Rasna Warah

Rasna Warah (1962 – 11 January 2025) was a Kenyan writer, journalist and author whose work included UNsilenced: Unmasking the United Nations’ Culture of Cover-Ups, Corruption and Impunity, Yesterday it was Asians, today it is Somalis, Tomorrow it could be You, and War Crimes: how warlords, politicians, foreign governments and aid agencies conspired to create a failed state in Somalia.

Early life and education Warah was born in Nairobi in 1962, and went to a boarding school in Naini Tal in northern India.

Death Rasna Warah died of cancer on 11 January 2025 in Kenya.

In tributes following her death, Warah was widely praised for her incisive and principled writing, her sustained critique of political power and corruption, and her long-standing commitment to social justice issues, including feminism, environmental concerns, and economic inequality in Africa. She was also recognised for mentoring younger writers and for consistently using journalism and essay writing to amplify marginalised voices and promote public accountability.

Selected publications