Renowned Kenyan Author Ngugi wa Thiong’o Passes Away at 87
The literary world is mourning the loss of a giant, as Ngugi wa Thiong’o, one of Africa’s most celebrated authors, has passed away at the age of 87. The news was confirmed by his family, who announced that he died on Thursday night in the United States after a long illness. Ngugi’s daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, took to Facebook to share the sad news, saying, "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad… He lived a full life, fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work."
Born on January 5, 1938, in Kenya, Ngugi wa Thiong’o was a trailblazing author, playwright, essayist, and academic who left an indelible mark on African literature and political thought. He began his career writing in English but later shifted to his native Gikuyu language, becoming a pioneering advocate for linguistic decolonization in African literature. This bold move not only reflected his commitment to his cultural heritage but also paved the way for future generations of African writers to express themselves in their native languages.
Ngugi’s literary legacy is nothing short of remarkable. He was the founder and editor of the Gikuyu-language journal Mũtĩiri, and his short story "The Upright Revolution: Or Why Humans Walk Upright" has been translated into over 100 languages. His radical approach to community theatre, exemplified by the play "Ngaahika Ndeenda," was met with state repression in 1977, leading to his imprisonment for over a year. During that time, he wrote his novel "Devil on the Cross" on toilet paper, a testament to his unwavering dedication to his craft. Recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience, Ngugi went into exile upon his release and continued to write and teach at prestigious institutions, including Northwestern University, Yale, and the University of California, Irvine.
Throughout his career, Ngugi was frequently mentioned as a frontrunner for the Nobel Prize in Literature, and he received numerous accolades, including the 2001 International Nonino Prize and the 2016 Park Kyong-ni Prize. He leaves behind a family of writers, including his children Mukoma wa Ngugi and Wanjiku wa Ngugi, and a legacy that will continue to inspire and influence generations of writers and readers around the world. As we celebrate his life and work, we remember Ngugi wa Thiong’o as a true giant of African literature, a champion of linguistic diversity, and a powerful voice for social justice. His passing is a loss felt deeply by the literary community, but his impact will be felt for years to come.
