Despite the scorching sun, a dark cloud hangs over the heads of the literato within East Africa and beyond. The unexpected passing of celebrated playwright and novelist Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o has dealt a heavy blow to the academic and literary world. The distinguished author, who had been battling kidney failure, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his family in a post shared on social media by his daughter, Mukoma wa Ngugi:
“It tears my heart to say that my father Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o passed away earlier today. I am me because of him in so many ways—as his child, scholar, and writer. I love him. I am not sure what tomorrow will bring without him here. I think that is all I have to say for now.”
Born into a generation that witnessed the atrocities of colonialism firsthand, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o wielded his pen as a weapon against the forces that sought to erase identity, culture, and history. Through his prose and plays, Wa Thiong’o challenged the colonial mindset that deemed all things Western as inherently superior.
Ngũgĩ remains one of the most influential voices from a generation of writers who emerged as a counter to the colonial portrayal of Africa as a dark, cultureless continent. His literary works like: Weep Not, Child, Petals of Blood, and The River Between, among others, served not only as powerful critiques of oppressive regimes but also as compelling defenses of African heritage and self-worth.
A staunch believer in the inseparability of language and identity, Ngũgĩ made the radical choice to write exclusively in his mother tongue, Gikuyu, later in his career. This decision was a bold testament to his belief in the richness of African languages and the need to decolonize African minds through literature.
As the world mourns the loss of a literary titan, his voice will continue to resonate in classrooms, libraries, and the hearts of readers around the globe. His legacy lives on as a new generation of African writers rises, inspired by his courage and commitment to telling African stories in their own voices.
