David Mulwa, prolific Kenyan playwright and lecturer, dies
The author and academic passed away following a long illness, according to his family.
Kenya’s theatre and literary circles are in mourning following the death of David Mulwa, a celebrated playwright, actor, and educator.
Mulwa passed away on December 5, 2025, at a Nairobi hospital while undergoing treatment for cardiac arrest, leaving behind a rich legacy in the arts.
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Over his long career, Mulwa authored numerous plays that became staples of Kenyan theatre.
Some of his most renowned works include Inheritance, Clean Hands, Redemption, Master and Servant, Daraja, Bahati’s Love Nest, and We Come in Peace.
He also collaborated with A. S. Yahya on Buriani, Ukame, and Mkimbizi, and authored additional works such as Daraja, Glasshouses, Crocodile’s Jaw, Katende Says “No” and Flee, Mama Flee.
In addition to writing, Mulwa showcased his acting skills on screen, featuring in productions like Eyes of a Witness and Dangerous Affair.
Born in 1945 in Mukaa, Machakos County, he pursued higher education at the University of Nairobi and earned a Master’s degree in theatre at UCLA under a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship.
Mulwa began his teaching journey at Mukaa High School and Kangundo High School between 1968 and 1970, later joining Ohio University as a teaching assistant from 1979 to 1980.
He eventually became a cornerstone of Kenyatta University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, where he trained and guided countless students in theatre arts.
Beyond teaching, Mulwa was a respected adjudicator for the Kenya Drama Festivals from 1978 and played an active role on the Kenya Cultural Centre Committee’s governing council.
His contributions earned him several honours, including the Kalasha Award for Lifetime Achievement, Theatre Lifetime Achievement recognition, and a Hero’s award from Kenyatta University’s governing council.
Mulwa celebrated his 80th birthday in April 2025, surrounded by family, friends, former students, and admirers, marking a life devoted to nurturing the arts.
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