By Natalie Nyathi
Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, the famous Kenyan author known for his novels and strong support for using African languages, passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 87. His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ, shared the sad news on Facebook, asking everyone to celebrate his life and work: “He lived a full life, fought a good fight. Rîa ratha na rîa thŭa. Tŭrî aira!” (With joy and sorrow. We are proud!)
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was born James Ngũgĩ on January 5, 1938, in Limuru, Kenya. His early life was marked by the harsh realities of British colonial rule. His family lost their land, and his village was destroyed during the Mau Mau uprising. These experiences inspired his first novel, Weep Not, Child (1964), which was the first English-language novel by an East African. It tells the story of Kenya’s fight for independence through the eyes of a young boy.
In 1977, Ngũgĩ criticized the Kenyan leaders in his novel Petals of Blood and his play Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want). This led to his imprisonment without trial. Amnesty International recognized him as a prisoner of conscience. While in prison, he wrote Devil on the Cross on toilet paper. This experience made him realize the importance of writing in Gikuyu, his native language, instead of English.
After his release, threats against his life from then-President Daniel arap Moi forced Ngũgĩ into a 22-year exile. He moved to the United States, where he taught at universities like Yale and UC Irvine. Despite living abroad, he never forgot Kenya. In 2004, during a visit home, armed men attacked him and his wife, Njeeri.
Ngũgĩ’s important essay collection, Decolonising the Mind (1986), called for African writers to use their own languages. He believed that using European languages kept African cultures down. This idea inspired many writers to embrace their native languages.
Although Ngũgĩ was often mentioned as a candidate for the Nobel Prize, he never won. His works, such as Wizard of the Crow (2006), which criticizes African dictatorships, and The Upright Revolution, translated into over 100 languages, had a significant impact. Former U.S. President Barack Obama praised his ability to show how major events affect people’s lives.
Ngũgĩ is survived by nine children, including authors Mukoma, Wanjiku, Nducu, and Tee. He once joked, “My family has become one of my literary rivals.” Despite facing health issues, including cancer and heart surgery, he remained strong, saying, “Resistance is the best way of keeping alive… If you stick to your beliefs, they help you survive.”
His death has brought many tributes from Kenyan leaders and writers around the world. Governor Gladys Wanga celebrated his courage in supporting African languages, while the activist group Kong’amano la Mapinduzi stated, “His stories live on in the hearts of generations.” Memorial details will be shared by his son Nducu wa Ngũgĩ.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s legacy is important for postcolonial literature. He showed that art can be a form of resistance, language can symbolize freedom, and stories can express the spirit of a continent. As he once said, “Life itself is one big, magical story.”