One of Africa’s greatest writers, Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong’o, has passed away in Atlanta, USA.
He was 87.
His son, Mukoma wa Ngugi made the announcement on his Facebook page a few minutes ago.
It tears my heart to say that my father, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o passed away earlier today. I am me because of him in so many ways, as his child, scholar and writer. I love him – I am not sure what tomorrow will bring without him here. I think that is all I have to say for now.
Mukoma wa ngugi, son to Ngugi wa thiong’o
Ngugi went into self-imposed exile following his release from a Kenyan prison in 1977; living in the United States, he taught at Yale University for some years, and has since also taught at New York University, where he was Erich Maria Remarque Professor of Languages, with a dual professorship in Comparative Literature and Performance Studies, and the University of California, Irvine.
He has several works including novels – Weep Not,Child, The River Between, A Grain of Wheat – and plays, short stories, children’s literature, memoirs,essays among others.
The 87-year-old literary giant was renowned for his internationally acclaimed novels and incisive political writings on imperialism, neocolonialism, and the decolonisation of the African mind and knowledge.
Beyond his literary achievements, Ngũgĩ was a passionate revolutionary who opposed successive Kenyan regimes and tirelessly fought for a truly independent and free Kenya.
More to follow…
