Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the celebrated Kenyan author and scholar known for his unflinching critique of colonialism and his advocacy for African languages, has passed away at the age of 87. His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, confirmed his death on Facebook on Wednesday, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, this Wednesday morning.” She added, “He lived a full life, fought a good fight.”
The news of Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s death sent ripples across Kenya, Africa, and the global literary world. Widely regarded as one of East Africa’s greatest literary figures, Ngugi wa Thiong’o leaves behind a monumental legacy as a novelist, playwright, essayist, and fierce advocate for decolonization through language.
Born in 1938 in Kamiriithu, Kenya, Ngugi wa Thiong’o rose to prominence in the 1960s with novels such as Weep Not, Child and The River Between, which were among the first works by an East African writer to gain international acclaim. Early in his career, he wrote in English, but a pivotal shift came later in life when he chose to abandon English entirely and began writing exclusively in his native language, Kikuyu.
This decision, both literary and political, made Ngugi wa Thiong’o a symbol of cultural resistance. He argued that African writers must reclaim their indigenous languages from the colonial past to fully express their identity and truth. His groundbreaking 1986 essay collection, Decolonising the Mind, cemented his status as a leading intellectual voice in post-colonial theory.
Ngugi’s political engagement extended beyond the written word. In 1977, he co-wrote the play Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want), a searing critique of inequality and neocolonialism in post-independence Kenya. The play’s staging in a community theatre was seen as subversive by the government. As a result, Ngugi wa Thiong’o was arrested and imprisoned without trial at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience. Following international pressure and a global campaign for his release, he was freed in December 1978. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Amnesty International Kenya thanked him, stating: “Thank you Mwalimu (teacher) for your freedom writing. Having already earned his place in Kenyan history, he transitions from mortality to immortality.”
His incarceration only deepened his resolve. During his imprisonment, he famously wrote the novel Devil on the Cross on toilet paper, using it as an act of literary defiance.
In 1982, facing increasing hostility from the Kenyan government, Ngugi wa Thiong’o went into self-imposed exile. He first moved to Britain and later to the United States, where he continued to write, teach, and advocate for African languages and cultural autonomy.
While in exile, he continued producing influential works including Matigari and Wizard of the Crow. His writings were a clarion call for justice, democracy, and the power of indigenous knowledge systems.
Despite decades away from Kenya, Ngugi never severed ties with his homeland. His contributions to literature and education were recognized globally, earning him numerous honorary degrees and awards, including nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Tributes Pour In for Ngugi wa Thiong’o
Kenyan political leaders, activists, writers, and fans flooded social media with messages of mourning and gratitude. Martha Karua, a prominent opposition leader, wrote on X: “My condolences to the family and friends of Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o, a renowned literary giant and scholar, a son of the soil and great patriot whose footprints are indelible.”
Beyond accolades, the essence of Ngugi’s work lay in empowering the African spirit through language. He championed the importance of reclaiming African narratives and ensuring they were told in African tongues. His works remain widely read in literature courses around the world, and his intellectual influence continues to shape debates on language, identity, and liberation.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s death marks the end of an era, but his ideas remain vibrantly alive. He inspired generations of writers, thinkers, and activists who continue to challenge the colonial residues in African culture and education.
As Kenya and the world bid farewell to this literary titan, his legacy stands as a towering reminder of the power of words, the necessity of resistance, and the enduring spirit of cultural pride. Through every page he penned in Kikuyu and every idea he championed, Ngugi wa Thiong’o redefined what it means to be African—and what it means to be free.
