Renowned Kiswahili scholar Ruo Kimani-Ruo dies, leaving language fraternity in mourning
Renowned Kiswahili scholar and author Ruo Kimani-Ruo has died in Kenya after an illness, his family confirmed, leaving the Kiswahili language fraternity mourning another major loss.
Jumuiya ya Kiswahili in Kenya is in mourning following the sudden death of renowned Kiswahili scholar, linguist, and author Ruo Kimani-Ruo.
According to his family, Ruo passed away on 27 November 2025 after an illness.
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"It is with unmeasurable shock that we announce the death of Ruo Kimani-Ruo, who passed away on 27 November 2025. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. His sudden death has shocked all those who knew him," a message from the family read.
Ruo was a lecturer and celebrated author for many years, contributing to numerous books and incisive news articles in Taifa Leo newspaper.
His published works include Kaida za Uchanganuzi: Utanzu wa Ushairi, Wasakatonge na Hadithi Nyingine, Kiburi cha Nondo na Hadithi Nyingine, and Bahasha ya Urithi na Hadithi Nyingine, among others.
Fellow scholars have expressed profound grief at his passing, highlighting the significant loss to the Kiswahili language fraternity.
Scholars such as Iribe Mwangi and Kithaka wa Mberia led tributes, praising Ruo for his substantial contribution to the growth of the Kiswahili language.
Linguist Nancy Ngowa shared how Ruo had supervised her teaching practice at Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi: "This is a big loss to his family and us. Ruo was my supervisor at Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi while I was doing my teaching practice. He was a good teacher. May God rest his soul in eternal peace," said Ngowa.
Ruo’s death comes just three months after the Kiswahili community also lost Professor John Hamu Habwe, another renowned author and scholar of the Kiswahili language and literature.
Prof Habwe, celebrated as one of the most decorated figures in Kiswahili literature, was also an acclaimed author, playwright, linguist, and long-serving lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
He passed away on the night of Sunday, 17 August, after a long illness. His death was confirmed the following morning by Prof Iribe Mwangi, Chairperson of the Department of Kiswahili at the University of Nairobi.
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