Mukoma wa Ngugi Opens Up About Estranged Relationship with Father Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

 

By Ruth Sang 

In a poignant interview with NTV, Mukoma wa Ngugi, the son of renowned Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, revealed the deep emotional rift that existed between him and his father prior to the literary icon’s passing on May 28, 2025. 

Mukoma disclosed that he had been estranged from his father for several years and only learned of Ngũgĩ’s deteriorating health shortly before his death.  “I wouldn’t have known he’s dying; I would have known through social media, except for one brother who told me, ‘Hey, things are getting really bad now,’” Mukoma said, expressing the difficulty of learning about his father's condition through indirect means. 

The estrangement stemmed from allegations Mukoma made in March 2024, accusing Ngũgĩ of physically abusing his mother, Nyambura wa Ngugi.  Mukoma recounted his memories of visiting his mother at his grandmother’s house, where she sought refuge from the alleged abuse.  He shared on social media, “My father @NgugiWaThiongo physically abused my late mother – he would beat her up. Some of my earliest memories are of me going to visit her at my grandmother’s where she would seek refuge. But with that said, it is the silencing of who she was that gets me. Ok- I’ve said it.”  

This revelation sparked a national conversation about gender-based violence and the culture of silence surrounding such issues.  Mukoma expressed his intention to shed light on the abuse his mother endured, stating, “I love my father, but I am here now for my late mother.”  

Adding to the family's turmoil, Mukoma revealed that he was not informed about his father's cremation until after the fact, a decision that ignited further family disputes.  “I didn’t know he had gotten cremated. It started a whole family feud,” he said. 

Despite the pain and division, Mukoma emphasized that he had no regrets about speaking out.  He stated, “For me, I told the truth. My conscience is clean. There’s nothing but… in a way, he brought me up to be a truth-teller as best as I can.” 

Reflecting on the years of silence, Mukoma admitted, “The silence in those final years was painful. But not without cause.”  Yet, he concluded with a message of enduring love: “How does he make me feel? I don’t know. All I can say is I love him. In spite of that… I just love him. He’s my father.” 

Mukoma’s candid revelations have opened a broader dialogue about the complexities of family dynamics, the legacies of public figures, and the importance of addressing uncomfortable truths. 

June 07, 2025