The global literary community was thrown into mourning on Wednesday with the demise of a consummate writer, scholar and activist, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. He was aged 87.
His family announced his passing on Wednesday, noting that he “lived a full life, fought a good fight.”
The legendary writer’s daughter Wanjiku wa Ngugi noted in a Facebook post on Wednesday, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work. Rîa ratha na rîa thŭa. Tŭrî aira!”—a Gikuyu phrase loosely translating to “With joy and sorrow. We are proud.”
She added that plans for his burial would be announced by the family in the coming days.
Ms Wanjiku added, “The family’s spokesperson, Nducu Wa Ngugi, will announce details of his celebration of life soon.’’
The late Ngugu Wa Thiongo was a powerful Africa writer whose works such as Wizard of the Crow, Weep Not Child, A Grain of Wheat, Petals of Blood, and Devil on the Cross, among othersreinforced his Africa narratives and strengthened his Marxist’s ideologues.
