Kenya and world mourn literary icon Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, champion of African languages

Kenya is mourning the death of renowned and award-winning author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who died on Wednesday in the United States at the age of 87.

The literary giant, celebrated globally for his uncompromising stance on language, culture, and post-colonial identity, died peacefully, according to a statement shared by his family.

His daughter, Wanjikũ wa Ngũgĩ, confirmed the passing through a public message, describing him as a man who “lived a full life” and asked Kenyans and the global literary community to celebrate his life and work.

His son, Mukoma wa Ngũgĩ, a writer and an academic, expressed his grief on social media, noting that he owed much of his personal and professional identity to his father.

“I love him. I am not sure what tomorrow will bring without him here,” he said.

Flood of tributes

Ngũgĩ’s death has drawn a flood of tributes from across the political and literary spectrum, with many describing him as a fearless thinker whose work transcended the written word and stirred generations into self-awareness.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula described the late author as a “mighty voice” whose influence was far-reaching.

He praised Ngũgĩ’s literary works as more than mere stories, but “acts of defiance” that echoed the dignity and struggles of African people. Wetang’ula lauded Ngũgĩ’s choice to write in Gĩkũyũ, calling it a radical act that reclaimed the prestige of African languages and resisted cultural erasure.

“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 not just literary artefacts, they were acts of defiance, declarations of dignity, and hymns of remembrance,” he said.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi hailed Ngũgĩ as a literary icon and a key intellectual figure whose writings explored themes of linguistic decolonisation and social justice. He noted that Ngũgĩ’s thinking on language as a tool of cultural identity would continue to influence scholarship and activism for generations.

“His death is a major loss not only to Kenyans who easily identify with Ngũgĩ's outstanding works but also to the African continent at large, where he features among the golden generation of writers who blazed the trail with their compelling works of literature,” he said.

Patriot and literary giant

People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua remembered Ngũgĩ as a patriot and literary giant whose contribution to national consciousness is etched into the country’s soul.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya described Ngũgĩ as a “towering giant” whose intellect and literary courage redefined African identity. He said the writer’s commitment to decolonising the African mind had transformed literature into a tool of resistance and renewal.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir referred to Ngũgĩ as a cultural custodian whose works challenged colonial ideology and reclaimed the African narrative. He noted that Ngũgĩ’s legacy would continue to shape global conversations around African identity, especially through his passionate advocacy for indigenous languages.

“Kenya has lost a literary giant. Africa has lost one of her boldest voices. In a world that continues to evolve rapidly, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o stood firm as a custodian of culture, urging us to remember who we are and where we come from. His commitment to writing in indigenous languages and centering African worldviews has profoundly shaped the global intellectual discourse,” he said.

Source of pride

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, reflecting on a personal encounter with the late professor in 2019, said Ngũgĩ’s contribution to literature would remain a source of pride for Kenya.

Beyond the political sphere, international organisations and literary figures joined in mourning the author’s death.

Amnesty International described Ngũgĩ’s work as “freedom writing,” honouring him as a literary teacher whose influence extended from his hometown of Limuru to the global stage.

Author Muhsin Ibrahim shared memories of being introduced to Ngũgĩ’s work in 2005, recalling how The Trial of Dedan Kimathi shaped his literary journey. He remembered a brief but cherished encounter with Ngũgĩ in Cologne, Germany, in 2018, noting that the writer’s passion for decolonising the mind was ever present in both his writing and conversation.

Other tributes came from Kenyans who had engaged with Ngũgĩ’s work personally or professionally.

X user Enock Bett described him as a fearless thinker whose legacy would endure in African storytelling, while Martin Imanthiu, who once taught at Kamirithu Polytechnic, where Ngũgĩ staged community theatre in the 1970s, reflected on the writer’s deep roots in cultural education.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o leaves behind a vast body of work that shaped modern African literature. Among his notable novels are Weep Not, Child (1964), The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967), and Petals of Blood (1977), each addressing the complexities of colonialism, nationalism and identity.

His more radical works, such as Devil on the Cross (1980) and Matigari (1987), were written in Gĩkuyũ, part of his commitment to challenging the dominance of colonial languages in African literature.

He also penned acclaimed memoirs including Detained: A Writer’s Prison Diary (1981), Dreams in a Time of War (2010), and Birth of a Dream Weaver (2016).

Ngũgĩ was also a playwright, essayist, and academic, with influential non-fiction works such as Decolonising the Mind (1986) and Moving the Centre (1993), which continue to guide debates on language and power.

Throughout his career, he translated many of his own works, championing African languages as carriers of culture, resistance, and self-definition.

The family said plans for his celebration of life will be announced in the coming days.