Kenyan literary community has lost a literary colossus, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, author of the popular classic, Weep Not Child; he was aged 87.
His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, confirmed his passing in a Facebook post today
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o this Wednesday morning, 28th May 2025”, she wrote in the Facebook post, adding:
“ He lived a full life, and fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and work. Rîa ratha na rîa thŭa. Tŭrî aira!
“The family’s spokesperson Nducu Wa Ngugi will announce details of his celebration of life soon.”
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, whose Weep Not, Child, published in 1964, is the first English-language novel by a Kenyan author.
Born James Thiong’o Ngũgĩ in 1938, during the British rule in Kenya, an auspicious time in the evolutionary history of the country, he grew up in the town of Limuru among a large family of low-income agricultural workers.
Those growing up years were to take dominant parts in the recesses of his memory, forming part of his literary excursions.
The lot of Kenyans under colonial rule stirred a revolutionary fervour in his writings, and he became a known critic of the alien government.
This led to his imprisonment without trial in 1977, after which he proceeded on self-exile upon release from prison.
Overseas, he continued his literary and academic work and became a sought after speaker in literary meetings.
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Apart from Weep Not, Child, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o authored many other literary works, and these include:
- The River Between (1965)
- A Grain of Wheat (1967)
- Petals of Blood (1977)
- Devil on the Cross (1980)
Ngugi Wa Thiongo was born in Kamiriithu, in Kiambu district, Kenya.
Kikuyu by ethnic origin, he came from family with a history of agitations against oppression.
Not only was his family caught up in the famour Mau Mau Uprising; his half-brother Mwangi was actively involved in the Kenya Land and Freedom Army, which eventually claimed his life.
Another brother of his was shot during the State of Emergency, and his mother was tortured at Kamiriithu home guard post.
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