Binyavanga Wainaina Quotes & Sayings

“Every human being has a bit of gangster in him.”

“I believe in, and will to the best of my ability fight for, equal rights and freedom of opinion for everyone, regardless of colour, religion, nationality, orientation - you know the rest.”

“I like the idea of readers feeling a familiarity, whether it's with Africa or childhood.”

“There is no country in the world with the diversity, confidence and talent and black pride like Nigeria.”

“I'm extremely optimistic about rapid transformation and change of things in Africa in general.”

“I, Binyavanga Wainaina, quite honestly swear I have known I am a homosexual since I was five.”

“In kindergarten, we had this Irish Catholic headmistress called Sister Leonie, and I remember she would tell us, say, to put the crayons in the box. I remember thinking, 'Why is everyone finding this so easy? Why should the crayons be in the box?'”

“All people have dignity. There's nobody who was born without a soul and a spirit.”

“People reach an age... where somebody else's platform is no longer yours.”

“I am quite excited that Moi is leaving. Kenyans have changed. We have a free press, and it is no longer a situation of 'follow in my footsteps.'”