Ruto mourns renowned Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiongó

Ngugi Wa Thiong'o/WILLIAM RUTO/X.

President William Ruto has condoled with the family of late renowned Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o for their loss.

His family announced his passing Wednesday evening, May 28, 2025, saying he “lived a full life, fought a good fight.”

President Ruto on Thursday described the death of Ngugi as a towering giant of Kenyan letters.

"Always courageous, he made an indelible impact on how we think about our independence, social justice as well as the uses and abuses of political and economic power," Ruto said in his message.

Ruto said Ngugi in his bold and creative career, showed how to make contributions that cannot be ignored and speak in ways that both supporters and opponents cannot ignore.

"His patriotism is undeniable, and even those who disagree with him will admit that Prof Thiong'o's discourse always sprang forth from a deep and earnest quest for truth and understanding, devoid of malice, hatred or contempt," the President said.

"Many Kenyans cannot remember a time when we were not united in the hope that Prof Thiong'o would finally receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, which we all felt he more than deserved."

Ruto said Ngugi will always remain the champion of literary emancipation and innovation in our hearts and minds.

Plans for memorial services and public tributes are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.

"The family's spokesperson, Nducu Wa Ngugi, will announce details of his celebration of life soon," Wanjiku said.

Ngugi was 87.

A towering figure in African literature, Ngugi's influence stretched across continents, languages, and generations.

Known for novels such as A Grain of Wheat, Petals of Blood, and Devil on the Cross, Ngũgĩ championed the use of African languages in literature and resisted colonial and neocolonial systems of oppression throughout his life.

Born in 1937 in Kamiriithu, Limuru, Ngũgĩ’s work was deeply intertwined with Kenya’s struggle for independence and postcolonial identity.