Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, the iconic Kenyan author, playwright, and scholar, has passed away at the age of 87.
His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, confirmed his death in a heartfelt Facebook post, revealing that he died on the morning of Wednesday, May 28. She encouraged Kenyans and admirers across the world to honour his memory by celebrating his life’s work and legacy, noting that he “lived a full life and fought a good fight.”
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was a towering figure in African literature, widely regarded as one of East Africa’s most influential novelists. Beginning his literary career writing in English, he later embraced his native Gikuyu and other indigenous languages as part of a broader mission to promote cultural pride and resist colonial legacies.
Throughout his career, Ngũgĩ’s writings tackled themes of colonialism, social justice, cultural identity, and the power of language. His body of work continues to inspire scholars, writers, and activists around the world.
