Jambo,
I’m Muthoni Thang’wa, an award-winning author and storyteller with a deep love for Africa’s cultures, landscapes, and languages.
I’m an anthropologist by training, and a writer by talent and choice, a path that allows me to honour both rigorous inquiry and creative expression.
I write about culture and heritage, travel, and education, blending insight with authenticity.
My children’s book, ABC on Safari, won the Penmanship Award in 2025. It was born from a need to reclaim how Kenyan children learn the alphabet. For too long, “A was for apple” and “S for snow” — things far removed from our everyday lives. I wanted to make learning feel familiar, warm, and rooted in home. I continue to write for children with the same passion that drives my adult work.
When I’m not writing — my first passion and constant purpose — I’m doing some heavy lifting in the Museums, Heritage, Culture, and Arts sector. I’ve consulted for leading global institutions such as UNESCO-Germany, ICCROM, DAAD and the National Museums of Kenya.
I also serve as the spokesperson for National Museums of Kenya at the International Council of Museums (ICOM), a role that places me at the heart of global conversations on heritage, ethics, and restitution.
I’m also a caregiver to a parent living with dementia, a deeply personal journey that has taught me patience, grace, and resilience. And I have a green hand — tending to potted plants and fruit trees brings me joy, clarity, and grounding.
Above all, I believe that stories should be told by those who’ve lived them — and that’s what I bring to every page I write.
It’s that time – pour a cup, stir up some curiosity and settle in for good conversation
Muthoni Thangwa 