African writers rally for stricken Binyavanga Wainaina

Writers all over Africa launched an appeal fund for one of the continent’s most famous contemporary writer, Binyavanga Wainaina. The award winning Kenyan writer, Binyavanga was struck by stroke on October 31 and has been hospitalised in Kenya since. Now he needs urgent medical attention in India to get back on his feet and writers […]

Writers all over Africa launched an appeal fund for one of the continent’s most famous contemporary writer, Binyavanga Wainaina.
The award winning Kenyan writer, Binyavanga was struck by stroke on October 31 and has been hospitalised in Kenya since. Now he needs urgent medical attention in India to get back on his feet and writers on the continent sprang into action to raise the needed fund.
In his native Kenya, Kwani Trust, the foundation Binyavanga set up after winning the Caine Prize in 2003 led the call with a fundraiser to raise one million Kenyan shillings, while in Lagos, the Ake Arts and Book Festival, which Binyavanga was scheduled to attend before his illness staged a fund raiser in Lagos, yesterday to raise $10, 000 for the writer.
It is estimated that $25, 000 would be needed immediately while a further $20, 000 would be needed in mid-December. The cost, according to Kwani Trust could raise with long term medical care being envisaged for the author.
 Binyavanga, author of the book,’ ‘One Day I will Write About this Place’, and his famous satirical piece ‘How to write About Africa’ is a popular, colourful figure on the literary landscape. His condition has rendered him incapacitated and unable to speak.
Saturday’s events in Lagos and Nairobi have also elicited appeals from writing communities in South Africa where Binyavanga once lived.
The Lagos event held at freemdom Park yesterday featured book auction, sale of arts works by Victor Ehikhamenor, book signings and other events to raise funds for the writer who has close ties to Nigeria.
He has been teaching a creative writing workshop in Lagos over the years alongside Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.