A Kenyan professor of English believes a book by a New Zealand author will escape a ban in his country despite attacks from a government minister.
Associate Professor Evan Mwangi, who lives in Illinois, said The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, is the first novel by an gay author to be included as set reading in Kenya.
Homosexual intercourse is illegal in Kenya and Mr Mwangi said Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo has threatened to ban The Whale Rider, saying Kenya is not ready to have such a book in its curriculum.
But Mr Mwangi said Mr Kilonzo is just playing politics and he does not think the ban will go ahead.
