DEPORTEE

by WANJIKU GITAGIA

Kim’s pursuit of the American Dream does not go as he had planned. He is deported to Kenya in disgrace and returns home to a cruel mother, a hostile country and a hopeless life.

But nothing – and no one – is as they seem.

Clinging to an old family photograph, Kim reunites with his two friends to embark on an unexpected journey of discoveries. Everything he knows about his family is unravelled – appearances are shattered, lies are exposed, secrets that lay buried for years are brought to light.

Is Kim ready to face the shocking truth of who he really is?

234 pages, Paperback

Published February 10, 2026

Reviews

[Benta Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story had me staring page after page because of how beautiful the story was. I couldn't put it down. The characters were well written and the discoveries on what really happened in the past tying together with the present.

[Rahma Abdulfatah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to beginning with wow what a creative story really.I loved every about this book from the amazing unpredictable plot to the character my favourite kne was mothoni she was such a darling and brad too.Sandra's character was what Impressed just pure evil and vindictiveness

[whynnot]

What a plot twist.

Congrats with this first effort, friend. Looking forward to many more.

[Margaret Maina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deportee by Wanjiku Gitagia is a powerful and heartfelt debut that really stayed with me. The story explores identity, belonging, and what it means to start over, and it does so in a way that feels honest and relatable.
Kim’s journey is emotional and engaging, and I loved how the author unpacked family, friendship, and the reality behind the “American Dream.” Everything felt intentional, and by the end, the story came together so well no loose ends, just a satisfying and complete read.
You can truly feel the effort and passion poured into this book. Definitely one to add to your TBR

[Carpe Mori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deportee is one story that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last one and leave you wishing for more. It has a relatable plot with credible characters. The author seamlessly weaves a fast-paced present-day story together with flashbacks that give insight into a thrilling backstory. Full of twists and turns, the story will keep you on the edge until the last sentence. This is a great read; I recommend it.

[Rita Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Deportee...went in expecting brilliant writing and I was not disappointed!

The suspense in between, the bridge on how each chapter moved onto the next to finish the plot lines, I fell in love with the characters.

In simpleness, the universe conspired so effortlessly for each character to meet.

I love loved it so much🥹

My review was going to be longer but it will have spoilers so I'll just leave it at please get the book and read it❤️

[Nker · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Deportee had all the ingredients for a book I would enjoy. The plot was engaging, the characters felt believable, and the story kept me hooked from the first page to the last. I also love a good time-jump narrative, and the way the author weaves the present-day storyline together with flashbacks to gradually reveal the backstory was one of my favourite things about this book. There were enough twists and turns to keep me curious about what would happen next.

Unfortunately, the writing and editing really let this one down. The typos, the repetition, and the general lack of polish made it feel like the book hadn't been proofread at all. Which is frustrating because the story itself had so much potential!

I was invested in the plot, but the constant errors made it difficult to fully enjoy the reading experience. A thorough edit could have made a significant difference.

A good story buried under some very avoidable problems.

[Lulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a pleasant surprise. It's simple, layered and fast-paced. The writing is simple and funny, which makes it enjoyable to read.

I went in blindly and I loved every minute of it. It's one of those books you don't want to put down once you have started. The story is as the title suggests about a deportee, but it's so much more than that.