Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, one of Africa’s most influential writers, towering intellectual figures, and a steadfast revolutionary, passed away in Atlanta, USA, on Wednesday morning, May 28, 2025. He was 87 years old.
The news was confirmed by his daughter, Wanjiku Wa Ngugi, in a heartfelt Facebook post: “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. Rĩa ratha na rĩa thũa. Tũrĩ aira!—a Gikuyu phrase loosely translating to ‘With joy and sorrow. We are proud.’”
Wanjiku further stated that more details regarding the celebration of his life would be shared soon by the family’s spokesperson, Nducu Wa Ngugi.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, born James Ngugi on January 5, 1938, leaves behind a profound legacy that reshaped the literary landscape in Africa and across the globe. His internationally acclaimed novels, including seminal works such as A Grain of Wheat, Petals of Blood, and Devil on the Cross, alongside his incisive political writings, fiercely interrogated imperialism, neocolonialism, and championed the decolonization of the African mind and knowledge systems.
Beyond his celebrated literary achievements, Ngũgĩ was a passionate and unwavering revolutionary. He consistently opposed successive Kenyan regimes and dedicated his life to fighting for a truly independent and free Kenya. This commitment often came at great personal cost.
A pivotal moment in Ngũgĩ’s life and career was his decision to abandon English as his primary language of literary expression, turning instead to his native Gikuyu. He became a leading and articulate advocate for the use of African languages in literature, arguing powerfully that the soul and nuances of African storytelling could only be fully captured and conveyed in indigenous tongues. This conviction led him to found and edit Mũtĩiri, a Gikuyu-language literary journal. His advocacy for linguistic decolonization resonated globally, exemplified by his short story, The Upright Revolution: Or Why Humans Walk Upright, which has been translated into over 100 languages – an unprecedented feat underscoring the universal appeal of his work.
His fearless dedication to community-based theatre and critical social commentary led to direct conflict with Kenyan authorities. In 1977, his co-authored play Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want), written with Ngũgĩ wa Mĩriĩ, was shut down by the government. Ngũgĩ was subsequently arrested and detained without trial for over a year. It was during this imprisonment that he famously wrote his novel Devil on the Cross on sheets of toilet paper. Declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, Ngũgĩ was forced into exile following his release, where he continued his prolific writing and unwavering activism.
In academia, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o held distinguished teaching positions at numerous prestigious institutions, including Northwestern University, Yale University, and New York University. He later served as Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and English at the University of California, Irvine.
While he was frequently considered a strong candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature, an award he never received, Ngũgĩ’s contributions were widely recognized through numerous international honours. These included the International Nonno Prize in 2001 and the Park Kyong-ni Prize in 2016.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s passing marks the end of an era. He leaves an indelible mark on global literature, political thought, and the ongoing struggle for cultural and intellectual liberation. His legacy continues through his vast body of work and his family, which includes accomplished writers Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ and Wanjiku wa Ngugi. The world mourns a true literary giant and a fearless champion of justice.
