David Kakuta Mulwa

Biography

David Kakuta Mulwa is a celebrated Kenyan writer, playwright, theatre director, actor, and academic. A Rockefeller Foundation scholarship took him to UCLA, where he earned a master’s degree in theatre. Since the 1970s, he has been a central figure at Kenyatta University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, nurturing generations of theatre practitioners. Before joining Kenyatta University, Mulwa taught at Mukaa and Kangundo high schools, and later at Ohio University. His career spans decades of teaching and mentorship, covering acting, directing, playwriting, theatre history, and stagecraft, making him one of Kenya’s most influential voices in theatre and performance. A prolific playwright, Mulwa has authored numerous works including titles like Inheritance, Clean Hands, Redemption, Master and Servant, Daraja, Bahati’s Love Nest, and We Come in Peace. He has also performed in film and television, featuring in productions like Eyes of a Witness and Dangerous Affair. For his lifelong contributions to the arts, Mulwa has received lifetime achievement honors, including the Kalasha Award and Kenyatta University’s Hero’s Award.

Awards