Africa’s literary giant Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o is no more. His daughter, who is also a writer, Wanjiku Wa Ngugi, announced in a Facebook post that he passed on early Wednesday 28th May. He was 87 years old.
The Kenyan scholar, author, trailblazing academic and simply one of the continent’s most influential shapeshifters will be remembered for his Afrocentric stance on knowledge production.
Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o believed, and practiced African epistemology around the world without fear. In him, Kenya produced one of its very best exports.
He traversed the globe with outstanding African pride, ensuring that the continent was well represented in international discourse.
Professor wa Thiong’o taught at various universities including in the US. He produced large volumes of papers for acclaimed journals. He published thought-provoking books that had contributed to global scholarship.
Through it all, he loved his native Kenya with all its imperfections. A statement released by the family read as follows: “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,”
Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course by his family’s representative Nducu wa Ngugi.
Rest well, son of the soil. Rest in peace and rise in glory. Africa is poorer with your passing.
