No explanation on Ngugi ‘cremation’ as celebration held
From left: Kenya Publishers Association CEO Kiarie Kamau, the late Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s nephew Thiongo Njinju, and the late Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s son Tee Ngugi during the celebration of the life and works of the late writer at Taifa Hall in Nairobi on June 20, 2025.
What you need to know:
- During Friday’s event held at UoN’s iconic Taifa Hall, nearly 10 family members spoke, including spokesman Nducu wa Ngugi who addressed the gathering virtually.
- In all the speeches, there was no mention of the interment or the wishes Prof Ngugi had before his departure.
Whoever expected an explanation on what happened to literary icon Ngugi wa Thiong’o after his May 28 death would have left disappointed at an event held in his honour on Friday at the University of Nairobi (UoN).
Officially, the family has not announced that he was cremated, only saying he did not want a “formal” funeral. Information on the cremation was disclosed by Prof Mukoma wa Ngugi, an estranged son who disclosed recently that he had not spoken with his father in his last three years on earth. Prof Mukoma had been informed about the cremation by a sibling. However, the family has not denied the cremation claims.
During Friday’s event held at UoN’s iconic Taifa Hall, nearly 10 family members spoke, including spokesman Nducu wa Ngugi who addressed the gathering virtually.
In all the speeches, there was no mention of the interment or the wishes Prof Ngugi had before his departure.
Tee Ngugi during the celebration of the life and works of his father, the late Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o, at Taifa Hall in Nairobi on June 20, 2025.
Said Dr Nducu: “This is what fafa (father) wanted. This is what he told us. This is what he told me. He had specific instructions; his wishes, not ours. And we have done exactly what he instructed us to do; those of us around him, those who were there with him throughout and especially when he got really sick. We stood by him as he has stood by us through the years.
"So, everything we have done, including the celebrations in Atlanta, Kenya, Berlin, California, Canada and so many other places worldwide, is what he wanted – to be remembered for his work, his ideas, his constructive engagement with scholarship, the arts and his life.
"Let his lived experiences be the fountain from which we draw strength to build each other up.”
Author Nducu wa Ngugi poses with his book, which was released in August 2014. Nducu wa Ngugi is the son of renowned author Professor Ngugi wa Thiong'o.
Others in the Prof Ngugi family spoke briefly, mostly citing works their father liked or excerpts from his writings.
In the event, which had artistic interludes that included songs and stage plays, speaker after speaker heaped praise on Prof Ngugi.
Prof Miriam Musonye, who chairs UoN’s Department of Literature, used an analogy from Prof Ngugi’s novel “The River Between” to describe his lasting legacy.
“Even though he has left us, he still lives on in the stories we tell, in the languages we recover, and in the futures we dare to build. Like the Honia River, which he wrote about – for those of you who read 'The River Between – he continues to flow.
"And he flows through the generations that come after him and will continue to come after us and those that will follow in the years to come. He will continue to shape minds, and he will continue to inspire new freedoms. My call to us is that let us honour him not only in our mourning but with our action.”
Celebrated Kenyan author and scholar Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o.
Mr Kiarie Kamau, the CEO of the East African Educational Publishers – the firm that published all of Prof Ngugi’s works since 1965 – said Prof Ngugi managed to demonstrate that languages “are not just tools of communication but vessels of philosophy, poetry and power”.
“We see him not only in the books he wrote but in the conversations he sparked. Today, as we reflect on his journey, we are struck by a powerful truth. We mourn his loss but celebrate his life.
Also Read: Ngugi wa Thiong’o: Life and Times
"We regret his departure but bask in the glory of his achievements. We are saddened by his physical absence, but are cognisant of the wealth of knowledge and wisdom that he had bequeathed upon us. His passing is therefore not the end of a chapter.
"It is the passing of a baton, a torch. It is a call to all of us to continue the work of telling our stories in our voices, in our languages and with courage and conviction,” said Mr Kiarie.
Participants during the celebration of the life and works of the late Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o at Taifa Hall in Nairobi on June 20, 2025.
Mr Kiarie informed the gathering that he was inspired by Prof Ngugi’s story to drop his name, James, which he had not used since 1982.
“Africa’s courageous voice of truth has departed. Whence cometh such another?” Mr Kiarie posed.
As per the day’s schedule, the lead tribute was to be given by Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan.