They met a long time ago, in 1957. There was a debate organized at Maseno, Kenya, between two astute secondary school in Kenya: Maseno and Alliance. Ngugi (or was it James?) led the band from Alliance and he heard her voice from the back. After that they met many times, these two writers from Kenya. But there were also days of non-communication, during the days of boyot Moi, the president with the iron fist.

Here are some memories by Ngugi wa Thiong’o.