National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula/FILENational Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula led the MPs in observing a moment of silence in honour of African Literary Giant Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o.
The speaker allocated Tuesday next week as a day for MPs to eulogise him.
"This country has lost one of its greatest sons in the literary world, Professor Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. A prolific writer of global repute, Prof. Ngũgĩ stood in the league of African literary giants such as Chinua Achebe, Elechi Amadi, Flora Nwapa, and many others who helped illuminate the African narrative through literature. His work not only shaped Kenya's literary heritage but also positioned African storytelling on the world stage," he said on Thursday.
"Next week on Tuesday, I shall allocate thirty minutes for this House to formally eulogise Professor Ngũgĩ. But for now, as a patriotic and conscious House, we must recognise this great son of Kenya. Prof. Ngũgĩ was instrumental in founding, developing, and nurturing the Department of Literature at the University of Nairobi."
According to the Speaker, Prof. Ngũgĩ worked alongside other literary luminaries such as Okot p’Bitek, Micere Githae Mugo, Chris Wanjala, Francis Imbuga, John Ruganda, and many others whose collective efforts laid the foundation of modern Kenyan literature.
"I now ask all members to be upstanding as we observe a minute of silence in honour of this towering intellectual, whose pen shaped minds and stirred the conscience of a continent," he said.
"I must, however, express my disappointment with the media. I had expected to see Prof. Ngũgĩ’s image gracing the front pages of every newspaper in this country just as we do when other global figures such as the Pope or Chinua Achebe pass on. Sadly, that was not the case today. Instead, we continue to see front-page coverage of less deserving matters."
Wetang'ula said Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o should have been the national headline today.
"As your Speaker, I invite this House to join me in recording this collective disappointment and calling for greater recognition of our heroes. Let us now, together, observe a minute of silence in memory of Professor Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, an indomitable voice of African letters, a patriot, and a teacher of nations," he said.
Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o died on May 28, 2025, at the age of 87.
