Kenya is in mourning following the death of legendary author and scholar Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, with President William Ruto leading the tributes to a man widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest literary minds.
In a deeply moving statement, President Ruto hailed Prof. Ngũgĩ as “a towering giant of Kenyan letters” whose work profoundly shaped the country’s intellectual and cultural landscape.
“I have learnt with sadness about the death of Kenya's beloved teacher, writer, playwright, and public intellectual, Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. The towering giant of Kenyan letters has put down his pen for the final time,” President Ruto said.
“Always courageous, he made an indelible impact on how we think about our independence, social justice, as well as the uses and abuses of political and economic power,” he added.
President Ruto praised Ngũgĩ’s patriotism and unwavering commitment to truth, describing his contributions as bold, creative, and impossible to ignore—whether by supporters or critics.
“His patriotism is undeniable, and even those who disagree with him will admit that Prof. Thiong'o's discourse always sprang forth from a deep and earnest quest for truth and understanding, devoid of malice, hatred or contempt,” said the President.
For decades, Ngũgĩ’s literary brilliance and fearless advocacy for decolonization made him a beacon of African self-determination. Through iconic works such as Weep Not, Child, A Grain of Wheat, Petals of Blood, and Decolonising the Mind, he not only told the African story but also redefined it—championing the use of African languages in literature and resisting cultural imperialism.
President Ruto noted the long-standing hope held by many Kenyans that Ngũgĩ would receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, a recognition he never officially received but was widely believed to deserve.
“Many Kenyans cannot remember a time when we were not united in the hope that Prof. Thiong’o would finally receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, which we all felt he more than deserved. Be that as it may, he will always remain the champion of literary emancipation and innovation in our hearts and minds,” the President said.
Condolences have poured in from across the political divide and the international literary community.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga called him “a giant African,” while Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said Ngũgĩ had “inspired countless authors and leaders across generations.” Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya described him as a fearless voice whose work helped reshape African identity.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reflected on the personal inspiration he drew from Ngũgĩ’s works, describing him as “a mentor, a teacher, a prolific writer, and a great political animal.”
Born in 1938, Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o began his writing career in English but later turned exclusively to his native Gikuyu, believing that true liberation for African people could only be achieved through cultural and linguistic self-ownership. His literary journey was marked by courage, exile, and an unrelenting commitment to intellectual freedom.
As Kenya comes to terms with the loss of one of its most iconic figures, President Ruto extended his condolences to the family of the late professor, the literary community, and all Kenyans who have been inspired by his life and work.
“May his family find peace and comfort in this period of mourning, and may Prof. Thiong’o rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, 1938–2025: A Literary Giant Whose Words Will Echo Through the Ages.
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