Rigathi Gachagua Shares Ngugi wa Thiong'o's Book That Comforted Him after Ouster: "I Read"
- Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua revealed how Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s literary work provided him comfort and strength during his impeachment and political challenges
- Gachagua praised Ngugi’s works in Kikuyu, including Matigari, Ngahika Ndeenda, and Caitaani Mutharaba-Ini, calling them true expressions of African heroism
- He described Ngugi as a literary genius whose mastery of symbolism, metaphor, and poetry profoundly influenced his understanding of language and communication
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
In the wake of the veteran author Ngugi wa Thiong'o's passing, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua revealed how one of his seminal works became a source of inspiration and strength.
Source: Facebook
Which book helped Gachagua after his ouster?
In a heartfelt tribute to the late novelist, Gachagua took to social media to share a deeply personal reflection on how Ngugi’s book 'A Grain of Wheat' became a source of comfort during one of the most difficult moments in his political career.
Gachagua recounted that after his impeachment from office, a time when he faced immense uncertainty and loss of influence, he turned to the novel for solace.
He said the powerful themes and messages in the book resonated with him so profoundly that he found himself reading and rereading the book, drawing strength and hope from its pages amid the turmoil.
This tribute highlighted not only Ngugi’s impact as a writer but also the enduring relevance of his work in inspiring resilience during challenging times.
"His inspiration to me went beyond the classroom into my political world; when I left office late last year, I read and re-read his book, ‘A Grain of Wheat’. His words, “…then nobody noticed it; but looking back, we can see that Waiyaki’s blood contained within it a seed, a grain, which gave birth to a movement…” Gachagua's statement read in part.
He added that he also appreciated Ngugi’s literary works written in Kikuyu, including Matigari, Ngahika Ndeenda, and Caitaani Mutharaba-Ini, describing them as authentic expressions of African heroism.
"If a literary genius ever lived who has inspired my world of literary language and communication, may it be the use of symbolism, figurative language, metaphors, metonymy, poetry, that genius is Prof. Ngùgì Wa Thiong’o," Gachagua stated.
Has Ruto mourned Ngugi wa Thiong'o's death?
President William Ruto also joined Kenyans and the global community in mourning the loss of the acclaimed author, who passed away at 87.
Source: Facebook
In a heartfelt condolence message on Thursday, May 29, Ruto expressed profound sorrow over the death of Kenya’s esteemed teacher, writer, playwright, and public intellectual.
The president paid tribute to Ngũgĩ as a monumental figure in Kenyan literature who has laid down his pen for the last time.
He noted that Ngũgĩ’s courageous and innovative career drew admiration and debate alike. Ruto also recalled how Kenyans once hoped Ngũgĩ would be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, a recognition many believed he truly deserved.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
