In Memory of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (1938–2024):
The Centre for Basic Research joins the global community in mourning the loss of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, one of Africa’s most influential literary and intellectual figures. His passing marks the end of an era—but his legacy lives on, vibrant and irrepressible.
Ngũgĩ’s profound contributions to literature and critical thought fundamentally reshaped how we engage with colonial histories, language, and identity. His novels—Weep Not, Child (1964), The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967), Petals of Blood (1977), Devil on the Cross (1980), and Matigari (1986)—were literary masterpieces and powerful political interventions. His essays, particularly Decolonising the Mind (1986), transformed how generations of scholars understood the politics of language and cultural production.
Ngũgĩ championed the use of African languages in literature and scholarship, insisting that our intellectual liberation is inseparable from our linguistic freedom.
He modelled for us an unyielding commitment to truth, justice, and cultural pride—values that deeply resonate with the mission of CBR.
We at CBR celebrate his life with gratitude and awe. His spirit will continue to inspire our pursuit of socially grounded, intellectually rigorous, and transformative research.
Rest in power, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o.
Your words will continue to guide, challenge, and liberate.
Richard Ssewakiryanga
Senior Research Fellow
Centre for Basic Research
