Celebrated Kenyan author and activist Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. His family announced his death, saying he “lived a full life, fought a good fight.” Widely hailed as Kenya’s most influential writer, Ngũgĩ’s works spanned decades and languages, fiercely tackling colonialism, inequality, and cultural identity.
Born in 1938 in Limuru, Ngũgĩ’s breakthrough came in the 1960s with Weep Not, Child, followed by The River Between and Petals of Blood. His sharp political critiques led to his imprisonment in 1977, after which he chose to write only in Gikuyu. Exiled in the 1980s, he continued publishing acclaimed works such as Matigari and The Perfect Nine, and remained a passionate advocate for African languages. His legacy endures through his fearless voice for justice, cultural pride, and literary excellence.
