Kenya Publishers Association honours Ngugi wa Thiong’o with Hall of Fame induction
Ngugi wa Thiong’o remains East Africa’s pioneering novelist and a fearless advocate for African languages, whose legacy serves as a reminder that stories told in our own tongues carry the power of faith, identity, and liberation.
The Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) has inducted Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o into the Hall of Fame for his contributions to literature and societal emancipation.
Speaking at the Nairobi International Book Fair, where publishers, authors, and literary stakeholders reflected on the author's prolific legacy, KPA Chairperson Kiarie Kamau described Ngugi as a transformative thinker whose ideas continue to inspire scholarship worldwide.
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“Ngugi’s indelible footprint on African and global literature remains a lasting testament to his towering influence in Kenya, East Africa, Africa, and beyond,” said Kamau.
Award-winning author and publisher, Dr Nducu Wa Ngugi, hailed the late novelist as a visionary champion of African identity who redefined the power of language in culture.
Dr Nducu said Ngugi’s use of African languages in literature was more than a stylistic choice; it was a profound statement of dignity, culture, memory, and peace marked by sacrifice, including imprisonment and exile.
“Ngugi’s works carry history, politics, and spirit. His insistence on the centrality of African languages continues to inspire writers and readers globally. As an Amnesty International priest of conscience, he endured imprisonment and exile,” said Dr Nducu.
Adding, "Yet, his voice only grew stronger, teaching at leading universities from Nairobi to Yale, New York, and eventually California. The late Professor Ngugi's impact was recognised globally, earning him prestigious prizes and repeated mention as a strong contender for the Nobel Prize in literature.”
Ngugi’s son, Dr Bushi Dosho Wakohe, delivered virtual remarks on behalf of the family, affirming the fair’s dedication to his father’s vision and legacy.
Ngugi died at age 87 in May 2025. At the time, he was undergoing kidney dialysis, though the exact cause of death remains unknown.
Born in 1938 in Kenya during British colonial rule, Ngugi’s writing critically examined both colonial oppression and post-independence challenges, exploring language, culture, history, and identity.
Ngugi switched to writing in Kikuyu and Swahili in the 1970s after initially publishing in English, a controversial move, at the time, that underscored his commitment to decolonising African literature.
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