Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o, thought-about one in every of east Africa’s biggest literary figures, died on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), his daughter introduced on Facebook. He was 87.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngugi wa Thiong’o this Wednesday (May 28, 2025) morning,” wrote Wanjiku Wa Ngugi.
Also learn: Decolonising the thoughts
“He lived a full life, fought a good fight,” she added.
Messages of help and respect shortly poured in for the celebrated author, whose resolution to cease writing in English and begin utilizing solely his native Kikuyu made him a robust image of post-colonial African id.
“My condolences to the family and friends professor Ngugi wa Thiongo, a renowned literary giant and scholar, a son of the soil and great patriot whose footprints are indelible,” wrote Martha Karua, an opposition chief in Kenya, on X.
In 1977, Ngugi was jailed with out cost after the staging of their play “Ngaahika Ndeenda” (“I Will Marry When I Want”), which was thought-about a harsh critique of post-colonial Kenyan society.
Amnesty International named him a prisoner of conscience, earlier than a world marketing campaign secured his launch from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in December 1978.
“Thank you Mwalimu (teacher) for your freedom writing,” wrote Amnesty International’s Kenya department on X on Wednesday (May 28, 2025).
“Having already earned his place in Kenyan history, he transitions from mortality to immortality,” it stated.
Ngugi went into self-imposed exile in 1982 after a ban on theatre teams in Kenya, shifting first to Britain then to the United States.
In 1986, he revealed one in every of his best-known works, “Decolonising the Mind”, a group of essays concerning the function of language in forging nationwide tradition, historical past and id.
Published – May 29, 2025 02:01 am IST
