Kenya was on May 28 plunged into mourning following the death of renowned author Ngugi wa Thiong’o, whose works left an indelible mark on African literature and the global fight for decolonization and cultural identity.
President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga led Kenyans in celebrating the life of the celebrated author, scholar, and activist.
In his message, President Ruto described the late Ngugi wa Thiong’o as a man who was courageous and 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.
“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, ” part of the message
Additionally, the president said that 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.
“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.”
Raila Odinga, on his part, said the death of Ngugi wa Thiong’o was a blow to Africa.
“A giant African has fallen. Rest in Eternal Peace, author Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o!” Raila said
Ngugi wa Thiong’o was a rare thinker – Wetangula
On the other hand, the speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, eulogized the late Ngugi wa Thiong’o saying his writing was not just literary artifacts but act of defiance, declaration of dignity and hymns of remembrance.
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“Prof. Ngugi was not confined by the ordinary constraints of storytelling. He bore the soul of a continent and the cry of its people within every line he penned.
His writings were not just literary artifacts, they were acts of defiance, declarations of dignity, and hymns of remembrance,” Wetangula said.
At the same time, Wetangula described Ngugi wa Thiong’o as a rare thnker.
“Although his pen now rests, the ink of his legacy remains indelible. It marks our shelves, our syllabi, our sensibilities. He belongs to that rare league of thinkers whose absence deepens our understanding of their greatness.”
He was an honest man, Gachagua
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed profound sorrow over the death of Thiong’o, describing it as a monumental loss to Africa and generations of literary scholars.
In his condolence message, Gachagua referred to Ngũgĩ as a mentor, an honest man, and a great political figure.
He emphasized that Ngũgĩ’s literary works created an original African desire, identity, and literary philosophy.
“Ngugi as a mentor, an honest man, and a great political figure. He emphasized that Ngũgĩ’s literary works—such as The River Between, Weep Not, Child, A Grain of Wheat, I Will Marry When I Want, Devil on the Cross, Decolonising the Mind, Wizard of the Crow, Matigari, and Dreams in a Time of War—created an original African desire, identity, and literary philosophy.”Gachagua wrote
Ngugi wa a five-star general – LSK
The President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Faith Odhiambo mentioned Ngugi wa Thiongo as a consistent voice in reminding us of our humanity.
According to Odhimabo, the late Ngugi wa Thiong’o was a one-of-a-kind literalist who used his art as a protective wall for the ideals of being human.
Through his work, he shaped and molded a society of value and virtue.
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“The writing maestro was truly a shining light among us that gave all his life to pointing us towards who we ought to be, and how we ought to live.
In the battlefield of life, Ngugi wa Thiong’o was a five-star General in the army for justice,” Faith Odhiambo said.
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