Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Iconic Author, Dies at 87

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, the renowned Kenyan novelist, playwright, and essayist, died on May 28, 2025, at the age of 87. He was celebrated for works such as 'Weep Not, Child', 'A Grain of Wheat', 'Devil on the Cross', and his influential manifesto 'Decolonising the Mind.' Ngũgĩ was known for his critique of colonialism and linguistic imperialism and for his shift from English to Gikuyu to promote cultural decolonization. Although frequently considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature, he never won but valued the profound impact his writing had on readers. Tributes have poured in from African leaders, literary peers, and his family, honoring his courage and commitment to justice. His legacy continues to shape literature, academic study, and cultural identity globally.