Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o cremated in the US as family fulfils his final wish

Kenya’s literary icon Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o has been cremated in the United States, in accordance with his final wishes, his son Mukoma wa Ngũgĩ has confirmed.

Ngũgĩ passed away on May 28, 2025, in Buford, Georgia, at the age of 87 after a long battle with health complications, including kidney failure that required regular dialysis.

His family said the decision to cremate his remains followed his personal request.

"He wished instead to be remembered in spirit, through the ideals he stood for and the lives he touched," the family said.

There will be no public burial, but a series of events have been planned to honour his legacy both in Kenya and the United States.

The first public memorial will take place on June 7 at Akazi Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia, from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Another gathering is expected at the University of Nairobi, with details yet to be confirmed.

The University of California, Irvine, where Ngũgĩ taught for years, will host an academic celebration on November 10.

A private family ceremony will also be held in Gītogothi, Limuru, his birthplace.

His family expressed deep gratitude for the global messages of support following his death.

"We thank you for the poems, songs, tributes, and support. Your words remind us of the reach of his message and the depth of his humanity," the family said.

Ngũgĩ was born in 1938 in colonial Kenya and rose to become a giant in African literature and post-colonial thought.

He began writing in English but later embraced his native Kikuyu language, promoting African languages as essential tools for cultural and political liberation.

His novel Devil on the Cross, written on toilet paper while he was detained without trial in 1977, became one of his most powerful works.

For nearly six decades, Ngũgĩ’s writings captured Kenya’s journey from colonialism to independence and democracy.

Though many expected him to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, Ngũgĩ never won the award, a fact that disappointed his global followers.

His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ, first announced his passing on social media.

"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, this Wednesday morning, 28th May 2025. He lived a full life, fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work," she shared.

In Parliament, MPs paid tribute to the late writer, describing him as a visionary who shaped both literary and political thought in Kenya and beyond.

Seme MP James Nyikal said, "His life epitomised the philosophical basis of life—the fight for ideals, even at great personal risk."

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo praised Ngũgĩ’s influence on generations of readers and called on the government to name a public institution or monument in his honour.

"Despite political intolerance that forced him into exile, Ngũgĩ remains a global icon," he said.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo applauded Ngũgĩ’s progressive portrayal of women, especially in The River Between.

"He was ahead of his time in addressing issues like gender, race, and intersectionality," she said.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah highlighted Ngũgĩ’s commitment to African identity through language.

"It was not tribalism—it was nationalism," he said, referring to the author’s decision to drop his English name and write in Gikuyu.