The literary world mourns the loss of Kenyan trailblazer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who died at 87, leaving behind a powerful legacy that reshaped African storytelling. His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, announced his passing on Facebook Wednesday, honoring a life dedicated to giving voice to the oppressed and challenging colonial narratives.
She said, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o this Wednesday morning, 28th May 2025. He lived a full life, and fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and work. Rîa ratha na rîa thŭa. Tŭrî aira!
“The family’s spokesperson Nducu Wa Ngugi will announce details of his celebration of life soon.”
Born as James Thiong’o Ngũgĩ in 1938 under British colonial rule, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o emerged from the modest town of Limuru, raised in a large family of subsistence farmers. His early life, shaped by struggle and the stirrings of independence, would later echo throughout his powerful body of work.
Ngũgĩ’s writings charted the seismic journey of Kenya—from a nation shackled by colonial domination to one grappling with the promises and pitfalls of self-rule. Fierce in his convictions, he became a fearless critic of political repression, a stance that led to his arrest and detention without trial in 1977.
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Unbowed by imprisonment, Ngũgĩ later went into voluntary exile, continuing his mission from abroad. Through his essays, novels, and lectures, he remained a tireless advocate for linguistic decolonization, cultural identity, and political freedom—cementing his place as a towering figure in African literature.
Ngugi’s literary works are:
Weep Not, Child (1964) — the first English-language novel by a Kenyan author.
The River Between (1965) — a tale of tradition versus change.
A Grain of Wheat (1967) — a powerful novel set during Kenya’s independence movement.
Petals of Blood (1977) — a fierce critique of corruption in post-independence Kenya.
Devil on the Cross (1980) — originally written in Kikuyu as a political act of resistance.