File image of renowned Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o.

Family Confirms His Passing

Renowned Kenyan author and academic Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o has died at the age of 87. The news was confirmed by his daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, in a heartfelt statement on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

“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,” the family said.

Family spokesperson Nducu wa Ngugi is expected to share further details regarding his funeral and celebration of life soon.

Early Life and Education

Born on January 5, 1938, in Kamiriithu near Limuru, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was originally named James Ngugi. He later abandoned his colonial name and embraced his traditional Kikuyu name as part of his advocacy for decolonization.

Ngũgĩ attended Alliance High School before joining Makerere University in Uganda, where he graduated in 1963 with a degree in English. During his time there, he wrote his first play, The Black Hermit, staged at Uganda’s inaugural National Drama Festival.

Literary Legacy and Global Impact

Ngũgĩ’s writing career took off with the publication of Weep Not, Child in 1964, the first English-language novel by an East African. He followed it with classics like The River Between (1965) and A Grain of Wheat (1967).

In 1977, Ngũgĩ made a powerful decision to stop writing in English and committed fully to his native Gikuyu language. That same year, his political play Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want) led to his imprisonment without trial by the Kenyan government.

Exile and Academic Career

After his release, Ngũgĩ went into self-imposed exile in the UK and later the United States. He continued advocating for African languages, culture, and human rights. He held esteemed academic positions at institutions including Yale University, New York University, and the University of California, Irvine.

Ngũgĩ’s impact on postcolonial literature is profound. He is remembered not just as a writer, but as a fearless advocate for African identity and language liberation. His works are studied in universities worldwide and have influenced generations of writers and scholars.

Legacy Lives On

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o leaves behind a towering legacy of literature and intellectual activism. His death marks the end of an era but also reminds the world of the enduring power of words and the importance of cultural pride.

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Learn more about Ngũgĩ’s literary contributions