• Ngugi wa Thiong’o, a prominent Kenyan author, has died at 87, leaving behind a significant literary legacy.
• He was an outspoken critic of colonialism and post-colonial elites, influencing generations of African writers.
• Ngugi switched from writing in English to his native Kikuyu, advocating for the importance of African languages in literature.
• His notable works include "Petals of Blood" and "Decolonizing the Mind," which challenge the cultural legacies of imperialism.
• Tributes to Ngugi highlight his role as a cultural icon and his impact on African literature.

Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o, considered one of East Africa's literary giants, passed away on May 28, 2025, at the age of 87. His death was confirmed by his daughter Wanjiku Wa Ngugi, who expressed her grief on social media, stating, “He lived a full life, fought a good fight” according to Africanews, SCMP, and New York Times.

Ngugi was renowned for his critical examinations of both British colonialism and post-colonial governance in Kenya. His literary career began in 1964 with "Weep Not, Child," a notable work set against the backdrop of the Mau Mau rebellion against British rule. It is recognized as one of the first major novels in English by an East African author, influencing many aspiring writers across the continent, as noted in NPR and Africanews.

In a bold move, Ngugi began writing predominantly in his native Kikuyu language, believing this was crucial for reclaiming African identity and culture. His collection "Decolonizing the Mind" articulates his views on the intersection of language and liberation, arguing that the use of European languages perpetuates colonial mentalities, according to Africanews, and AllAfrica.

Ngugi faced significant adversity, including imprisonment in 1977 for penning a play that criticized social inequalities in Kenya. He was named a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, whose efforts were critical in securing his release after a year in detention. This experience, along with threats on his life during President Daniel arap Moi's regime, led him to self-imposed exile in 1982, as reflected in Al Jazeera and SCMP.

Upon settling in the United States, Ngugi continued to teach and write, becoming a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine. His literary contributions were recognized globally, with frequent mentions as a potential Nobel Prize candidate, praised for his exploration of societal issues and identity in postcolonial Africa as stated in New York Times, and AllAfrica.