Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, the celebrated Kenyan novelist, scholar, and activist whose works reshaped African literature and championed cultural resistance, has died at the age of 87.
His family confirmed his passing on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, with a heartfelt statement celebrating his extraordinary life and legacy.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o,” his daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, shared in a Facebook post.
Quoting a Gikuyu phrase, she added, “Rĩu ratha na rĩu thũa. Tũrĩ aira!”—loosely translating to “With joy and sorrow. We are proud.”
The family urged the public to honor Ngũgĩ’s wish to celebrate his life and work, with details of memorial services to be announced soon by spokesperson Nducu Wa Ngugi.
Born in 1937 in Kamiriithu, Limuru, Ngũgĩ emerged as a literary giant whose novels, including A Grain of Wheat, Petals of Blood, and Devil on the Cross, captured Kenya’s struggle for independence and its postcolonial challenges.
His commitment to writing in his native Gikuyu language, a radical act against colonial legacies, redefined African storytelling.
His 1977 play Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want), performed in Gikuyu, provoked the Moi regime, leading to his detention without trial.
This pivotal moment spurred Ngũgĩ to abandon English for Gikuyu in his creative works, later translating them for global audiences.
Ngũgĩ’s activism extended beyond the page.
A fierce critic of neocolonialism and injustice, he spent decades in exile, teaching at prestigious institutions like Yale and the University of California, Irvine, while remaining deeply connected to Kenya through his writings and advocacy.
His works, blending sharp political critique with rich storytelling, inspired generations of writers and activists worldwide.
Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with readers and scholars lauding Ngũgĩ’s literary brilliance and unwavering commitment to truth.
Survived by his children and grandchildren—many of whom are writers and activists—Ngũgĩ leaves behind a legacy that resonates in the power of words, culture, and resistance.
As Kenya and the world mourn, Ngũgĩ’s life is celebrated not in silence but through the enduring vibrancy of his stories and songs.
