The mighty Mugumo tree has fallen, but its roots still nurture us

Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o. [Standard]

The passing of Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o is a profound loss to African literature, languages, and the humanities — a loss that resonates deeply with me.

Years ago, as an aspiring writer navigating the uncertainties of the publishing world, I felt lost and in desperate need of mentorship. During this time, I had a pivotal encounter with Mukoma wa Ngugi at the Winternachten Festival in The Hague in 2019. After reviewing my work, he kindly shared his father’s contact details and encouraged me to reach out. I remain immensely grateful to Mukoma for his generosity.