The Department of Literature recently held a colourful day to honour the life and writings of Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, a former lecturer and Head of Department, and one the most celebrated writers and thinkers from Africa. In collaboration with the East African Educational Publishers, the company that circulated Ngugi's works worldwide, the Department showcased Ngugi's novels, short stories and essays, and convened panel discussions on his works and ideas.

The 20th Triennial Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies Conference 2025 was hosted by the Department of Literature, University of Nairobi, from 1st to 5th July, 2025. The conference, whose theme was "Transcultural Englishes in a Multipolar World", attracted world renowned keynote speakers.

The Department of Literature played host to the 50th African Literature Association Conference, from 25th to 28th June, 2025. The hugely successful conference brought together scholars from all over the world to confer on various subjects under the broad theme of "Ecologies of Transition: Spaces and Mobilities in African Literatures and Cultures."

Keynote speakers at the conference include Kenyan novelist and academic, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, who spoke on "Re-Worlding Africa: Imagination, Time and the Craft of the Futures," and award-winning film maker Wanuri Kahiu.