Omotayo Adigun
Renowned Kenyan author and intellectual, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, has passed away at the age of 87. His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, confirmed his death in a heartfelt Facebook post on Wednesday morning, May 28, 2025.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o,” she wrote. “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 acclaimed writer, scholar, and political activist was one of Africa’s most celebrated literary figures, leaving behind a legacy that helped define post-colonial literature on the continent. He was known not only for his groundbreaking novels and essays, but also for his fierce advocacy for language decolonization, cultural identity, and political justice.
Ngũgĩ, born James Thiong’o Ngũgĩ in 1938 during British colonial rule, grew up in the central Kenyan town of Limuru. His upbringing in a family of agricultural workers shaped his deep understanding of grassroots struggles, which would later feature prominently in his writing.
His literary journey began with Weep Not, Child (1964), the first English-language novel published by a Kenyan author. He went on to write acclaimed works such as The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967), Petals of Blood(1977), and Devil on the Cross (1980) — the latter originally written in Kikuyu, marking a radical shift in his commitment to African languages and identity.
Ngũgĩ’s political activism was not without consequence. In 1977, he was imprisoned without trial following the production of his politically charged play Ngaahika Ndeenda (“I Will Marry When I Want”). Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience, and a global campaign eventually led to his release from Kenya’s Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in 1978.
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Following increasing government censorship, Ngũgĩ went into self-imposed exile in 1982, living in the United Kingdom before settling in the United States, where he continued his academic and literary work. One of his most influential texts, Decolonising the Mind (1986), became a seminal reference in post-colonial studies for its critique of linguistic imperialism and the use of indigenous languages as a tool for reclaiming identity.
Tributes have poured in from across the globe. Kenyan politician Martha Karua described him as “a literary giant and patriot whose footprints are indelible.”
Amnesty International Kenya added:
“Thank you, Mwalimu, for your freedom writing. Having already earned his place in Kenyan history, he transitions from mortality to immortality.”
Ngũgĩ’s family announced that a formal celebration of his life will be shared in the coming days by family spokesperson Nducu wa Ngugi.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his words, ideals, and fight for cultural sovereignty will continue to inspire generations to come.