Mukoma wa Ngugi, the son of Kenyan novelist Ngugi wa Thiong’o, succeeded in his quest to find a freedom fighter who was deeply connected to his late mother and cared for her in her final moments.
In a post shared on his X page on Friday, January 17, 2025, Mukoma, also a novelist like his father, recounted his meeting with the elderly Ms Wangui Njau, a distinguished scholar and doctor.
Mukoma explained how Wangui, in her prime, had been very close to his late mother, Nyambura wa Ngugi, and how he enjoyed hearing about his mother’s life from her.
He added that Wangui, like him, cherished fond memories of Nyambura, describing her as her best friend, and shared how she wished she could have prevented her death.
“Yesterday, I met Dr Wangui Njau, a scholar and freedom fighter who was very close to my late mother, Nyambura wa Ngugi. She shared with me that she was holding her when she drew her last breath and how she wished she had the power to return that breath,” Mukoma wrote.
Memorable day
Mukoma, now based in the US as an associate professor of literature in English, reflected on how much he enjoyed spending time with friends while indulging in Kenyan delicacies and drinks like muratina.
“The whole experience was fulfilling,” he wrote, recalling his time with his friends, including the renowned Kenyan singer Eric Wainaina.
He also mentioned visiting Maguo Secondary School, where one of his friends serves as board chair, marking a perfect end to his visit to Kenya.
“It was a good day spent with the great CDM Kiratu, lifelong friends @EricWainaina and @shebahirst, visited Maguo Secondary School where CDM is the chair of the board, then went to his place for goat meat, music, convos, and muratina. A lot more soon but I feel blessed,” Mukoma shared.
While Mukoma wa Ngugi was in the country from the US, where he resides, it remains unclear whether he came with his father.
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