Readers Pay Tribute to Literary Giant, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
Readers react following the death of the literary icon, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
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by “It’s a shame how often we overlook our own giants. Do Kenyans even know the weight of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s name? A scholar, writer and revolutionary who dared to challenge empires; both colonial and neocolonial , yet some of us barely mention him. Can you name another Kenyan who’s reshaped global literary thought like him?
Ngũgĩ’s courage went beyond his words. His decision to write in Gikuyu wasn’t just artistic ; it was a rebellion against the lingering chains of colonialism. His book “In Decolonising the Mind”, he laid bare how language shapes power, urging Africans to reclaim their tongues as tools of resistance. His novel Matigari wasn’t just a story; it was a spark so dangerous the Moi regime banned it, fearing its call for justice.
Alongside legends like Prof. Micere Mugo and Francis Imbuga, Ngũgĩ exposed the betrayal of post-independence elites ; those “comprador bourgeois” who traded Kenya’s soul for foreign approval.
His plays, like The Trial of Dedan Kimathi, revived the spirit of our freedom fighters, reminding us who we are.Let’s not wait for the world to celebrate our heroes.” – Francis Muindi
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