NEW YORK - Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, the celebrated Kenyan author, dissident, and literary giant, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87 [1][2][3][4][5]. His death was confirmed by Derek Warker, the publicist for Ngũgĩ's U.S. publisher, The New Press [1].

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o was renowned for his prolific body of work that spanned fiction, non-fiction, and critical essays. His writings meticulously chronicled Kenya's journey from British colonial rule to post-independence governance, often challenging prevailing narratives and linguistic norms [1][2][3][4][5].

Among his most notable works are novels such as 'The Wizard of the Crow' and 'Petals of Blood,' memoirs including 'Birth of a Dream Weaver,' and the influential critique 'Decolonizing the Mind' [1][2][3][4][5]. These works not only showcased Ngũgĩ's literary prowess but also his role as a cultural steward and advocate for linguistic diversity.

Ngũgĩ's life was marked by both acclaim and adversity. He was a perennial candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature and spent significant time in exile [1][2][3][4][5]. In the 1970s, he was imprisoned for a year due to his outspoken criticism of post-colonial Kenyan society, and he faced harassment for decades afterward [1][2][3][4][5].

At the time of his death, Ngũgĩ was receiving kidney dialysis treatments, though further details about the circumstances of his passing were not immediately available [1][2][3][4][5].

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's passing marks the end of an era in African literature. His works continue to be studied and celebrated worldwide for their insightful exploration of post-colonial themes, cultural identity, and linguistic empowerment.