Renowned Kenyan Author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o Dies at 87

 

It is with profound sorrow that the family of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, the towering Kenyan novelist, playwright, and intellectual, announced his passing on the morning of Wednesday, May 28, 2025. He was 87 years old.

In a heartfelt statement shared by his children — Njoki wa Ngugi, Ngina Kiarie, Tee Ngugi, Kay Ngugi, and Björn — the family wrote: “He lived a full life, fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let's celebrate his life and his work. Rîa ratha na rîa thŭa. Tŭrî aira!” (A Kikuyu expression meaning: “Let it be a song of joy, not sorrow. We are the seeds!”)

The family also announced that Nducu wa Ngugi, the family’s spokesperson, will soon share details regarding the celebration of Ngũgĩ’s life.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, born James Ngugi in 1937 in Kamĩrĩthũ, Kenya, was a seminal figure in African literature. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he authored iconic works such as Weep Not, Child, The River Between, Petals of Blood, and the revolutionary Decolonising the Mind. He was a fierce advocate for linguistic and cultural decolonization and made the bold move in the late 1970s to write exclusively in his native Kikuyu and other African languages.

Jailed in 1977 for his political play Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want), Ngũgĩ emerged as a global symbol of resistance, human rights, and intellectual courage. His work—deeply rooted in the struggle against colonialism and authoritarianism—resonated across continents and generations.

In addition to his literary contributions, Ngũgĩ was a professor of literature and a passionate educator, holding teaching positions at institutions such as the University of Nairobi, Yale, and the University of California, Irvine.

Tributes have begun to pour in from across the world, recognizing Ngũgĩ not only as a literary icon but as a visionary who reshaped African letters and global thought. He leaves behind a legacy of uncompromising integrity, scholarly brilliance, and cultural pride.

As Africa and the world bid farewell to one of its greatest literary minds, the call from his children echoes loud: this is a time to celebrate, not mourn — to lift his name high and carry his work forward.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, you planted words like seeds. May they continue to bloom for generations. 

May 29, 2025