Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o – a giant of African literature

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, a monumental figure in modern African literature, passed away at 87, leaving behind a legacy that chronicles Kenya’s journey from colonialism to democracy. Renowned for his commitment to writing in native languages, he notably shifted from English to Kikuyu after his 1977 imprisonment, producing significant works like “Devil on the Cross.” Despite facing exile and political violence, Ngũgĩ’s influential essays, such as “Decolonising the Mind,” challenged the dominance of European languages in African literature, solidifying his role as a fierce advocate for cultural authenticity.