We Are Not Mentally Ill: Deconstructing the Mad Genius Trope in Literature
We Are Not Mentally Ill: Deconstructing the Mad Genius Trope in Literature was the topic of the 51st Inaugural Lecture that was delivered on Friday, March 28, 2025 at the University’s Taifa Hall by Prof. Peter Wasamba.
The Lecture that saw Prof. Wasamba transition from Associate Professor to Full Professor brought together scholars, students, and mental health advocates to explore the link between creativity and psychological well-being.
Professor Wasamba challenged the long-standing stereotype that mental illness is a prerequisite for artistic brilliance. He emphasized that literature is a powerful tool for education, entertainment, and social discourse, fostering empathy and critical thinking. Quoting Leon Trotsky, he stated, “Literature remains the only embodiment of hope in repressive and dehumanizing situations.”
Referencing historical and modern perspectives, the discussion highlighted how thinkers like Plato and Aristotle once associated genius with madness. However, contemporary psychiatry and neuroscience disprove this idea, showing that creativity is not inherently tied to mental illness. The speaker cited literary icons such as Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Margaret Ogola, and Grace Ogot, who have achieved success without documented mental health struggles.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by figures like Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf, the lecture emphasized that mental illness is not exclusive to artists. Even renowned scientists like Isaac Newton and Alan Turing experienced psychological distress, proving that mental health concerns transcend professions. Professor Wasamba clarified, “Mental illness is impairment, emotion, and behavior evidenced by bipolar disorder and psychosis, which disrupt an individual's ability to see reality accurately.”
The lecture urged society to stop romanticizing mental illness as a source of creativity. Instead, it called for recognizing artists for their talent and dedication while promoting mental wellness in creative spaces. As Professor Wasamba put it, “Madness is metaphorical—creativity should not be mistaken for insanity.” He concluded with a powerful message: “We are not mad. We are just misunderstood.”
While welcoming the guests at the Inaugural Lecture, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Ayub Gitau, gave a breakdown of all the Inaugural Lectures delivered by Faculty and also outlined the Institutional procedure of how a Professor can go about planning and delivering of their Inaugural Lecture.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences- 16
Faculty of Built Environment and Design - 2
Faculty of Health Sciences -11
Faculty of Science and Technology -7
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – 3
On her part, The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hutchinson, Congratulated Prof. Peter Wasamba on this milestone and noted that such rigorous discourse fosters engagement and contributes to the societal and academic dialogue. She read Prof. Wasamba’s citation
‘In 1989, Prof. Wasamba retook the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) examinations at the Armed Forces School of Higher Education (AFSHE) at Langata Barracks. His hard work paid off, and he achieved excellent results, that earned him a government scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Nairobi. At the time, the government scholarship was not just a ticket to university admission; it was also a mandatory requirement for young soldiers desiring to be discharged from military service before their initial service contracts ended.
When he requested early retirement from the service to pursue university education, he was offered an opportunity to become a commissioned military officer if he forwent his university studies. However, he respectfully declined the offer, prioritizing his commitment to higher education over the prestigious Army Commission. Although he initially aspired to study law, the University of Nairobi offered him the Bachelor of Arts course, which he accepted with grace…’
‘Fortunately, he was one of the top students in the 1993 Literature class, which earned him a scholarship of merit to pursue a Master of Literature course at the University of Nairobi in September 1996. He completed his postgraduate course in record time and graduated in December 1998. Upon completing his postgraduate Literature programme, He began his professional career at his alma mater as a proofreader at the College of Education and External Studies, a campus of the University of Nairobi located in Thogoto, near Kikuyu Town. Eager to complete his academic journey, he registered for his PhD in Literature course in 1999. The University of Nairobi employed him as a Lecturer of Literature in the Department of Linguistics and Literature in 2000. His commitment to academic excellence culminated in his Ph.D. in Literature award in December 2002. He steadily climbed the educational ladder, attaining the positions of Senior Lecturer in 2006, Associate Professor in 2010, and Professor of African Literature in 2016. ‘
The University of Nairobi remains committed to fostering critical discussions on literature, psychology, and societal well-being. This lecture reinforced the importance of supporting creatives and encouraging open conversations about mental health.ersations about mental health.
