African literature giant Ngugi wa Thiong’o passes away

RENOWNED Kenyan writer and scholar Ngugi wa Thiong’o has passed away aged 87, in Atlanta, US.

His passing was confirmed by his daughter Wanjiku wa Ngugi in a statement shared on Facebook.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngugi wa Thiong’o this Wednesday morning, 28th May. He lived a full life, fought a good fight,” she said.

Ngugi, whose birth name was James Ngugi, was one of Africa’s most respected literary figures.

Over the years, he became a powerful voice in the fight against colonialism and the promotion of African culture and languages.

He first gained international recognition in the 1960s for novels such as Weep Not, Child and The River Between.

He later chose to write in his native Gikuyu language, believing that language plays a key role in freeing the African mind from colonial influence.

Apart from fiction, Ngugi also wrote plays, essays and academic work, and was a strong advocate for social justice.

His book Decolonising the Mind remains one of the most influential texts in African literature.

Ngugi’s passing marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to literature, language, and the liberation of African thought.