Renowned Kenyan writer and literary giant Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o has passed away at the age of 87, the family says; he had health issues, including kidney problems.
The news of his passing was conveyed by his daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, who said that the legendary writer died on the morning of Wednesday, May 28.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, this Wednesday morning, 28th May 2025. He lived a full life, fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work,” read part of Wanjiku’s post on Facebook.
President William Ruto joined Kenyans in mourning Thiong’o, praising him for his courageous nature in calling out injustices and being a fearless voice for decolonization.
“I have learnt with sadness about the death of Kenya’s beloved teacher, writer, playwright, and public intellectual, Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o. The towering giant of Kenyan letters has put down his pen for the final time. Always courageous, he made an indelible impact on how we think about our independence, social justice, as well as the uses and abuses of political and economic power,” President Ruto wrote on his socials.
Other leaders have also penned their messages of condolence, describing him as a mentor, a teacher, and a prolific writer who championed Africa’s independence through his work. Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, wrote, “Prof. Ngũgĩ was not confined by the ordinary constraints of storytelling. He bore the soul of a continent and the cry of its people within every line he penned. His writings were acts of defiance, declarations of dignity, and hymns of remembrance.”
Ngugi wa Thiong’o was born on January 5, 1938, and was described as East Africa’s leading novelist. He started writing in English before switching to write primarily in the Gikuyu language, becoming a strong advocate for literature written in native African languages.
Some of his notable works include Weep Not, Child, The River Between, Petals of Blood, Devil on the Cross, Dreams in a Time of War, In the House of the Interpreter, among others.
