Who Was Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the Iconic African Writer Who Just Passed Away?

In Kenya—and across Africa and beyond—the name Ngugi wa Thiong’o has long stood as a pillar of literary brilliance, cultural pride, and political resistance. The legendary writer passed away on May 28, 2025, in Buford, Georgia, United States, after a long battle with cancer. He was 87.

A Life Rooted in Words and Resistance

Ngugi wa Thiong’o was born on January 5, 1938, in Kamiriithu, Kenya. He was the fifth child of his father's third wife, in a polygamous family of four wives. He attended primary school run by Presbyterian missionaries, later joining the prestigious Alliance High School, which was an English-language institution during British colonial rule.

Ngugi married twice and fathered nine children in total. His legally recognized wife was Njeeri wa Ngugi, whom he met while in exile in the United States. They later worked together at the University of California. Among his children, several followed in his footsteps as writers, including Tee Ngugi, Mukoma wa Ngugi, Nducu wa Ngugi, and Wanjiku wa Ngugi.

From Colonial Kenya to Literary Fame

In 1962, as anti-colonial voices were rising in Kenya, Ngugi left for Uganda to study at Makerere University—then the only university in East Africa and heavily influenced by the University of London. That same year, he wrote his first and widely acclaimed novel, “Weep Not, Child”, just before Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule.

Upon returning to Kenya, Ngugi worked as a journalist for the Kenyan newspaper The Nation, during which he wrote “The River Between” (published in 1964). He later pursued further studies at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, where he wrote “A Grain of Wheat” (1965), a novel that cemented his international reputation, as noted by sources such as Wikipedia.

By 1967, Ngugi was teaching literature in both Kenya and Uganda. In 1971, he released “Homecoming”, a collection of essays, followed by “Petals of Blood” in 1977—a bold critique of post-independence corruption and inequality.

From Theater to Prison

Ngugi also wrote for the stage, including “The Trial of Dedan Kimathi” (1976) and “Ngaahika Ndeenda” (1977), which translates to “I Will Marry When I Want.” His activism through theater led to his arrest in December 1977, spending a year in prison without trial. During his imprisonment, he intensified his political writing, penning the novel “Caithani Mũtharaba-Inĩ” (“Devil on the Cross”) in his native Kikuyu language—marking his permanent shift from writing in English to indigenous African languages.

Ngugi’s political stance put him at odds with the regime of President Daniel Arap Moi, and in 1982, he fled Kenya for fear of further persecution. He first went into exile in the United Kingdom, then later relocated to the United States.

A Voice for Africa from Abroad

In the U.S., Ngugi became a professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine, after teaching at other top institutions including Northwestern University, Yale University, and New York University.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o leaves behind a towering legacy in African literature. He redefined the African novel, championed the use of indigenous languages in literary expression, and used his pen as a weapon against injustice. His death marks the end of an era—but his words and ideas will continue to inspire generations to come.

NSENGIMANA Donatien