The remains of Kenyan literary giant and scholar Professor Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o have been cremated in the United States, in accordance with his final wishes.
Ngũgĩ, who died on May 28, 2025, in Buford, Georgia, at the age of 87, had been battling prolonged health issues, including kidney failure that required regular dialysis in recent years.
According to his son Mukoma wa Ngũgĩ, the cremation was carried out privately and aligned with the celebrated writer’s request that no formal public burial be held.
In a statement released by the family on June 1, his son Ndūcũ wa Ngũgĩ confirmed:
“He wished instead to be remembered in spirit, through the ideals he stood for and the lives he touched.”
The family has announced a series of commemorative events to honor Ngũgĩ’s towering legacy both in Kenya and the United States.
The first public event was scheduled for June 7 at Akazi Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia, from 3 to 5 p.m. Future memorials include a gathering at the University of Nairobi (date to be confirmed), and a formal academic celebration on November 10 at the University of California, Irvine, where Ngũgĩ taught for many years and left a lasting academic legacy.
A private family ceremony will also be held in Gītogothi, Limuru, his birthplace, to reflect on his life and return him symbolically to the land of his origin.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s death has triggered an outpouring of tributes across the world from writers, academics, activists, and admirers of his literary and political contributions.
His children expressed deep gratitude for the global solidarity:
“The love and support we’ve received from around the world has been overwhelming and deeply comforting,” they noted in their statement.
Ngũgĩ leaves behind a formidable legacy as one of Africa’s greatest novelists, critics, and theorists. His pioneering works, such as Decolonising the Mind, A Grain of Wheat, and Petals of Blood, have influenced generations of readers and thinkers committed to post-colonial liberation, linguistic justice, and African self-expression.
