Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o would have cheered Gen Z’s push for reform - Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan

A forum commemorating the life and work of Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o on Saturday deliberated whether the renowned author would have been inspired by the passion and zeal of Gen Z, who are actively agitating for political and social reforms in Kenya.

Organised by Rift Valley Institute and the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA), among other partners, speakers concurred that Ngugi's literary works are timely in catalysing the pushback against President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration.

Led by Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, Prof Kimani Njogu, playwright Sitawa Namwalie, and socio-political commentator Mohammed Amin, they said Gen Z's agitation for change is a generational quest, kick-started by Ngugi and his contemporaries.

According to Yusuf, Ngugi’s revolutionary spirit has often been overlooked.

The MP recounted how he and Ngugi participated in the liberation struggle while exiled in London, narrated their involvement in the December 12 Movement and shared insights into their activism as preserved at the Ukombozi Library.

"Ngugi has been influenced by the relationship between the colonialist and the coloniser. In all his writings, he gives voice and name to the Kenyan peasants and working class. He was one of the members of the December 12 Movement. Much of Ngugi's struggles are captured by the Ukombozi Library, where there are many of his activist papers," said Yusuf.

Yusuf explained that during their days in exile, they challenged propaganda touting Kenya as the 'crown jewel of Africa' by exposing systemic human rights abuses under then-President Daniel Moi.

"British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was a great friend of Daniel Moi. We exposed the underbelly of the Kenyan government. We were able to write about killings, detentions, and tortures," said Yusuf. "We were able to create a political party, 'Umoja wa Kupigania Demokrasia', because we wanted to tell the world what was going on in Kenya."

He disclosed that Ngugi, whom he described as an unsung hero who fought tirelessly for Kenya's new constitution and fundamental freedoms, expressed excitement about the current Gen Z movement before his passing.

"He felt very, very happy that we had not lost everything. That there was a generation that was interested in change," said Yusuf.

The MP added that critiques that Ngugi did not fully expose colonial brutality, fail to appreciate a closer reading of the writer's celebrated works, particularly A Grain of Wheat. "Look at how he handled A Grain of Wheat. I would urge you to read the Mau Mau, both as a reality and an inspiration," he said.

According to Mohammed, who delved into Ngugi's acclaimed literary works, the author's enduring writings reflect the continuing struggle against imperialism, neocolonialism and classism, as demonstrated in the 2024 nationwide protests against the Finance Bill.

"Ngugi had sharp class analysis. When he was launching Petals of Blood, he referred to his mother as a peasant," said Mohammed.

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Prof Njogu, who was supervised by Ngugi during his PhD studies, celebrated the late author's advocacy for African languages, highlighting it as his deliberate effort to foster national consciousness and cultural identity.

"He was able to write about the importance of Swahili as a language of national consciousness using his native language of Gikuyu," Prof Njogu recalled. "Ngugi's position is motivated by much more reflection from cognitive linguists."

The linguist added that Ngugi envisioned Kamirithu Theatre Centre as a multicultural space and stressed that there is a need to scientifically develop African languages.

"Scientific culture cannot be anchored in foreign languages but in African languages," said Prof Njogu, adding, "We must pay attention to African languages as an instrument of democratisation. Every language that we speak is important."

Prof Njogu's message was echoed by Namwalie, who spoke passionately about how Ngugi influenced her work in training book editors and writers to appreciate African languages.

Literature enthusiasts, scholars, and writers, including Adipo Sidang of the Parliament of Owls fame, attended the event.