Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, one of Africa’s greatest literary minds and a towering figure in the global fight for cultural and linguistic liberation, has died at the age of 87.
The family confirmed his passing early Wednesday morning, after enduring a period of declining health marked by kidney complications and limited mobility.
In an emotional statement, Ngũgĩ’s family announced:”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 and fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work. Ría ratha na ría thūa. Tūrì aira!”
The Gikuyu phrase, which loosely translates to “The laughter and the tears—we are the heirs,” encapsulates the profound legacy Ngũgĩ leaves behind, through his children, his readers, and the transformative power of his life’s work.
Born in 1938 in colonial Kenya, Ngũgĩ emerged as a literary trailblazer whose work challenged imperialism, celebrated African identity, and ignited debates on the role of language in liberation.
His novels, from Weep Not, Child to Petals of Blood and A Grain of Wheat, chronicled Kenya’s journey through colonialism, resistance, and post-independence disillusionment.
But perhaps his most revolutionary act came in the 1970s, when he rejected English as his primary literary language and embraced Gikuyu.
This linguistic shift unprecedented at the time was not without consequence.
After co-writing and staging Ngaahika Ndeenda (“I Will Marry When I Want”) in Gikuyu, Ngũgĩ was detained without trial for over a year in a Kenyan prison.
There, he famously began writing his novel Devil on the Cross on prison-issued toilet paper.
After his release, Ngũgĩ went into self-imposed exile, spending decades in the United Kingdom and the United States, where he continued to write and lecture.
His scholarship and fiction earned international acclaim, with his later works like Wizard of the Crow and The Perfect Nine bringing his native language and mythologies to global readers.
Even while abroad, Ngũgĩ’s roots never left Kenya.
His mission was clear: to decolonize the mind and affirm the intellectual and cultural agency of African people.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is survived by his children, Njoki wa Ngugi, Ngina Kiarie, Te Ngugi, Kay Ngugi, and Björn each of whom carries forward the torch of his legacy in various creative and professional fields.
Family spokesperson Nducu wa Ngugi stated that details on public memorials and celebrations of life will be announced in the coming days.
Tributes have already begun pouring in from across the continent and the world, with scholars, writers, and heads of state remembering him as a literary icon and moral compass.
“Ngũgĩ was more than a writer—he was a movement,” said a statement from the Pan African Writers Association.
“His pen shook empires and awakened generations.”
Ngũgĩ’s influence was vast, but he never sought fame only truth.
His passing marks the end of a life lived in defiance of erasure and in service to culture, language, and dignity.
His readers, students, and fellow writers are now the custodians of his legacy.
Ría ratha na ría thūa. Tūrì aira.
The laughter and the tears we are the heirs.
