman Francis Okello said senior citizens should focus on sharing their thoughts and perspectives about life through writing, adding he was in the process of putting together his memoirs.

Githae was at some point the Member of Parliament for Ndia Constituency, Assistant Minister in various ministries, and Cabinet Minister for the Nairobi Metropolitan before being appointed to head the Finance Ministry.

He served as Kenya’s ambassador to the United States of America (with accreditation to the United States of Mexico) and to the Federal Republic of Austria (with accreditation to the Republic of Hungary, Slovak, Croatia, Slovenia and Ukraine).

He also served as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to United Nations Organisations in Vienna, Austria.