President William Ruto has mourned the late Prof. Ngugi Wa Thiong'o as the giant of Kenyan letters. Photo: President William Ruto X.
President William Ruto has mourned the late Prof. Ngugi Wa Thiong’o as the towering giant of Kenyan writers, courageous stateman and patriotic.
He described the works of Thiong’o as indelible, with his contribution through art to bring social justice and misuse of power by leaders not only in Kenya, but also East Africa, as echoed by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
“I have learnt with sadness about the death of Kenya’s beloved teacher, writer, playwright and public intellectual, Prof Ngugi Wa Thiong’o. The towering giant of Kenyan letters has put down his pen for the final time. 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,” Ruto wrote.
He emphasized on how Thiong’o made bold career moves, that both his supporters and opponents appreciated, further terming him patriotic, in times of truth, and always shunning malice and contempt, even when it threatened his being, which saw him rise and win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
“His patriotism is undeniable, and even those who disagree with him will admit that his discourse always sprang forth from a deep and earnest quest for truth and understanding, devoid of malice, hatred or contempt. Many Kenyans cannot remember a time we hoped that Prof Thiong’o would finally receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, which we all felt he more deserved,” he further wrote.
He said that the fallen legendary author’s piece of art will be remembered and remain as the champion of literacy emancipation and innovation in the hearts of many Kenyans.
Earlier other leaders had mourned the author, with his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua describing him as a political giant, whose art has not only nurtured him in class and communication, but also his political career.
Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya mourned Thiong’o as a fearless voice, profound intellect, whose unwavering commitment to decolonizing the African mind reshaped not only Kenya’s cultural literature but also identity. Further describing him as the giant of African Literature.
The announcement the passing of Thiong’o was made on Wednesday, May 28 evening, by his daughter Wanjiku Wa Thiong’o, who said that the author aged 87, passed on peaceful on early Wednesday morning.
