Kenya should honour Prof Ngugi now not later, for his contribution

Prof Ngugi wa Thiong'o during a past event. [File, Standard]

Prof Ngugi wa Thiong'o is a towering figure in African literature and a tireless advocate for decolonising African minds. His literary works tackle the political, social and cultural challenges of post-colonial Kenya and Africa at large. Despite his monumental contributions to literature and intellectual thought, Kenya has yet to give him the recognition he so rightly deserves.

Kenya's neglect of Ngugi reflects a broader issue: the country's hesitation to celebrate those who fought to free African thought from the grip of colonialism. As Kenya grapples with the lasting legacy of colonial rule, now is the time to honour Ngugi-not only as a writer but as a national hero whose impact on the intellectual and cultural landscape of Kenya and Africa is immense.