Remembering Ngugi: Denial, lessons from my literary teacher

Prof Ngugi wa Thiong'o addressing Kenyan readers during the launch of his book Kenda Muiyuru at the Kenya National Theatre. February 12, 2019. [File, Standard]

I was in denial when I heard the news that Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o had passed away. This was despite knowing that Mwalimu Ngugi had been unwell for some time. I quickly reached out to his son, Tee Ngugi, to verify the heartbreaking news. He confirmed that the great Mugumo tree of African literature—my teacher—had indeed gone to be with the ancestors.