Mukoma wa Ngugi, the fourth son of the late famous writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o, has spoken openly about a painful family conflict that separated them for the last four years of Ngugi’s life.
Mukoma revealed that he did not know about his father’s death until his brother called him. He said if it wasn’t for that call, he would have found out through social media like many other Kenyans.
Mukoma shared that for him, the real goodbye happened long before Ngugi’s death. The family conflict started after Ngugi allegedly physically abused Mukoma’s mother, Nyambura wa Ngugi. Since then, Mukoma and his father could not see eye to eye, causing distance and tension in their relationship.
He admitted he did not know about the cremation ceremony, which took place quietly in the United States with only close family. Mukoma missed the ceremony entirely and only learned about it later.
Despite their differences, Mukoma said his conscience is clear. He described his relationship with his father as strained and far from the warm, loving bond people expect between a father and son. Their last months together were marked by tension and not laughter.
Still, Mukoma expressed love and respect for his father. He praised Ngugi for teaching him to be truthful and said, “All I can say is that I love him, and despite all that, he is my father; there are no families without contradictions.”
Ngugi wa Thiong’o passed away on May 28, 2025. His daughter Wanjiku wa Ngugi announced his death and called on people who knew him to celebrate his life and work. Family members have planned various memorial events in the US and Nairobi to honor the great writer.
This family story reveals the complex nature of human relationships, especially among those in the public eye, showing that even celebrated figures like Ngugi wa Thiong’o face personal struggles behind their public achievements.
By Nairobi