Ngugi wa Thiong’o, renowned as one of Africa’s most influential writers, intellectuals, and revolutionaries, has passed away at the age of 87.
The announcement was made by his family in a statement posted on Wednesday, May 28, via the Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) account of his daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngลฉgฤฉ wa Thiong’o, this Wednesday morning, 28th May 2025. He lived a full life and fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work. Rรฎa ratha na rรฎa thลญa. Tลญrรฎ aira!”
Thiong’o faced censorship, imprisonment, and eventual exile under the regime of former Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi. He remained a consistent contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature and was among the few authors to write primarily in an indigenous African language.
Until his death, some of his notable works are: A Grain of Wheat, Weep Not, Child, The River Between, and Devil on the Cross.
Rest on, legend!
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