Thu May 29 06:08:02 UTC 2025: ## Renowned Kenyan Writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o Dies at 87

**NAIROBI, Kenya** – Celebrated Kenyan author and postcolonial literary giant Ngugi wa Thiong’o has passed away at the age of 87, his family announced Wednesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngugi wa Thiong’o,” his daughter, Wanjiku Wa Ngugi, shared on social media, adding, “He lived a full life, fought a good fight.”

While the immediate cause of death is unknown, Ngugi was reportedly receiving kidney dialysis treatments.

Born in 1938, Ngugi rose to prominence as a critical voice examining both British colonialism in Kenya and the complexities of post-independence Kenyan society. His work delved into themes of language, culture, history, and identity, particularly through the lens of the Mau Mau war and its impact on Kenyan society.

Ngugi made waves in the 1970s by abandoning English and embracing Kikuyu and Swahili as his primary languages for writing. This controversial decision, viewed by some as “mad” but also “brave,” solidified his commitment to decolonizing African literature. His influential book, “Decolonising the Mind” (1986), argued that true liberation is impossible while using the language of oppressors.

Beyond his literary achievements, Ngugi was a champion for social justice. He was imprisoned in 1977 for staging a play critical of the government, and later went into self-imposed exile in the UK in 1982 following a ban on theatre groups. He eventually relocated to the United States, where he taught comparative literature at the University of California, Irvine, while continuing to write and publish.

News of Ngugi’s death has been met with widespread grief and tributes. Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua described him as “a renowned literary giant and scholar, a son of the soil and great patriot whose footprints are indelible.” Amnesty International Kenya lauded him as a “freedom writer” who had earned his place in Kenyan history.

Sociologist Margaretta wa Gacheru, a former student of Ngugi, likened him to a “Kenyan Tolstoy” for his panoramic view of society, his masterful storytelling, and his deep understanding of class struggles.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o leaves behind a legacy as one of Africa’s most influential writers and a powerful voice for social and linguistic liberation.

Read More