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Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, a literary giant’s legacy

National
Grace Githinji
Author: Grace Githinji
1 min.read

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, one of Africa’s most celebrated writers, passed away on May 28, 2025, at 87. His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations.

Born James Ngugi on January 5, 1938, in Kamiriithu, Limuru, Kiambu County, he experienced the harsh realities of British colonial rule. The Mau Mau Uprising deeply affected his family. His brother died, and his mother endured torture. These experiences shaped his worldview and influenced his writing.

Ngũgĩ studied at Alliance High School before joining Makerere University in Uganda. There, he wrote Weep Not, Child (1964), the first major English-language novel by an East African writer.

His novels explored colonialism, oppression, and resistance. The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967), and Petals of Blood (1977) criticized colonial rule and post-independence corruption. His decision to write in Gikuyu, his native language, challenged cultural imperialism.

In 1977, Ngũgĩ co-wrote Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want), which condemned Kenya’s ruling elite. The government responded by arresting and detaining him without trial. While in prison, he wrote Devil on the Cross on toilet paper, demonstrating his dedication to literature and activism.

After his release, continued persecution forced him into exile in the United States. He taught at Yale, New York University, and the University of California, Irvine, becoming a Distinguished Professor. His book Decolonising the Mind (1986) became a key text in postcolonial studies.

Ngũgĩ’s last novel, Kenda Muiyuru (Perfect Nine), a Gikuyu epic, was longlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize.

His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, announced his passing, saying he “lived a full life and fought a good fight.” President William Ruto mourned him as a “towering giant of Kenyan letters.” His influence stretched across continents, languages, and generations, making him a champion of literary emancipation.

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Grace Githinji
Grace Githinji

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