Family, friends, and admirers around the world are mourning the passing of celebrated Kenyan author and scholar Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who died on Wednesday in the United States at the age of 87.
The family confirmed his death in a statement issued on Wednesday morning. His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ, shared a heartfelt message on Facebook:
“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, fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work. Rîa ratha na rîa thŭa. Tŭrî aira!”
Tributes have been pouring in from across Kenya and beyond, with national leaders, writers, and public figures honoring Ngũgĩ’s legacy as a literary giant who gave voice to the postcolonial African experience.
President William Ruto described him as “a towering giant of Kenyan letters”, noting his unwavering courage and intellectual impact.
“He made an indelible mark on how we think about independence, social justice, and the exercise and abuse of political and economic power. In his bold and creative career, Prof. Ngũgĩ showed us how to speak truth in ways that both supporters and opponents could not ignore.”
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also mourned his passing, calling it “the fall of a continental giant.”
“A giant African has fallen. Rest in eternal peace, author Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o,” he wrote in a tribute.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi praised Ngũgĩ as “one of the most distinguished literary minds to ever emerge from the region.”
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, widely regarded as Kenya’s greatest writer and one of Africa’s most influential literary figures, leaves behind a monumental legacy of fiction, drama, and critical theory, much of it centered on language, decolonization, and cultural identity. His works, including Weep Not, Child, The River Between, and Decolonising the Mind, are celebrated globally and have been translated into dozens of languages.
Further details on memorial plans and official tributes are expected from the family and the Kenyan government in the coming days.
COMMENTS