For nearly six decades, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s writings chronicled the story of Kenya, from colonial rule to troubled democracy. The giant of African literature died in May at age 87. He spent time in jail and exile, writing the first modern novel in the Gikuyu language on prison toilet paper. The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler learns more from Kenyan author and editor Dennis Mugaa.

This story originally aired on May 29, 2025.