Njuki Githethwa

Biography

Dr. Njuki Githethwa is a Kenyan writer and activist - scholar. He is currently a Visiting Lecturer at Tangaza University College/Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Njuki has been actively engaged in the struggles for social justice in Kenya and elsewhere for over 20 years. He tries to link activism on social justice with scholarly and writing pursuits. His doctoral studies at University of Johannesburg were focused on conceptualising revolution and social movements in Kenya and in related post - independence contexts. His PhD attempted to untangle the often unclear and contradictory conceptualizations of revolution and social movements through the experiences of activists engaged in popular struggles in the post-independence era in Kenya. This entailed interrogating how revolution and social movements are conceptualized by scholars and activists, and how varied understandings have influenced actual social movements.

Njuki is also associated with two progressive libraries and archives in Nairobi. Ukombozi (Liberation) Library and Mashujaa (Patriots) Heritage Archives & Library. Ukombozi is a socialist library while Mashujaa Archives & Library is a physical and online space to document, archive, historicize and nurture the memories and legacies of heroes and heroines engaged in people’s struggles for human rights and liberation in Kenya. Njuki also serves as the Managing Editor of Ukombozi Review Journal whose mission is to amplify, reflect and connect people’s struggles in Kenya and Pan Africanism based on progressive perspectives. This is besides his association with the Review of African Political Economy (ROAPE) as a Contributing Editor.

Sample Publications:

Githethwa, N(2020) When radical scholars and activists converge, Awaaz Magazine,
Volume 17, Issue 1, 2020. Available at:
https://www.awaazmagazine.com/volume-15-issue-2/cover-
story/item/1151-when-radical-scholars-and-activists-converge-inward-
conversations
_________(2019) When radical scholars and activists converge: inward Conversations In
Connections 3: ROAPE workshop in Johannesburg, 26–27 November 2018,
Review of African Political Economy. Available at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03056244.2019.1775431
________(2019) Connecting Social Movements in East and Southern Africa. Review of
African Political Economy (ROAPE). Available on:
http://roape.net/2019/04/25/connecting-social-movements-in-east-and-
southern-africa/
________(2019) African Political Economy Connections. Ujamaa Voice. Available on:
https://sautiyaujamaa.wordpress.com/2019/04/24/african-political-economy-
connections/
________(2019) Beneath the Saintly Legacy of Gandhi. Awaaz. Available -
https://www.awaazmagazine.com/volume-16-issue-1/special-
feature/item/1069-beneath-the--legacy-of-gandhi
_______(2018) Feeling Mwalimu Nyerere Intellectual Festival. Pambazuka News.
Available on:
https://www.pambazuka.org/pan-africanism/feeling-mwalimu-nyerere-
intellectual-festival
_______(2017, February & March) Beyond protest to liberation music. Awaaz, Volume
13, Issue 3. Available on: https://awaazmagazine.com/volume-13-issue-3/cover-
story/item/836-beyond-protest-to-liberation-music
______(2016, November & December) Can religion be a force for social transformation?
New People
______(2015) Locating community Media as Platforms for community development.
JAHAZI (Vol 2 issue 1 2015)
______(2015, July) Situating East African Integration in the common struggles of the
people. Zinduka Digest