KENYA: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, one of Africa’s most influential literary figures, has died. The news was shared by his daughter, fellow writer Wanjiku wa Ngugi, in a heartfelt Facebook post on Wednesday morning.
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our father, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, this Wednesday morning, May 28, 2025, she wrote. He lived a full life and fought the good fight. As per his final wishes, let us celebrate his life and legacy. Rîa ratha na rîa thŭa. Tŭrî aira!
She added that the family’s spokesperson, Nducu wa Ngugi, would soon release details regarding his celebration of life.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was born on January 5, 1938, in colonial-era Kenya. His upbringing during a time of major political and social upheaval profoundly shaped his voice as a writer and activist.
Celebrated across the globe, Ngũgĩ was a towering figure in African literature. His body of work, spanning novels, plays, essays, and memoirs, explored themes such as colonial legacy, cultural identity, social justice, and political resistance.one of his early publication
His debut novel, Weep Not, Child (1964), was among the first English-language novels published by a Kenyan. Other acclaimed works include The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967), Petals of Blood (1977), and Devil on the Cross (1980). the latter written in his native Kikuyu as a political statement against linguistic colonialism.
In 1977, Ngũgĩ was imprisoned without trial by the Kenyan government due to his outspoken political stance. Following his release, he went into self-imposed exile and continued his literary and academic work abroad.
Throughout his career, he taught at prestigious institutions including Yale University and the University of California, Irvine, where he served as a professor of English and Comparative Literature.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o leaves behind a powerful legacy of literature, activism, and cultural pride that will inspire generations to come.
