Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the towering Kenyan author, playwright, and post-colonial theorist, passed away on May 28, 2025, at the age of 87. Renowned for his fierce advocacy for African languages and cultural identity, Ngugi leaves behind a legacy that reshaped the literary and political landscapes of Africa.
Born James Ngugi in 1938 in Kamiriithu, near Limuru, Ngũgĩ’s early life was deeply affected by the brutalities of British colonialism. The Mau Mau Uprising, in which his family suffered devastating losses, left an indelible imprint on his worldview and literary work. These experiences informed his early novels such as Weep Not, Child (1964) and The River Between (1965), which chronicled Kenya’s struggle for independence.
Ngugi’s academic journey began at Alliance High School and continued at Makerere University in Uganda, where his literary talent blossomed. His debut play, The Black Hermit, premiered at the historic 1962 African Writers Conference. A subsequent stint at the University of Leeds introduced him to anti-colonial thinkers like Frantz Fanon, helping shape his Marxist and decolonial ideology.
Returning to Kenya, Ngũgĩ joined the University of Nairobi, where he led efforts to decolonise the curriculum. His groundbreaking work at the Kamiriithu Community Education and Cultural Centre, promoting participatory theatre in Gĩkũyũ, drew ire from the Kenyan government. He was imprisoned without trial in 1977, during which he wrote Caitaani mũtharaba-Inĩ (Devil on the Cross) on toilet paper marking his full embrace of African languages in literature.
Forced into exile in 1982, Ngũgĩ spent 22 years abroad, lecturing at institutions such as Yale and the University of California, Irvine. His seminal work, Decolonising the Mind (1986), became a manifesto for linguistic and cultural liberation.
Ngugi’s return to Kenya in 2004 was marred by a violent attack, prompting his return to the U.S. Yet, his influence endured. Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s passing marks the end of an era, but his vision for a liberated, self-expressive Africa continues to inspire generations of writers, thinkers, and activists worldwide.
