Veteran Kenyan actor, playwright, director, and educator David Kakuta Mulwa has passed away at the age of 80. He died on Friday, December 5, 2025, in a Nairobi hospital after suffering a second cardiac arrest during treatment for complications from a prolonged illness. His death marks the loss of one of Kenya’s most influential voices in theatre, literature, and cultural education.

From Mukaa to the National Stage: Mulwa’s Life and Legacy

David Mulwa was born on April 9, 1945, in Mukaa, Machakos County. He studied at the University of Nairobi before earning a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Theatre Arts at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Teaching Career
Mulwa began his career teaching at Mukaa High School and Kangundo High School between 1968 and 1970, before working as a teaching assistant at Ohio University. In 1974, he joined Kenyatta University, where he taught for over 30 years, mentoring generations of actors, directors, and writers who have gone on to shape Kenya’s creative industry.

Theatre, Film, and Writing
A prolific playwright, Mulwa authored numerous plays and books that remain central to Kenya’s theatrical canon. His notable works include Inheritance, Clean Hands, Redemption, Master and Servant, Daraja, Crocodile’s Jaw, We Come in Peace, Flee, and Mama Flee. His plays explored themes of power, identity, and morality, reflecting the social and cultural evolution of post-colonial Kenya.

Mulwa was also a familiar presence on stage and screen, appearing in theatre productions, television, and films such as Dangerous Affair, earning admiration across generations.

Mentorship and Cultural Leadership
Beyond his creative work, Mulwa played a key role in nurturing young talent. Since 1978, he served as an adjudicator for the Kenya Drama Festivals, guiding students across schools and colleges. He also contributed to national cultural policy through his work on the Kenya Cultural Centre Committee, helping support and sustain the country’s performing arts sector.

Honours and Recognition
Throughout his life, Mulwa received numerous accolades, including a Hero’s Award from Kenyatta University and lifetime achievement awards such as the Kalasha Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award — a testament to his enduring influence on Kenyan arts.

Having celebrated his 80th birthday in April 2025, Mulwa leaves behind a legacy of creativity, mentorship, and cultural leadership. His plays, teachings, and guidance have shaped the very fabric of Kenya’s contemporary theatre scene.

As the nation mourns, the question lingers: can Kenya ever see another artist as multifaceted as Mulwa — a writer, actor, director, teacher, and mentor all in one? Though the stage is dimmer without him, his work and the countless lives he inspired remain an indelible part of the country’s cultural heritage.